The first and last messages on the answering machine could be the first and second messages left by which one of the ...

miabartolomei December 17, 2020

Issues with wording

I got this question wrong because I interpreted it to mean who can leave messages 1, 2, and 6.... since I interpreted it that way, I crossed out Fleure since that would also mean P, T, H, and L would have to leave messages and there are not enough spaces for that many people. Any tips on how I can avoid misinterpreting questions like this? I am not sure if the LSAT is purposely trying to sway people the wrong way but it is very confusing.

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shunhe December 17, 2020

Hi @miabartolomei,

Thanks for the question! The key to this is to make sure you’re reading the question carefully, and now just skimming over it and assuming you know what it says. The wording is certainly confusing, and done that way on purpose, but there is one natural reading of the questions. The LSAT will not get you based on ambiguities in the questions, but it will get you if you assume the question is asking something it’s not. So take this one. If you reword it a little, it’s basically asking, “Whose first and second messages could be the first and last on the answer machine?” The first and last message could be the first and second left by whom? Weirdly worded, but taking the time to make sure you know what it’s saying will reveal what it’s actually asking for.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions that you might have.

akhan0102 February 18, 2021

I agree with Mia!!! But thank you for clarifying the wording Shunhe.

iggy.salas August 26, 2021

I had the exact same issue here. The wording was VERY confusing.

SMA March 3, 2022

I had the exact same issue as well!

SOULCAGES71 February 27, 2023

Same on the wording of this question! Very confusing!

Emil-Kunkin March 12, 2023

I agree the wording is quite confusing, which is why I just want to remind you to take the time to read the question itself carefully! It might feel weird to spend extra time deciphering the question, but it would be way more efficient to spend time and recognize what it's asking than to be forced to effectively guess by not knowing what the question asks.