WeakenDiff: Medium
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Squirrels are killing the trees where owls live, so officials want to poison the squirrels. They claim the owls will be safe because the poison is hidden in boxes that only rodents can get into.
Conclusion: Using poison to eliminate gray squirrels will not endanger the local owl population.
Reasoning: The poison will be placed in containers that are physically accessible only to squirrels and other rodents, preventing owls from reaching it.
Analysis: The officials are focused entirely on direct contact—if the owl can't touch the poison, the owl is safe. However, they are ignoring the biological reality of the food chain. If an owl eats a squirrel that has already ingested the poison, the owl could still be killed. To weaken this argument, we need to find a 'loophole' in their safety plan. Look for an answer that suggests the poison can reach the owls indirectly, likely through the squirrels themselves.
Conclusion: Using poison to eliminate gray squirrels will not endanger the local owl population.
Reasoning: The poison will be placed in containers that are physically accessible only to squirrels and other rodents, preventing owls from reaching it.
Analysis: The officials are focused entirely on direct contact—if the owl can't touch the poison, the owl is safe. However, they are ignoring the biological reality of the food chain. If an owl eats a squirrel that has already ingested the poison, the owl could still be killed. To weaken this argument, we need to find a 'loophole' in their safety plan. Look for an answer that suggests the poison can reach the owls indirectly, likely through the squirrels themselves.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage8.Which one of the following, if true, most calls into question the officials' argument?
Correct Answer
B
If the owls feed primarily on rodents, then poisoning rodents can harm the owls (through prey reduction or secondary poisoning). This directly undercuts the officials’ claim that the plan poses no threat to the owl population.
Upgrade Your Prep
Ready to go beyond free explanations?
LSAT Perfection is the #1 modern LSAT prep platform, trusted by thousands of students for comprehensive test strategies, advanced drilling, and full analytics on every PrepTest.
Detailed explanations for 59 PrepTests
Advanced drillset builder
Personalized analytics
Built-in Wrong Answer Journal