LSAT Explanation PT 37, S2, Q12: Rosen: One cannot prepare a good

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following can be properly inferred from Rosen's statement? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage. Rosen states that good meals, good food, good soil, good farming, and a culture that values proper maintenance of natural resources are all interconnected. The passage can be represented as:

Good Meal ‚Üí Good Food ‚Üí Good Soil ‚Üí Good Farming ‚Üí Culture

Now, let's move on to the question. The question type is Must Be True (MBT), which means we need to find the answer choice that can be properly inferred from the information provided in the passage.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) The creation of good meals depends on both natural and cultural conditions.

This answer choice correctly combines the elements of the passage. A good meal depends on good food, which in turn depends on good soil, good farming, and a culture that values proper maintenance of natural resources. Thus, natural conditions (good soil) and cultural conditions (a culture that values proper maintenance) are both necessary for the creation of good meals. This answer choice is correct.

b) Natural resources cannot be maintained properly without good farming practices.

This answer choice is tempting, but it's too broad. The passage specifically states that good soil cannot be maintained without good farming, but it doesn't make a general statement about all natural resources. Therefore, we cannot properly infer this from the passage.

c) Good soil is a prerequisite of good farming.

This answer choice reverses the relationship presented in the passage. The passage actually states that good farming is necessary for maintaining good soil, not the other way around. So, we cannot properly infer this from the passage.

d) Any society with good cultural values will have a good cuisine.

This answer choice is also incorrect because it generalizes the relationship between cultural values and good meals. The passage states that a culture that values proper maintenance of natural resources is necessary for good farming and, ultimately, good meals. However, it doesn't say that any society with good cultural values will have a good cuisine.

e) When food is bad, it is because of poor soil and, ultimately, bad farming practices.

This answer choice reverses the logic of the passage. While the passage states that good food depends on good soil and good farming, it doesn't say that bad food is solely caused by poor soil and bad farming practices. There could be other reasons for bad food, such as poor preparation or contamination.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A, as it properly combines the elements of the passage and follows the Must Be True question type.