Q2 - Zoo Director

[andrewgong01]

I found the conclusion correctly ( it is a false economy to cut the budget devoted the zoo). However, reading through the answer explanation (from the strategy guide 5th edition page 448) , I am curious what is the difference between a "claim" and a "fact" for the LSAT.

For example, for Choice C it says the City Zoo Budget is a small percent of the entire budget. This was described as a fact. However, at the same time, I can also see how such a statement could become more of a conclusion if we have other facts such as a breakdown of the city's entire budget. In other words, what is the general difference between a claim and fact on the LSAT and is it possible that a fact in one context can also serve as a claim in another context?

Thank you

[ohthatpatrick]

Sorry for the slow reply!

"Claim" doesn't mean anything specific. It could be fact or opinion.

Whitney claimed that "2 + 2 = 4". Bob claimed that "this pie is delicious".

If you look up the meaning of claim in the dictionary, one of its primary meanings as a noun is "an assertion of something as fact".

The bottom line is it's flexible, a claim could be a fact or opinion.
Similarly, "generalization" is flexible. It could be fact or opinion ... premise or conclusion.

I see the reference in the book you're talking about. It's misleading. We more often see 'claim' associated with an opinion, so sometimes we use 'claim' as a proxy for opinion, but that is incorrect.

The explanation is just trying to say, "This answer is a fact, not an author's opinion, so it can't be the conclusion."

Sorry about that confusion.