LSAT 103 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q2

LR Question 2 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: From the tenth century until around the year 1500…

QUESTION TYPE: Method of Reasoning

CONCLUSION: Greenland wasn’t too cold for humans to live there in 1500.

REASONING: It’s true that the Norse died. But the Inuit also lived on Greenland, and they survived.

ANALYSIS: This is an excellent argument. Since the Inuit survived, then clearly some humans were able to survive.

The method of the argument is to show that one of the premises of the opposing argument is false. The Norse died out, but humans didn’t die out.

___________

1. Neither the argument nor the opposing argument uses any analogy.
2. CORRECT. If it’s true that the Inuit survived (it is true), then the other argument is completely wrong. It was possible for humans to survive, even if the Norse couldn’t.
3. There’s no alternate explanation given for why the Norse died. Instead, new facts are introduced that contradict the opposing argument.
    
   (“Hey look, there were Inuit on Greenland too!”)
4. There’s no general rule. An example of a general rule would be: “Cold can never kill humans.” Instead, a specific example is given: the Inuit lived on Greenland too, and they survived.
5. No term is redefined. Presumably the opposing argument’s author does think the Inuit are humans, but the author forgot about them.

Recap: The question begins with “From the tenth century until around the year 1500”. It is a Method of Reasoning question. Learn more about LSAT Method of Reasoning questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.