Free Practice Questions for LSAT Logical Reasoning (Weaken)

Free LSAT drill for Logical Reasoning (Weaken):

1) A recent study claims that consuming blueberries daily improves memory function in adults. Based on this study, a health magazine recommends that readers eat blueberries every day to enhance their memory.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the health magazine's recommendation?

A) The study was conducted on a small group of individuals over a short period.

B) Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, which are known to have various health benefits.

C) The participants in the study also engaged in daily memory training exercises.

D) Many people are allergic to blueberries and cannot include them in their diet.

E) Other berries, such as strawberries and raspberries, also contain antioxidants.

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2) A technology company claims that its new smartphone model has the longest battery life on the market, lasting up to 48 hours on a single charge. Tech reviewers praise the phone for its battery performance and recommend it to consumers seeking long-lasting devices.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the tech reviewers' recommendation?

A) The smartphone's battery life significantly decreases after a few months of regular use.

B) The smartphone comes in various colors and designs appealing to a wide audience.

C) The smartphone is more expensive than other models with similar features.

D) The company's previous models have also been praised for their battery life.

E) Users can extend battery life by adjusting settings and reducing usage.

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3) A nutritionist argues that a plant-based diet leads to better cardiovascular health compared to a diet that includes meat. Based on this, a health organization advises people to adopt plant-based diets to improve heart health.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the health organization's advice?

A) Some individuals on plant-based diets experience deficiencies in essential nutrients like vitamin B12.

B) Studies show that moderate consumption of lean meats does not increase cardiovascular risk.

C) Plant-based diets are associated with lower cholesterol levels.

D) Many people find plant-based diets difficult to maintain long-term.

E) Processed plant-based foods can be high in sodium and unhealthy additives.

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4) A sociologist claims that increased use of social media leads to higher levels of loneliness among teenagers. Based on this, a school district considers implementing programs to reduce social media usage among students.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the school district's consideration?

A) Social media allows teenagers to stay connected with friends who live far away.

B) Studies show that teenagers who use social media moderately report feeling more connected to their peers.

C) Excessive social media use can interfere with sleep patterns in teenagers.

D) Some teenagers use social media to bully others, leading to negative social experiences.

E) Reducing social media usage may lead teenagers to feel isolated from their peer group.

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5) An environmental scientist suggests that the primary cause of declining freshwater fish populations is pollution from agricultural runoff. A conservation agency plans to focus its efforts on reducing agricultural pollutants to restore fish populations.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the conservation agency's plan?

A) In regions where agricultural runoff has decreased, fish populations have not shown significant recovery.

B) Overfishing in freshwater bodies has increased over the past decade.

C) Agricultural runoff includes nutrients that can lead to algal blooms, depleting oxygen in the water.

D) Climate change has led to higher water temperatures, which affect fish habitats.

E) Some pollutants in agricultural runoff are difficult to remove from water systems.

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Answers:

1) (C). The health magazine's recommendation is based on a study suggesting that daily consumption of blueberries improves memory. To weaken this recommendation, we need information that suggests the improvement may not be due solely to blueberry consumption.

• (A) Indicates the study had a small sample size and short duration. While this may raise questions about the study's reliability, it doesn't directly weaken the claim about blueberries improving memory.
• (B) States that blueberries are rich in antioxidants with health benefits, which supports the recommendation.
• (C) Reveals that participants also engaged in memory training exercises, suggesting that improvements in memory could be due to the exercises rather than blueberry consumption, thereby weakening the recommendation.
• (D) Notes that some people are allergic to blueberries, which is a limitation but doesn't challenge the effectiveness for those who can consume them.
• (E) States that other berries also contain antioxidants, which doesn't weaken the claim about blueberries but suggests alternatives.

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2) (A). Tech reviewers recommend the smartphone based on its long battery life. To weaken this recommendation, we need information that undermines the claim about battery performance.

• (A) Indicates that the battery life decreases significantly after regular use, suggesting that the long battery life is not sustained, thereby weakening the reviewers' recommendation.
• (B) Discusses aesthetics, which doesn't relate to battery performance.
• (C) Mentions higher cost, which might affect consumer decisions but doesn't address battery life.
• (D) States that previous models were praised for battery life, which supports the company's reputation.
• (E) Suggests that users can extend battery life through settings, which doesn't weaken the claim about the inherent battery performance.

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3) (B). The health organization's advice is based on the claim that plant-based diets improve heart health. To weaken this advice, we need evidence that including meat does not negatively impact cardiovascular health.

• (A) Points out potential nutrient deficiencies, which may be a concern but doesn't directly relate to cardiovascular health.
• (B) Indicates that moderate consumption of lean meats does not increase cardiovascular risk, suggesting that a diet including meat can also support heart health, thus weakening the advice to adopt strictly plant-based diets.
• (C) Supports the benefit of plant-based diets, strengthening the advice.
• (D) Notes difficulty in maintaining the diet, which is a practical concern but doesn't challenge the health benefits.
• (E) Points out that processed plant-based foods can be unhealthy, which might weaken the advice but is less direct than (B).

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4) (B). The school district is considering programs to reduce social media usage based on the claim that it leads to loneliness. To weaken this consideration, we need evidence that social media can actually decrease loneliness.

• (A) States that social media helps maintain long-distance friendships, which may weaken the consideration but is less direct.
• (B) Indicates that moderate social media use makes teenagers feel more connected, directly opposing the claim and weakening the school district's consideration.
• (C) Points out sleep interference, which is a negative effect but supports reducing usage.
• (D) Mentions bullying on social media, which supports reducing usage.
• (E) Suggests that reducing social media could make teenagers feel isolated, which weakens the consideration but is more speculative compared to (B).

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5) (A). The conservation agency plans to reduce agricultural pollutants to restore fish populations, based on the idea that pollution is the primary cause of decline. To weaken this plan, we need evidence that reducing agricultural runoff does not lead to fish population recovery.

• (A) Indicates that even when agricultural runoff has decreased, fish populations have not significantly recovered, suggesting that pollution may not be the primary cause, thus weakening the agency's plan.
• (B) Points out overfishing, suggesting another cause for decline, which weakens the focus solely on pollution.
• (C) Explains how agricultural runoff harms fish, supporting the agency's plan.
• (D) Introduces climate change as a factor, which could weaken the plan but is less direct than (A).
• (E) Notes difficulty in removing pollutants, which could complicate the plan but doesn't address its effectiveness.