LSAT Explanation PT 45, S1, Q19: Columnist: Much of North America and

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the columnist's reasoning? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The passage presents an argument made by a columnist who acknowledges that much of North America and Western Europe has experienced environmental improvements over the past five decades, possibly due to policies advocated by environmentalists. However, the columnist argues that these improvements lend credibility to the claims of those who reject predictions of imminent ecological doom and argue that environmental policies that excessively restrict the use of natural resources may reduce the wealth necessary to adopt and maintain the policies that brought about these improvements.

In this argument, the premise is the observed environmental improvements in North America and Western Europe over the past five decades. The conclusion is that these improvements lend credibility to the claims of those who argue against excessive restrictions on the use of natural resources.

The question asks us to strengthen the columnist's reasoning. To do this, we need to find an answer choice that supports the conclusion and fills in any logical gaps in the argument.

Evaluate question: Does the use of natural resources contribute significantly to a nation's wealth?

Answer Choices:

a) Nations sustain their wealth largely through industrial use of the natural resources found within their boundaries.

This answer choice strengthens the columnist's reasoning by establishing a connection between the use of natural resources and a nation's wealth. If nations rely on their natural resources to maintain their wealth, then restricting the use of these resources could indeed diminish the wealth necessary to sustain environmental policies. This is the correct answer choice.

b) The more advanced the technology used in a nation's industries, the greater is that nation's ability to devote a portion of its resources to social programs.

This answer choice is irrelevant to the argument, as it focuses on the relationship between technology and social programs, not the relationship between natural resource use and wealth.

c) A majority of ecological disasters arise from causes that are beyond human control.

This answer choice does not strengthen the columnist's reasoning, as it does not address the relationship between natural resource use and wealth or the effectiveness of environmental policies.

d) If a compromise between the proponents of economic growth and the environmentalists had been enacted rather than the current policies, the environment would have seen significantly less improvement.

This answer choice focuses on a hypothetical alternative scenario and does not strengthen the columnist's reasoning about the relationship between natural resource use and wealth or the effectiveness of environmental policies.

e) The concern demonstrated by a nation for the health and integrity of its natural ecosystems leads to an increase in that nation's wealth.

This answer choice weakens the columnist's reasoning, as it suggests that restrictive environmental policies could actually increase a nation's wealth, contradicting the argument that these policies may diminish the wealth necessary to sustain them.