LSAT 133 – Section 2 – Question 10

LSAT 133 - Section 2 - Question 10

June 2011

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT133 S2 Q10
+LR
+Exp
Resolve reconcile or explain +RRE
A
1%
159
B
3%
155
C
5%
158
D
0%
154
E
91%
165
130
141
151
 +Easier 147.633 +SubsectionMedium

Human settlement of previously uninhabited areas tends to endanger species of wildlife. However, the Mississippi kite, a bird found on the prairies of North America, flourishes in areas that people have settled. In fact, during the five years since 1985 its population has risen far more rapidly in towns than in rural areas.

"Surprising" Phenomenon
Why does the Mississippi kite thrive in areas settled by humans, whereas other wildlife tends to struggle in such areas?

Objective
A hypothesis explaining this pattern must state a difference between the Mississippi kite and other wildlife that includes a distinction between towns and rural areas. This difference will result in kites’ numbers rising more quickly in towns than in rural areas.

A
Residents of prairie towns have been setting off loud firecrackers near kites’ roosting spots because of the birds’ habit of diving at people and frightening them.
This deepens the mystery. If kites are frequently disturbed in towns, then the fact the kites flourish there is even more unexpected.
B
Towns on the prairies tend to be small, with a low density of human population and large numbers of wild birds and animals.
This does not explain why the kites succeed more often in towns than in rural areas. It is not implied that relatively large numbers of wild birds and animals would cause the kites to thrive.
C
Since the international migratory bird protection treaty of 1972, it has been illegal to shoot kites, and the treaty has been effectively enforced.
This states no difference between towns and rural areas that would explain the discrepancy. If the treaty has been enforced everywhere, then kite populations in neither area should be at risk from shooting.
D
Wildlife such as pigeons and raccoons had already adapted successfully to towns and cities long before there were towns on the North American prairies.
This refers to species other than the Mississippi kite. It rules out the possibility that it is impossible for a wild species to adapt to cities and towns, but does not explain why the kites thrive in those places.
E
Trees are denser in towns than elsewhere on the prairie, and these denser trees provide greater protection from hail and windstorms for kites’ nests and eggs.
This explains why the Mississippi kites flourish in towns. Tree cover there is more dense, providing the kites with good habitat.

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LSAT PrepTest 133 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Reading Comprehension

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