Flawed ReasoningDiff: Easy
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: There is probably water under the ice on Jupiter's moon. Since you can't have life without water, the journalist thinks there's probably life there.
Conclusion: It is likely that at least primitive life has evolved on Europa.
Reasoning: The journalist notes that liquid water is a necessary condition for life and, since Europa likely has liquid water, concludes that life likely exists there.
Analysis: The journalist is confusing a necessary condition with a sufficient one. While liquid water is required for life to evolve ('life... could evolve only in the presence of liquid water'), that doesn't mean water is the *only* thing needed. The presence of water makes life possible, but it doesn't make life 'likely' on its own. The argument fails to consider other essential factors for life that might be missing on Europa. Look for an answer that highlights this gap between a requirement and a guarantee.
Conclusion: It is likely that at least primitive life has evolved on Europa.
Reasoning: The journalist notes that liquid water is a necessary condition for life and, since Europa likely has liquid water, concludes that life likely exists there.
Analysis: The journalist is confusing a necessary condition with a sufficient one. While liquid water is required for life to evolve ('life... could evolve only in the presence of liquid water'), that doesn't mean water is the *only* thing needed. The presence of water makes life possible, but it doesn't make life 'likely' on its own. The argument fails to consider other essential factors for life that might be missing on Europa. Look for an answer that highlights this gap between a requirement and a guarantee.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage10.The science journalist's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it
Correct Answer
B
B pinpoints the flaw: it ignores that further necessary conditions may be required for life to evolve, so liquid water alone doesn’t make life likely.
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