LSAT 148 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q8

LR Question 8 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: For a species of large abalone shellfish to develop…

QUESTION TYPE: Paradox

PARADOX: Evolution of large abalone ➞ less energy on finding food and avoiding predators AND more energy on mating competition

In one instance, fossils showed that large abalone evolved only after otters move into an area. Otters prey on abalone.

ANALYSIS: The stimulus gives us a straightforward equation. We have three areas that take up abalone’s energy. Abalone need to spend less energy on these categories in order to evolve:

1. Predators
2. Food
3. Mating competition

To explain the situation, we have to somehow explain how otters reduce category 1 or 2. I can think of a few hypotheses:

• Maybe otters eat other animals that prey on abalone
• Maybe otters eat other predators which prey on the food of abalone. (Leaving abalone more food)

___________

1. This makes the situation more confusing. It tells us that otters eat abalone and eat their food. So how do abalone devote more energy to mating?
2. The question is only talking about this one case in particular. It makes no difference how many other species of large abalone exist.
3. CORRECT. This explains things. Even though otters eat abalone, they also make it easier for abalone to feed. So abalone may spend less energy on “predators + food” on balance.
4. So? This doesn’t tell us anything about how abalone evolve from small to large.
5. In this case, the abalone were originally small when the otters arrived. This explains nothing. The abalone only grew large after the otters arrived.

Recap: The question begins with “For a species of large abalone shellfish”. It is a Paradox question. To practice more Paradox questions, have a look at the LSAT Questions by Type page.