LSAT 132 | Section 1 | Reading Comprehension: Q5

RC Question 5 Explanation

DISCUSSION: The first paragraph describes radiocarbon dating, the traditional method of dating earthquakes.

This sets the stage for discussing the advantages and disadvantages of lichenometry.

Most of the wrong answers contradict the passage or receive no support.

___________

1. Radiocarbon dating is well known, but the passage doesn’t examine it on a step by step basis.
2. CORRECT. Radiocarbon dating is the established procedure. Lichenometry is then described (paragraph 2) and compared (paragraph 3).
3. The passage never says radiocarbon dating is outdated. Lichenometry is new. Only time will tell if it’s ultimately better than radiocarbon dating.
4. There’s no other traditional process. Lichenometry is a new process. (lines 15-16)
5. The passage never says that radiocarbon dating has led to errors. We know it’s inaccurate in the past 300 years (lines 45-47), but that doesn’t mean there are errors. Scientists may have avoided it for earthquakes dating from the past 300 years because they knew of the inaccuracies.