LSAT 104 – Section 1 – Question 08

LSAT 104 - Section 1 - Question 08

December 1998

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT104 S1 Q08
+LR
Weaken +Weak
Net Effect +NetEff
Link Assumption +LinkA
A
1%
151
B
92%
169
C
0%
155
D
4%
163
E
3%
159
132
142
153
 +Medium 149.106 +SubsectionMedium

The gray squirrel, introduced into local woodlands ten years ago, threatens the indigenous population of an endangered owl species, because the squirrels’ habitual stripping of tree bark destroys the trees in which the owls nest. Some local officials have advocated setting out poison for the gray squirrels. The officials argue that this measure, while eliminating the squirrels, would pose no threat to the owl population, since the poison would be placed in containers accessible only to squirrels and other rodents.

Summarize Argument
Officials argue that setting out poison for the squirrels would pose no threat to the owl population. This is because the poison would only be accessible to squirrels and other rodents.

Notable Assumptions
The author assumes that the squirrels don’t benefit the owl population in ways that outweigh their stripping the bark from the trees that owls nest in. The officials also assume that the owls won’t be harmed if other rodents die from poison set out for grey squirrels. Finally, the officials also assume that if owls can’t directly reach the poison, it won’t threaten their population. This means the officials assume the owls either won’t eat the dead squirrels, or else that poison in dead squirrels won’t harm owls to such a degree that it hurts their population.

A
One of the species whose members are likely to eat the poison is the red squirrel, a species on which owls do not prey.
If owls don’t prey on red squirrels, then it doesn’t matter whether or not the red squirrels also die. We would need more details about the ecosystem for this to be a weakener.
B
The owls whose nesting sites are currently being destroyed by the gray squirrels feed primarily on rodents.
Even though the poison would eliminate a threat to the owl population, it would also eliminate one of their food sources. This would harm the owl population, which means the poison likely won’t achieve its intended purpose.
C
No indigenous population of any other bird species apart from the endangered owls is threatened by the gray squirrels.
We don’t care about other bird species. We need to know if the poison will help the owl population.
D
The owls that are threatened build their nests in the tops of trees, but the gray squirrels strip away bark from the trunks.
We already know the squirrels are destroying the trees that owls nest in. It doesn’t matter exactly how that occurs.
E
The officials’ plan entails adding the poison to food sources that are usually eaten by rodents but not by other animals.
If anything, this strengthens the officials’ argument by suggesting that other members of the ecosystem won’t be directly consuming the poison. We need to show that the poison isn’t such a good idea in the first place.

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LSAT PrepTest 104 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Reading Comprehension

Section 3 - Reading Comprehension

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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