WeakenDiff: Medium
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: A huge asteroid hit Earth when dinosaurs were dying out, but some argue it didn't cause the extinction because asteroids usually only kill things nearby and other big hits didn't cause extinctions in the past.
Conclusion: The massive asteroid strike at the Chicxulub crater was likely not the primary cause of the majority of dinosaur extinctions.
Reasoning: Asteroid impacts generally have localized rather than global effects, and larger craters exist from periods where no mass extinctions occurred.
Analysis: The author is trying to sever the link between the asteroid and the extinction by arguing that impacts aren't typically 'global killers.' To weaken this, we need to find a reason why this specific impact *was* different or why the other examples provided are not comparable. Look for an answer that suggests the Chicxulub strike had unique global consequences—perhaps by kicking up dust that blocked the sun or triggering a chain reaction that other, even larger strikes did not. We want to show that the author's generalization about 'local effects' doesn't apply here.
Conclusion: The massive asteroid strike at the Chicxulub crater was likely not the primary cause of the majority of dinosaur extinctions.
Reasoning: Asteroid impacts generally have localized rather than global effects, and larger craters exist from periods where no mass extinctions occurred.
Analysis: The author is trying to sever the link between the asteroid and the extinction by arguing that impacts aren't typically 'global killers.' To weaken this, we need to find a reason why this specific impact *was* different or why the other examples provided are not comparable. Look for an answer that suggests the Chicxulub strike had unique global consequences—perhaps by kicking up dust that blocked the sun or triggering a chain reaction that other, even larger strikes did not. We want to show that the author's generalization about 'local effects' doesn't apply here.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage8.Which one of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument?
Correct Answer
E
If most dinosaurs lived in or near the impact region, then a primarily regional effect could still account for most extinctions, undercutting the argument’s key premise that local effects make the asteroid an unlikely main cause.
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