LSAT 6 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q12

LR Question 12 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: By dating fossils of pollen and beetles, which returned after…

QUESTION TYPE: Paradox – Exception

FACTS: In one glacial area, beetles arrived as soon as a glacier melted. Yet pollen indicates that the warm climate did not return until much later.

ANALYSIS: We need to find alternate explanations for why beetles were present earlier than plants in the spot where the glacier melted.

___________

1. This could mean that the beetles identified were actually cold weather beetles. This would then be consistent with the evidence that showed that the warm period only came later.
2. This shows that it would have taken a while for the pollen to arrive in the area even if the climate was warm enough.
3. This shows that beetles could survive before the plants can settle in, even when the climate is warm enough for plants.
4. The evidence comes only from one glacier site. If the pollen record is inconsistent then it could be that plants had spread elsewhere but not to this area.
5. CORRECT. At the time the glacier melted, both beetles and plants existed. So it doesn’t matter that beetles are older.

Recap: The question begins with “By dating fossils of pollen and beetles, which returned after”. It is a Paradox question. Learn more about LSAT Paradox questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.