Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT138 S3 Q7 Explanation

Researcher: Accurate readings of air

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

TopicsStrengthen

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Stimulus

Researcher: Accurate readings of air pollution are expensive to obtain. Lichens are complex plantlike organisms that absorb airborne pollutants and so may offer a cheaper way to monitor air quality. To investigate this, I harvested lichens at sites plagued by airborne copper pollution, determined the lichens' copper concentration, and compared the results Thus, lichens can effectively replace expensive pollution- monitoring devices without loss of information.

What this question is testing

Strengthen

Your task

Find the choice that makes the argument's conclusion more likely to be true.

Common trap

Answers that are consistent with the argument but add no real support, or that strengthen a claim the argument doesn't make.

Winning move

Locate the gap between evidence and conclusion, then pick the choice that closes it.

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

The question
7.

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the

Answer choices

  1. No Impact3% picked this

    Mechanical monitoring devices have not already been installed in areas where air pollution is

    This discusses the lack of installed devices in areas with severe pollution, which doesn't relate to lichens' effectiveness as pollution monitors or strengthen their utility as replacements.

  2. Weak Strength4% picked this

    Copper particles are a component of air pollution in

    This indicates that copper is a component of pollution in several places, suggesting limited applicability. It doesn't bolster the broad conclusion that lichens can replace devices everywhere.

  3. Weakens2% picked this

    Experiments have shown that lichens thrive in areas where air pollution

    This claims lichens thrive where pollution is minimal, implying they may not function well in polluted areas, undermining the argument that they can monitor high-pollution environments effectively.

  4. Weak Strength6% picked this

    Lichens can easily be grown in

    This suggests lichens can be easily grown, hinting at accessibility. However, it doesn't address their effectiveness or capacity for comprehensive pollution monitoring compared to existing devices.

  5. Correct85% picked this

    Lichens absorb all other significant air pollutants in a manner similar to their

    Why this is right

    This choice directly strengthens the argument by asserting that lichens are as effective with all other significant air pollutants as they are with copper. It addresses the main objection to the conclusion by showing that lichens' effectiveness isn't limited to copper, but extends to other pollutants, supporting their use as a comprehensive monitoring solution.

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

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