PrepTest 134

Incorrect. The stimulus does note that scientists steer questions to fall into this category, but it never states that most such questions are actually posed to scientists. Presumably, there are millions upon millions of such questions!

Incorrect. This answer is too extreme based on the less-certain language of the stimulus. "Any problem" just isn't justified—in fact, the stimulus notes that a belief they can solve any problem is false!

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Must be True

Stimulus Summary:
Background - Scientists are very successful at solving problems
Public - "Science can solve anything)
Science writer - The public is wrong. Scientists pick their own problems, or frame
problems from others in a way they can solve. They're "almost never" asked to solve something that science can't solve.

Answer Anticipation:
There's a lot of jumping around between what is believed and how the scientific community is presented with problems. That last statement is particularly strong ("almost never"), so it may play a role in the correct answer.

Overall, however, this very much feels like the LSAT throwing a bunch of information at us and seeing if we get lost in it. If we have an understanding of the basics, we should head to the answer to eliminate anything that's out of scope and then compare the details of answers that seem in scope to the stimulus.

Answer Explanation:
The Science Writer attributes the "astounding" success rate of the scientists to them limiting the problems they attempt to solve and the framing of those problems. If that were changed, then, the Writer would almost certainly believe they'd have a lower success rate. This answer is therefore supported by the stimulus.

Key Takeaway:
If you're not seeing a clear inference from the details in the stimulus, head to the answers and get rid of anything out of scope. Then dig into the details of any answer remaining and check against the stimulus as needed!

Incorrect. The stimulus notes that the problems scientists are called upon to solve are "typically" selected by the scientists themselves, so this answer is contradicted by the stimulus.

Incorrect. Two issues here. First, there's nothing in the stimulus to suggest that their selection of the problems they're called to solve is "the only" reason for the astounding success rate. Second, it specifically notes that them helping to formulate questions others ask them to solve contributes to it. So this answer is too strong to be supported—and there's actually evidence against it!