Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT102 S3 Q8 Explanation

In responding to the ornithologist’s

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

TopicsMethod

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Stimulus

Ornithologist: The curvature of the claws of modern tree­ dwelling birds enables them to perch in trees. The claws of Archeopteryx, the earliest known birdlike creature, show similar curvature that must have enabled the Therefore, Archeopteryx was probably a tree-dwelling creature.

Paleontologist: No, the ability to perch in trees is not good evidence that Archeopteryx was a tree-dwelling bird. Chickens also spend time chickens are primarily ground-dwelling.

What this question is testing

Method

Your task

Describe how the argument proceeds — the technique it uses to reach its conclusion.

Common trap

Answers that describe a method the argument doesn't actually use.

Winning move

Track the role each statement plays, then match that to the choice describing the same moves.

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The question
8.

In responding to the ornithologist’s hypothesis that Archeopteryx was tree-dwelling,

Answer choices

  1. Trap1% picked this

    questions the qualifications of the ornithologist to evaluate

  2. Trap3% picked this

    denies the truth of the claims the ornithologist makes in support

  3. Correct93% picked this

    uses a parallel case to illustrate a weakness in the

    Why this is right

    Answer C is correct.

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

  4. Trap4% picked this

    shows that the hypothesis contradicts one of the pieces of evidence used

  5. Trap0% picked this

    provides additional evidence to support the

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