LSAT Explanation PT 27, S4, Q5: Ticks attach themselves to host animals

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following conclusions can be properly drawn from the statements above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

In this LSAT problem, we are given a passage about ticks, specifically deer ticks, and their feeding habits on white-footed mice. The passage provides us with several pieces of information:

1. Ticks feed on host animals and drop off only after they have fed to capacity.

2. Deer ticks feeding off white-footed mice drop off between noon and sunset, regardless of when they attached themselves.

3. White-footed mice are nocturnal and spend all daytime hours in their underground nests.

The question type is a Must Be True (MBT) question, which means we need to find a conclusion that can be properly drawn from the information given in the passage.

Now let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Deer ticks all attach themselves to white-footed mice during the same part of the day, regardless of the day of attachment.

The passage does not provide any information about when deer ticks attach themselves to the mice. We only know when they drop off. Therefore, we cannot conclude this statement as true.

b) Deer ticks sometimes drop off their hosts without having fed at all.

This answer choice contradicts the information given in the passage. The passage states that ticks drop off their hosts only after they have fed to capacity. So, this statement cannot be true.

c) Deer ticks that feed off white-footed mice drop off their hosts in the hosts' nests.

This answer choice combines the information from points 2 and 3. Since deer ticks drop off between noon and sunset (daytime) and white-footed mice spend all daytime hours in their nests, it must be true that deer ticks drop off their hosts in the hosts' nests.

d) White-footed mice to which deer ticks have attached themselves are not aware of the ticks.

The passage does not provide any information about the mice's awareness of the ticks. Therefore, we cannot conclude this statement as true.

e) White-footed mice are hosts to stable numbers of deer ticks, regardless of the season of the year.

The passage does not provide any information about the number of deer ticks on white-footed mice or how it may change throughout the year. Therefore, we cannot conclude this statement as true.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is (c). Deer ticks that feed off white-footed mice drop off their hosts in the hosts' nests. This conclusion can be properly drawn from the information given in the passage.