PrepTest 129

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Strengthen

Stimulus Summary:
Paleohumans made distinctive spear points that have been found in Siberia. Paleohumans moved from Siberia to North America. Thus, these points were invented in Siberia.

Answer Anticipation:
We paraphrased the conclusion a bit to make it easier to track the logic. However, the conclusion really is that these points were invented outside of North America—while Siberia seems like a solid bet, maybe they were invented by earlier paleohumans before they moved to Siberia.

That said, whatever the case, the evidence is still related directly to Siberia and these Clovis points found there. If they were made by the paleohumans in Siberia before they moved to North America, then the argument is valid. If they got there through some other means after the move to North America (the land bridge disappeared, but maybe they had boats), then the argument falls apart.

We don't have a specific anticipation here, but any answer that would establish these Clovis points date from before the move to North America would strengthen the argument.

Answer Explanation:
If these Clovis points are from before any found in North America, then that suggests they were invented before the move to North America and thus couldn't have been invented there, strengthening the conclusion.

Key Takeaway:
Timelines are important on the LSAT—and timelines are also important to inventing something. After all, inventing something involves making it for the first time. Timelines in arguments and answers that deal with them are frequently relevant and correct, so pay attention to them!

Incorrect. This answer would apply to the Clovis points found in Siberia! This suggests that Clovis points were invented after the move to North America, thus making it possible that they were invented there, cutting against the argument.

Incorrect. The effectiveness of them in hunting is out of scope of an argument about their origin.

Incorrect. First, this answer doesn't establish that these artifacts were from paleohumans. That said, even if they were, then that suggests artifacts possibly made their way back to Siberia after the move.

Incorrect. This answer suggests a way that Clovis points could have been invented in North America and then made their way back to Siberia, thus cutting against the argument.