LSAT 103 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q14

LR Question 14 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: A commercial insect trap consists of a small box…

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken

CONCLUSION: Scientists think that insects have become resistant to the pesticide.

REASONING: The pesticide traps lure insects with glucose. They don’t work as well as they used to.

ANALYSIS: There are only two factors mentioned: glucose and pesticide. To weaken the idea that pesticides are less effective, we can instead say that glucose is less effective.

___________

1. CORRECT. This shows that the traps have cut down the number of bugs that like glucose. Pesticide might still kill the bugs, but they’re no longer very attracted to the traps.
2. This strengthens the idea that the insects resist the pesticide. The bugs that survived were likely to breed pesticide resistant insects.
3. This is consistent with the theory. The theory would predict that insects in houses that haven’t used the trap haven’t become pesticide resistant.
4. This supports the idea that the insects are becoming immune to the pesticide. If it doesn’t hurt insects, then more pesticide won’t help.
5. Who cares what kind of glucose is used? As long as the same type has been used the whole time, it shouldn’t matter whether the glucose is natural.

Recap: The question begins with “A commercial insect trap consists of a small box”. It is a Weaken question. Learn more about LSAT Weaken questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.