LSAT 42, Logical Reasoning II, Q1, LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: Many newborn babies have a yellowish tinge to their skin…

QUESTION TYPE: Strengthen

CONCLUSION: The second group of doctors says we should not treat high levels of bilirubin in newborns.

REASONING: The body’s natural defenses often prevent bilirubin from entering the brain.

ANALYSIS: The stimulus tells us one reason bilirubin might be bad: if it enters the brain, it could cause tetanus.

To strengthen the conclusion that we shouldn’t treat it, we will either have to show a reason that it won’t enter the brain or that removing it is dangerous, or the bilirubin is somehow beneficial.

As with all science questions, don’t worry if you don’t know what bilirubin is. I didn’t know; it’s not necessary to know.

___________

1. This weakens the argument, if anything. It removes one reason we might want to avoid treating bilirubin.
2. This weakens the argument, showing that there are additional risks to leaving bilirubin in babies.
3. This tells us something interesting about bilirubin, but it doesn’t affect anything.
4. CORRECT. This tells us bilirubin can be beneficial, strengthening the case for leaving it alone.
5. They could be in agreement but still be wrong. This doesn’t strengthen their conclusion.

Recap: The question begins with “Many newborn babies have a yellowish tinge to their skin”. It is a Strengthen question. Learn how to master LSAT Strengthen questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.

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