LSAT 101 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q3

LR Question 3 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: A group of unusual meteorites was found in Shergotty, India. Their…

QUESTION TYPE: Method of Reasoning

CONCLUSION: The meteorites probably came from Mars.

REASONING: The meteorites either came from Mars, Venus or Mercury. But for various reasons, they couldn’t have come from Venus and Mercury.

ANALYSIS: This is a good argument. Note that the conclusion isn’t absolute: the author just says “probably”.

The author’s method is to eliminate alternate explanations.

___________

1. Which theory? Which counterexample? There’s not much I can say to this, because there’s nothing like it in the question. A counterexample is a specific example that disproves a general theory.
2. CORRECT. If it isn’t Venus or Mercury, it must be Mars.
3. The past isn’t mentioned.
4. Which assumption? The author never casts doubt on any fact.
    
   He’s not questioning that the meteorite could have come from any of the three planets: their structure does indicate that. He just uses evidence to show that the meteorite probably didn’t come from two of the three planets.
5. A general principle would be certain. There’s no general principle here; the author just gives an uncertain conclusion. He thinks the meteorites “probably” came from Mars.

Recap: The question begins with “A group of unusual meteorites was found in Shergotty, India Their”. It is a Method of Reasoning question. Learn how to master LSAT Method of Reasoning questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.