Logical Reasoning

PT124 · S3 · Q20 The ability of mammals

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

Start practicing free

The ability of mammals to control their internal body temperatures is a factor in the development of their brains and intelligence.

Evidence

The brain is a chemical machine.

All chemical reactions are temperature dependent.

Any organism that can control its body temperature can assure that these reactions occur at the proper temperatures.

Conclusion

The ability of mammals to control their internal body temperatures is a factor in the development of their brains and intelligence.

Evaluate

The argument assumes that the development of brains and intelligence is influenced by the chemical reactions taking place at proper temperatures.

20.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?

  1. Organisms unable to control their

    Too Strong

    That an animal controls its body temperature through internal factors is not required of the argument since external factors would work just the same.

    4% picked this

  2. Mammals are the only animals

    Out of Scope

    What is true for animals other than mammals is not relevant to the argument.

    1% picked this

  3. The brain cannot support intelligence

    Negation

    This negates the argument’s conclusion.

    14% picked this

  4. Correct

    The development of intelligence in

    Why this is right

    This rules out the possibility that the development of intelligence is not related to the chemical reactions the evidence implies depend on occurring at proper temperatures.

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

    77% picked this

  5. Organisms incapable of controlling their

    Negation

    This negates a premise of the argument.

    4% picked this

Continue the review in LSAT Lab

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

Save and practice this skill
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