LSAC LSAT-TEST Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

LSAC LSAT-TEST Online Questions & Answers

• Question 121:

  Experts anticipate that global atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) will have-doubled by the end of the twenty-first century. It is known that CO2 can contribute to global warming by trapping solar energy that is being reradiated as heat from the Earth's surface. However, some research has suggested that elevated CO2 levels could enhance the photosynthetic rates of plants, resulting in a lush world of agricultural abundance, and that this CO2 fertilization effect might eventually decrease the rate of global warming. The increased vegetation in such an environment could be counted on to draw more CO, from the atmosphere. The level of CO2 would thus increase at a lower rate than many experts have predicted.

  However, while a number of recent studies confirm that plant growth would be generally enhanced in an atmosphere rich in CO2, they also suggest that increased CO2 would differentially increase the growth rate of different species of plants, which could eventually result in decreased agricultural yields. Certain important crops such as corn and sugarcane that currently have higher photosynthetic efficiencies than other plants may lose that edge in an atmosphere rich in CO2. Patterson and Flint have shown that these important crops may experience yield reductions because of the increased performance of certain weeds. Such differences in growth rates between plant species could also alter ecosystem stability. Studies have shown that within rangeland regions, for example, a weedy grass grows much better with plentiful CO2 than do three other grasses. Because this weedy grass predisposes land to burning, its potential increase may lead to greater numbers of and more severe wildfires in future rangeland communities.

  It is clear that the CO2 fertilization effect does not guarantee the lush world of agricultural abundance that once seemed likely, but what about the potential for the increased uptake of CO2 to decrease the rate of global warming? Some studies suggest that the changes accompanying global warming will not improve the ability of terrestrial ecosystems to absorb CO2. Billings' simulation of global warming conditions in wet tundra grasslands showed that the level of CO2 actually increased. Plant growth did increase under these conditions because of warmer temperatures and increased CO2 levels. But as the permafrost melted, more peat {accumulated dead plant material) began to decompose. This process in turn liberated more CO2 to the atmosphere. Billings estimated that if summer temperatures rose four degrees Celsius, the tundra would liberate 50 percent more CO2 than it does currently. In a warmer world, increased plant growth, which could absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, would not compensate for this rapid increase in decomposition rates. This observation is particularly important because high-latitude habitats such as the tundra are expected to experience the greatest temperature increase.

  The passage suggests that the hypothesis mentioned in the first paragraph is not entirely accurate because it fails to take into account which one of the following in predicting the effects of increased vegetation on the rate of global warming?

  A. Increased levels of CO2 will increase the photosynthetic rates of many species of plants.
  B. Increased plant growth cannot compensate for increased rates of decomposition caused by warmer temperatures.
  C. Low-latitude habitats will experience the greatest increases in temperature in an atmosphere high in CO.
  D. Increased levels of CO, will change patterns of plant growth and thus will alter the distribution of peat.
  E. Increases in vegetation can be counted on to draw more CO2 from the atmosphere.
  B. Increased plant growth cannot compensate for increased rates of decomposition caused by warmer temperatures.

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  There's a lot of verbiage in the question stem, but the last two words are the key because they direct us to the proper. Yes, the hypothesis appears in 1, but its weakness in terms of global warming comes in 3. The "particularly important" observation that sums up the ultimate effect of CO2.

• Question 122:

  The most common bird in Stillwater Marsh is a species of marsh hen, yet this species is rarely seen, even by experienced bird-watchers who seek it. In fact, this bird is seen far less frequently than any other bird inhabiting the marsh, including those that are much smaller and much less abundant.

  Each of the following, if true, helps to reconcile the statements above EXCEPT:

  A. The coloration of the marsh hen blends in particularly well with the marsh grass where the marsh hen nests.
  B. The marsh hen's call is harsh and repetitive, whereas the calls of many other marsh birds are pleasant and melodious.
  C. Unlike many small marsh birds, which dash along the banks of the marsh, the marsh hen remains completely still for long periods of time.
  D. Many marsh birds are most active during daylight hours, but the marsh hen is usually most active at night.
  E. Although many small marsh birds fly in groups to several feeding areas each day, the marsh hen tends to be solitary and flies only when it is in danger.
  B. The marsh hen's call is harsh and repetitive, whereas the calls of many other marsh birds are pleasant and melodious.

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  What would plausibly explain that the most common bird species is seen much less often than smaller and less numerous birds? Option [The coloration of the marsh hen...] would -- it's camouflaged by the environment. Option [Unlike many small marsh birds...] would it stands still a lot, unlike other species that dash. Option [Many marsh birds are most active...] would -- it's active at night, unlike other species that are diurnal. And [Although many small marsh birds fly...] would -- it flies alone and infrequently, unlike the others that fly often and in packs. But depending on how you look at it, option [The marsh hen's call is harsh] either falls outside the scope (if the calls are irrelevant to the visual cues that the stimulus is interested in) or deepens the paradox (if the obnoxious call of the marsh hen makes it more likely to be identified and spotted than less so).

• Question 123:

  Automobile-emission standards are enforced through annual inspection. At those inspections cars are tested while idling; that is, standing still with their engines running. Testing devices measure the levels of various pollutants as exhaust gases leave the tail pipe.

  Which one of the following, if true, most strongly indicates that current enforcement of automobile-emission standards might be ineffective in controlling overall pollutant levels?

  A. As an emission-control technology approaches its limits, any additional gains in effectiveness become progressively more expensive.
  B. The testing devices used must be recalibrated frequently to measure pollutant levels with acceptable accuracy.
  C. The adjustments needed to make a car idle cleanly make it likely that the car will emit high levels of pollutants when moving at highway speeds.
  D. Most car owners ask their mechanics to make sure that their cars are in compliance with emission standards.
  E. When emission standards are set, no allowances are made for older cars.
  C. The adjustments needed to make a car idle cleanly make it likely that the car will emit high levels of pollutants when moving at highway speeds.

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  This is a tricky question stem. What's really going on here is that you're going to be questioning the logic of the enforcement program. The stimulus tells you that car emission standards are enforced through annual inspection. At inspection, cars are tested while idling, and the test measures the levels of pollutants leaving the tail pipe. You have to determine which answer choice, if true, would show why that particular testing program would not be effective in controlling overall pollutant levels. Option [The adjustments needed to make a car idle cleanly...] does the job by suggesting that reducing "idling" pollution emissions will increase pollution emissions while driving.

• Question 124:

  In a school function ceremony, seven students, Amy, Bob, Chad, Dom, Elisa, Fischer, and Grant have to deliver their performances in seven consecutive slots, not necessarily in the order of their given names. The following information is known about the order in which the students perform: Chad performs immediately before Dom Grant performs sometime after Chad There are exactly two performances made between the performances of Amy and Elisa

  What is the maximum number of performers between Fischer and Grant?

  A. 1
  B. 2
  C. 3
  D. 4
  E. 5
  E. 5

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  To have the maximum number of performers between F and G, we would typically want them to be the 1st and 7th performers, in any order.

  However, we know that G follows C and D. thus, the best choice for G is the 7th slot.

  We now need to check the earliest possible slot for F.

  We can observe that F is a floating element as there is no conditions set on F. Thus, F can easily take the 1st slot. One of the possible orders is shown below:

  

  Thus, there can be a maximum of five performers between F and G.

  General

  Let us denote the seven slots using the numbers 1 through 7 as shown below:

  

  We need to fill in the names of the performers in each slot depending on the information provided.

  Let us name the performers Amy, Bob, Chad, Dom, Elisa, Fischer, and Grant as A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

  Let us look at the information given in the question stem and see what we have got:

  1.

  Since Chad performs immediately before Dom, we can write "CD" as an element implying that there is no one else performing between them.

  2.

  Since Grant performs sometime after Chad, and Chad and Dom are consecutive performers, Grant must perform after Dom as well. Thus, we can represent the information as shown below:

  The "..." above implies that there could be none or at least 1 performer between D and G.

  3.

  There are exactly two performers between Amy and Elisa. This information can be represented as shown below:

  

  

  Thus, we see that the above information is NOT sufficient to assign even one of the performers to his/her corresponding slot number. This implies that there would possibly be multiple solutions to the arrangements of the performers. Thus, in order to solve the questions, we would need to use the information given in the questions.

• Question 125:

  The first person in the group starts off by naming anything that is geographical. It could be a city, state, country, river, lake, or any proper geographical term. For example, the person might say," Boston." The second person has ten seconds to think of how the word ends and come up with another geographical term starting with that letter. The second participant might say, "Norway," since the geographical term has to start with "N." The third person would have to choose a word beginning with "Y." If a player fails to think of a correct answer within the time limit, that player is out of the game. The last person to survive is the champion.

  The answer must be

  A. in New York
  B. within the United States
  C. proper geographical terms
  D. in the same region
  E. along a coast line
  C. proper geographical terms

• Question 126:

  In some countries, there is a free flow of information about infrastructure, agriculture, and industry, whereas in other countries, this information is controlled by a small elite. In the latter countries, the vast majority of the population is denied vital information about factors that determine their welfare. Thus, these countries are likely to experience more frequent economic crises than other countries do.

  The conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?

  A. It is more likely that people without political power will suffer from economic crises than it is that people in power will.
  B. Economic crises become more frequent as the amount of information available to the population about factors determining its welfare decreases.
  C. In nations in which the government controls access to information about infrastructure, agriculture, and industry, economic crises are common.
  D. The higher the percentage of the population that participates in economic decisions, the better those decisions are.
  E. A small elite that controls information about infrastructure, agriculture, and industry is likely to manipulate that information for its own benefit.
  B. Economic crises become more frequent as the amount of information available to the population about factors determining its welfare decreases.

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  Another Assumption question, so the familiar drill applies; let's analyze the components of the argument and see what's missing. And this one has "connect the dots" written all over it. Remember back in Q. 1 when the idea of student interests seemed to drop in out of nowhere? Did you notice its counterpart here? In countries where the elite control the flow of information on certain topics, most people are denied important information on topics that are relevant to their welfare. From this, the author concludes (notice the Keyword "Thus") that these countries are likely to have economic crises more often than other countries. Where does that come from? From out of nowhere, really, which tells us there's a big chunk missing here. The argument works only if the idea of economic crises is connected with the notion of people being denied information vital to their welfare. Option [Economic crises become more frequent as...] connects the dots, so to speak, by forging the necessary link between these parts of the argument.

• Question 127:

  King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette ruled France from 1774 to 1789, a time when the country was fighting bankruptcy. The royal couple did not let France's insecure financial situation limit their immoderate spending, however. Even though the minister of finance repeatedly warned the king and queen against wasting money, they continued to spend great fortunes on their personal pleasure. This lavish spending greatly enraged the people of France. They felt that the royal couple bought its luxurious lifestyle at the poor people's expense. Marie Antoinette, the beautiful but exceedingly impractical queen, seemed uncaring about her subjects; misery. While French citizens begged for lower taxes, the queen embellished her palace with extravagant works of art. She also

  surrounded herself with artists, writers, and musicians, who encouraged the queen to spend money even more profusely. While the queen's favorites glutted themselves on huge feasts at the royal table, many people in France were starving.

  The French government taxed the citizens outrageously.

  These high taxes paid for the entertainments the queen and her court so enjoyed. When the minister of finance tried to stop these royal spendthrifts, the queen replaced him. The intense hatred that the people felt for Louis XVI and Marie

  Antoinette kept building until it led to the French Revolution. During this time of struggle and violence (1789-1799), thousands of aristocrats, as well as the king and queen themselves, lost their lives at the guillotine. Perhaps if Louis XVI and

  Marie Antoinette had reined in their extravagant spending, the events that rocked France would not have occurred.

  The minister of finance tried to curb these royal _________.

  A. aristocrats
  B. money wasters
  C. enemies
  D. individuals
  E. spenders
  B. money wasters

• Question 128:

  City council member: Despite the city's desperate need to exploit any available source of revenue, the mayor has repeatedly blocked council members' attempts to pass legislation imposing real estate development fees. It is clear that in doing so the mayor is sacrificing the city's interests to personal interests. The mayor cites figures to show that, in the current market, fees of the size proposed would significantly reduce the number of building starts and thus, on balance, result in a revenue loss to the city. But the important point is that the mayor's family is heavily involved in real estate development and thus has a strong financial interest in the matter.

  The reasoning in the city council member's argument is flawed because

  A. the issue of the mayor's personal interest in the proposed legislation is irrelevant to any assessment of the mayor's action with respect to that legislation
  B. the mayor's course of action being personally advantageous is not inconsistent with the mayor's action being advantageous for the city
  C. the council member's own absence of personal interest in the proposed legislation has not been established
  D. that a person or a municipality has a need for something does not, in itself, establish that that person or that municipality has a right to that thing
  E. the possibility remains open that the mayor's need to avoid loss of family revenue is as desperate as the city's need to increase municipal revenue
  B. the mayor's course of action being personally advantageous is not inconsistent with the mayor's action being advantageous for the city

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  Now that we've nailed down exactly what the council member said, let's now see what's wrong with it. As you recall, the mayor offers a rationale for his refusal to sign the legislation imposing real estate development fees. The council member begins her response with "But...", and we'd expect her to counter the mayor's figures in some way, or at least attempt to show that he's skewing the interpretation of same. Instead, she gives information about the mayor's family meant to suggest his self-interest alluded to earlier. But what about the mayor's evidence? She simply ignores it, citing his family's financial interests as the most important consideration in condemning the mayor's actions. But if his figures are correct and the city will actually lose money if the fees are imposed (a fact the council member doesn't contest), why is she so worried about his private concerns? If what's good for his family also happens to be good for the city, then how can the council member argue that the mayor is after his own benefit at the expense of the city? Maybe he is out for himself, but it doesn't seem to be at the city's expense, so there's no inconsistency here, as the council member suggests.

• Question 129:

  Navigation in animals is defined as the animal's ability to find its way from unfamiliar territory to points familiar to the animal but beyond the immediate range of the animal's senses. Some naturalists claim that polar bears can navigate over considerable distances. As evidence, they cite an instance of a polar bear that returned to its home territory after being released over 500 kilometers (300 miles) away.

  Which one of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on the validity of the evidence offered in support of the naturalists' claim?

  A. The polar bear stopped and changed course several times as it moved toward its home territory.
  B. The site at which the polar bear was released was on the bear's annual migration route.
  C. The route along which the polar bear traveled consisted primarily of snow and drifting ice.
  D. Polar bears are only one of many species of mammal whose members have been known to find their way home from considerable distances.
  E. Polar bears often rely on their extreme sensitivity to smell in order to scent out familiar territory.
  B. The site at which the polar bear was released was on the bear's annual migration route.

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  The stem points us right to the part of the argument we need to focus on: the evidence supporting the naturalists' claim. Our job is to find the choice that weakens its validity. First we get a definition of navigation, followed by the claim and evidence referred to in the stem. Some naturalists think polar bears can navigate over long distances because a polar be aronce journeyed 300 miles to reach home. The naturalists seem enthused about this account, evidently believing it to bean instance of navigation. But the definition of navigation is an animal's ability to find its way home from unfamiliar territory that's beyond their senses, neither of which we hear anything about in the case of the wayward bear. The evidence given here would mean squat if the bear's journey was through familiar territory or if the 300 miles was not out of range of the bear's senses. B. speaks to the former, making it seem likely that the bear knew the route all along. That would strongly suggest that this particular account is not credible support for the naturalists' claim.

• Question 130:

  The village of Vestmannaeyjar, in the far northern country of Iceland, is as bright and clean and up-to-date as any American or Canadian suburb. It is located on the island of Heimaey, just off the mainland. One January night in 1973, however, householders were shocked from their sleep. In some backyards red-hot liquid was spurting from the ground. Flaming "skyrockets" shot up and over the houses. The island's volcano, Helgafell, silent for seven thousand years, was violently erupting! Luckily, the island's fishing fleet was in port, and within twenty-four hours almost everyone was ferried to the mainland. But then the agony of the island began in earnest. As in a nightmare, fountains of burning lava spurted three hundred feet high. Black, baseball-size cinders rained down. An evil-smelling, eye-burning, throat-searing cloud of smoke and gas erupted into the air, and a river of lava flowed down the mountain. The constant shriek of escaping steam was punctuated by ear-splitting explosions. As time went on, the once pleasant village of Vestmannaeyjar took on a weird aspect. Its street lamps still burning against the long Arctic night, the town lay under a thick blanket of cinders. All that could be seen above the ten-foot black drifts were the tips of street signs. Some houses had collapsed under the weight of cinders; others had burst into flames as the heat ignited their oil storage tanks. Lighting the whole lurid scene, fire continued to shoot from the mouth of the looming volcano.

  The eruption continued for six months. Scientists and reporters arrived from around the world to observe the awesome natural event. But the town did not die that easily. In July, when the eruption ceased, the people of Heimaey Island returned to assess the chances of rebuilding their homes and lives. They found tons of ash covering the ground. The Icelanders are a tough people, however, accustomed to the strange and violent nature of their Arctic land. They dug out their homes. They even used the cinders to build new roads and airport runways. Now the new homes of Heimaey are warmed from water pipes heated by molten lava.

  The village is located on the island of

  A. Vestmannaeyjar
  B. Hebrides
  C. Heimaey
  D. Helgafell
  E. Heimma
  C. Heimaey