LSAT 120 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q24

LR Question 24 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: New evidence suggests that the collapse of Egypt’s old kingdom…

QUESTION TYPE: Strengthen

CONCLUSION: The collapse of Egypt’s old kingdom was caused by environmental trouble and not social strife.

REASONING: Global cooling caused an extended drought, which would explain both the social strife and the collapse of Egyptian society.

ANALYSIS: We can strengthen this either by confirming that serious drought occurred, or by minimizing the damage that would result from social strife.

___________

1. This doesn’t tell us much, because most can be as low as 51%. Further, by blaming internal causes, it weakens the argument slightly.
2. This weakens the argument; we’re trying to show the collapse was caused by environmental catastrophe.
3. CORRECT. This indicates that other nearby kingdoms fell to a common cause. Therefore it was likely something such as drought, rather than social unrest. Social troubles tend to be unique to each country.
4. Why were conditions deteriorating? Was it the environment, or social strife?
5. We want to know why the collapse happened. What happened afterwards is irrelevant.

Recap: The question begins with “New evidence suggests that the collapse of Egypt’s old kingdom”. It is a Strengthen question. Learn more about LSAT Strengthen questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.