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In 1990 major engine repairs were performed on 10 percent of the cars that had been built by the National Motor Company in the 1970 s and that were still registered. However, the corresponding figure for the cars that the National Motor Company had manufactured in the 1960 s was only five percent. Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the discrepancy? (A) Government motor vehicle regulations generally require all cars, whether old or new, to be inspected for emission levels prior to registration. (B) Owners of new cars tend to drive their cars more carefully than do owners of old cars. (C) The older a car is, the more likely it is to be discarded for scrap rather than repaired when major engine work is needed to keep the car in operation. (D) The cars that the National Motor Company built in the 1970 s incorporated simplified engine designs that made the engines less complicated than those of earlier models. (E) Many of the repairs that were performed on the cars that the National Motor Company built in the 1960 s could have been avoided if periodic routine maintenance had been performed.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Discrepancy

The exercise presents a situation where a higher percentage of cars from the 1970s required major engine repairs compared to cars from the 1960s, despite both groups being built by the same company and still registered in 1990. This discrepancy implies that something specific about the situation or the cars themselves is causing this difference in repair rates.

02

Evaluating Option C

Option C explains that older cars are more likely to be discarded for scrap. Thus, fewer old cars are left to repair, which could result in a smaller percentage needing repairs. This effectively explains why only 5% of the 1960s cars needed repair, compared to 10% of the 1970s cars.

03

Assessing Other Options

Other options do not directly address the discrepancy concerning the percentages requiring repair: - Option A is about emission inspections, but doesn't tie to repair needs based on age. - Option B is about driving habits, unrelated to engine complexity or repair. - Option D suggests simpler engine designs for 1970s cars, which would likely decrease repair needs, not increase them. - Option E is about maintenance and doesn't specifically explain the percentage discrepancy.

04

Conclusion: Best Explanation

Option C offers the best explanation for the discrepancy because it considers the age-related likelihood of cars being scrapped instead of repaired, leading to fewer 1960s cars needing major repairs compared to 1970s cars.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Critical Thinking in LSAT Logical Reasoning

Critical thinking is essential when navigating LSAT logical reasoning problems. These problems require not only comprehension of the information provided but also an evaluation of any arguments or discrepancies. In this exercise, we observe a discrepancy between the repair rates of cars from different decades. This situation demands a skeptical and questioning mindset to dig deep and understand why this variance exists.
- Ask: Why would one set of cars need more repairs than another?
- Consider: What factors could contribute to these differences? Are they related to driving habits, manufacturing differences, or age factors?
Important steps in critical thinking include examining assumptions, collecting and assessing information, and drawing well-supported conclusions. Here, critical thinking helps draw attention to why certain cars may be retained or discarded more often, leading us to the most plausible explanation.

Developing Analytical Skills

Analytical skills allow individuals to dissect complex policies or situations to identify underlying factors and relationships. In logical reasoning exercises like this one, identifying key patterns or causal relationships is vital.
- Break down the information: Look at the years, percentages, and any potential intervening variables.
- Identify causal links: Does the age of cars contribute to their likelihood of being repaired?
By honing analytical skills, students learn to not just consider what information is presented but also to interpret why it might be the case. In this exercise specifically, understanding the link between the age of the car and the likelihood of it being scrapped or repaired enriches the analytical process, leading to the correct inference.

Problem-Solving Techniques

Effective problem-solving involves applying logical steps and thinking strategies to reach a solution. This LSAT question focuses on identifying why there is a greater need for repairing 1970s cars than 1960s cars. Problem-solving begins with clearly understanding the question and the context.
- Clarify what the problem is, namely, the discrepancy in car repair percentages.
- Consider each option's relevance: Critically evaluate each provided choice to determine which best explains the situation.
Students must, therefore, integrate problem-solving techniques to eliminate options that do not resolve the discrepancy efficiently. The combination of understanding the problem, considering all potential causes, and evaluating them logically leads to Option C, which thoughtfully addresses the inherent differences leading to the higher percentage in repairs for 1970s vehicles.

Enhancing Reading Comprehension Skills

Reading comprehension forms the backbone of success in logical reasoning questions. It is crucial for understanding and assessing the content effectively. This exercise is about discerning the correct option based on provided facts and drawing the right conclusion.
- Focus on detail: Every word in a logical reasoning question can inform your interpretation.
- Compare contexts: Examine and compare cars from different eras and their corresponding maintenance patterns.
Enhanced reading comprehension drives the ability to filter pertinent details from superfluous information. It helps decode why certain options might seem plausible but are irrelevant. For this question, understanding why some details in other options didn't match the core issue enhances comprehension, enabling students to hone in on the correct answer choice.