How to Find a LSAT Science Passage's Organization Using LawHub Reading Comprehension Drill Set #4

MyGuru's LSAT expert, Stefan Maisnier, shows how to conduct an up-front read using the highlighting tools from lawhub.lsac.org to pinpoint specific sentences to understand the overall organization of a science passage before cross checking the choices against that understanding rather than the passage as a whole.

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LSAC LawHub LSAT Reading Comprehension Drill Set 4, Passage 2:

Increases in the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other trace gases in the Earth's atmosphere can contribute to what has been called greenhouse warming, because those compounds allow the Sun's energy to reach the surface of the Earth, thereby warming it, but prevent much of that energy from being reradiated to outer space. Measuring devices set up at several locations around the world have revealed a 20 percent increase in atmospheric CO2 over the course of the past century--from 290 parts per million in 1880 to 352 parts per million in 1989. Several studies agree that it is plausible that the CO2 content of the atmosphere may well double from its 1880 level by around the middle of the twenty-first century.

To project how much the global temperature will increase in response to a doubling of atmospheric CO2 should be simple: since the CO2 content has increased by about 20 percent over the past century, we should be able to observe the increases in global temperature during the same period and base future projections on that data. The prevailing view is that the climatic record over the past century for the entire globe reveals a net increase in temperature ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 degree Fahrenheit (approximately 0.25 to 0.5 degrees Celsius). But set against this conclusion is the fact that data gathered over the past century in North America, where observations are numerous and accurate, does not confirm such an increase. And even if the temperature rise is real, another puzzle remains: is the rise in global temperatures a natural fluctuation or a result of the increase in greenhouse gases?

Because of inconclusive data and the complexity of the problem, some scientists predict an increase as small as two degrees Fahrenheit (one degree Celsius) in the average global temperature over the next half century, whereas others predict increases of up to nine degrees Fahrenheit (five degrees Celsius). It makes a great difference whether the actual increase is at the low or high end of this range. Although human beings are probably resilient enough to adapt to the effects of an increase of approximately two degrees Fahrenheit (one degree Celsius), an increase of nine degrees Fahrenheit (five degrees Celsius) is believed to be the difference in temperature that separates the end of the last great ice age, 12,000 years ago, from the present.

In light of such uncertainty, the wisest policy is not to forestall action. Steps that make sense for economic or environmental reasons besides greenhouse warming, such as replacing fossil-fuel energy with solar energy, could be taken first, whether or not climate warming is taking place. Then, as scientific knowledge grows and uncertainties are reduced, more costly measures could be taken, if warranted, hence closely tying policy decisions to the latest information available. Scientists and others have aptly called this type of action a "no regrets" policy.

14. Which one of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

A) A scientific problem is described, discrepancies among proposed solutions to it are evaluated, and a course of action is recommended.
B) A scientific dispute is discussed and the case for one side is made, taking into account its political repercussions.
C) A phenomenon is described, different views of its effects are presented, and a policy taking into account these differences is proposed. (Correct)
D) A solution to a scientific puzzle is advanced and its implications for action are discussed.
E) A generally accepted scientific formula is explained in order to introduce a detailed examination of a case that violates the principle.