LSAT 117 – Section 2 – Question 06

LSAT 117 - Section 2 - Question 06

October 2004

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT117 S2 Q06
+LR
Point at issue: disagree +Disagr
Value Judgment +ValJudg
A
5%
156
B
94%
162
C
0%
152
D
1%
154
E
0%
152
120
131
142
 +Easiest 146.765 +SubsectionMedium

Chai: The use of the word “tree” to denote both deciduous and coniferous plant forms, while acceptable as a lay term, is scientifically inadequate; it masks the fact that the two plant types have utterly different lineages.

Dodd: But the common name highlights the crucial fact that both are composed of the same material and have very similar structures; so it is acceptable as a scientific term.

Speaker 1 Summary
Chai claims that using the term “tree” to include both coniferous and deciduous plants isn’t sufficient for scientific use, even though it’s fine for day-to-day conversations. Why? Because the common term obscures the different origins of coniferous and deciduous plants.

Speaker 2 Summary
Dodd argues that using “tree” to mean both coniferous and deciduous plants is scientifically acceptable. Why? Because using the same term for both highlights their similarities in structure and material makeup.

Objective
We want to find something that Chai and Dodd disagree about. They disagree over whether it’s scientifically acceptable to include both coniferous and deciduous plants in the term “tree”.

A
it is advisable to use ordinary terms as names for biological forms in scientific discourse
Neither speaker makes this argument. Chai and Dodd are only talking about whether the specific term “tree” is scientifically acceptable, and neither comments on whether there’s a general rule about using ordinary names in science.
B
using the same term for two biological forms with different lineages can be scientifically acceptable
Chai disagrees with this, but Dodd agrees: this is the point of disagreement. Chai claims that “tree” is a scientifically unacceptable term specifically because it includes plants with different lineages. Dodd argues that it’s acceptable regardless.
C
both deciduous and coniferous plant forms evolved from simpler biological forms
Neither speaker directly makes this claim. Chai’s reference to “lineages” does imply that Chai agrees, though—but there’s no reason to think that Dodd would disagree.
D
it is important that the lay terms for plant forms reflect the current scientific theories about them
Neither speaker discusses this idea. Neither Chai nor Dodd talks about what goals lay terminology should accomplish, or whether or not those goals are related to science.
E
biological forms with similar structures can have different lineages
Both speakers likely agree with this. Although Chai doesn’t directly talk about structures, and Dodd doesn’t discuss lineages, neither one disputes the other’s factual claims about trees. This means they likely agree that trees have similar structures but different lineages.

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LSAT PrepTest 117 Explanations

Section 1 - Reading Comprehension

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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