Sample LSAT Practice Questions

According to Wilsonlsat, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for prospective law school candidates. It is designed to assess key skills required for success in law school, including reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and writing. The test consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions and one unscored writing sample. The sections include:

1. Logical Reasoning (Arguments): Tests the ability to analyze and evaluate arguments.
2. Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games): Tests the ability to understand a structure of relationships and draw conclusions about that structure.
3. Reading Comprehension: Tests the ability to read complex texts with understanding and insight.
4. Unscored Variable Section: Used to pretest new questions or evaluate new test forms.
5. Writing Sample: Though not scored, it is sent to law schools as part of the candidate’s application.

Below are some sample questions from each section:

Logical Reasoning Questions

Question 1

Stimulus

Many people believe that the elimination of factory farms would lead to a dramatic increase in food prices. However, a recent study shows that switching to more sustainable farming practices only marginally increases food production costs. Therefore, the elimination of factory farms would not lead to a dramatic increase in food prices.

Question

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

A) Sustainable farming practices require a significantly higher initial investment compared to factory farming.

B) The study focused only on the cost of production and did not take into account the costs associated with distribution and marketing.

C) Most consumers are willing to pay more for food that is produced using sustainable farming practices.

D) The environmental benefits of sustainable farming outweigh the potential increase in food production costs.

E) Sustainable farming practices result in higher yields compared to factory farming in the long run.

Question 2

Stimulus

Every year, a certain coastal town experiences severe flooding during the rainy season. This year, the town has constructed a new drainage system designed to handle large amounts of water. Therefore, the town will not experience severe flooding this rainy season.

Question

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?

A) The new drainage system was tested under conditions similar to those of the rainy season.

B) The rainy season this year will not be more severe than in previous years.

C) The town has allocated sufficient resources for the maintenance of the new drainage system.

D) Residents of the town are aware of how to properly use the new drainage system.

E) The new drainage system was installed correctly and without any defects.

Question 3

Stimulus

A survey found that 80% of people who regularly use public transportation are satisfied with the service. However, only 60% of people who drive to work are satisfied with their commute. Therefore, switching from driving to using public transportation will increase overall commuter satisfaction.

Question

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

A) Public transportation is cheaper than driving to work.

B) The survey included a representative sample of commuters from various cities.

C) People who switch from driving to using public transportation tend to be more satisfied with their commute.

D) Public transportation reduces traffic congestion, making commutes faster for everyone.

E) The survey did not account for differences in commute times between public transportation and driving.

Question 4

Stimulus

A study on workplace productivity found that employees who take regular breaks are more productive than those who do not. Based on this finding, companies should encourage employees to take regular breaks to increase productivity.

Question

Which one of the following, if true, would most strengthen the recommendation made in the argument?

A) Employees who take regular breaks report higher job satisfaction.

B) The study included a wide range of industries and job types.

C) Regular breaks have been shown to reduce workplace stress.

D) Companies that encourage regular breaks have higher overall employee retention rates.

E) The study controlled for other factors that might affect productivity, such as workload and work environment.

Question 5

Stimulus

Recent studies have shown that people who eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of developing heart disease. Therefore, increasing fruit and vegetable intake is an effective way to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Question

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?

A) People who eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables do not have other unhealthy habits that increase the risk of heart disease.

B) Fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that are specifically beneficial for heart health.

C) A diet high in fruits and vegetables is more beneficial for heart health than other types of diets.

D) People who do not currently eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables are willing to change their eating habits.

E) Increasing fruit and vegetable intake is the most effective way to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games) Questions

Game 1: Book Club Schedule

A book club meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. The club reads a different book each week and discusses one book per meeting. The following conditions apply:

1. Book A is discussed before Book B.
2. Book C is discussed on Monday.
3. Book D is discussed on Friday.
4. Book E is not discussed on Wednesday.

Question 1

If Book B is discussed on Friday, which book is discussed on Wednesday?

A) Book A

B) Book D

C) Book E

D) Book A

E) Book C

Question 2

If Book E is discussed on Monday, which book is discussed on Wednesday?

A) Book A

B) Book B

C) Book C

D) Book D

E) Book E

Game 2: Office Floor Plan

An office building has six offices on one floor, numbered 1 through 6. The offices are arranged in a row, and the following conditions apply:

1. Office 3 is immediately to the left of Office 4.
2. Office 2 is not adjacent to Office 5.
3. Office 1 is immediately to the right of Office 6.
4. Office 5 is immediately to the left of Office 1.

Question 1

Which of the following is a possible arrangement of the offices from left to right?

A) 6, 1, 5, 2, 3, 4

B) 5, 2, 4, 3, 6, 1

C) 4, 3, 2, 5, 1, 6

D) 2, 5, 1, 6, 3, 4

E) 6, 1, 5, 4, 3, 2

Question 2

If Office 2 is immediately to the right of Office 6, which of the following must be true?

A) Office 1 is immediately to the left of Office 5.

B) Office 3 is immediately to the left of Office 4.

C) Office 5 is immediately to the left of Office 6.

D) Office 2 is immediately to the right of Office 1.

E) Office 4 is immediately to the right of Office 2.

Reading Comprehension Questions

Passage 1: Environmental Policy

In recent years, environmental policy has shifted from a focus on command-and-control regulations to market-based approaches. Command-and-control regulations mandate specific limits and actions for pollution control, while market-based approaches, such as carbon pricing, provide economic incentives for reducing emissions.

Market-based approaches have several advantages. They allow firms flexibility in how they reduce emissions, encourage innovation, and can be more cost-effective. However, critics argue that market-based approaches can lead to uneven distribution of environmental benefits and may not adequately address environmental justice concerns.

Question 1

The primary purpose of the passage is to:

A) Compare and contrast two types of environmental policy approaches.

B) Argue in favor of market-based approaches over command-and-control regulations.

C) Highlight the weaknesses of command-and-control regulations.

D) Discuss the role of innovation in environmental policy.

E) Examine the economic implications of environmental regulations.

Question 2

Which one of the following is mentioned as a potential disadvantage of market-based approaches?

A) Lack of flexibility in reducing emissions.

B) Higher overall costs compared to command-and-control regulations.

C) Limited effectiveness in reducing pollution levels.

D) Uneven distribution of environmental benefits.

E) Insufficient incentives for technological innovation.

Passage 2: Literary Analysis

The novels of Jane Austen have long been celebrated for their wit, social commentary, and memorable characters. However, some modern critics argue that Austen’s works are limited by their narrow focus on the lives of the English gentry and fail to address broader social issues. Despite this criticism, Austen’s novels continue to be widely read and admired for their exploration of universal themes such as love, marriage, and morality.

Question 1

The author of the passage is primarily concerned with:

A) Defending Jane Austen’s novels against modern criticism.

B) Analyzing the social commentary in Jane Austen’s novels.

C) Discussing the reasons for the enduring popularity of Jane Austen’s novels.

D) Highlighting the limitations of Jane Austen’s literary focus.

E) Comparing Jane Austen’s novels to those of other contemporary authors.

Question 2

According to the passage, some modern critics believe that Jane Austen’s novels:

A) Lack memorable characters.

B) Overemphasize social issues.

C) Fail to address the lives of the English gentry.

D) Are limited by their narrow focus.

E) Are not widely read or admired today.

Writing Sample

Prompt

A small town is considering two proposals to revitalize its downtown area: building a new shopping mall or creating a public park. Write an essay in which you argue for one proposal over the other based on the following criteria:

1. Economic impact
2. Community benefits
3. Long-term sustainability

In your essay, be sure to discuss the reasons for your choice and address the potential drawbacks of the alternative proposal.

Sample Response

Building a public park in the downtown area is a more advantageous proposal compared to constructing a new shopping mall. The economic impact of a public park, while not immediately as profitable as a shopping mall, provides long-term financial benefits through increased property values and tourism. Community benefits of a park include providing a space for recreation, social gatherings, and events, which can enhance the quality of life for residents and foster a sense of community. Additionally, the long-term sustainability of a public park is greater than that of a shopping mall, as it requires fewer resources to maintain and contributes to environmental conservation.

In contrast, a shopping mall, while potentially boosting short-term economic activity, can lead to increased traffic, pollution, and competition with existing local businesses. Over time, malls can become outdated and struggle to attract customers, leading to vacancies and economic decline. Therefore, considering the economic impact, community benefits, and long-term sustainability, creating a public park is the better choice for revitalizing the downtown area.