LSAT Explanation PT 26, S3, Q12: The Levant—the area that borders the

LSAT Question Stem

If the statements above are true and the archaeologists' hypothesis is correct, which one of the following CANNOT be true? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be False question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This question is a Must Be False (MBF) question, which means we are asked to identify the answer choice that cannot be true if the statements in the passage are true and the archaeologists' hypothesis is correct. Let's analyze each answer choice in detail.

a) The sheep and goats herded by the peoples of the southern Levant until 6,000 years ago grazed extensively on the seedlings and saplings of indigenous tree species.

This answer choice is consistent with the hypothesis that deforestation led to the economic collapse and depopulation of the southern Levant. If the sheep and goats grazed on tree seedlings and saplings, it could have contributed to deforestation. Therefore, this answer choice can be true and is not the correct answer.

b) Trees were used in the production of lime plaster, a building material used extensively throughout the southern Levant until 6,000 years ago.

If trees were used to produce lime plaster, which was used extensively in the southern Levant, it supports the idea that deforestation could have occurred due to the high demand for this building material. This answer choice can also be true and is not the correct answer.

c) Organic remains from the northern Levant reliably indicate that tree species flourished there without interruption during the period when the southern Levant was being abandoned.

This answer choice suggests that tree species continued to flourish in the northern Levant while the southern Levant was being abandoned. This is consistent with the passage, which states that the northern Levant remained heavily populated despite sharing the same climate as the southern Levant. Therefore, this answer choice can be true and is not the correct answer.

d) Carbon dating of organic remains from the southern Levant reliably demonstrates that there were no forests present in that area prior to 6,000 years ago.

This answer choice contradicts the archaeologists' hypothesis, which suggests that deforestation led to the economic collapse and depopulation of the southern Levant. If there were no forests in the southern Levant prior to 6,000 years ago, deforestation could not have occurred and caused the economic collapse. Therefore, this answer choice cannot be true and is the correct answer.

e) Since there are few traces of either quarried stone or of mud brick in buildings excavated in the southern Levant, it is likely that the buildings built there prior to 6,000 years ago were made almost entirely of timber.

This answer choice supports the archaeologists' hypothesis by suggesting that timber was the primary building material used in the southern Levant prior to 6,000 years ago. The extensive use of timber could have contributed to deforestation, which in turn could have led to the economic collapse. This answer choice can be true and is not the correct answer.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (d), as it is the only answer choice that cannot be true if the statements in the passage are true and the archaeologists' hypothesis is correct.