LSAT Explanation PT 32, S1, Q20: Current maps showing the North American

LSAT Question Stem

Each of the following, if true, helps to support the claim that the new maps will be more useful EXCEPT: 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage presents the following premises and conclusion:

Premise 1: Current maps showing North American regions where different types of garden plants will flourish are based on weather data gathered 60 years ago from a few hundred primitive weather stations.

Premise 2: New maps are compiled using computerized data from several thousand modern weather stations and input from home gardeners across North America.

Conclusion: These new maps will be far more useful.

The argument is structured by providing information about the current maps and the new maps, and then concluding that the new maps will be more useful.

To simplify this, imagine we're talking about a map that shows the best places to build sandcastles on a beach. The current map is based on data from a few people who visited the beach 60 years ago, while the new map uses data from many people who visited the beach recently and shared their experiences. The argument is that the new map will be more useful.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Is the data from modern weather stations and home gardeners more accurate and relevant for determining where plants will flourish than the data from primitive weather stations 60 years ago?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and answer choices. The question type is Strengthen, asking us to identify the answer choice that does not help support the claim that the new maps will be more useful.

a) Home gardeners can provide information on plant flourishing not available from weather stations.

This answer choice strengthens the argument by suggesting that the input from home gardeners will provide additional valuable information that is not available from weather stations alone.

b) Some of the weather stations currently in use are more than 60 years old.

This answer choice does not help support the claim that the new maps will be more useful. The age of the weather stations is irrelevant, as the new maps are based on data from several thousand modern weather stations and input from home gardeners. This is the correct answer.

c) Weather patterns can be described more accurately when more information is available.

This answer choice strengthens the argument by explaining why having data from a greater number of weather stations will improve the accuracy of the weather patterns, which in turn will make the new maps more useful.

d) Weather conditions are the most important factor in determining where plants will grow.

This answer choice strengthens the argument by establishing the importance of weather conditions in determining where plants will grow. If weather conditions are indeed the most important factor, then having more accurate and up-to-date information on weather patterns will make the new maps more useful.

e) Weather patterns have changed in the past 60 years.

This answer choice strengthens the argument by suggesting that the current maps, which are based on 60-year-old weather data, may be outdated due to changes in weather patterns. The new maps, which use more recent data, will be more useful in reflecting these changes.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it does not help support the claim that the new maps will be more useful.