LSAT Explanation PT 43, S2, Q4: A study claims that the average
LSAT Question Stem
Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?
Logical Reasoning Question Type
This is a Most Strongly supported question.
Correct Answer
The correct answer to this question is B.
LSAT Question Complete Explanation
This LSAT problem presents a passage discussing two opposing viewpoints on the reason behind the observed increase in Earth's average temperature over the last five years. The study claims that this increase is permanent, while the author argues that it could be a part of random fluctuations in temperature that can last up to ten years.
The question type for this problem is Most Strongly Supported (MSS), asking us to find the answer choice that is most strongly supported by the information provided in the passage.
Let's analyze each answer choice:
Answer choice (A): This choice states that all large increases in average temperature on record have occurred in ten-year periods. However, the passage does not provide enough information to support this claim, as it does not address all increases in average temperature on record. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (B): This choice states that five successive years of increasing annual average temperature does not always signify a permanent increase in temperature. This is in line with the author's argument that periods of up to ten years of record high temperatures can be part of random fluctuations. Thus, this answer choice is correct and most strongly supported by the passage.
Answer choice (C): This choice predicts that record high temperatures can be expected on Earth for another five years. However, the passage does not provide any information to support this prediction. The author only mentions that random fluctuations can last up to ten years, but this doesn't necessarily mean that the current five-year period will be followed by another five years of record high temperatures. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (D): This choice claims that random fluctuations in Earth's average temperature typically last less than ten years. Although the passage mentions that periods of up to ten years of record high temperatures can be part of random fluctuations, it does not provide any information on how long these fluctuations "typically" last. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.
Answer choice (E): This choice states that the average temperature on Earth never increases except in cases of random temperature fluctuation. The passage, however, does not provide enough information to support this claim, as it does not address whether Earth's average temperature could increase due to other factors. Furthermore, the tentative language used in the author's explanation does not support the absolute phrasing of this answer choice. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.
In conclusion, answer choice (B) is the most strongly supported by the information provided in the passage and is the correct answer.