LNAT - Law National Aptitude Evaluating Argument Strengths Questions and Answers

Question 1

A local council member argues: 'If we approve the construction of this skate park, it will attract loiterers.
This will inevitably lead to an increase in petty crime, like graffiti and vandalism.
Before we know it, our peaceful town will become a hotspot for more serious criminal activity, and property values will plummet.
Therefore, we must reject the skate park proposal to protect our community.' Which of the following describes the primary flaw in the council member's reasoning?

Accepted Answer

It assumes that the initial action will inevitably lead to a series of increasingly negative consequences without sufficient evidence.

Answer

It presents only two options: build the park and face ruin, or reject it and remain safe.

Answer

It attacks the character of skateboarders rather than the merits of the proposal.

Answer

It relies on the emotional response of fear rather than on logical evidence.

Question 2

A company spokesperson, defending their new brand of 'Vita-Boost' orange juice, states: 'Claims that our product is unhealthy are unfounded. Last year, our company donated over £1 million to children's health charities, demonstrating our deep and unwavering commitment to public wellbeing. A company this dedicated to health would not produce an unhealthy product.' What is the most significant weakness in the spokesperson's argument?

Accepted Answer

The evidence provided (charitable donations) is irrelevant to the product's actual health qualities.

Answer

The spokesperson is biased as they are employed by the company.

Answer

The argument does not specify which charities received the donations.

Answer

The argument fails to provide specific nutritional information about the juice.

Question 3

A study of a large city found a strong positive correlation between the number of ice cream shops and the number of reported burglaries. The study's author concludes: 'The proliferation of ice cream shops is contributing to a rise in the city's crime rate, likely because they create late-night gathering spots for criminals.' Which of the following statements, if true, would most seriously weaken the author's conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Both ice cream sales and burglary rates are known to increase significantly during warmer summer months.

Answer

The study did not differentiate between residential and commercial burglaries.

Answer

Many of the city's ice cream shops close before 9 p.m.

Answer

The study was only conducted over a single calendar year.

Question 4

An opponent of a proposed law requiring mandatory bicycle helmets argues: 'Forcing cyclists to wear helmets is like forcing restaurant patrons to wear bibs. While a bib might prevent a small stain on a shirt, it's an intrusive overreach that treats adults like children. Both measures impose a requirement to mitigate a minor, personal risk, and neither is the proper role of government.' Which of the following points out the most significant flaw in the argument's use of analogy?

Accepted Answer

The analogy compares the minor consequence of a food stain with the potentially severe consequence of a head injury.

Answer

The analogy fails to consider that some people enjoy wearing bibs when eating certain foods.

Answer

The analogy overstates the government's role in regulating restaurant policies.

Answer

The analogy ignores that bibs are provided by restaurants, whereas cyclists must buy their own helmets.

Question 5

A marketing director argues: 'To increase our company's profits this year, we must significantly increase our advertising budget. A larger budget will allow us to run more commercials on prime-time television, reaching a wider audience and boosting our sales.' Which of the following is a necessary assumption underlying the marketing director's argument?

Accepted Answer

The cost of the increased advertising will not be greater than the additional profit generated from increased sales.

Answer

Prime-time television is the only effective form of advertising available to the company.

Answer

The company's products are of a higher quality than those of its competitors.

Answer

The company's competitors are not also increasing their advertising budgets.

Question 6

A legal principle states: 'A person shall not be held liable for damages caused by an unforeseeable 'act of God,' which is a natural event of extraordinary force whose effects could not be prevented by the exercise of reasonable care and foresight.' In which of the following scenarios would a defendant most likely be successful in using the 'act of God' defense, according to the principle?

Accepted Answer

A shipping company's vessel, built to withstand typical North Atlantic gales, is sunk by a tsunami in the Mediterranean Sea, an area with no recorded history of tsunamis.

Answer

A construction company's crane is toppled by a hurricane in Florida during hurricane season, damaging adjacent property.

Answer

A farmer's dam, which was known to be in poor repair, bursts during a period of heavy but not unprecedented rainfall, flooding a neighboring farm.

Answer

A restaurant owner fails to clear a patch of ice from their walkway during a normal winter freeze, and a patron slips and is injured.