LSAT 136 – Section 4 – Question 25

LSAT 136 - Section 4 - Question 25

June 2012

You need a full course to see this video. Enroll now and get started in less than a minute.

Request new explanation

Target time: 1:07

This is question data from the 7Sage LSAT Scorer. You can score your LSATs, track your results, and analyze your performance with pretty charts and vital statistics - all with a Free Account ← sign up in less than 10 seconds

Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT136 S4 Q25
+LR
Flaw or descriptive weakening +Flaw
Causal Reasoning +CausR
Net Effect +NetEff
A
1%
156
B
3%
157
C
3%
156
D
13%
158
E
81%
165
145
153
160
 +Harder 146.121 +SubsectionMedium

Numerous studies have demonstrated a pronounced negative correlation between high-fiber diets and the incidence of colon cancer. For example, the colon cancer rate in Western countries is much higher than in many non-Western countries where people eat more fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, in Scandinavia it has been conclusively shown that the higher the colon cancer rate in a given area, the lower the consumption in that area of cereals, which, like fruits and vegetables, are high in fiber. All of this shows that insufficient consumption of fiber causes colon cancer, and sufficient consumption of fiber prevents it.

Summarize Argument
The author concludes that insufficient consumption of fiber causes colon cancer, and sufficient consumption of fiber prevents it. This is based on the fact that numerous studies show a negative correlation between high-fiber diets and colon cancer.

Identify and Describe Flaw
The author assumes that the reason there’s a negative correlation between high-fiber diets and colon cancer is that high-fiber prevents colon cancer. This overlooks alternate explanations for the correlation. For example, there might be something else that is associated with high-fiber diets that helps prevent colon cancer. Or perhaps having colon cancer causes one to reduce one’s fiber intake.

A
the consumption of fiber in many countries is rising appreciably
This possibility doesn’t undermine the argument, because we have no idea whether colon cancer rates are increasing or decreasing in these countries.
B
the risk of many types of cancer is reduced by high-fiber diets
If anything, this might strengthen the argument by establishing a stronger connection between high-fiber diets and cancer reduction.
C
fiber is difficult for many people to include in their diets
The difficulty of including fiber in a diet has no bearing on whether the negative correlation between high-fiber and colon cancer is due to high-fiber preventing colon cancer.
D
the fiber in fruits and vegetables and the fiber in cereals have cancer-fighting properties to different degrees
The author never assumed that fiber in fruits/veggies and fiber in cereals had the exact same level of cancer-fighting properties. There can be differences; this doesn’t undermine the author’s reasoning.
E
foods containing fiber also contain other substances that, when consumed, tend to prevent colon cancer
This possibility, if true, shows that the negative correlation between high-fiber and colon cancer might be explained by the other substances in foods that contain fiber. It could be these other substances that reduce colon cancer, and not the fiber.

Take PrepTest

Review Results

LSAT PrepTest 136 Explanations

Section 1 - Reading Comprehension

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Reading Comprehension

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

Get full LSAT course

Leave a Reply