LSAT Explanation PT 44, S4, Q12: Coffee and tea contain methylxanthines, which

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following statements 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 D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage and break it down into simpler terms. The passage states that coffee and tea contain methylxanthines, which lead to temporary increases in vasopressin production. Vasopressin causes blood cells to clump together, and this clumping is more pronounced in women than in men. This is likely the reason why women have a higher risk of complications following angioplasty, a procedure used to clear clogged arteries.

Now, let's move on to the question type and what it's asking us to do. The question type is a Most Strongly Supported (MSS) question, which means we need to find the answer choice that is most strongly supported by the information provided in the passage.

Let's go through each answer choice:

a) Men, but not women, should be given methylxanthines prior to undergoing angioplasty.

- This answer choice is not strongly supported by the passage. The passage doesn't suggest that giving methylxanthines to men would be beneficial, only that women face a higher risk of complications due to vasopressin-induced blood cell clumping.

b) In spite of the risks, angioplasty is the only effective treatment for clogged arteries.

- The passage does not mention whether angioplasty is the only effective treatment for clogged arteries or not. This answer choice is not supported by the information provided.

c) Women probably drink more coffee and tea, on average, than do men.

- This answer choice is not supported by the passage. The passage does not provide any information about the average coffee and tea consumption of men and women. The higher risk of complications for women is attributed to the more pronounced clumping of blood cells due to vasopressin, not necessarily the amount of coffee or tea consumed.

d) Prior to undergoing angioplasty, women should avoid coffee and tea.

- This answer choice is the correct one because it is most strongly supported by the information in the passage. Since coffee and tea consumption leads to an increase in vasopressin production, which in turn causes more pronounced blood cell clumping in women, it would be logical for women to avoid coffee and tea before angioplasty to minimize the risk of complications.

e) Angioplasty should not be used to treat clogged arteries.

- The passage does not support this statement. It only mentions that women have a higher risk of complications following angioplasty due to vasopressin-induced blood cell clumping. It does not suggest that angioplasty should not be used as a treatment for clogged arteries.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (d), as it is the statement most strongly supported by the information provided in the passage.