LSAT PrepTest 43 Section 4 Question 13 Explanation | Logic Games

I didn't write the following blog post. It was already on the blog when I took over the URL. The following blog post may contain mistakes. -Steve

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Here's a Logic Games question from the June 2004 LSAT.

Since this is a question in which we need to find the right arrangement that fits with the rules, we don't need to diagram just yet, although we certainly will need to for later questions in this game. As a side note, the way I'd write the symbols for this game, which is a little more complex than most of the ones we've done on this blog, is just write S1, R2, etc. to signify Sipapu from the 1st period, Redemption from the second, etc. Don't get hung up on trying to symbolize the rules...it would be somewhat time-consuming here, I think, so I say just go ahead and read them!

Okay, in accordance with the rules, let's start eliminating choices. C is out because the first rule says S belongs to the private collector, and C doesn't reflect that. E is out because S doesn't go before Z, as the first rule says.

A is out because it has Q going for T, and the second rule says that cannot be (not that the rule says Q can't be before T...don't erroneously deduce from this that T must be before Q; they could be from the same period).

D is out because it doesn't have V second, and the third rule says it must be. So B is all that's left and B is correct.

Remember:

1) Don't bother with a diagram on questions that just have a list of possible arrangements that you must choose between (often the first question in a game). Just applying the rules does it. I suggest proceeding in the order of the rules (as we did), not the order of the answer choices (trying to eliminate A, then B, etc.).

2) Use simple symbols when you do diagram, even if the game is complex. We have two variables here (painting and period), but all we need to do is write S2. Also, if it isn't easy, don't worry about symbolizing the rules. Just read the text.