LSAT 153 | Section 3 | Logical Reasoning: Q8

LR Question 8 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Astronomer: Conditions in our solar system have probably…

QUESTION TYPE: Role in Argument

CONCLUSION: The conditions of our solar system favor the emergence of life more than other systems of similar age.

REASONING: Life requires adequate amounts of chemical elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, of which our sun has an unusually high abundance.

ANALYSIS: By breaking down the argument, we can see that the statement cannot be the conclusion. We can see this because the structure of the argument logically breaks down to this:

Premise 1: Life requires chemical elements heavier than hydrogen and helium

Premise 2: Our sun is unusual in that it has lots of these elements for its age

Conclusion: Therefore, the conditions for life are more favorable in our solar system than others of the same age

The first two premises in our breakdown are used to support the conclusion because they both need to be true for the conclusion to be asserted. Therefore, the correct answer will say that the statement is support for a conclusion.

___________

1. CORRECT. This answer ticks all the boxes. There is no evidence given to support it and it is part of the evidence (along with Premise 2) that supports the conclusion.
2. This is a tricky answer. We might think that Premise 1 supports Premise 2 which supports the conclusion, but this is not the case. Think of it this way. Does Premise 1 being true support Premise 2 being true? Not at all. These are two distinct statements. Instead, they are both collectively supporting the conclusion.
3. There is no evidence provided for the truth of this particular statement so we can disregard this answer.
4. See analysis. This cannot be the conclusion because it is used to support another idea, not the other way around.
5. Much like D, this cannot be a conclusion, not to mention that it directly supports another statement.

Recap: The question begins with “Astronomer: Conditions in our solar system have probably”. It is a Role in Argument question. Learn more about LSAT Role questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.