LSAT Explanation PT 22, S2, Q5: The chances that tropical storms will

LSAT Question Stem

The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following conclusions? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This is a Most Strongly Supported (MSS) question, which means we need to find the conclusion that is best supported by the given information in the passage.

Passage Summary:

1. Tropical storms are more likely to develop when the water temperature is over 26°C to a depth of 60 meters.

2. Increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will raise water temperatures.

3. As a result, there will be more large bodies of water with temperatures over 26°C to a depth of 60 meters.

Let's represent this information in formal logic notation:

1. W -> T (High water temperature creates a higher chance of tropical storms)

2. C -> W (Increasing carbon dioxide raises water temperatures)

Combining these premises, we can infer:

C -> T (Increasing carbon dioxide leads to a higher chance of tropical storms)

Now let's analyze each answer choice:

a) There are likely to be more tropical storms if the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere continues to increase.

This answer choice is supported by the information in the passage and the combined premises (C -> T). Therefore, this is the correct answer.

b) Tropical storms can occur only when the air temperature exceeds 26 degrees Celsius.

This answer choice is not supported by the passage, which talks about water temperature, not air temperature. Also, the passage states that tropical storms are more likely under these conditions, not that they can only occur under these conditions.

c) The number of large bodies of water whose temperatures exceed 26 degrees Celsius to a depth of about 60 meters is greater today than it ever was.

The passage does not provide enough information about past levels to support this claim. It only compares the current number of bodies of water to the future number if carbon dioxide levels continue to increase.

d) The ferocity of tropical storms does not depend on the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.

The passage does not provide any information about the ferocity of tropical storms. It only discusses the likelihood of tropical storms occurring.

e) Any increase in the temperatures of the Earth's oceans would cause the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to increase as well.

This answer choice reverses the relationship presented in the passage. The passage states that an increase in carbon dioxide affects the temperature of the Earth's oceans, not the other way around.

In conclusion, the correct answer is choice (a), as it is the most strongly supported by the information in the passage.