LSAT 107 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q12

LR Question 12 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: It is well known that many species adapt to their…

QUESTION TYPE: Method of Reasoning

CONCLUSION: This characteristic [altering the environment in ways that help a species to survive] is actually quite common. It is not just the most highly evolved species that do this.

REASONING: Plankton is given as an example. Plankton release a gas that causes clouds. The clouds reflect heat and cool the earth. A cool earth benefits the plankton.

ANALYSIS: The argument uses a detailed example to prove that their opponent’s claim is wrong.

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1. There is a general principle and a particular case. But it is the particular case (plankton) that is used to justify the general principle (many species alter their environment.)
2. An example: If I explain how I got $1,000,000 dollars without robbing a bank (a controversial phenomenon) then maybe you’ll believe that I really did get $1,000,000 without robbing a bank (and therefore I will have supported the claim that the phenomenon did occur.)
    
   This is totally different. The argument wasn’t explaining why species alter their environment.
3. This is tempting. But the stimulus didn’t try to describe the conditions under which species can alter their environment. It just said they could.
4. CORRECT. Some people say that only highly evolved species can change their environment. But look! An itty-bitty plankton can do it! That’s a counterexample. It shows that the claim made by some people is wrong. 
5. There is a detailed example. But the stimulus didn’t say if the strategy was good or bad. There’s no value judgment being made.