LSAT 107 – Section 1 – Question 11

LSAT 107 - Section 1 - Question 11

October 1999

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT107 S1 Q11
+LR
Main conclusion or main point +MC
A
0%
150
B
3%
154
C
96%
165
D
0%
147
E
0%
149
131
138
146
 +Easier 147.515 +SubsectionMedium

It is well known that many species adapt to their environment, but it is usually assumed that only the most highly evolved species alter their environment in ways that aid their own survival. However, this characteristic is actually quite common. Certain species of plankton, for example, generate a gas that is converted in the atmosphere into particles of sulfate. These particles cause water vapor to condense, thus forming clouds. Indeed, the formation of clouds over the ocean largely depends on the presence of these particles. More cloud cover means more sunlight is reflected, and so the Earth absorbs less heat. Thus plankton cause the surface of the Earth to be cooler and this benefits the plankton.

Summarize Argument: Counter-Position
The author claims that different species commonly change their environment in ways that aid their survival, contrary to the assumption that only very intelligent species do so. To support this claim, the author gives an example of plankton, whose gas emissions lead to clouds forming over the ocean, which cools the Earth and benefits the plankton.

Identify Conclusion
The conclusion is the author’s broad statement that the characteristic of species altering their environment to assist their own survival “is actually quite common.”

A
The Earth would be far warmer than it is now if certain species of plankton became extinct.
This may be implied by the statements in the argument, but it is not the main conclusion because plankton are only used as an example to support the more general claim that many species beneficially alter their environments.
B
By altering their environment in ways that improve their chances of survival, certain species of plankton benefit the Earth as a whole.
The author never makes a claim that the plankton’s effects on the environment benefit the Earth as a whole. This is easy to assume based on knowledge that global warming is harmful, but it is not something the author says.
C
Improving their own chances of survival by altering the environment is not limited to the most highly evolved species.
This accurately captures the author’s main conclusion. The rest of the argument, i.e. the plankton example, provides support for the author’s claim that beneficial environment alteration is common and not restricted to highly-evolved species.
D
The extent of the cloud cover over the oceans is largely determined by the quantity of plankton in those oceans.
This is not something the author claims. Based on the argument, plankton might be sufficient to emit particles that cause cloud cover, but we don’t know if they’re necessary or if there may be other sources of these particles.
E
Species such as plankton alter the environment in ways that are less detrimental to the well-being of other species than are the alterations to the environment made by more highly evolved species.
The author never says anything about how other species are affected by the changes plankton make. The focus is on one species at a time, not the wider effects.

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LSAT PrepTest 107 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Reading Comprehension

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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