Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Medium

PT11 S2 Q14 Explanation

Dr. Libokov: Certain islands

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

TopicsMethod

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Stimulus

Dr. Libokov: Certain islands near New Zealand are home to the tuatara, reptiles that are the sole surviving members of the sphenodontidans. Sphenodontidans were plentiful throughout the world during the age of the dinosaurs. But the survival of sphenodontidans near New Zealand, and their total disappearance elsewhere, is no mystery. New Zealand or cats, have been introduced in recent years, the tuatara are now extinct or nearly so.

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.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
14.

Which one of the following most accurately characterizes Dr. Santos’ response to the hypothesis advanced

Answer choices

  1. Trap4% picked this

    It identifies a flaw in Dr.

  2. Trap3% picked this

    It restates Dr. Libokov’s major hypothesis and thus adds nothing

  3. Trap9% picked this

    It contradicts one of Dr. Libokov’s

  4. Trap4% picked this

    It offers a hypothesis that is incompatible with Dr.

  5. Correct81% picked this

    It provides additional evidence in support of Dr.

    Why this is right

    Answer E is correct.

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

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