LSAT 29, Reading Comprehension, Q20, LSATHacks

RC Question 20 Explanation, by LSATHacks

DISCUSSION: This requires a bit of legwork. Lines 42-44 mention the switch from patrolling behavior to searching. That’s the first time the word “patrolling” is used. But the switch was mentioned earlier, in lines 30-35. So we know the platypus’ earlier behavior was patrolling.

The platypus swims and wags its bill until it finds prey. So the platypus was looking for prey during patrolling behavior. 

The second part of paragraph 2 tells us that the platypus finds its prey by sensing their electric fields. Therefore, the platypus is probably looking for the electric fields of its prey while in patrolling mode.

___________

1. This is something the platypus does in searching mode, once it has found it’s prey. 
2. The platypus hasn’t found any prey yet. It switches out of patrol mode once it finds prey. 
3. CORRECT. See the discussion above. 
4. Lines 10-12 tell us that mechanoreceptors respond to touch. The platypus isn’t touching anything while in search mode. 
5. Close, but the platypus detects prey using electricity, not smell. 

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