LSAT 21, Logical Reasoning I, Q13, LSATHacks

LR Question 13 Explanation, by LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: Astronomers have long thought that the irregularity…

QUESTION TYPE: Most Strongly Supported

FACTS:

1. Astronomers used to think that Pluto caused Neptune’s irregular orbit.
2. But now they think Pluto is too small.

ANALYSIS: There must be something else pulling on Neptune that causes its irregular orbit. We can’t say for sure what it is.

___________

1. It doesn’t have to be true that Neptune is bigger than we thought. Pluto is smaller than we thought, and that’s ok.
2. We have no evidence that scientists have changed their view how irregular Neptune’s orbit is.
3. This could be true, but it doesn’t have to be a planet that pulls on Neptune. It could be something else, like an asteroid belt.
4. CORRECT. There must be some additional cause of Neptune’s irregular orbit, since Pluto is too small.
5. We now think Pluto is smaller than we used to think it was. But we have no evidence that we’ll discover Pluto to be even smaller in the future.

Recap: The question begins with “Astronomers have long thought that the irregularity”. It is a Most Strongly Supported question. Learn how to master LSAT MSS questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.

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