LSAT PrepTest 43 Section 4 Question 7 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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This Logic Games question is from the June 2004 LSAT.

We don't really see an obvious answer right away, so let's make a diagram using a table filled with symbols (in this case, LMOSVZ), as we usually do on the games. Remember, we want our diagram to violate as many answer choices as possible on these "must be true" questions so that we can eliminate more answer choices. Let's start diagramming with that in mind.

We'll put Z in 1 to violate A and C, M in 2 to violate B, and L in 5 to violate D. All this fits the rules in the set-up. We can't seem to violate choice E by placing O in some seat other than 6. If we do that, one of the game's rules is violated. So, draw a simple slot diagram.

If you do this, you'll see that it's impossible to get rid of E, so E is correct.

Remember:

1) Use a diagram made up of a table with symbols in it to answer most games questions, unless the answer's obvious without diagramming. A simple diagram will solve almost any games question quickly.

2) Try to violate as many answer choices as possible while making your diagram, that way you don't have to diagram again to violate the rest of the answer choices. Eliminating 4 answer choices with one diagram is a lot faster than doing it with 3 diagrams, and time is in short supply on this test!