Among the question types in the Logical Reasoning section of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), assumption questions are known for their complexity and significance. Assumption questions challenge test-takers to identify the unstated premise necessary to make the given argument logically valid. By mastering this question type, aspiring law students can showcase their ability to discern underlying assumptions and bolster their performance on the LSAT. Let’s delve into an overview of assumption questions, along with examples and a step-by-step guide on how to solve them effectively.
Assumption Questions on the LSAT’s Logical Reasoning Section
Assumption questions present an argument in the form of a short passage. The passage contains a conclusion supported by premises or evidence. Test-takers must identify the answer choice that serves as the missing link between the evidence and the conclusion. In essence, the correct answer must be a crucial assumption without which the argument falls apart or becomes unsound.
Example:
Argument: “Implementing a carbon tax will reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly, as seen in a recent study. Countries that have already adopted such taxes have observed a notable decline in emissions.”
Question:
Which of the following is an assumption required by the argument above?
A) Governments worldwide are willing to enforce a carbon tax uniformly.
B) The recent study’s methodology was more comprehensive than previous research.
C) The countries that reduced emissions had significant non-tax-related policies in place.
D) Greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of climate change.
E) Other methods of reducing emissions are not as effective as a carbon tax.
Solving Assumption Questions on the LSAT’s Logical Reasoning Section:
Step 1: Identify the Conclusion and Premises Read the argument carefully and determine the conclusion and the premises or evidence that support it. Understanding the structure of the argument is essential to pinpointing the missing assumption.
In the example, the conclusion is “Implementing a carbon tax will reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly,” and the premises are the results of the recent study showing a decline in emissions in countries that adopted such taxes.
Step 2: Anticipate the Answer Before looking at the answer choices, try to anticipate what kind of assumption is necessary for the argument to hold true based on the conclusion and premises.
In this case, the correct assumption would likely support the causal relationship between the carbon tax and the reduction in emissions.
Step 3: Evaluate the Answer Choices Carefully read each answer choice and assess its impact on the argument. Cross out choices that do not directly fill the logical gap.
A) Governments worldwide are willing to enforce a carbon tax uniformly.
- This may or may not be necessary for the argument to hold true but does not directly relate to the causal relationship between the tax and emission reduction.
B) The recent study’s methodology was more comprehensive than previous research.
- While the methodology’s quality might strengthen the argument, it is not an essential assumption.
C) The countries that reduced emissions had significant non-tax-related policies in place.
- This weakens the argument by suggesting that factors other than the carbon tax contributed to emission reduction.
D) Greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of climate change.
- This is interesting but does not directly relate to the argument’s assumption.
E) Other methods of reducing emissions are not as effective as a carbon tax.
- This weakens the argument by suggesting that alternative methods might be more effective.
Step 4: Determine the Correct Answer The correct answer is A, “Governments worldwide are willing to enforce a carbon tax uniformly.” This choice is the necessary assumption for the argument to hold true, as the success of a carbon tax in reducing emissions relies on its uniform enforcement across countries.
The Last Word
Mastering assumption questions in the LSAT Logical Reasoning section requires careful analysis and the ability to identify the answer choice that bridges the logical gap between evidence and conclusion. By practicing this question type and developing an eye for crucial premises, test-takers can confidently tackle assumption questions and demonstrate their analytical acumen on the LSAT.
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