LSAT Explanation PT 19, S4, Q17: Henry: Some scientists explain the dance

LSAT Question Stem

In Winifred's response to Henry, the statement about how bees of some species navigate plays which one of the following roles? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Method of Reasoning question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down the argument in the passage. Henry presents a premise that honeybees do not need a complicated dance to communicate the location of food sources since they can leave a scent trail. Based on this premise, he concludes that there must be another explanation for the honeybees' dance. Winifred responds by presenting another premise: many animals have multiple methods of accomplishing critical tasks. She then provides an example of bees navigating using either the position of the Sun or the memory of landmarks. Winifred's argument weakens Henry's conclusion by suggesting that scent trails might not be the exclusive means of communication for honeybees.

Now, let's identify the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Method of Reasoning question, and we need to determine the role of Winifred's statement about how bees of some species navigate in her response to Henry.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) The statement does not address an ambiguity in Henry's use of the expression "communicate the location." Winifred's argument focuses on providing an example of bees having multiple methods for accomplishing tasks, not clarifying any ambiguity.

b) This is the correct answer choice. Winifred's statement about bees navigating using either the position of the Sun or the memory of landmarks provides evidence in support of her general claim that animals have several ways of accomplishing critical tasks.

c) Winifred's statement does not call into question the accuracy of Henry's key evidence (scent trails). Instead, she introduces the idea that honeybees may have multiple ways of communicating, not necessarily contradicting the existence of scent trails.

d) Winifred's statement does not point out that Henry's conclusion directly contradicts one of his premises. Instead, she presents additional information that weakens his conclusion by suggesting that honeybees might have more than one way to communicate the location of food sources.

e) Winifred's statement does not propose an alternative explanation for the honeybees' dance. Instead, she argues that honeybees may have multiple methods of communication, which weakens Henry's conclusion that there must be another explanation for the dance.

In summary, the correct answer choice is (B), as Winifred's statement about how bees of some species navigate provides evidence in support of her general claim that animals have several ways of accomplishing critical tasks. This weakens Henry's conclusion by suggesting that honeybees might have more than one way to communicate the location of food sources.