LSAT 5 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q7

LR Question 7 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Two paleontologists, Dr. Tyson and Dr. Rees, disagree…

QUESTION TYPE: Point at Issue

ANALYSIS: Dr. Tyson believes that the footprints are from a hominid because they share many features of hominid footprints.

Dr. Rees rejects this idea, because the footprints differ in one important way: they cross step.

The two of them disagree over what is more important: the similarities or the differences.

___________

1. CORRECT. This is abstract language, but it is the right answer. Tyson think the squarish heel and big toe are most important (similar). Rees thinks the cross-stepping (different) is more important.
2. They both agree that it is possible to distinguish hominid footprints. Otherwise why would they both bother to interpret the footprints?
3. We don’t know why Tyson rejects Rees’ conclusion. Is it because he doesn’t think footprints can show gait? Or does he simply think the gait is unimportant?
4. They both make conclusions based on evidence from this single site.
5. They both seem to agree here. Rees might have thought the footprints were from hominids if they hadn’t cross stepped.

Recap: The question begins with “Two paleontologists, Dr Tyson and Dr Rees, disagree”. It is a Point at Issue question. Learn how to master LSAT Point at Issue questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.