LSAT Explanation PT 30, S2, Q16: Zoos have served both as educational

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following statements is most strongly supported by the information above? 

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

Let's first analyze the passage. The passage discusses the role of zoos as both educational resources and entertainment. It acknowledges that in the past, zoos have contributed to the endangerment of certain species by removing animals from their natural habitats. However, the passage also states that most new zoo animals now come from captive breeding programs, and many zoos maintain breeding stocks for the continued propagation of various species. This process is said to aid in efforts to reestablish endangered species in the wild.

Now, let's examine the question type, which is a Most Strongly Supported (MSS) question. The task is to identify the statement that is most strongly supported by the information in the passage.

Let's analyze the answer choices:

a) Zoos have played an essential role in educating the public about endangered species.

- The passage does mention that zoos have educational purposes, but it does not specifically state that they have played an essential role in educating the public about endangered species. This answer is not the most strongly supported.

b) Some specimens of endangered species are born and bred in zoos.

- This statement is supported by the passage, which discusses captive breeding programs in zoos and their role in reestablishing endangered species in the wild. If the breeding program is helping efforts to reestablish endangered species, it is reasonable to infer that at least some endangered species are born and bred in zoos. This answer is a strong contender.

c) No zoos exploit wild animals or endanger the survival of species.

- This statement is not supported by the passage, which acknowledges that zoos have historically contributed to the endangerment of certain species. This answer is not correct.

d) Nearly all of the animals in zoos today were born in captivity.

- The passage states that "most new zoo animals" come from captive breeding programs. However, this does not necessarily mean that nearly all animals currently in zoos were born in captivity. There could still be many animals in zoos that were obtained from the wild. This answer is not the most strongly supported.

e) The main purpose of zoos has shifted from entertainment to education.

- The passage does mention both entertainment and education as purposes of zoos, but it does not indicate that the main purpose has shifted from one to the other. This answer is not correct.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is B: Some specimens of endangered species are born and bred in zoos. This statement is most strongly supported by the information in the passage, as it aligns with the discussion of captive breeding programs in zoos and their role in reestablishing endangered species in the wild.