How to Solve LSAT “Paradox” Questions

"Paradox" questions appear in the LSAT Logical Reasoning section. Unlike typical argument-based questions, these questions present two conflicting facts and ask you to explain how both can be true.

In this article, we’ll help you develop your Logical Reasoning skills in this area of LSAT preparation. We'll cover the process of making strong predictions and selecting the most relevant answer to resolve the paradox.

What Are "Paradox" Questions in the LSAT?

Paradox questions on the Law School Admission Test are a type of Logical Reasoning question that present you with two seemingly contradictory or conflicting statements. Your task is to identify how both statements can coexist without contradiction.

Unlike questions that require you to draw a conclusion or identify an assumption, paradox questions challenge you to resolve the discrepancy by finding the logical explanation that makes both facts true. These questions test your ability to think critically and find the hidden connection or context that eliminates the apparent conflict, thereby resolving the paradox.

Types of "Paradox" Questions

Here are some ways that these bottom-up questions ask you to resolve a paradox:

• Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the apparent paradox above?
• Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the conflict described above?
• Which one of the following, if true, would most effectively reconcile the apparent discrepancy described above?

Make a Strong Prediction

Paradox passages rarely have an argument (premises + conclusion). Instead, they usually present two seemingly contradictory facts. Your job is to understand how it’s possible for both of those facts to be true despite this apparent contradiction. You’re solving a mystery.

Once you recognize that it’s a Paradox question, identify two conflicting facts and ask yourself: Why is one fact happening, even though the other fact is happening?

Your prediction might involve made-up information and doesn’t need to match the correct answer choice word-for-word. It’s okay to keep it vague as long as you pinpoint something that will resolve the discrepancy.

Consider the following passage:

John really hates eating ice cream. And yet, on Tuesday I saw him downtown at an ice cream shop.

How might you resolve this paradox?

• Maybe John is on a date, and the person he’s trying to impress really loves ice cream.
• Maybe John’s friend dared him to eat his least favorite kind of food.
• Maybe John is looking for a job and he’s applying for one at the ice cream shop because they pay $20/hr.

The point is that John has another reason to be at the ice cream shop that doesn’t involve enjoying ice cream. Once you capture the gist of the solution to the paradox, move on to the answers.

What to Look For

Assume that all five answer choices are true. The correct answer will give you new evidence that explains away the paradox. Once you know that John is trying to impress a hot date, there’s no more confusion.

If you’re debating between two answers that both help to explain the paradox, pick the more helpful one. The content of each answer matters first. Once you’re satisfied that an answer choice is relevant, turn your focus to its strength. The correct answer often uses strong wording.

If it’s an EXCEPT question, the correct answer won’t resolve anything—in fact, it might even make the paradox more confusing (“The author saw John enjoy his cone of ice cream with relish”). To narrow down your options, cross out answers that resolve the issue even slightly ("John hates ice cream, except he loves peppermint ice cream").

More on Solving LSAT “Paradox” Questions

What's a good strategy for answering "Paradox" questions?

A strong strategy for answering Paradox questions is to first identify the two conflicting facts presented in the passage. Then, focus on predicting a plausible explanation that reconciles these facts, even if your prediction is somewhat vague. This prediction helps you work through the answer choices, allowing you to select the option that best explains the apparent contradiction and resolves the paradox.

How to find a discrepancy in "Paradox" questions?

To find the discrepancy in a paradox question, start by carefully reading the passage to identify two statements or facts that seem to contradict each other. These are usually presented clearly, as the LSAT wants you to recognize the conflict. Once you've pinpointed these conflicting facts, ask yourself why one fact occurs despite the presence of the other. When you understand this core conflict, you'll be guided toward the correct answer that resolves the discrepancy.

What's an example of a "Paradox" question LSAT?

A typical LSAT paradox question might present a scenario like this: "John really hates eating ice cream. And yet, on Tuesday, I saw him downtown at an ice cream shop." The apparent contradiction lies in John's dislike for ice cream and his presence at an ice cream shop. The question would then ask you to identify the explanation that resolves this paradox, such as John being there for a reason unrelated to enjoying ice cream, like impressing a date or applying for a job.