Q13 - The top priority of the school

[rbolden]

I narrowed down the choices to A and E. Can you explain why E is correct and A is not?

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

That's a great sign that you're able to narrow it down to answer choices (A) and (E). Now you just need to take one more step and start thinking like the test writer - in this case, it's the clever use of a contrapositive.

The argument concludes that we should focus on a specific goal, because that goal is necessary to the achievement of something else that we deem to be good.

Answer choice (A) says to focus on not alienating customers, because not alienating customers is necessary to honesty and a good knowledge of the product line to be useful to a salesperson.

The reason why you're probably having a hard time seeing how this one matches is due to the words "only if" whereas the stimulus says "if" and answer choice (E) says "only if." Answer choice (A) matches even with the switch in language because it relies on the contrapositive.

Answer choice (E) does not match because the priority is the sufficient condition and not the necessary condition.

More importantly, answer choice (A) is about increasing the utility of other factors, whereas answer choice (E) is not. In the stimulus "teachers, texts, and facilities" don't do any good without attendance. In answer choice (A) honesty and a good knowledge of the product line don't do any good without putting the customer at ease.

Does that answer your question?

[megm7267]

I could be wrong, but are you mixing up choices E and A in this explanation? I thought the correct answer was E.

[ManhattanPrepLSAT1]

That's exactly right! Answer choice (E) is correct because the question stem is asking for the answer that LEAST reflects the pattern of reasoning in the argument in the stimulus. In the discussion above we eliminated answer choice (A) because it was similar.

Hope that helps!

[megm7267]

Ok thanks!

[Raiderblue17]

I also think this question could be simplified sybolically.

It says the Top Priority should be "A" because both "B" and "C" dont matter without A.

So the ONLY answer that Doesn't use this pattern of reasoning is answer choice E.

E says the top priority is A, because it will allow people to do B and C.

The rest all say, "A" is the most important thing, above both B and C.