Logical Reasoning

PT135 · S2 · Q11 Spreading iron particles over

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

Spreading iron particles over the surface of the earth's oceans would lead to an increase in phytoplankton, decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and thereby counteracting the greenhouse effect.

Evidence

The side-effects of an iron-seeding ~SSE strategy have not yet been studied.

Conclusion

We should not respond immediately ~SI to the greenhouse effect by spreading iron particles over the surface of the Earth’s oceans.

Evaluate

The argument assumes that we SI → SSE should be responding ~SSE → ~SI to the greenhouse effect only if we understand the possible side-effects of that strategy.

11.

The reasoning above most closely conforms to which one of the following principles?

  1. A problem-solving strategy should be

    Negation

    This negates the reasoning in the SSE → IS argument.

    7% picked this

  2. Correct

    Implementing a problem-solving strategy that

    Why this is right

    This restates the assumption in ~SSE → ~IS contrapositive form.

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

    86% picked this

  3. We should not implement a

    Wrong Evidence

    The argument does not establish ~CMS → IS whether the consequences of implementing an iron-seeding strategy are more serious than the greenhouse effect.

    2% picked this

  4. We should not implement a

    Wrong Evidence

    While the iron-seeding strategy AIR → ~IS does require altering an important resource, the argument’s evidence is about the unknown side-effects, so to match the reasoning the principle should build on the unknown side-effects.

    3% picked this

  5. As long as there is

    Wrong Evidence

    The argument states that ~SMW → IS iron-seeding would counteract the greenhouse gas effect. The argument’s evidence was that there are unknown side-effects and does not suggest that the strategy could make the greenhouse effect worse.

    3% 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