LSAT 135 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q19

LR Question 19 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Consumer advocate: In some countries, certain produce…

QUESTION TYPE: Weaken – Exception

CONCLUSION: There are reasons to avoid irradiated foods.

REASONING:

1. Irradiated food is exposed to radioactive substances.
2. irradiation reduces vitamin content and leaves behind residues.
3. Irradiation produces radiolytic products which can cause cancer.

ANALYSIS: You can weaken the argument by showing that the listed reasons aren’t really problems.

You can also weaken the argument by showing that irradiation produces benefits that outweigh the harm it causes.

___________

1. This shows that the third problem is unlikely to apply in the case of irradiated food.
2. CORRECT. This just shows that irradiation isn’t the only cause of cancer. But irradiation could still dangerous.
    
   Likewise, falling off a cliff isn’t the only possible cause of death. But you still shouldn’t walk off cliffs.
3. The second reason said that irradiation can reduce the vitamin content of foods. This shows that that rarely happens.
4. This shows that irradiation may actually reduce the amount of harmful chemicals in food.
5. This shows a lack of correlation between irradiated food and cancer. That reduces the odds that irradiated food causes cancer.