Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT147 S1 Q9 Explanation

Some scientists believe that small humanoid

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

TopicsMain Conclusion

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Stimulus

Some scientists believe that small humanoid skeletons found on an Indonesian island are the remains of human beings with a growth disorder. It is more likely that they represent a distinct human species that became smaller over time due to environmental pressure. These skeletons do not fit the pattern of known growth the island have evolved into smaller versions of their common counterparts.

What this question is testing

Main Conclusion

Your task

Break the argument into its conclusion and evidence, then do exactly what the question stem asks with that structure.

Common trap

Answers that sound relevant to the topic but don't connect to the argument's actual reasoning.

Winning move

Predict what a right answer must do, then test each choice against the conclusion-evidence gap.

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

The question
9.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion drawn in

Answer choices

  1. Background / Counterpoint1% picked this

    Some scientists believe that the humanoid skeletons are the remains of human beings with

    This matches the 1st sentence. We’re looking for the 2nd sentence.

  2. Correct89% picked this

    It is more likely that the humanoid skeletons represent a distinct human species than that they are the remains of human

    Why this is right

    This matches the 2nd sentence. It is an opinion from our author and it’s supported by the final two claims.

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

  3. Premise3% picked this

    The humanoid skeletons do not fit the pattern of known

    This matches the 3rd sentence. We’re looking for the 2nd.

  4. Premise0% picked this

    Certain fox and mouse species on an Indonesian island have evolved into smaller versions of

    This matches the 4th sentence. We’re looking for the 2nd.

  5. Unstated Assumption7% picked this

    Environmental pressure can cause species living on islands to become smaller

    This does not match the 2nd sentence, so we know it’s not the answer. It doesn’t match any claim that was made, so it can’t possibly be the answer. Answers like this are designed to “feel right” because they affirm some inference or assumption, so they could be a correct answer to a different question type.

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