LSAT Explanation PT 24, S3, Q7: In response to requests made by

LSAT Question Stem

If the statements above are true, which one of the following claims is most strongly supported by them? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's begin by analyzing the passage and breaking down the information provided. The government is considering approving the synthetic hormone BST for use in dairy cows due to requests made by the dairy industry. When used, BST increases milk production but also causes udder inflammation, decreased fertility, and symptoms of stress in cows. These issues can be managed with constant veterinary care, but this care would cost more per cow for small farms compared to big farms.

Now, let's identify the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Most Strongly Supported (MSS) question, which means we need to find the answer choice that is most strongly supported by the information provided in the passage.

Let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) The government is unlikely to approve the synthetic hormone BST for use in cows.

- The passage does not provide enough information to determine whether the government is likely or unlikely to approve BST. It only states that they are considering it. Therefore, this answer choice is not strongly supported.

b) The proportion of cows that suffer from udder inflammation, decreased fertility, and symptoms of stress is currently greater on big dairy farms than on small ones.

- The passage does not provide any information about the current proportion of cows suffering from these issues on big versus small farms. It only discusses the potential impact of BST usage. So, this answer choice is not strongly supported.

c) At the present time milk from cows raised on small farms is safer to drink than milk from cows raised on big farms.

- The passage does not discuss the safety of milk from cows raised on small farms versus big farms. It only talks about the potential effects of BST on cows and the cost of veterinary care. Therefore, this answer choice is not strongly supported.

d) The milk from cows who receive BST will not be safe for people to drink.

- The passage does not discuss the safety of milk from cows that receive BST. It only focuses on the effects of BST on cows and the cost of veterinary care. So, this answer choice is not strongly supported.

e) Owners of big farms stand to gain more from government approval of BST than do owners of small farms.

- This answer choice is strongly supported by the passage. The passage states that constant veterinary care can manage the issues caused by BST, but this care would cost less per cow for big farms compared to small farms. Therefore, big farm owners would likely benefit more from the approval of BST due to the lower costs associated with managing its side effects.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is E. Owners of big farms stand to gain more from government approval of BST than do owners of small farms, as this statement is most strongly supported by the information provided in the passage.