LSAT 101 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q16

LR Question 16 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: The authors of a recent article examined warnings of an impending…

QUESTION TYPE: Most Helpful to Know

CONCLUSION: There is evidence that species are becoming extinct more rapidly.

REASONING: Fish are becoming extinct more rapidly.

ANALYSIS: This is a bad argument. Other animals might be going extinct less quickly. We have to look at all animals, not just fish.

If all species are going extinct at the same rate as fish, then the argument is pretty good.

___________

1. CORRECT. This is extremely important to know. If it’s true, then the author has a pretty good argument. If it’s false, then he needs more evidence.
2. This would tell us how many individual fish died, but it doesn’t help judge how many species of animals are going to go extinct.
3. It doesn’t matter where the fish come from. It only matters that they’re dead.
4. This doesn’t matter very much. It tells us nothing about other types of animals. Fish are a small part of the total number of animal species.
5. The argument isn’t about commercial value. We only care whether extinctions are increasing.

Recap: The question begins with “The authors of a recent article examined warnings of an impending”. It is a Paradox question. Learn more about LSAT Paradox questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.