LSAT 127 – Section 1 – Question 11

LSAT 127 - Section 1 - Question 11

December 2003

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT127 S1 Q11
+LR
+Exp
Resolve reconcile or explain +RRE
Causal Reasoning +CausR
A
0%
146
B
98%
163
C
1%
156
D
0%
150
E
1%
158
120
127
137
 +Easiest 147.168 +SubsectionMedium

Studies have shown that the more high-stress points a bridge has, the more likely it is to fracture eventually. This might lead one to expect fractures to develop at high-stress points. Surprisingly, however, fractures develop not at high-stress points but elsewhere on the bridge.

"Surprising" Phenomenon
High-stress points make a bridge likely to fracture, but aren’t the sites of fractures themselves.

Objective
The right answer will be a hypothesis that explains why stress points don’t themselves fracture, despite stress points contributing to fractures. The explanation must also explain why stress points are especially unlikely places for fractures, given that the stimulus tells us fractures generally don’t occur on those points.

A
In many structures other than bridges, such as ship hulls and airplane bodies, fractures do not develop at high-stress points.
This backs up the stimulus, but it doesn’t explain why high-stress points don’t fracture despite making fractures more likely.
B
Fractures do not develop at high-stress points, because bridges are reinforced at those points; however, stress is transferred to other points on the bridge where it causes fractures.
This explains the mechanism behind fractures. High-stress points are reinforced against fractures, but transfer stress to weaker points where fractures occur. We now know why high-stress points contribute to fractures without themselves fracturing.
C
In many structures, the process of fracturing often causes high-stress points to develop.
High-stress points make fractures more likely. We don’t care what happens after a fracture.
D
Structures with no high-stress points can nonetheless have a high probability of fracturing.
This doesn’t matter. We’re concerned with bridges that do have high-stress points.
E
Improper bridge construction, e.g., low-quality welding or the use of inferior steel, often leads both to the development of high-stress points and to an increased probability of fracturing.
This doesn’t explain why high-stress points themselves aren’t the site of fractures, despite high-stress points making fracturing more likely. It doesn’t explain the surprise in the stimulus.

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LSAT PrepTest 127 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Reading Comprehension

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