LSAT Explanation PT 43, S2, Q22: All parrots can learn to speak

LSAT Question Stem

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

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

The question type for this problem is Must Be True (MBT), which means we need to find the answer choice that must be true based on the given information in the passage.

Let's first analyze and summarize the passage:

1. All parrots can learn to speak a few words and phrases.

P -> LS (where P = parrots, LS = learn to speak)

2. Not all parrots have equally pleasant dispositions, but some Australian parrots have a sweet temper.

P -> /EPD (where EPD = equally pleasant dispositions)

PA -> ST (where PA = parrots native to Australia, ST = sweet temper)

3. Almost any parrot will show tremendous affection for an owner who raised the bird from a chick by hand-feeding it.

PHF -> AO (where PHF = parrots hand-fed as chicks, AO = affection for owner)

Now let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Some parrots that can learn to speak are sweet tempered.

This answer choice is correct. From the passage, we know that all parrots can learn to speak (P -> LS) and some Australian parrots have a sweet temper (PA -> ST). Since some Australian parrots are also parrots, we can conclude that some parrots that can learn to speak are sweet tempered (LS -> ST).

b) If a parrot is not native to Australia, then it will be sweet tempered only if it is hand-fed as a chick.

This answer choice is not supported by the passage. We don't have enough information to conclude that a parrot's sweet temper depends solely on being hand-fed as a chick if it is not native to Australia.

c) The sweetest-tempered parrots are those native to Australia.

The passage does not provide enough information to conclude that the sweetest-tempered parrots are native to Australia. It only states that some Australian parrots have a sweet temper.

d) Australia is the only place where one can find birds that can both learn to speak and be relied on for a sweet temper.

This answer choice is not supported by the passage. Although we know that some Australian parrots have a sweet temper and all parrots can learn to speak, we do not have enough information to conclude that Australia is the only place where such birds can be found.

e) All species of pet birds that are native to Australia can be counted on for a sweet temper.

The passage does not provide enough information to conclude that all species of pet birds native to Australia have a sweet temper. It only states that some Australian parrots have a sweet temper.

Answer choice (a) is the correct answer, as it is the only statement that must be true based on the information provided in the passage.