#1 - Over the long run, apple orchards that use organic farming methods

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

Strengthen. The correct answer choice is (C).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (D):

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[gladyspaulson]

I chose B, but it is wrong. I don't know why C is a correct answer. Can you give me an explaination?

[Chandler H]

I chose B, but it is wrong. I don't know why C is a correct answer. Can you give me an explaination?

Hi Gladys,

Sure thing. Let's break down what our stimulus tells us:

Premise #1: Organic orchards have the same cost and productivity levels as conventional orchards
Premise #2: Organic apples taste better
Conclusion: Organic orchards will be more profitable than conventional orchards

So, we need to find something that strengthens this connection between our two premises and our conclusion—because right now, it seems like organic orchards should have the exact same profit as conventional orchards, since they cost the same to run. We need to incorporate the fact that Premise #2 provides—that organic apples taste better. The correct answer choice will provide a link between better-tasting apples, and more profit.

Answer choice (B) is wrong because it does not link Premise #2 to the conclusion; it doesn't mention anything about taste or how it relates to profit, right?

However, answer choice (C) directly links demand (a.k.a., profit) with good taste. The explanation is that more people buy apples that taste better, so the kind of orchard that produces better-tasting apples would be more profitable.

Does that make sense?

[lsatchallenger]

Hi there!

Not sure why I psyched myself out right on this section doing this question, at first I left it blank as I was between B and C. Funny enough my prediction was well if they taste better more people will want to buy them --which would be a great strengthener. I thought the LSAT makers were trying to trick us here with C as demand is not the same as profitability. For example, there may be high demand in a certain product but limited supply available so that may not necessarily lead to high profitability over the long run per se. I didn't really see why B was related but figured, again as mentioned, that they were trying to trick us here.

Any help on how to have better approached this would be appreciated!

[Jeff Wren]

Hi lsatchallenger,

You wrote:

"Funny enough my prediction was well if they taste better more people will want to buy them."

Your prephrase/prediction was really good.

"Demand" is just another word for "more people will want to buy them," so Answer C basically matches your prephrase.

While it is true that demand is not the same as profitability, demand is a very important part of profitability, and (all else being equal) higher demand would indicate higher profitability. If one's product (e.g. organic apples) is in higher demand, that generally means that one can charge a higher price for that product. As for the other things that affect profitability (i.e. costs), the argument states that organic apple orchards do not cost more to run and produce an equal amount of apples compared to conventional apple orchards, so these factors have already been addressed.

[lsatchallenger]

Hi lsatchallenger,

You wrote:

"Funny enough my prediction was well if they taste better more people will want to buy them."

Your prephrase/prediction was really good.

"Demand" is just another word for "more people will want to buy them," so Answer C basically matches your prephrase.

While it is true that demand is not the same as profitability, demand is a very important part of profitability, and (all else being equal) higher demand would indicate higher profitability. If one's product (e.g. organic apples) is in higher demand, that generally means that one can charge a higher price for that product. As for the other things that affect profitability (i.e. costs), the argument states that organic apple orchards do not cost more to run and produce an equal amount of apples compared to conventional apple orchards, so these factors have already been addressed.

Hi Jeff!

Thank you yes that makes total sense. A classic case of overthinking on my end for this question. Any ideas on how to better stick to your prediction as I find I have good predictions sometimes and then I somehow just fail to stick to them/forget them or just get trapped by 'appealing' answer choices. Thank you!!

[Jeff Wren]

Hi lsatchallenger,

A lot of it just comes down to practice. Make sure to practice untimed at first so that you can develop each step (such as prephrasing, sorting the answers into contenders/losers, etc.) without worrying about the clock. As you go through each answer, keep your prephrase in mind and notice if any answers are similar to your prephrase. Once you build your skills and confidence, then gradually incorporate timing.

Prephrasing is a skill that improves with practice. It's not just a matter of doing a lot of LR questions, but thoroughly reviewing those questions. After you check the answers, compare the right answer to your prephrase. If your prephrase was different, try to determine whether it would have been possible to prephrase the right answer. It's not always possible, but it often is.

When doing an LR section, also keep in mind where you are in the section. Knowing that earlier questions are usually easier on average can help you to avoid second guessing yourself. Not every question on the LSAT is a trick question; some are actually fairly straightforward.

On a related note, as a general rule, you shouldn't change your answer once you've chosen an answer unless you feel certain that another answer is better and can identify exactly how/why it is better.

We also have a podcast episode (Episode 66) specifically about choosing between two tempting answers that you may find helpful.

It can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KwdaRxgMnk

[lsatchallenger]

Hi lsatchallenger,

A lot of it just comes down to practice. Make sure to practice untimed at first so that you can develop each step (such as prephrasing, sorting the answers into contenders/losers, etc.) without worrying about the clock. As you go through each answer, keep your prephrase in mind and notice if any answers are similar to your prephrase. Once you build your skills and confidence, then gradually incorporate timing.

Prephrasing is a skill that improves with practice. It's not just a matter of doing a lot of LR questions, but thoroughly reviewing those questions. After you check the answers, compare the right answer to your prephrase. If your prephrase was different, try to determine whether it would have been possible to prephrase the right answer. It's not always possible, but it often is.

When doing an LR section, also keep in mind where you are in the section. Knowing that earlier questions are usually easier on average can help you to avoid second guessing yourself. Not every question on the LSAT is a trick question; some are actually fairly straightforward.

On a related note, as a general rule, you shouldn't change your answer once you've chosen an answer unless you feel certain that another answer is better and can identify exactly how/why it is better.

We also have a podcast episode (Episode 66) specifically about choosing between two tempting answers that you may find helpful.

It can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KwdaRxgMnk

Hi Jeff,

Thank you that is very helpful and great advice!