Question

Opponents of rent control are likely to use all of the following arguments EXCEPT: A. Rent control is an interference in the market. B. Decontrol is usually followed by much higher rents. C. Rent control depresses the construction of new rental housing. D. In cities with little available building land, rent control minimizes the loss of consumer's surplus. E. Rent control deprives an owner of the free use of his or her property.

Short answer

The statement that opponents of rent control are unlikely to use is 'D. In cities with little available building land, rent control minimizes the loss of consumer's surplus.'

Step-by-step solution

Analyzing and Understanding each Argument

This step is all about understanding each statement in detail. 'A' says rent control interferes with the market. 'B' claims that decontrol leads to higher rents, which may be seen as negative for tenants but not for those opposing rent control. 'C' suggests that rent control depresses new construction, which is usually a typical argument against it. 'D' refers to the idea that rent control minimizes loss of consumer's surplus in cities with little available building land. 'E' proposes that rent control deprives an owner of the free use of his or her property, another typical argument against it.

Comparing Arguments Against Typical Resistances to Rent Control

After understanding each statement, the next step is to match them with typical arguments of those opposing rent control. Statements 'A', 'C', and 'E' align well with such arguments. These talk about market interference, discouragement of new construction, and deprivation of an owner's rights respectively.

Identifying the Odd One Out

Looking at 'B' and 'D' now, 'B' might not be a typical argument against rent control, since higher rents after decontrol usually favor landlords, which are often the ones opposing rent control. But statement 'D' seems really out of place, as it talks about benefiting the consumer, while opponents of rent control are usually more concerned with benefits to landlords or the market. Therefore, 'D' seems to be the argument that opponents of rent control are not likely to use.

Key concepts

Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning is all about understanding the structure of arguments. It involves identifying premises—the statements that provide the reasons for a conclusion—and the conclusion itself, which is what the premises aim to support. In the context of LSAT practice questions like the rent control example, we need to dissect each option thoroughly.

To employ logical reasoning:

• First, break down the statement into its basic components.
• Identify the premises that lead to the conclusion.
• Evaluate if the premises logically support the conclusion.
• Look for consistency and relevance in the arguments.

Understanding logical reasoning helps tackle questions where you differentiate arguments that align with or deviate from established positions, as we see with rent control opponents. This helps in not just answering questions correctly but understanding the nature of critical discussions.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking goes beyond merely understanding an argument. It is about actively applying, analyzing, and evaluating information to form a judgment.

In LSAT practice questions, critical thinking involves:

• Carefully scrutinizing each option presented.
• Considering the potential biases and motives behind each argument.
• Weighing each argument's strength and relevance to the main topic.
• Being skeptical about the hidden assumptions in each argument.

Engaging in critical thinking allows students to identify the argument that does not fit the typical viewpoint of rent control opponents. For instance, options hinting at benefits to consumers might be contrary to the typical anti-rent-control stance, as noted in the choice "D" in the exercise. Realizing this stems from questioning and actively analyzing each presented point.

Argument Analysis

Argument analysis involves dissecting claims and evaluating them systematically. This is crucial in verifying whether given assertions accurately represent common arguments of a particular group, like rent control opponents.

Steps in argument analysis:

• Identify the claim and its intended stance concerning the topic.
• Assess whether the argument aligns with typical or atypical positions of the group in question.
• Separate arguments into supportive, opposing, or neutral perspectives based on the context.
• Evaluate if the evidence or examples provided effectively back the claims.

Through argument analysis, you may find which supposed argument is incorrectly attributed to opponents of rent control, as illustrated by option "D". This particular analysis helps in eliminating options that do not align with the expected viewpoints, thereby honing the skill to critically evaluate arguments.

Exam Strategies

For LSAT exam strategies, particularly in logical reasoning sections, students need a structured approach to navigate complex questions:

• Start by reading the question carefully to understand what is being asked without jumping to conclusions.
• Apply logical reasoning to break down the arguments into their components.
• Employ critical thinking by questioning each argument and recognizing possible biases.
• Perform thorough argument analysis to identify the key argument or find the one that does not fit.

Exam strategies also include practicing with various question types regularly to familiarize oneself with the format. Timing is crucial; hence, students should practice pacing to ensure all questions are addressed within the given time frame. Additionally, reviewing incorrect answers is an excellent way to understand mistakes and learn from them, enhancing overall test performance.