LSAT Causal Reasoning & Alternate Causes Quiz

1. A study shows that people who drink coffee have higher productivity. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the causal claim that coffee increases productivity?

Morning people tend to drink more coffee and are naturally more productive

Coffee is expensive and only wealthy people buy it regularly

Productivity levels vary by industry and job type

Some coffee drinkers report feeling jittery after consumption

This alternate cause explains the correlation without requiring that coffee causes productivity.

Explanation

This alternate cause explains the correlation without requiring that coffee causes productivity.

2. Researchers found that students who attend tutoring sessions have higher test scores than those who don't. What alternative explanation could account for this correlation?

Tutoring sessions are held in the evenings

Motivated students are more likely to seek tutoring

Test scores depend on student demographics

Tutoring instructors have advanced degrees

Student motivation is an alternate cause that could explain both tutoring enrollment and higher scores.

Explanation

Student motivation is an alternate cause that could explain both tutoring enrollment and higher scores.

3. A pharmaceutical company claims that Drug X cures insomnia because patients who took it reported better sleep. Which factor most undermines this causal claim?

The placebo effect could account for the improvement

Insomnia affects millions of people worldwide

Other drugs on the market also treat insomnia

Some patients discontinued the drug after one week

The placebo effect is an alternate cause that could produce reported improvement independent of the drug.

Explanation

The placebo effect is an alternate cause that could produce reported improvement independent of the drug.

4. Studies show that employees with flexible work schedules report higher job satisfaction. What alternate cause could explain this relationship?

Employees with flexible schedules work fewer hours per week

Employers who offer flexibility also tend to offer better benefits overall

Job satisfaction surveys are conducted quarterly

Flexible schedules reduce commute time for most workers

A third variable (generous employer policies) could cause both flexibility and satisfaction, rather than flexibility causing satisfaction.

Explanation

A third variable (generous employer policies) could cause both flexibility and satisfaction, rather than flexibility causing satisfaction.

5. A company's sales increased after launching a new advertising campaign. Which of the following would most challenge the claim that the campaign caused the sales increase?

The campaign ran during the holiday shopping season

Competitors reduced their prices during the same period

The company hired additional sales staff before the campaign

The advertising budget was larger than previous campaigns

Seasonal demand is an alternate cause that could account for the sales increase without the campaign being responsible.

Explanation

Seasonal demand is an alternate cause that could account for the sales increase without the campaign being responsible.

6. Research indicates that countries with higher education spending have lower crime rates. What alternative explanation challenges the causal claim?

Crime rates are measured differently across countries

Wealthier nations spend more on education and also invest in law enforcement

Education spending varies by region within each country

Crime rates have declined globally over the past decade

Wealth is a confounding variable that could explain both higher education spending and lower crime rates.

Explanation

Wealth is a confounding variable that could explain both higher education spending and lower crime rates.

7. A restaurant's customer base grew significantly after it switched to organic ingredients. What alternate cause could explain this growth?

Organic ingredients are more expensive than conventional ones

The restaurant also launched a social media marketing campaign simultaneously

Customers prefer restaurants in urban locations

Organic certification takes several months to obtain

The marketing campaign is an alternate cause that could account for the customer growth.

Explanation

The marketing campaign is an alternate cause that could account for the customer growth.

8. Studies show that people who exercise regularly have better mental health outcomes. Which finding would most undermine the causal claim that exercise improves mental health?

People with better mental health are more motivated to exercise

Exercise routines vary in intensity and duration

Mental health is influenced by genetics and environment

Regular exercise requires consistent time commitment

This reversal of causality or alternate causality suggests mental health may drive exercise rather than vice versa.

Explanation

This reversal of causality or alternate causality suggests mental health may drive exercise rather than vice versa.

9. A school's test scores improved after implementing a new curriculum. What would most weaken the argument that the curriculum caused the improvement?

The new curriculum is more challenging than the old one

The school also hired more experienced teachers that same year

Test scores have generally increased nationwide

Students reported finding the material more engaging

Better teachers is an alternate cause that could independently improve test scores.

Explanation

Better teachers is an alternate cause that could independently improve test scores.

10. Data shows that people who sleep eight hours per night have fewer health problems. What alternative explanation could account for this correlation?

Sleep quality varies among individuals

People with fewer health problems have less stress and sleep better

Eight hours is the recommended sleep duration by health experts

Sleep duration is self-reported and may be inaccurate

Good health may enable better sleep, rather than sleep causing good health.

Explanation

Good health may enable better sleep, rather than sleep causing good health.

11. A city's public transit system expanded, and traffic congestion decreased. Which finding would most challenge the causal claim?

Remote work adoption increased during the same period

The transit system serves multiple neighborhoods

Traffic patterns vary by time of day and season

Public transit ridership increased by 20 percent

Increased remote work is an alternate cause that could independently reduce congestion.

Explanation

Increased remote work is an alternate cause that could independently reduce congestion.

12. Research shows that students who attend office hours have higher grades. What alternate cause could explain this relationship?

Office hours are scheduled during business hours

Higher-performing students are more likely to seek help proactively

Professors have varying availability for office hours

Some students attend office hours but still perform poorly

Student initiative or ability may drive both office hour attendance and higher grades.

Explanation

Student initiative or ability may drive both office hour attendance and higher grades.

13. A company's employee retention improved after offering remote work options. Which factor would most undermine the causal claim?

Remote work increases employee productivity

The company simultaneously increased salaries and benefits

Remote workers report higher job satisfaction

The labor market was competitive during this period

Better compensation is an alternate cause that could improve retention independently.

Explanation

Better compensation is an alternate cause that could improve retention independently.

14. Studies indicate that children in music programs perform better academically. What alternative explanation could account for this correlation?

Music programs teach discipline and time management

Parents who enroll children in music also prioritize academic support

Music education develops cognitive skills

Not all schools offer music programs

Parental involvement is a confounding variable that could explain both music enrollment and academic success.

Explanation

Parental involvement is a confounding variable that could explain both music enrollment and academic success.

15. A marketing campaign claimed that using Product Y led to faster weight loss because users lost weight after using it. What most weakens this causal argument?

Users also changed their diet and exercise habits during the study

Weight loss results vary by individual metabolism

The product contains natural ingredients

Some users experienced side effects from the product

Lifestyle changes are alternate causes that could independently explain weight loss.

Explanation

Lifestyle changes are alternate causes that could independently explain weight loss.

LSAT Logical Reasoning Causal Reasoning and Alternate Causes Quiz

1. A study shows that people who drink coffee have higher productivity. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the causal claim that coffee increases productivity?

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. Researchers found that students who attend tutoring sessions have higher test scores than those who don't. What alternative explanation could account for this correlation?

3. A pharmaceutical company claims that Drug X cures insomnia because patients who took it reported better sleep. Which factor most undermines this causal claim?

4. Studies show that employees with flexible work schedules report higher job satisfaction. What alternate cause could explain this relationship?

5. A company's sales increased after launching a new advertising campaign. Which of the following would most challenge the claim that the campaign caused the sales increase?

6. Research indicates that countries with higher education spending have lower crime rates. What alternative explanation challenges the causal claim?

7. A restaurant's customer base grew significantly after it switched to organic ingredients. What alternate cause could explain this growth?

8. Studies show that people who exercise regularly have better mental health outcomes. Which finding would most undermine the causal claim that exercise improves mental health?

9. A school's test scores improved after implementing a new curriculum. What would most weaken the argument that the curriculum caused the improvement?

10. Data shows that people who sleep eight hours per night have fewer health problems. What alternative explanation could account for this correlation?

11. A city's public transit system expanded, and traffic congestion decreased. Which finding would most challenge the causal claim?

12. Research shows that students who attend office hours have higher grades. What alternate cause could explain this relationship?

13. A company's employee retention improved after offering remote work options. Which factor would most undermine the causal claim?

14. Studies indicate that children in music programs perform better academically. What alternative explanation could account for this correlation?

15. A marketing campaign claimed that using Product Y led to faster weight loss because users lost weight after using it. What most weakens this causal argument?