LSAT Explanation PT 36, S3, Q11: Peter: Because the leaves of mildly

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens Peter's argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's begin by breaking down the passage and identifying the argument's structure. Peter's argument can be summarized as follows:

Premise: Leaves of mildly drought-stressed plants are tougher in texture than those of abundantly watered plants, making them less attractive to insects.

Conclusion: Farmers should water crops just enough to avoid substantial threats to growth or yield, in order to minimize crop damage.

Jennifer's statement supports Peter's argument by adding another reason why mildly drought-stressed plants are less attractive to insects: they develop pesticidal toxins, unlike abundantly watered plants.

To simplify this concept, imagine you have two types of cookies: one that is soft and sweet (abundantly watered plants) and another that is hard and slightly bitter (mildly drought-stressed plants). Insects (or people, in this case) would naturally prefer the soft, sweet cookies, so to protect your cookies from being eaten, you would make more of the hard, slightly bitter ones.

Now, let's come up with an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Is the damage caused by insects more significant than any potential damage caused by mild drought stress?"

The question type for this problem is Strengthen, which means we need to find the answer choice that best supports Peter's argument.

Answer Choices:

a) This answer choice discusses the size and water absorption of leaves in different crop plants, but it doesn't directly strengthen Peter's argument. It may imply that some crops need more water than others, but it doesn't address the main issue of minimizing crop damage. This choice is incorrect.

b) While this choice provides information about the current state of crop watering in industrialized nations, it doesn't strengthen Peter's argument. The fact that there are more abundantly watered crops doesn't necessarily mean that Peter's recommendation is better. This choice is incorrect.

c) This answer choice directly addresses our "Evaluate" question and supports Peter's argument. By stating that insect damage is a greater threat than mild drought stress, it justifies Peter's recommendation to water crops just enough to avoid substantial threats to growth or yield. This choice is correct.

d) This choice brings up the issue of uncontrollable factors affecting crop watering, such as rainstorms. Although it's an interesting point, it doesn't strengthen Peter's argument as it doesn't provide direct support for his recommendation. This choice is incorrect.

e) This choice actually weakens Peter's argument by providing a counterexample: Mexican bean beetles prefer slightly drought-stressed soybeans. This suggests that Peter's recommendation might not work for all crops, and therefore doesn't strengthen his argument. This choice is incorrect.

In conclusion, answer choice (c) is the correct answer, as it strengthens Peter's argument by showing that insect damage is a greater threat to crop plants than mild drought stress.