LSAT Explanation PT 28, S1, Q16: Poppy petals function to attract pollinating
LSAT Question Stem
The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Most Strongly supported question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is B.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
In this passage, we learn about the processes that cause poppy petals to wilt. The passage tells us that poppy petals function to attract pollinating insects, and the pollination of a poppy flower triggers the release of a substance that causes its petals to wilt within one or two days. If the flower is not pollinated, the substance will not be released, and the petals will remain fresh for a week or longer, as long as the plant can nourish them. Additionally, cutting an unpollinated poppy flower from the plant triggers the release of the same substance whose release is triggered by pollination.
The question type is Most Strongly Supported (MSS), which means we need to find the answer choice that is best supported by the information in the passage.
Let's go through the answer choices:
a) Pollinating insects are not attracted to wilted poppy flowers.
The passage does not provide information about whether pollinating insects are attracted to wilted poppy flowers or not. We cannot make this inference based on the information given.
b) Even if cut poppies are given all necessary nutrients, their petals will tend to wilt within a few days.
The passage states that cutting an unpollinated poppy flower triggers the release of the substance that causes wilting. This means that regardless of the nutrients provided, the petals will wilt within a few days due to the release of the substance. This answer choice is supported by the passage.
c) Flowers of all plants release the substance that causes wilting when they are cut, although the amount released may vary.
The passage only discusses poppy flowers, so we cannot make a generalization about all plants based on this information.
d) The pollen on pollinated poppy flowers prevents their petals from absorbing the nutrients carried to them by their stems.
The passage does not provide information about pollen preventing nutrient absorption. We cannot make this inference based on the information given.
e) Poppy plants are unable to draw nutrients from soil or water after the substance that causes wilting has been released.
The passage does not mention that poppy plants are unable to draw nutrients from soil or water after the substance has been released. It only discusses the wilting of petals.
Based on our analysis, the correct answer is B, as it is the most strongly supported by the information in the passage.