LSAT Explanation PT 35, S1, Q26: Kim: The rapidly growing world population
LSAT Question Stem
Kim's and Hampton's statements most strongly support the claim that both of them would agree with which one of the following?
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is an Agree question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is B.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. Kim states that the growing world population is increasing demands on food producers, which threatens our natural resources. This is because more land will be needed for food production and urban areas, leaving less land available for forests and wildlife habitats (premise). Hampton, on the other hand, argues that technology and improvements in agriculture will allow us to feed the world population without significantly increasing the percentage of land devoted to agriculture (premise). The question asks us to identify which statement both Kim and Hampton would most strongly agree with.
The question type is "Agree," and we need to find the answer choice that both Kim and Hampton would most likely agree on.
a) This answer choice is not correct because Hampton does not believe that we need to slow down the rate of human population growth or increase the amount of land committed to agriculture. He is confident that technology will allow us to feed the growing population without using more land for agriculture.
b) This is the correct answer. Both Kim and Hampton would likely agree that continued research into more efficient agricultural practices and innovative biotechnology aimed at producing more food on less land would be beneficial. Kim is concerned about the impact of population growth on natural resources, and Hampton believes that technology can help address this issue.
c) This answer choice is not correct because neither Kim nor Hampton specifically discuss the need to protect agricultural and wilderness areas from urban encroachment or prepare urban areas for greater population density. This introduces new information that is not supported by their statements.
d) This answer choice is not correct because Hampton does not address the impact of human population growth on wildlife habitats and forests. He is focused on the potential of technology to help feed the growing population without using more land for agriculture.
e) This answer choice is not correct because neither Kim nor Hampton mention the need to modify the human diet due to the depletion of natural resources. Their focus is on the impact of population growth on land use and the potential of technology to address this issue.
In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as it is the statement that both Kim and Hampton would most likely agree with based on their premises. They both recognize the growing demands on food production due to population growth and acknowledge the potential benefits of research and technology in addressing this issue.