LSAT (Law School Admission Test)Analytical ReasoningEasy
A manager is assigning five tasks—P, Q, R, S, T—to five employees—A, B, C, D, E. Each employee performs exactly one task, and each task is performed by exactly one employee. The assignments must conform to the following conditions: 1. A cannot be assigned to task P or task Q. 2. B must be assigned to task R. 3. C must be assigned to task T. 4. If D is assigned to task Q, then E must be assigned to task P. Which of the following is a complete and accurate list of employees who CANNOT be assigned to task S?
- AA, B, C
- BA, B
- CB, C
- DA, B, C, D
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. B, C
From rule 2, B must be assigned to task R. From rule 3, C must be assigned to task T. Therefore, neither B nor C can be assigned to task S.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A can be assigned to S, so this option is incorrect.
- B. This list is incomplete; C also cannot be assigned to S.
- D. A and D can be assigned to S, so this option is incorrect.
Direct Exclusion
Identifying individuals or items that are explicitly prevented from being assigned to a certain position or group based on given rules.
- Involves straightforward application of specific negative constraints.
- Does not require complex deductions or chaining of rules.
- Often derived from 'cannot be' or fixed assignment rules.
Memory trick: Fixed roles free up others!