LSAT Explanation PT 33, S1, Q9: The same task triggers different levels

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first break down the passage and make sure we understand its main points before diving into the answer choices. The passage discusses how the same task can trigger different levels of environmental awareness (awareness of one's surroundings) in different individuals. It gives the example of mathematical puzzles, which generally cause most people to increase their environmental awareness. However, there are two types of people who react differently to these puzzles:

1. Those who visualize the numbers in their mind's eye and experience a decrease in environmental awareness while solving the puzzle.

2. Those whose environmental awareness may rise during the exercise because their brains signal a rest at the end of every stage of problem-solving.

Now that we have a clear understanding of the passage, let's analyze the question. This is a Most Strongly Supported (MSS) question, which means we're looking for the answer choice that is most strongly supported by the information given in the passage.

Let's go through the answer choices one by one:

a) There are some people for whom mathematical puzzles do not cause an increase in their level of environmental awareness.

- This answer choice is supported by the passage, specifically by the first type of person mentioned, who visualizes the numbers in their mind's eye and experiences a decrease in environmental awareness. This is the correct answer.

b) People who visually formulate answers differ from other problem solvers in that the former are aware of their surroundings.

- This answer choice is not supported by the passage, as it actually states that people who visualize numbers experience a decrease in environmental awareness.

c) People tend to be more aware of their surroundings when solving mathematical problems than when solving nonmathematical problems.

- The passage does not provide any information about nonmathematical problems, so we cannot make this comparison. This answer choice is not supported by the passage.

d) Mathematical problem solvers who rely on visual techniques become aware of their surroundings only during periods of rest.

- This answer choice is not supported by the passage, as it does not mention that visual problem solvers are only aware of their surroundings during rest periods. It only states that their environmental awareness decreases while solving the puzzle.

e) Mathematical problem solving requires frequent periods of rest in the form of increased awareness of the problem solver's surroundings.

- This answer choice is not supported by the passage, as it only mentions that some people experience increased environmental awareness due to their brains signaling a rest. It does not say that mathematical problem-solving requires frequent periods of rest for everyone.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is A, as it is the only answer choice that is strongly supported by the information provided in the passage.