LSAT 102 – Section 4 – Question 13

LSAT 102 - Section 4 - Question 13

June 1998

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT102 S4 Q13
+LR
Resolve reconcile or explain +RRE
Causal Reasoning +CausR
A
4%
161
B
78%
167
C
5%
159
D
9%
164
E
6%
158
140
151
163
 +Medium 146.127 +SubsectionMedium

Unlike other primroses, self-pollinating primroses do not need to rely on insects for pollination. In many years insect pollinators are scarce, and in those years a typical non-self-pollinating primrose produces fewer seeds than does a typical self-pollinating primrose. In other years, seed production is approximately equal. Thus, self-pollinating primroses have the advantage of higher average seed production. Aside from seed production, these self-pollinating primroses are indistinguishable from non-self-pollinating primroses. Nevertheless, self-pollinating primrose plants remain rare among primroses.

"Surprising" Phenomenon
Why are self-pollinating primroses much less common than non-self-pollinating primroses, even though self-pollinating primroses have higher average seed production?

Objective
The right answer will be a hypothesis that explains a key difference between self-pollinating-primroses and non-self-pollinating primroses that results in the former being more rare than the latter.

A
Insects that collect pollen from primroses do not discriminate between self-pollinating primroses and non-self-pollinating primroses.
This offers a similarity between both kinds of primroses. The correct answer choice will offer a difference that explains the apparent discrepancy.
B
When insect pollinators are scarce, non-self-pollinating primroses produce larger seeds that are more likely to germinate than are seeds from self-pollinating primroses.
This helps resolve the apparent discrepancy: while self-pollinating primroses may produce more seeds when insect pollinators are scarce, non-self-pollinating primrose seeds are more likely to germinate. This explains why self-pollinating primroses are relatively rare.
C
Self-pollinating primroses that are located in areas with few insects produce no fewer seeds than do self-pollinating primroses that are located in areas with many insects.
(C) does not provide insight into a difference between the kinds of primroses, and therefore does not help to resolve the apparent discrepancy.
D
Many primroses are located in areas in which the soil conditions that are optimal for seed germination are not present.
(D) does not provide insight into a difference between the kinds of primroses, and therefore does not help to resolve the apparent discrepancy.
E
Self-pollinating primroses can be assisted by insects during pollination but do not require the assistance of insects to be pollinated.
(E) says it is possible (but not necessary) for self-pollinating primroses to be assisted by insects. It does not provide insight into why self-pollinating primroses, though they produce more seeds on average, are more rare than non-self-pollinating primroses.

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LSAT PrepTest 102 Explanations

Section 1 - Reading Comprehension

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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