PrepTest 117

[lcid:3567] Prep Test 117 LSAT — Logical Reasoning — S4 Logical reasoning

Question prompt

Scientists hypothesize that a Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: B

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Argument or Facts

Argument

Valid or Flawed

Flawed

Question Type

Cause & Effect / Strengthen Questions

Stimulus Summary

Hypothesis - P-fat is necessary for eyesight development
Observation 1 - Babies eating formula low in P-fat had worse eyesight than babies eating mother’s milk which is high in P-fat
Observation 2 - Premature babies have worse eyesight than babies carried to term

Answer Anticipation

This argument is interesting in that most hypotheses are causal in nature, but this one is conditional - P-fat is necessary for eyesight development. As such, we can’t use our normal causal evaluation for this question.
The first of two observations raises a correlation between P-fat and eyesight development. Babies that are fed formula (lower in P-fat) have worse eyesight. Correlations support (without proving) conditional statements, but the correlation needs to be complete to match the strength of the connection. So we can strengthen the argument based on the first observation by strengthening the correlation between P-fat and good eyesight development.
However, at least this first observation at least connects the relevant concepts. The second doesn’t.
That second observation relates time of birth (on time vs. premature) to eyesight development. However, it doesn’t connect to P-fat. As such, the argument could be strengthened by connecting P-fat to this variable - babies born early receiving less P-fat would support this hypothesis.

Answer choices

  1. A
    Adults whose diets lack Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    This answer is about adults who presumably have already developed their eyesight, so it’s out of scope in an argument about eyesight development.
  2. B
    A fetus typically receives Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B matches the stem
    This answer connects P-fat to the second observation. If one difference between the early months of pregnancy and the end is P-fat levels, then premature babies would have less P-fat. If they also have worse eyesight, then that provides an additional connection between P-fat and eyesight development, strengthening the argument.
  3. C
    Babies whose mothers have Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    This answer might strengthen a causal argument by ruling out an alternative cause. However, the conclusion of the argument is conditional - P-fat is necessary for eyesight development - so ruling out potential “alternate” causes won’t strengthen this argument.
  4. D
    Babies generally prefer mother's Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Preference doesn’t speak to a connection to eyesight development. They could prefer it because it’s better for their development, or they could prefer it because it tastes better.
  5. E
    The eyesight of a Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    This answer connects eyesight development to the last trimester, but it doesn't connect either to P-fat, so this answer doesn’t strengthen the connection between P-fat and eyesight development.

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