LSAT Explanation PT 45, S4, Q23: Agricultural economist: Over the past several

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the agricultural economist's argument by the claim that further increases in worldwide grain production will be extremely difficult? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is an Argument Part question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The agricultural economist discusses the worldwide grain production and its relationship with the demand for grain. Here's the structure of the argument:

1. Premise: Increases in worldwide grain production have virtually ceased.

2. Premise: Most usable farmland is already being farmed with near-maximal efficiency.

3. Intermediate Conclusion: Further increases in worldwide grain production will be extremely difficult.

4. Premise: Worldwide demand for grain has been increasing steadily, due largely to continuing population growth.

5. Main Conclusion: A severe worldwide grain shortage is likely.

The question type is Argument Part, and it asks us to describe the role played by the claim that further increases in worldwide grain production will be extremely difficult.

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) This answer choice is partially correct, as it accurately states that the claim is one of the two conclusions drawn by the agricultural economist. However, it is incorrect when it says that neither conclusion is used to provide support for the other. In fact, the intermediate conclusion (further increases will be extremely difficult) is used to support the main conclusion (a severe worldwide grain shortage is likely). So, this answer choice is not correct.

b) This answer choice incorrectly describes the role of the claim in the argument. The claim is not a description of a phenomenon for which a causal explanation is the main conclusion of the argument. Instead, the main conclusion is a prediction of a severe worldwide grain shortage, which is supported by the claim that further increases in grain production will be extremely difficult. This answer choice is not correct.

c) This answer choice is incorrect because it states that the claim is the only premise offered in support of the argument's main conclusion. However, there are other premises in the argument, such as the increasing worldwide demand for grain due to population growth. The claim is actually an intermediate conclusion that supports the main conclusion.

d) This answer choice is incorrect because it states that the claim is a prediction for which the agricultural economist's first claim is offered as the primary justification. However, the primary justification for the claim is actually the premise that most usable farmland is already being farmed with near-maximal efficiency. The first claim is another premise, but it doesn't directly justify the claim in question.

e) This answer choice is correct because it accurately describes the role of the claim in the argument. The claim is an intermediate conclusion that is presented as evidence for the argument's main conclusion. It follows from the premise that most usable farmland is already being farmed with near-maximal efficiency and is then used to support the main conclusion that a severe worldwide grain shortage is likely.

So, the correct answer is E.