LSAT 136 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q18

LR Question 18 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: A high-calorie diet providing adequate fats was a…

QUESTION TYPE: Paradox

PARADOX: It was easiest for the human brain to develop in coastal areas. But most brain development happened in savanna and woodland.

ANALYSIS: The stimulus showed an advantage for shore environments.

To solve the puzzle, you need to find an advantage for savanna and woodlands, or a disadvantage for shore areas.

The fact that a place has one advantage doesn’t mean it’s better. We need to know the full picture.

The right answer says it was hard to gather calories in shore areas. If you have to work hard then you need even more calories to eat.

Forests could offer an easier lifestyle and more calories even if they seem less abundant.

___________

1. This is an interesting detail. But it doesn’t change the fact that brain development was easiest on the coast.
2. Same as A.
3. That’s nice. But the stimulus clearly says that, back then, shore areas offered even more abundant resources.
4. This helps explain why we don’t know much. It doesn’t help clarify the situation.
5. CORRECT. This shows that while there were more calories available in shore environments, it took more work to get them. So it was a wash.