LSAT Explanation PT 36, S1, Q9: Raisins are made by drying grapes

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain why raisins contain more iron per calorie than do grapes? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

This LSAT problem presents a paradox: raisins contain more iron per calorie than grapes, even though the only difference between them is that raisins have had their water content removed through drying, and water contains no calories or nutrients. The question asks us to find the answer choice that helps explain this paradox.

To make this more relatable, let's use a simple example. Imagine you have two identical bags of popcorn - one with butter and one without. The only difference between them is the butter, which adds calories. However, if you find out that the bag without butter has more salt per calorie, you would be puzzled, as the only difference between the two bags is the butter, not the salt content. This is similar to the paradox we are trying to resolve with raisins and grapes.

Now let's examine each answer choice:

a) This answer choice states that grapes are bigger than raisins and that it takes several bunches of grapes to provide the same amount of iron as a handful of raisins. However, this doesn't address the paradox because it doesn't explain why raisins have more iron per calorie than grapes.

b) This answer choice explains that caramelized sugar cannot be digested, so its calories do not count toward the calorie content of raisins. This helps resolve the paradox because if raisins have fewer countable calories due to the caramelization process, then their iron per calorie content would be higher than grapes. This is the correct answer.

c) This answer choice discusses the rate at which the body can absorb iron and other nutrients from grapes and raisins. However, this doesn't help explain the paradox, as it doesn't address why raisins have more iron per calorie than grapes.

d) This answer choice talks about the availability of raisins and grapes, as well as people's yearly iron intake from them. However, this is irrelevant to the paradox, as it doesn't explain why raisins have more iron per calorie than grapes.

e) This answer choice mentions that raisins are often eaten with other iron-containing foods, while grapes are usually eaten alone. However, this doesn't help explain the paradox, as it doesn't address the difference in iron per calorie content between raisins and grapes.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (b) because it addresses the paradox by explaining that caramelized sugar in raisins doesn't count toward their calorie content, resulting in raisins having more iron per calorie than grapes.