Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT8 S4 Q2 Explanation

When old-growth forests are

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

TopicsParadox

Keep going in LSAT Lab

  • 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

Free to start

Full official LSAT questions are available through LawHub. This page provides LSAT Lab's explanation, strategy, and review tools without republishing the full official question.

Stimulus

When old-growth forests are cleared of tall trees, more sunlight reaches the forest floor. This results in a sharp increase in the population of leafy shrubs on which the mule deer depend for food. Yet mule deer herds than are herds living in old-growth forests.

What this question is testing

Paradox

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
2.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the

Answer choices

  1. Trap0% picked this

    Mule deer have enzyme-rich saliva and specialized digestive organs that enable the deer to digest tough plants inedible

  2. Trap5% picked this

    Mule deer herds that inhabit cleared forests tend to have more females with young offspring and fewer adult males than

  3. Trap0% picked this

    Mule deer populations are spread throughout western North America and inhabit hot, sunny climates as well

  4. Correct94% picked this

    As plants receive more sunlight, they produce higher amounts of tannins, compounds that inhibit digestion

    Why this is right

    Answer D is correct.

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

  5. Trap2% picked this

    Insect parasites, such as certain species of ticks, that feed primarily on mule deer often dwell in trees, from which

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