Q4 - A group of 1,000 students

[skapur777]

Why couldn't the answer here be A? They fail to justify that 89 percent is an overwhelming majority of students because they selected a group of 1,000 kids in a medium sized city and compared it to the NATIONAL amount of students...they didn't justify this at all.

[bbirdwell]

You've pointed out the correct flaw -- that 89% of THESE students is not necessarily 89% of the NATIONAL trend. That's what (E) says, which is why (E) is correct.

(A) says something else, and it doesn't go nearly as far. It simply says "the author fails to justify that 89% is an overwhelming majority." Note that this has nothing to do with national vs local or high school students or any of that. It's much simpler. This little fact (89% = majority) does not need justification by the author -- it is totally reasonable to consider 89% an overwhelming majority.

(B) is incorrect because only one conclusion is drawn.

(C) is incorrect because the author does not overlook that possibility, but in fact admits it, saying "IF the rate is high."

(D) is incorrect. There is nothing contradictory about "wanting to finish" and "dropping out."

(E) is totally right, as you pointed out.

Does that clear that up?

[skapur777]

Oh, wow. I feel like an idiot. I feel like I shouldn't look too 'into' these questions because I make mistakes like that...but not looking into things in the LR section goes against the entire spirit of the LSAT!

[WaltGrace1983]

I thought that (D) was a fairly tempting answer but I think that the main thing to pay attention to in the conclusion is that word if. If you didn't see that word there, it would be incredibly easy to get (C) or (D) as an answer. However, (D) is wrong because there is nothing contradictory about saying "wanting" to do something and something actually happening.

-98% of Americans want a Lamborghini
-only 0.05% of Americans have a Lamborghini

Those are not contradictory at all.

[mkd000]

I got this question correct and understand it and all. I believe this question has a second flaw but I would like some feedback as I am not 100% sure. Is there a term shift going on as well? From "plan to finish high school" to "desire" (planning does not necessarily entail desire - maybe students are being encouraged to finish high school or else their parents will refuse to leave them trust funds).

Please let me know what you think! Thanks

[mkd000]

Was reviewing this and realized no one has got around to answering this. Please address! Thank you - your help is always much appreciated and valued.

[maryadkins]

Indeed! Good find.