LSAT Explanation PT 33, S3, Q10: The importance of the ozone layer

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the statements above, if they are true? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage and summarize its main points. The passage discusses the importance of the ozone layer in filtering out certain wavelengths of light, while allowing others to pass through. It then mentions the well-documented dangers of holes in the ozone layer and highlights an under-discussed danger: the potential for severe eye damage in many animal species.

Now, let's identify the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a "Most Strongly Supported" (MSS) question, which means we need to find the answer choice that is most strongly supported by the information in the passage.

Let's examine each answer choice:

a) All wavelengths of sunlight that can cause eye damage are filtered out by the ozone layer, where it is intact.

This answer choice is not supported by the passage. The passage only states that the ozone layer filters out "some" wavelengths of light and lets others through. We cannot conclude that all damaging wavelengths are filtered out by the ozone layer.

b) Few species of animals live on a part of the earth's surface that is not threatened by holes in the ozone layer.

We cannot draw this conclusion from the passage. While it is true that many animal species could suffer severe eye damage, we do not know how many live in areas threatened by holes in the ozone layer versus those that live in non-threatened areas.

c) Some species of animals have eyes that will not suffer any damage when exposed to unfiltered sunlight.

The passage does not provide enough information to support this answer choice. While it mentions that many species could suffer eye damage, it does not imply that there are species that would not be affected by unfiltered sunlight.

d) A single wavelength of sunlight can cause severe damage to the eyes of most species of animals.

This answer choice is not supported by the passage because it uses the term "most" when the passage only discusses "many" species. We cannot make the leap from "many" to "most" based on the information provided.

e) Some wavelengths of sunlight that cause eye damage are more likely to reach the earth's surface where there are holes in the ozone layer than where there are not.

This answer choice is the correct one, as it is most strongly supported by the information in the passage. The passage states that the ozone layer filters some wavelengths of light, and holes in the ozone layer are dangerous due to the potential for eye damage in many species. From these statements, we can infer that holes in the ozone layer must allow some damaging wavelengths of light to pass through, which is what this answer choice states.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (e), as it is the answer choice most strongly supported by the information provided in the passage.