Thanks for the question! I might be the dude who confused you even more—at least, I’ve answered a question on this issue. But if I am, let me take another shot at it.
So we’re being asked here: who CANNOT be the lowest-ranking tennis player? And you think the answer is (C), Oliver. In other words, you think that Oliver cannot be the lowest-ranking tennis player.
The quick answer to your question, that should be simpler than my other explanation: let’s assume M plays golf. Then P and S play golf as well. We also know that L plays golf. So we have, so far:
Golf: P, S, L, M Tennis: O
And we still have to place K, but it doesn’t matter where we place K. There’s no rule ordering K with respect to O. So we could have K and O play tennis, and make O ranked last. That doesn’t violate any rules, so it’s possible for O to be the lowest-ranking tennis player, which means that (C) is not the answer for this “could be EXCEPT” question.
Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions that you might have.
SpencerFebruary 9, 2021
Your explanation works well, however, do you see a contradiction between your approach and the approach presented in the video explanation? The video states that S=Tennis necessarily means M=Tennis and then visually motions to the rankings of OSM as presented in the conditions. THEN, and here is where it gets interesting, proceeds to states that under these conditions S Cannot be last because M comes after S. All the while ignoring the fact that O is also an answer option and, by the same conditional set of OSM means that O would be the best choice, or perhaps that there are two valid answers which is a no no for the LSAT. I think your response is more what I was expecting when I missed it because of the whole S->N thing, but was surprised that the video explanation took that approach. What am I missing here?
Lion6476July 15, 2021
i concluded the same thing. I dont understand why O is not the answer here. in no setup is O last
Lion6476July 15, 2021
I understand now. It doesnt have any conditions and just asks a general question. If M doesnt play tennis, then the O-S-M lineup isnt absolutely necessary.
REALlsatstudentSeptember 8, 2021
I am missing something here. I understand why B, C, D, are not the correct answer. But what about M? I am not able to explain to myself why? It could be super easy based on how everyone else thinks it's Kim or Oliver. However, I'm not able to deduce why M is not the correct answer.
