LSAT Explanation PT 23, S2, Q22: Shortly after the Persian Gulf War,

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, does most to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage and clarify any confusing parts. The passage tells us that after the Persian Gulf War, the area had less oil contamination and lower levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than prewar surveys of the same area, despite the war causing smoky oil fires and deliberate oil spills. PAHs are used as a marker of combustion products from oil wells ignited during the war. The passage also mentions that the post-war PAH levels were similar to those in the temperate oil-producing areas of the Baltic Sea.

The question type is a Paradox, which asks us to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information provided. In this case, the discrepancy is the lower levels of oil contamination and PAHs after the war compared to prewar levels, despite the war's destructive effects.

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) Oil contaminants have greater environmental effects in temperate regions than in desert regions.

This answer choice is incorrect because it doesn't address the discrepancy between the prewar and post-war levels of oil contamination and PAHs in the Persian Gulf area. Instead, it focuses on the difference between temperate and desert regions, which is not relevant to the paradox.

b) Oil contamination and PAH pollution dissipate more rapidly in temperate regions than in desert regions.

This answer choice is also incorrect because it focuses on the difference between temperate and desert regions. The passage doesn't mention desert regions, and the discrepancy we need to resolve is within the Persian Gulf area, not between different regions.

c) Oil contamination and PAH pollution dissipate more rapidly in desert regions than in temperate regions.

This answer choice is incorrect for the same reasons as (b). It focuses on the difference between temperate and desert regions, which is not relevant to the paradox we need to resolve.

d) Peacetime oil production and transport in the Persian Gulf result in high levels of PAHs and massive oil dumping.

This answer choice is correct because it explains why the post-war levels of oil contamination and PAHs are lower than the prewar levels. During peacetime, oil production and transport result in high levels of PAHs and massive oil dumping. During the war, regular oil production slowed down, leading to a decrease in PAHs and oil dumping. Even though the war caused oil fires and spills, the decrease in oil production and transport during the war could have offset the increase in contamination and PAHs caused by the war, leading to lower post-war levels compared to prewar levels.

e) The Persian Gulf War ended before the oil fires and spills caused as much damage as originally expected.

This answer choice is incorrect because it doesn't fully resolve the discrepancy. While it suggests that the war ended before causing more damage, it doesn't explain why the post-war levels of oil contamination and PAHs are lower than the prewar levels, given that there were still oil fires and spills during the war.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (d), as it resolves the discrepancy between the prewar and post-war levels of oil contamination and PAHs in the Persian Gulf area by explaining the impact of peacetime oil production and transport.