LSAT 142 – Section 1 – Question 17

LSAT 142 - Section 1 - Question 17

December 2014

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT142 S1 Q17
+LR
Strengthen +Streng
Causal Reasoning +CausR
A
59%
165
B
4%
162
C
13%
161
D
12%
160
E
11%
162
143
158
174
 +Harder 145.991 +SubsectionMedium

How the pigment known as Han purple was synthesized by the ancient Chinese of the Qin and Han dynasties has puzzled scientists. The Chinese chemists employed the same chemical ingredients used for Han purple in the production of a common type of white glass during that period. Both were produced in processes that involved subjecting the mixtures to high heat and mixing in lead to decrease the melting temperature. Thus, Han purple was probably discovered by fortuitous accident during glass production.

Summarize Argument: Phenomenon-Hypothesis
The author hypothesizes that Han purple was probably discovered by accident during the production of glass. This is based on the fact that the same chemical ingredients are used for Han purple and a common type of white glass that was made during the period Han purple was made. In addition, both Han purple and this white glass were made using processes that involved high heat and mixing in lead.

Notable Assumptions
The author assumes there’s no more likely explanation for the origin of Han purple besides accidental discovery during the production of white glass.

A
Chemical analysis shows that most of the known fragments of both Han purple and the white glass were produced within a small geographical radius.
This strengthens by establishing at least that Han purple and white glass were produced near each other. If this were not true, the author’s hypothesis wouldn’t make sense. (A) isn’t a powerful strengthener, but it most strengthens compared to the other answers.
B
Han purple was used for luxury and ceremonial items, whereas the white glass was used to make certain household items.
The purposes of Han purple and white glass doesn’t reveal anything about how Han purple was discovered.
C
The technique used for producing Han purple was known to very few people during the Qin and Han dynasties.
This limits the number of people who knew how to make Han purple. But does this help show that Han purple was discovered during the production of white glass? We have no reason to think so.
D
The ingredients used in producing both Han purple and the white glass were easily obtainable during the Qin and Han dynasties.
How easy the ingredients were to obtain doesn’t shed any light on whether Han purple was discovered during the production of white glass.
E
The white glass is found in more surviving artifacts from the Qin and Han dynasties than Han purple is.
(E) suggests white glass might have been more widely used or more durable. But that doesn’t tell us anything about whether Han purple was discovered during the production of white glass.

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LSAT PrepTest 142 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Reading Comprehension

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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