LSAT Explanation PT 25, S4, Q6: The male sage grouse has air

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most strongly supports the scientists' hypothesis? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that during the spring courtship ritual, male sage grouse inflate their air sacs and display them to female sage grouse. The conclusion of the argument is that some scientists hypothesize that this courtship ritual serves as a means for female sage grouse to select healthy mates. The premise is the description of the courtship ritual involving the inflation of air sacs.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be, "Do the inflated air sacs provide any information about the health of the male sage grouse?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and the answer choices. This is a Strengthen question, which asks us to identify the answer choice that most strongly supports the scientists' hypothesis.

a) Some female sage grouse mate with unhealthy male sage grouse.

This answer choice doesn't provide any information about the relationship between the courtship ritual and selecting healthy mates. If anything, it might slightly weaken the argument by suggesting that females don't always prioritize choosing healthy mates.

b) When diseased male sage grouse were treated with antibiotics, they were not selected by female sage grouse during the courtship ritual.

This answer choice is tempting but doesn't address the connection between the air sacs and the health of the male sage grouse. It tells us that females didn't select treated males, but it doesn't explain how the air sacs played a role in this decision.

c) Some healthy male sage grouse do not inflate their air sacs as part of the courtship ritual.

This answer choice would weaken the argument, as it suggests that some healthy males don't participate in the ritual. If the ritual is meant to help females select healthy mates, this choice implies that the ritual is not always effective in achieving that goal.

d) Male sage grouse are prone to parasitic infections that exhibit symptoms visible on the birds' air sacs.

This is the correct answer. It directly connects the air sacs to the health of the male sage grouse by stating that visible symptoms of parasitic infections can be seen on the air sacs. This supports the hypothesis that the courtship ritual helps females select healthy mates by allowing them to observe the air sacs for signs of infection.

e) The sage grouse is commonly afflicted with a strain of malaria that tends to change as the organism that causes it undergoes mutation.

This answer choice provides information about a disease that affects sage grouse, but it doesn't explain how the courtship ritual or the air sacs play a role in helping females select healthy mates. It is irrelevant to the argument.