LSAT Explanation PT 42, S4, Q25: It is difficult to grow cacti

LSAT Question Stem

If the statements above are true, which one of the following must be false? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be False question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem is a Must Be False (MBF) question type, which means we need to identify the answer choice that cannot be true based on the information provided in the passage.

The passage tells us the following facts about a certain country:

1. It is difficult to grow cacti in a humid climate.

2. It is difficult to raise orange trees in a cold climate.

3. In most parts of the country, it is either easy to grow cacti or easy to raise orange trees.

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Half of the country is both humid and cold.

This answer choice must be false. If half the country is both humid and cold, then in that half, it would be difficult to grow both cacti and oranges. However, the passage states that in most parts of the country, it is easy to grow one or the other. Therefore, this answer choice contradicts the information provided in the passage.

b) Most of the country is hot.

This answer choice is possible. The passage does not provide any information about the effects of heat on growing cacti or oranges, so we cannot rule out this possibility.

c) Some parts of the country are neither cold nor humid.

This answer choice is also possible. It implies that there are areas in the country where both cacti and oranges can be grown easily, which is consistent with the information provided in the passage.

d) It is not possible to raise cacti in the country.

This answer choice is possible as well. Even if it is not possible to raise cacti in the country, as long as the majority of the country allows for easy growing of oranges, the information in the passage remains consistent.

e) Most parts of the country are humid.

This answer choice is possible. If most parts of the country are humid, it would be difficult to grow cacti in those areas. However, as long as there are sufficient areas where one could easily grow oranges, the information in the passage remains consistent.

Based on our analysis, answer choice (a) is the one that must be false, given the information provided in the passage.