Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT104 S1 Q8 Explanation

The gray squirrel, introduced into

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

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Stimulus

The gray squirrel, introduced into local woodlands ten years ago, threatens the indigenous population of an endangered owl species, because the squirrels’ habitual stripping of tree bark destroys the trees in which the owls nest. Some local officials have advocated setting out poison for the gray squirrels. The officials argue that this would be placed in containers accessible only to squirrels and other rodents.

What this question is testing

Weaken

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.

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The question
8.

Which one of the following, if true, most calls into question the

Answer choices

  1. No Impact2% picked this

    One of the species whose members are likely to eat the poison is the red squirrel, a species on

    If owls did prey on a species that was gonna get killed by poison, that would be bad for owls. But this species isn't related to owls.

  2. Correct85% picked this

    The owls whose nesting sites are currently being destroyed by the gray squirrels feed

    Why this is right

    If the owls primarily feed on rodents, and these rodents eat the poison, it poses an indirect threat to the owl population because their food supply could be harmed or diminished. The weakened or reduced rodent population could negatively impact the owl population even if the poison doesn't directly harm owls. This answer plays off the Breadcrumb "only accessible to squirrels and other rodents".

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

  3. No Impact1% picked this

    No indigenous population of any other bird species apart from the endangered owls is threatened

    It doesn't matter whether animals besides owls are also affected by the squirrels. Whether there are or aren't, it won't help us assess whether the poison will eradicate the squirrels or whether it will harm the owls.

  4. No Impact8% picked this

    The owls that are threatened build their nests in the tops of trees, but the gray squirrels strip

    The difference in stripping location does not address the issue of whether the poison directly or indirectly threatens the owl population, or whether the poison would get rid of the squirrels.

  5. No Impact3% picked this

    The officials’ plan entails adding the poison to food sources that are usually eaten by rodents but

    This sort of doubles down on the idea that the poison will be targeted at squirrels and other rodents, but doesn't give us any new info to judge whether the poison will successfully kill the squirrels or whether it will somehow harm the owls.

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