LSAT Question Stem

Each of the following, if true, would contribute to an explanation of differences described above EXCEPT: 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's begin by analyzing the passage. It tells us that the indigenous people of Tasmania and Australia are related, but were separated when the land bridge between the two regions disappeared around 10,000 years ago. By 2,000 years after the disappearance of the land bridge, there were significant differences in the culture and technology of the indigenous Tasmanians and Australians. Some examples of these differences are that the indigenous Tasmanians did not have domesticated dogs, fishing nets, polished stone tools, or hunting implements like the boomerang and the spear-thrower, which their Australian relatives had.

Now, let's identify the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Paradox question, specifically an "except" question. Our task is to find the answer choice that does NOT contribute to an explanation of the differences described in the passage.

Let's examine each answer choice:

a) If the indigenous Tasmanians abandoned certain practices and technologies that they had originally shared with their Australian relatives after the disappearance of the land bridge, this would explain the differences in culture and technology. However, we are looking for the answer choice that does NOT explain the differences, so this is not the correct answer.

b) If devices like the spear-thrower and boomerang were developed by the indigenous Tasmanians more than 10,000 years ago, this would mean that these technologies should have been present in Tasmania before the land bridge disappeared. This does not help explain the differences between the indigenous Tasmanians and Australians, so this is a potential correct answer.

c) If technological innovations were imported to Australia by Polynesian explorers more recently than 10,000 years ago, this would explain why the indigenous Australians have these technologies while the indigenous Tasmanians do not. This answer choice does explain the differences, so it is not the correct answer.

d) If the indigenous Australians developed hunting implements like the boomerang and spear-thrower after the disappearance of the land bridge, this would explain why the indigenous Tasmanians do not have these technologies. This answer choice does explain the differences, so it is not the correct answer.

e) If the technological and cultural innovations were developed in Australia more than 10,000 years ago by groups in northern Australia with whom the indigenous Tasmanians had no contact prior to the disappearance of the land bridge, this would explain why the indigenous Tasmanians do not have these technologies. This answer choice does explain the differences, so it is not the correct answer.

Since answer choice (b) is the only one that does NOT contribute to an explanation of the differences described in the passage, it is the correct answer.