PrepTest 138

[lcid:3649] Prep Test 138 LSAT — Logical Reasoning — S2 Logical reasoning

Question prompt

Technician: Laboratory mice that Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: C

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

Question Type

Must Be True Questions

Answer choices

  1. A
    The conditions under which Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. There's no prediction made about the future nor discussion of what might happen, and no note that suggests people aren't interested in changing the lab mice conditions.
  2. B
    If laboratory mice were Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. First, "better" could still be abnormal—they could be kept in climate-controlled, pillow-filled cages with tons of food, which wouldn't be the norm for mice. Second, the stimulus isn't about what's "appropriate," but rather what's reliable.
  3. C
    Research using laboratory mice Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    Correct. Argument or Facts:
    Facts

    Question Type:
    Must Be True

    Stimulus Summary:
    Lab mice are kept in unhealthy and abnormally small cages, and animal testing is unreliable if there are abnormal conditions.

    Answer Anticipation:
    The inference that leads to the correct answer in a Must Be True question frequently comes from combining two statements that share a term. Here, the first and second statement both talk about abnormal environments—lab mice are usually kept in an abnormal environment, and that "diminish[es]" the reliability of the research. This inference is likely to be the correct answer, so let's find it!

    Answer Explanation:
    This answer paraphrases our anticipation. The reliability of the research is diminished by the mice being kept in abnormal conditions, thus compromising that research.

    Key Takeaway:
    In Must Be True questions, look for statements that share terms or concepts. Inferences frequently come from the combination of two or more such statements.
  4. D
    Those who conduct research Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. There's no indication that anyone is working on creating new research techniques—scientists might accept the lowered reliability because of ease of using mice kept in small cages.
  5. E
    Laboratory mice that are Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. The stimulus only discusses mice used for research aimed at improving human health, so this answer is out of scope.

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