LSAT 43, Logical Reasoning II, Q23, LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: Each of many different human hormones can by itself raise the…

QUESTION TYPE: Main Conclusion

CONCLUSION: “The reason for this is probably a metabolic quirk of the brain.”

REASONING: Many hormones can produce glucose because the brain can only survive on glucose. Other cells can survive on fat or protein.

ANALYSIS: The stimulus introduces a phenomenon: “each of many different human hormones…”

It then gives an explanation, which is the conclusion: “The reason for this is probably…”

Then it attempts to justify the reason behind the explanation: “To see this …”

Don’t get thrown off by the “Thus” in the final sentence; that’s just an intermediate conclusion that helps explain the main conclusion.

___________

1. That is the phenomenon the conclusion seeks to explain.
2. CORRECT. This is the conclusion. It explains why the many different hormones can raise blood glucose.
3. This is an explanation of the conclusion, introduced by “To see this”. That phrase introduces an explanation, never a conclusion.
4. The “Thus” can make this answer choice tempting, but it doesn’t always indicate a final conclusion. This explains the significance of the sentence that starts with “To see this”.
5. This helps explain the conclusion. Other cells must be able to produce glucose to ensure the brain’s survival.

Recap: The question begins with “Each of many different human hormones can by itself raise the”. It is a Identify The Conclusion question. Learn how to master LSAT Identify questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.

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