Logical Reasoning

PT135 · S2 · Q23 Certain bacteria that produce

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

Certain bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide as a waste product would die if directly exposed to oxygen.

Given

Certain bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide as a waste product would die if directly exposed to oxygen.

The hydrogen sulfide reacts with oxygen, removing it and so preventing it from harming the bacteria.

Furthermore, the hydrogen sulfide tends to kill other organisms in the area, thereby providing the bacteria with a source of food.

As a result, a dense colony of these bacteria produces for itself an environment in which it can continue to thrive indefinitely.

23.

Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?

  1. Correct

    A dense colony of the

    Why this is right

    This paraphrases the causal relationship in the fourth statement while substituting the specific terms described in the second and third statements for the general term environment.

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

    60% picked this

  2. The hydrogen sulfide produced by

    Unsupported Relationship

    The mechanism by which the hydrogen sulfide kills other organisms is not discussed in the information.

    8% picked this

  3. Most organisms, if killed by

    Too Strong

    The statements imply that some organisms, if killed by the hydrogen sulfide produced by the bacteria, can provide a source of food for the bacteria, but to say that this is true of most organisms goes too far.

    11% picked this

  4. The bacteria can continue to

    Too Strong

    Thriving indefinitely is caused by the hydrogen sulfide prevents the bacteria from being directly exposed to oxygen, but that does not mean that hydrogen sulfide removes all oxygen in the area.

    13% picked this

  5. If any colony of bacteria

    Too Strong

    The information is about certain bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide, while this answer is about any bacteria that produces hydrogen sulfide.

    8% 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