LSAT 116 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q4

LR Question 4 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: A study claims that the average temperature on Earth has…

QUESTION TYPE: Most Strongly Supported

ANALYSIS: The study concludes that because there were five years of temperature increases, Earth’s temperature has permanently increased.

However, the stimulus tells us that there have been previous periods of up to ten years of above average temperature, which did not lead to a permanent increase. It shows the study’s conclusion is incorrect.

___________

1. The stimulus doesn’t tell us about all cases where temperature increased permanently.
2. CORRECT. True. In at least some cases, five years of higher temperatures do not signify a permanent increase. There were previous ten-year heat waves that did not lead to a permanent increase.
3. The past does not necessarily predict the future. The next five years could be very cold instead.
4. To know what happens typically, we would need information about all past random fluctuations and how long they lasted.
5. Nothing supports this. And there are many other reasons Earth’s temperature could increase. What if the sun got warmer?

Recap: The question begins with “A study claims that the average temperature on Earth has”. It is a Most Strongly Supported question. Learn more about LSAT MSS questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.