LSAT Explanation PT 38, S1, Q20: Sociologist: Climate and geology determine where

LSAT Question Stem

The sociologist's statements, if true, most strongly support which one of the following? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage. The sociologist claims that climate and geology determine where human industry can be established. Furthermore, drastic shifts in climate always result in migrations, and these migrations bring about the intermingling of ideas necessary for rapid advances in civilization. To simplify this, imagine a small village that experiences a sudden change in climate, forcing the villagers to move to a new location. In the new location, they meet people with different ideas and knowledge, enabling new advancements in their society.

The question type is MSS (Most Strongly Supported), which means we need to find the answer choice that is most strongly supported by the information given in the passage.

Now, let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) Climate is the primary cause of migration.

While the passage does mention that drastic shifts in climate result in migrations, it doesn't provide enough information to conclude that climate is the primary cause. There could be other factors, like wars or economic reasons, that cause migrations.

b) All shifts in climate produce a net gain in human progress.

This answer choice is too strong because it assumes that every climate shift leads to progress. The passage only states that migrations due to climate shifts bring about the intermingling of ideas necessary for rapid advances, but it doesn't guarantee progress in every case.

c) A population remains settled only where the climate is fairly stable.

This answer choice is correct because it follows the contrapositive of the information given in the passage. If drastic shifts in climate always result in migration, then it can be inferred that a population will remain settled only where the climate is fairly stable.

d) Populations settle in every place where human industry can be established.

The passage doesn't provide enough information to support this claim. It only states that climate and geology determine where human industry can be established, but it doesn't mention that populations will settle in every possible location.

e) Every migration is accompanied by rapid advances in civilization.

This answer choice is not supported by the passage because it assumes that every migration leads to rapid advances. The passage only states that migrations bring about the intermingling of ideas necessary for rapid advances, but it doesn't guarantee that every migration will result in such advances.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C - A population remains settled only where the climate is fairly stable. This answer choice is most strongly supported by the information given in the passage.