LSAT 112 – Section 1 – Question 07

LSAT 112 - Section 1 - Question 07

December 2001

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT112 S1 Q07
+LR
Method of reasoning or descriptive +Method
Causal Reasoning +CausR
Fact v. Belief v. Knowledge +FvBvK
A
8%
155
B
65%
161
C
13%
156
D
2%
154
E
12%
153
139
151
164
 +Medium 147.196 +SubsectionMedium

It is widely believed that eating chocolate can cause acne. Indeed, many people who are susceptible to acne report that, in their own experience, eating large amounts of chocolate is invariably followed by an outbreak of that skin condition. However, it is likely that common wisdom has mistaken an effect for a cause. Several recent scientific studies indicate that hormonal changes associated with stress can cause acne and there is good evidence that people who are fond of chocolate tend to eat more chocolate when they are under stress.

Summarize Argument: Phenomenon-Hypothesis
looking to the correlation between acne and consuming chocolate, the author concludes that it’s likely an effect has been mistaken for a cause. As evidence, the author points out several recent studies show hormonal changes associated with stress can cause acne. Moreover, people who are fond of chocolate tend to eat more chocolate when they are under stress.

Describe Method of Reasoning
The author questions the cause-and-effect relationship between eating chocolate and experiencing acne. She does this by pointing out a possible alternative cause that could cause both acne and consuming more chocolate. It may not be that eating chocolate causes acne. Instead, it could be that hormonal changes causes both a person to eat more chocolate and that person to experience acne.

A
It cites counterevidence that calls into question the accuracy of the evidence advanced in support of the position being challenged.
The author does not provide any counter evidence. Instead, the author reinterprets the evidence already given in support of the cause-and-effect relationship.
B
It provides additional evidence that points to an alternative interpretation of the evidence offered in support of the position being challenged.
The additional evidence is the recent studies about hormonal changes associated with stress. The alternative interpretation is the author’s view that possibly the hormonal changes cause both the acne and increased consumption of chocolate.
C
It invokes the superior authority of science over common opinion in order to dismiss out of hand the relevance of evidence based on everyday experience.
The author does not appeal to authority. The author does not suggest that their hypothesis is to be believed only because it is based on science or scientific studies.
D
It demonstrates that the position being challenged is inconsistent with certain well-established facts.
The author does not mention any well-established facts that are inconsistent with the position that eating chocolate causes acne. We cannot assume the recent scientific studies and good evidence the author points to are well-established facts.
E
It provides counterexamples to show that, contrary to the assumption on which the commonly held position rests, causes do not always precede their effects.
The author’s does not provide a counterexample. An alternative explanation is not the same thing as a counterexample.

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LSAT PrepTest 112 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Reading Comprehension

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Logical Reasoning

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