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- Wed Feb 19, 2020 4:23 pm
#73956
Complete Question Explanation
Strengthen. The correct answer choice is (A)
The theory discussed in the stimulus is a real scientific hypothesis, often called the “Pangaea
Theory.” Alfred Wegener, who has been the subject of other LSAT questions, theorized in 1915 that
Pangaea was a “supercontinent” composed of all landmasses. The theory is attractive because when
the shape of today’s continents is examined, the continents roughly fit together.
The question stem specifically asks you to strengthen the hypothesis that South America and Africa
were once joined. To do so, you must identify evidence about the landmasses, as this is the evidence
that the hypothesis in the stimulus relies upon.
Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice, and this is the only answer that addresses the
land. By tying the rock strata of each continent together, the answer supports the idea that there was
once a physical connection between the two continents. A high percentage of test takers correctly
identify this answer.
Answer choice (B): This answer addresses people, not land. As with the earlier turtle question in the
Chapter Seven Problem Set, the genetic similarity could be the result of humans from different areas
sharing a large amount of DNA.
Answer choice (C): The similarity of climates does not help establish that the landmasses were once
connected. For example, the similarity could be the result of both continents largely straddling the
equator.
Answer choice (D): The language of the people does not mean the continents were connected.
Australians and Americans share the same language, but this is because both areas were populated in
modern times by English-speaking people from Britain.
Answer choice (E): The resemblance of plants in both areas does not suggest or strengthen the idea
that the continents were joined. Plant similarities could be the result of climate, or perhaps of manmade
propagation efforts.
Strengthen. The correct answer choice is (A)
The theory discussed in the stimulus is a real scientific hypothesis, often called the “Pangaea
Theory.” Alfred Wegener, who has been the subject of other LSAT questions, theorized in 1915 that
Pangaea was a “supercontinent” composed of all landmasses. The theory is attractive because when
the shape of today’s continents is examined, the continents roughly fit together.
The question stem specifically asks you to strengthen the hypothesis that South America and Africa
were once joined. To do so, you must identify evidence about the landmasses, as this is the evidence
that the hypothesis in the stimulus relies upon.
Answer choice (A): This is the correct answer choice, and this is the only answer that addresses the
land. By tying the rock strata of each continent together, the answer supports the idea that there was
once a physical connection between the two continents. A high percentage of test takers correctly
identify this answer.
Answer choice (B): This answer addresses people, not land. As with the earlier turtle question in the
Chapter Seven Problem Set, the genetic similarity could be the result of humans from different areas
sharing a large amount of DNA.
Answer choice (C): The similarity of climates does not help establish that the landmasses were once
connected. For example, the similarity could be the result of both continents largely straddling the
equator.
Answer choice (D): The language of the people does not mean the continents were connected.
Australians and Americans share the same language, but this is because both areas were populated in
modern times by English-speaking people from Britain.
Answer choice (E): The resemblance of plants in both areas does not suggest or strengthen the idea
that the continents were joined. Plant similarities could be the result of climate, or perhaps of manmade
propagation efforts.
