LSAT 125 – Section 4 – Question 13

LSAT 125 - Section 4 - Question 13

June 2008

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT125 S4 Q13
+LR
Resolve reconcile or explain +RRE
Causal Reasoning +CausR
A
79%
164
B
9%
158
C
2%
156
D
8%
158
E
2%
155
136
147
159
 +Medium 145.982 +SubsectionMedium

The highest mountain ranges are formed by geological forces that raise the earth’s crust: two continent-bearing tectonic plates of comparable density collide and crumple upward, causing a thickening of the crust. The erosive forces of wind and precipitation inexorably wear these mountains down. Yet the highest mountain ranges tend to be found in places where these erosive forces are most prevalent.

"Surprising" Phenomenon
Erosion wears down mountains, yet the tallest mountains are found in the areas with the greatest erosive forces.

Objective
We’re looking for a hypothesis that explains why the highest mountain ranges are found in areas with prevalent erosive forces, which presumably lessen how high mountains are. The correct hypothesis would explain not only why these opposing phenomena can co-exist, but why they’re frequently seen together.

A
Patterns of extreme wind and precipitation often result from the dramatic differences in elevation commonly found in the highest mountain ranges.
Extreme erosive forces stem from the presence of high mountain ranges. No wonder, then, that the highest mountain ranges experience prevalent erosive forces!
B
The highest mountain ranges have less erosion-reducing vegetation near their peaks than do other mountain ranges.
This doesn’t explain anything about erosive forces themselves. Maybe the vegetation that shields other mountains from erosion isn’t present among the highest mountain ranges, but why are the erosive forces so prevalent to begin with?
C
Some lower mountain ranges are formed by a different collision process, whereby one tectonic plate simply slides beneath another of lesser density.
This doesn’t explain anything about why erosive forces are more prevalent among the highest mountain ranges than other ranges. We don’t really care how mountains are made.
D
The amount of precipitation that a given region of the earth receives may vary considerably over the lifetime of an average mountain range.
We need to know why the highest mountain ranges are found in the areas with prevalent erosive forces. The fact that precipitation can vary in a region doesn’t help us reconcile this surprising fact.
E
The thickening of the earth’s crust associated with the formation of the highest mountain ranges tends to cause the thickened portion of the crust to sink over time.
That may be true, but why are the highest mountain ranges found in areas with very prevalent erosive forces? This doesn’t clear up our stimulus.

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LSAT PrepTest 125 Explanations

Section 1 - Reading Comprehension

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Reading Comprehension

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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