LSAT 118 – Section 4 – Question 23

LSAT 118 - Section 4 - Question 23

December 2004

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT118 S4 Q23
+LR
Argument part +AP
A
3%
158
B
5%
159
C
2%
156
D
8%
159
E
82%
166
141
150
159
 +Medium 147.106 +SubsectionMedium

Agricultural economist: Over the past several years, increases in worldwide grain production have virtually ceased. Further increases will be extremely difficult; most usable farmland is already being farmed with near-maximal efficiency. But worldwide demand for grain has been increasing steadily, due largely to continuing population growth. Hence, a severe worldwide grain shortage is likely.

Summarize Argument
The agricultural economist claims a worldwide grain shortage is likely. Why is it likely? Increases in grain production have nearly ceased. Additional increases would be difficult because most available farmland is being used at its maximum. While production is stagnant, demand is increasing because of continuous population growth.

Identify Argument Part
The stimulus text refers to a sub-conclusion. The claim that further increases would be difficult is supported with the evidence that farmland is already being used at near-maximum. This stimulus text gives evidence for the conclusion that a grain shortage is likely - thereby giving and receiving support within the argument.

A
It is one of the two conclusions drawn by the agricultural economist, neither of which is used to provide support for the other.
The stimulus text does support the ultimate conclusion. Difficulty increasing grain production is a reason to believe there will likely be a grain shortage.
B
It is a description of a phenomenon, a causal explanation of which is the main conclusion of the argument.
The conclusion does not explain why it is difficult to increase grain production. The phenomenon is instead used as support for the conclusion.
C
It is the only premise offered in support of the argument’s main conclusion.
While it does support the conclusion, the stimulus text is not the only premise. Increased demand for grain and previous cessation of grain production increases also support the conclusion.
D
It is a prediction for which the agricultural economist’s first claim is offered as the primary justification.
The first claim is not used to support that increased production will be difficult. The first claim is a separate idea about what has happened in the past.
E
It is an intermediate conclusion that is presented as evidence for the argument’s main conclusion.
This accurately addresses how this statement both gives and receives support in the argument. The claim supports the conclusion that a grain shortage is likely, and the already near-maximal efficiency supports the claim.

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LSAT PrepTest 118 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Reading Comprehension

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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