LSAT Question Explanation
PT 105, Section 1, Question 1
Main ConclusionArgument structure
Tennyson's line was not a reference to Darwin's theory of evolution.
Tennyson's poem was published in 1850, before Darwin's theory was published in 1859. Also, the poem is actually referring to a different theory.
Explanation
In this stimulus the author rejects the claim that Tennyson's line was a reference to Darwin's theory of evolution. The author cites as evidence that Darwin hadn't revealed his theory until years after the poem was published, and that when context is considered apparently Tennyson was writing about a different biological theory altogether.
Answer choices
We don't know if Tennyson's line describes Darwin's theory of evolution, we just know that Tennyson wasn't referencing Darwin's theory. An example of this distinction could be if in the 1400's some naturalist noticed that smarter, stronger animals or animals with unique traits survived and reproduced at higher rates. In this case they are somewhat describing the same things Darwin observed. But they obviously wouldn't have been referencing Darwin since he hadn't even been born yet.
This is is what the author thinks Tennyson was actually referencing. But the author just tells us this with no support, therefore it's a premise not a conclusion.
This is direct evidence that explains why the theory wasn't being referenced by Tennyson.
This is an inference one could draw from the third sentence, but it doesn't accurately identify the conclusion that the author is arguing for.
This restates the first sentence, and is supported by the second and third sentences. Tennyson wasn't referencing Darwin's theory of evolution.