LSAT Explanation PT 44, S2, Q19: It is unlikely that the world

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the claim that it is unlikely that the world will ever be free of disease? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is an Argument Part question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem is an Argument Part question, which asks us to identify the role played by a specific claim within the argument. In this case, we need to determine the role of the claim that "it is unlikely that the world will ever be free of disease."

Let's go through each answer choice and analyze them in detail:

a) This answer choice suggests that the claim is a conclusion based on the premise that microorganisms are too numerous for medicines to eliminate entirely. However, the argument does not focus on the number of microorganisms, but rather on their ability to adapt and evolve immunities to medicines. So, this choice is incorrect.

b) This answer choice states that the claim is a conclusion supported by the description of microorganisms' responses to medicines. This is accurate because the argument is built on the premise that microorganisms can quickly adapt to new medicines while maintaining their power to infect and kill humans. Therefore, this choice is correct.

c) This choice suggests that the claim is a premise supporting the idea that most disease-causing microorganisms can evolve immunities to medicines while retaining their ability to infect humans. However, the claim is actually the conclusion of the argument, not a premise. So, this choice is incorrect.

d) This answer choice posits that the claim is a generalization used to predict the response of microorganisms to medicines. However, the claim is not a generalization, but rather a conclusion based on the premise that microorganisms can adapt to medicines. Thus, this choice is incorrect.

e) This choice suggests that the claim is a conclusion based on the premise that most microorganisms are immune to medicines designed to kill them. While the claim is indeed a conclusion, the argument is not that microorganisms are immune, but rather that they can adapt to medicines. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

In summary, the correct answer choice is (b), as it accurately identifies the role of the claim as a conclusion supported by the description of microorganisms' responses to medicines.