Logical Reasoning

PT1 · S4 · Q15 Studies of brain lateralization in animals

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

  • Save & drill this skill build targeted practice sets from questions like this one

  • Video walkthroughs watch every question solved step by step

  • 81 official LSATs as questions, timed sections & full-length tests

Studies of brain lateralization in animals have purported to show that, whereas most human beings are right-handed, about half of any given group of animals will be “left-handed” (i.e., showing a preference for their left limbs) and half will be “right-handed.” This finding is suspect, however; it has long been noted that dogs will almost always “shake hands” with the right paw.

Your task

Find the choice that makes the argument's conclusion less likely to be true.

Common trap

Answers that look negative but attack a claim the argument never relied on.

Winning move

Find the assumption the argument depends on, then pick the choice that undermines it.

15.

Which one of the following, if true, is the strongest defense against the counterexample of dogs that “shake hands”?

  1. Dogs are observed to scratch

    Trap

    4% picked this

  2. People who observe dogs “shaking

    Trap

    4% picked this

  3. Left-handed people sometimes feel inconvenienced

    Trap

    2% picked this

  4. Dogs that have lost a

    Trap

    3% picked this

  5. Correct

    In learning to perform tricks,

    Why this is right

    Answer E is correct.

    Skill tested: Weaken · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    86% picked this

Continue the review in LSAT Lab

Save this question, watch the video walkthrough, and drill similar questions in your LSAT Lab account.

LSAT Lab

Turn this review into a targeted study plan.

Save this question, drill more like it, watch the video walkthrough, and track your progress in your LSAT Lab account.

Start practicing free