LSAT Explanation PT 42, S2, Q18: While it is true that bees'

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most strongly supports the statement above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Strengthen, which means we need to find an answer choice that provides additional support to the argument presented in the passage.

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that while bees' vision is well suited to identifying flowers by their colors, it is more likely that flowers developed in response to the type of vision that bees have, rather than bees' vision developing in response to flower color. This argument presents a cause-and-effect relationship between bees' vision and flower color, with the cause being the type of vision that bees have and the effect being the development of flower color. The passage's conclusion is that flowers developed in response to bees' vision, rather than the other way around.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is there any evidence to suggest that the development of flower color was influenced by factors other than bees' vision?"

Now let's discuss each answer choice in detail:

a) Many insects that have vision very similar to that of bees do not depend on perceiving an object's color.

This answer choice strengthens the argument by providing evidence that the development of flower color was not influenced solely by the vision of bees, as other insects with similar vision do not rely on perceiving color. This supports the conclusion that flowers developed in response to bees' vision, rather than bees' vision developing in response to flower color. Therefore, this is the correct answer choice.

b) Some flowers rely on insects other than bees.

This answer choice does not strengthen the argument, as it suggests that other insects may have played a role in the development of flower color. This could imply that bees' vision developed in response to flower color, which would weaken the conclusion. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

c) The number of different species of flowers is greater than the number of different species of bees.

This answer choice is not relevant to the cause-and-effect relationship between bees' vision and flower color, as it does not provide any information about the factors influencing the development of either. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

d) Many nonflowering plants rely on bees.

This answer choice is not relevant to the argument, as it discusses nonflowering plants, which are not the focus of the cause-and-effect relationship between bees' vision and flower color. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

e) Present-day bees rely exclusively on flowers for their food.

This answer choice could suggest that bees' vision developed in response to flower color, as bees that could not identify flowers by their colors would not have survived. This would weaken the conclusion that flowers developed in response to bees' vision, rather than the other way around. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

In summary, the correct answer choice is (a), as it strengthens the argument by providing evidence that the development of flower color was not influenced solely by the vision of bees. This supports the conclusion that flowers developed in response to bees' vision, rather than bees' vision developing in response to flower color.