Sufficient Assumption - LSAT Logical Reasoning
Card 1 of 80
Live theater has been in competition with more modern media options for years. Today, there are a vast number of entertainment options and there is easy access to high quality entertainment technology, such as sophisticated home theater systems. Fewer people watch live theater than in the past. As a result, live theater has lost the competition with modern media.
Which of the following, if true, would allow the conclusion to be logically drawn?
Live theater has been in competition with more modern media options for years. Today, there are a vast number of entertainment options and there is easy access to high quality entertainment technology, such as sophisticated home theater systems. Fewer people watch live theater than in the past. As a result, live theater has lost the competition with modern media.
Which of the following, if true, would allow the conclusion to be logically drawn?
Tap to reveal answer
The argument concludes that live theater has lost a competition with modern media. The conclusion does not logically follow from the assertions in the argument as they are presented. It is not clear how the competition would be lost. The additional premise allows the conclusion to be drawn.
The argument concludes that live theater has lost a competition with modern media. The conclusion does not logically follow from the assertions in the argument as they are presented. It is not clear how the competition would be lost. The additional premise allows the conclusion to be drawn.
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Relaxation of credit standards helped cause the recent mortgage crisis. Credit standards should not have been relaxed because, if they had not been, the mortgage crisis would have been avoided.
The argument assumes which of the following?
Relaxation of credit standards helped cause the recent mortgage crisis. Credit standards should not have been relaxed because, if they had not been, the mortgage crisis would have been avoided.
The argument assumes which of the following?
Tap to reveal answer
The argument mentions the relaxation of credit standards as a cause of the mortgage crisis. It assumes that it is the only cause (or but for cause) of the crisis.
The argument mentions the relaxation of credit standards as a cause of the mortgage crisis. It assumes that it is the only cause (or but for cause) of the crisis.
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The general contractor working on the new bridge should use caution before hiring subcontractors because many subcontractors defraud general contractors who do not take appropriate caution. When general contractors take appropriate caution, however, they always avoid being defrauded. The general contractor working on the new bridge will not be defrauded because he has formal contracts with his subcontractors.
Which of the following assumptions, if true, allows the conclusion to be properly drawn?
The general contractor working on the new bridge should use caution before hiring subcontractors because many subcontractors defraud general contractors who do not take appropriate caution. When general contractors take appropriate caution, however, they always avoid being defrauded. The general contractor working on the new bridge will not be defrauded because he has formal contracts with his subcontractors.
Which of the following assumptions, if true, allows the conclusion to be properly drawn?
Tap to reveal answer
We know that if there is appropriate caution, general contractors are not defrauded. We also know that the general contractor in this case obtained formal contracts. If obtaining formal contracts is appropriate caution, then the contractor here has taken appropriate caution and will not be defrauded.
We know that if there is appropriate caution, general contractors are not defrauded. We also know that the general contractor in this case obtained formal contracts. If obtaining formal contracts is appropriate caution, then the contractor here has taken appropriate caution and will not be defrauded.
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Movie producers complain that movie critics find it easier to write reviews about movies they dislike than to write reviews about movies that they like. Regardless of whether this hypothesis is true, most movie reviews are devoted to movies that critics find distasteful. Therefore, most movie reviews are devoted to movies other than the best movies.
The conclusion above is properly drawn if which of the following is assumed?
Movie producers complain that movie critics find it easier to write reviews about movies they dislike than to write reviews about movies that they like. Regardless of whether this hypothesis is true, most movie reviews are devoted to movies that critics find distasteful. Therefore, most movie reviews are devoted to movies other than the best movies.
The conclusion above is properly drawn if which of the following is assumed?
Tap to reveal answer
This argument misses the important link between critics not liking a movie and that movie not being one of the best movies. However, this conclusion would be valid if we have the assumption provided in the correct answer choice, “The best movies are those that critics find tasteful.” This assumption links the best movies with the movies that critics find tasteful. Thus, with this assumption, the conclusion works: If most movie reviews are devoted to movies that critics find distasteful, and the best movies are the movies that critics find tasteful, then it follows that most criticism is devoted to movies other than the best movies.
This argument misses the important link between critics not liking a movie and that movie not being one of the best movies. However, this conclusion would be valid if we have the assumption provided in the correct answer choice, “The best movies are those that critics find tasteful.” This assumption links the best movies with the movies that critics find tasteful. Thus, with this assumption, the conclusion works: If most movie reviews are devoted to movies that critics find distasteful, and the best movies are the movies that critics find tasteful, then it follows that most criticism is devoted to movies other than the best movies.
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A paleontologist found a dinosaur tibia and fibula bone group that was too large to be placed into a stabilized storage chest. Luckily, an assistant discovered a way to safely separate the tibia and fibula bones. These bones could be reassembled later without a noticeable change in either bone. Now the bones can be placed in two stabilized storage chests.
The argument above depends on which of the following assumptions?
A paleontologist found a dinosaur tibia and fibula bone group that was too large to be placed into a stabilized storage chest. Luckily, an assistant discovered a way to safely separate the tibia and fibula bones. These bones could be reassembled later without a noticeable change in either bone. Now the bones can be placed in two stabilized storage chests.
The argument above depends on which of the following assumptions?
Tap to reveal answer
Here, size offered the only barrier to putting the tibia and fibula bone group into the chest. Since the separated bones can now fit into their own separate chests, the author assumes that each bone can fit into a chest. Thus, the correct choice is: “Neither the tibia or fibula bone is too large to fit into the chest.”
Here, size offered the only barrier to putting the tibia and fibula bone group into the chest. Since the separated bones can now fit into their own separate chests, the author assumes that each bone can fit into a chest. Thus, the correct choice is: “Neither the tibia or fibula bone is too large to fit into the chest.”
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At this school, there are no ballet dancers who are also salsa dancers. However, all ballroom dancers are also salsa dancers. Therefore, no ballroom dancers will be competing in the upcoming competition.
The conclusion above follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?
At this school, there are no ballet dancers who are also salsa dancers. However, all ballroom dancers are also salsa dancers. Therefore, no ballroom dancers will be competing in the upcoming competition.
The conclusion above follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?
Tap to reveal answer
We already know from the premises that ballroom dancers and ballet dancers are mutually exclusive. The only question that remains is who will compete in the upcoming competition. If only ballet dancers will compete, ballroom dancers are excluded (as well as salsa dancers), and the conclusion must logically follow.
We already know from the premises that ballroom dancers and ballet dancers are mutually exclusive. The only question that remains is who will compete in the upcoming competition. If only ballet dancers will compete, ballroom dancers are excluded (as well as salsa dancers), and the conclusion must logically follow.
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Large numbers of people fall ill every year from illnesses that could have been avoided by proper vaccination. Therefore, the government should spend money to educate people about the importance of getting vaccinated.
Which of the following assumptions would NOT support the argument?
Large numbers of people fall ill every year from illnesses that could have been avoided by proper vaccination. Therefore, the government should spend money to educate people about the importance of getting vaccinated.
Which of the following assumptions would NOT support the argument?
Tap to reveal answer
If the average citizen simply cannot afford vaccinations, then the government's expenditure of money on educating citizens may not be the wisest use of funds. The rest of the answer choices support the argument that the government should invest in an education campaign about vaccination.
If the average citizen simply cannot afford vaccinations, then the government's expenditure of money on educating citizens may not be the wisest use of funds. The rest of the answer choices support the argument that the government should invest in an education campaign about vaccination.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
The best obedience training new dog owners can undertake is training themselves. If the owner is disciplined, careful, and alert, the natural willingness to please in the puppy will follow right after the owner's own behavior and the puppy will become a well-trained dog.
Which one of the following is a sufficient assumption for the conclusion of the argument?
The best obedience training new dog owners can undertake is training themselves. If the owner is disciplined, careful, and alert, the natural willingness to please in the puppy will follow right after the owner's own behavior and the puppy will become a well-trained dog.
Which one of the following is a sufficient assumption for the conclusion of the argument?
Tap to reveal answer
The argument revolves around how to best train a dog in an obedience class, specifically saying that a well-trained human is the best vehicle for a well-trained dog; however, the main point that this argument hinges on, and which is not said directly in the statement, is that a dog is naturally adept at being trained through its innate wish to please its owner.
The argument revolves around how to best train a dog in an obedience class, specifically saying that a well-trained human is the best vehicle for a well-trained dog; however, the main point that this argument hinges on, and which is not said directly in the statement, is that a dog is naturally adept at being trained through its innate wish to please its owner.
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The most serious criminal offenders need to be placed in extra-secure prisons. Communications, even when well-searched and analyzed, are susceptible to sending secret messages to people not under incarceration, especially in the case of gang leaders, mafia members, and drug kingpins.
Which of the following is a sufficient assumption for the conclusion of the passage?
The most serious criminal offenders need to be placed in extra-secure prisons. Communications, even when well-searched and analyzed, are susceptible to sending secret messages to people not under incarceration, especially in the case of gang leaders, mafia members, and drug kingpins.
Which of the following is a sufficient assumption for the conclusion of the passage?
Tap to reveal answer
The passage focuses on one aspect of prison security, communications in and out of prisons, and argues that tighter monitoring of that aspect is a necessity. While there are many assumptions that could lead to this conclusion, certain prisoners being more adept at codes would be sufficient to reach the idea that prisons are not as secure as they could be.
The passage focuses on one aspect of prison security, communications in and out of prisons, and argues that tighter monitoring of that aspect is a necessity. While there are many assumptions that could lead to this conclusion, certain prisoners being more adept at codes would be sufficient to reach the idea that prisons are not as secure as they could be.
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Scientists are now reporting that recent studies show the drug has been extremely effective in masking the harmful side effects of the disease. This breakthrough gives hope to many patients that scientists are very close to finding an appropriate medicine to fully cure the disease.
Which of the following statements is a sufficient assumption for the argument in the above passage?
Scientists are now reporting that recent studies show the drug has been extremely effective in masking the harmful side effects of the disease. This breakthrough gives hope to many patients that scientists are very close to finding an appropriate medicine to fully cure the disease.
Which of the following statements is a sufficient assumption for the argument in the above passage?
Tap to reveal answer
The passage states that the cure for the disease should come to pass soon, and that it will happen because there have now been breakthroughs in treating the disease's side effects. This indicates that it assumed that the two events are highly related, which is the sufficient assumption for the conclusion in the passage.
The passage states that the cure for the disease should come to pass soon, and that it will happen because there have now been breakthroughs in treating the disease's side effects. This indicates that it assumed that the two events are highly related, which is the sufficient assumption for the conclusion in the passage.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Live theater has been in competition with more modern media options for years. Today, there are a vast number of entertainment options and there is easy access to high quality entertainment technology, such as sophisticated home theater systems. Fewer people watch live theater than in the past. As a result, live theater has lost the competition with modern media.
Which of the following, if true, would allow the conclusion to be logically drawn?
Live theater has been in competition with more modern media options for years. Today, there are a vast number of entertainment options and there is easy access to high quality entertainment technology, such as sophisticated home theater systems. Fewer people watch live theater than in the past. As a result, live theater has lost the competition with modern media.
Which of the following, if true, would allow the conclusion to be logically drawn?
Tap to reveal answer
The argument concludes that live theater has lost a competition with modern media. The conclusion does not logically follow from the assertions in the argument as they are presented. It is not clear how the competition would be lost. The additional premise allows the conclusion to be drawn.
The argument concludes that live theater has lost a competition with modern media. The conclusion does not logically follow from the assertions in the argument as they are presented. It is not clear how the competition would be lost. The additional premise allows the conclusion to be drawn.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Relaxation of credit standards helped cause the recent mortgage crisis. Credit standards should not have been relaxed because, if they had not been, the mortgage crisis would have been avoided.
The argument assumes which of the following?
Relaxation of credit standards helped cause the recent mortgage crisis. Credit standards should not have been relaxed because, if they had not been, the mortgage crisis would have been avoided.
The argument assumes which of the following?
Tap to reveal answer
The argument mentions the relaxation of credit standards as a cause of the mortgage crisis. It assumes that it is the only cause (or but for cause) of the crisis.
The argument mentions the relaxation of credit standards as a cause of the mortgage crisis. It assumes that it is the only cause (or but for cause) of the crisis.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
The general contractor working on the new bridge should use caution before hiring subcontractors because many subcontractors defraud general contractors who do not take appropriate caution. When general contractors take appropriate caution, however, they always avoid being defrauded. The general contractor working on the new bridge will not be defrauded because he has formal contracts with his subcontractors.
Which of the following assumptions, if true, allows the conclusion to be properly drawn?
The general contractor working on the new bridge should use caution before hiring subcontractors because many subcontractors defraud general contractors who do not take appropriate caution. When general contractors take appropriate caution, however, they always avoid being defrauded. The general contractor working on the new bridge will not be defrauded because he has formal contracts with his subcontractors.
Which of the following assumptions, if true, allows the conclusion to be properly drawn?
Tap to reveal answer
We know that if there is appropriate caution, general contractors are not defrauded. We also know that the general contractor in this case obtained formal contracts. If obtaining formal contracts is appropriate caution, then the contractor here has taken appropriate caution and will not be defrauded.
We know that if there is appropriate caution, general contractors are not defrauded. We also know that the general contractor in this case obtained formal contracts. If obtaining formal contracts is appropriate caution, then the contractor here has taken appropriate caution and will not be defrauded.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Movie producers complain that movie critics find it easier to write reviews about movies they dislike than to write reviews about movies that they like. Regardless of whether this hypothesis is true, most movie reviews are devoted to movies that critics find distasteful. Therefore, most movie reviews are devoted to movies other than the best movies.
The conclusion above is properly drawn if which of the following is assumed?
Movie producers complain that movie critics find it easier to write reviews about movies they dislike than to write reviews about movies that they like. Regardless of whether this hypothesis is true, most movie reviews are devoted to movies that critics find distasteful. Therefore, most movie reviews are devoted to movies other than the best movies.
The conclusion above is properly drawn if which of the following is assumed?
Tap to reveal answer
This argument misses the important link between critics not liking a movie and that movie not being one of the best movies. However, this conclusion would be valid if we have the assumption provided in the correct answer choice, “The best movies are those that critics find tasteful.” This assumption links the best movies with the movies that critics find tasteful. Thus, with this assumption, the conclusion works: If most movie reviews are devoted to movies that critics find distasteful, and the best movies are the movies that critics find tasteful, then it follows that most criticism is devoted to movies other than the best movies.
This argument misses the important link between critics not liking a movie and that movie not being one of the best movies. However, this conclusion would be valid if we have the assumption provided in the correct answer choice, “The best movies are those that critics find tasteful.” This assumption links the best movies with the movies that critics find tasteful. Thus, with this assumption, the conclusion works: If most movie reviews are devoted to movies that critics find distasteful, and the best movies are the movies that critics find tasteful, then it follows that most criticism is devoted to movies other than the best movies.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
A paleontologist found a dinosaur tibia and fibula bone group that was too large to be placed into a stabilized storage chest. Luckily, an assistant discovered a way to safely separate the tibia and fibula bones. These bones could be reassembled later without a noticeable change in either bone. Now the bones can be placed in two stabilized storage chests.
The argument above depends on which of the following assumptions?
A paleontologist found a dinosaur tibia and fibula bone group that was too large to be placed into a stabilized storage chest. Luckily, an assistant discovered a way to safely separate the tibia and fibula bones. These bones could be reassembled later without a noticeable change in either bone. Now the bones can be placed in two stabilized storage chests.
The argument above depends on which of the following assumptions?
Tap to reveal answer
Here, size offered the only barrier to putting the tibia and fibula bone group into the chest. Since the separated bones can now fit into their own separate chests, the author assumes that each bone can fit into a chest. Thus, the correct choice is: “Neither the tibia or fibula bone is too large to fit into the chest.”
Here, size offered the only barrier to putting the tibia and fibula bone group into the chest. Since the separated bones can now fit into their own separate chests, the author assumes that each bone can fit into a chest. Thus, the correct choice is: “Neither the tibia or fibula bone is too large to fit into the chest.”
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
At this school, there are no ballet dancers who are also salsa dancers. However, all ballroom dancers are also salsa dancers. Therefore, no ballroom dancers will be competing in the upcoming competition.
The conclusion above follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?
At this school, there are no ballet dancers who are also salsa dancers. However, all ballroom dancers are also salsa dancers. Therefore, no ballroom dancers will be competing in the upcoming competition.
The conclusion above follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?
Tap to reveal answer
We already know from the premises that ballroom dancers and ballet dancers are mutually exclusive. The only question that remains is who will compete in the upcoming competition. If only ballet dancers will compete, ballroom dancers are excluded (as well as salsa dancers), and the conclusion must logically follow.
We already know from the premises that ballroom dancers and ballet dancers are mutually exclusive. The only question that remains is who will compete in the upcoming competition. If only ballet dancers will compete, ballroom dancers are excluded (as well as salsa dancers), and the conclusion must logically follow.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Large numbers of people fall ill every year from illnesses that could have been avoided by proper vaccination. Therefore, the government should spend money to educate people about the importance of getting vaccinated.
Which of the following assumptions would NOT support the argument?
Large numbers of people fall ill every year from illnesses that could have been avoided by proper vaccination. Therefore, the government should spend money to educate people about the importance of getting vaccinated.
Which of the following assumptions would NOT support the argument?
Tap to reveal answer
If the average citizen simply cannot afford vaccinations, then the government's expenditure of money on educating citizens may not be the wisest use of funds. The rest of the answer choices support the argument that the government should invest in an education campaign about vaccination.
If the average citizen simply cannot afford vaccinations, then the government's expenditure of money on educating citizens may not be the wisest use of funds. The rest of the answer choices support the argument that the government should invest in an education campaign about vaccination.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
The best obedience training new dog owners can undertake is training themselves. If the owner is disciplined, careful, and alert, the natural willingness to please in the puppy will follow right after the owner's own behavior and the puppy will become a well-trained dog.
Which one of the following is a sufficient assumption for the conclusion of the argument?
The best obedience training new dog owners can undertake is training themselves. If the owner is disciplined, careful, and alert, the natural willingness to please in the puppy will follow right after the owner's own behavior and the puppy will become a well-trained dog.
Which one of the following is a sufficient assumption for the conclusion of the argument?
Tap to reveal answer
The argument revolves around how to best train a dog in an obedience class, specifically saying that a well-trained human is the best vehicle for a well-trained dog; however, the main point that this argument hinges on, and which is not said directly in the statement, is that a dog is naturally adept at being trained through its innate wish to please its owner.
The argument revolves around how to best train a dog in an obedience class, specifically saying that a well-trained human is the best vehicle for a well-trained dog; however, the main point that this argument hinges on, and which is not said directly in the statement, is that a dog is naturally adept at being trained through its innate wish to please its owner.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
The most serious criminal offenders need to be placed in extra-secure prisons. Communications, even when well-searched and analyzed, are susceptible to sending secret messages to people not under incarceration, especially in the case of gang leaders, mafia members, and drug kingpins.
Which of the following is a sufficient assumption for the conclusion of the passage?
The most serious criminal offenders need to be placed in extra-secure prisons. Communications, even when well-searched and analyzed, are susceptible to sending secret messages to people not under incarceration, especially in the case of gang leaders, mafia members, and drug kingpins.
Which of the following is a sufficient assumption for the conclusion of the passage?
Tap to reveal answer
The passage focuses on one aspect of prison security, communications in and out of prisons, and argues that tighter monitoring of that aspect is a necessity. While there are many assumptions that could lead to this conclusion, certain prisoners being more adept at codes would be sufficient to reach the idea that prisons are not as secure as they could be.
The passage focuses on one aspect of prison security, communications in and out of prisons, and argues that tighter monitoring of that aspect is a necessity. While there are many assumptions that could lead to this conclusion, certain prisoners being more adept at codes would be sufficient to reach the idea that prisons are not as secure as they could be.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Scientists are now reporting that recent studies show the drug has been extremely effective in masking the harmful side effects of the disease. This breakthrough gives hope to many patients that scientists are very close to finding an appropriate medicine to fully cure the disease.
Which of the following statements is a sufficient assumption for the argument in the above passage?
Scientists are now reporting that recent studies show the drug has been extremely effective in masking the harmful side effects of the disease. This breakthrough gives hope to many patients that scientists are very close to finding an appropriate medicine to fully cure the disease.
Which of the following statements is a sufficient assumption for the argument in the above passage?
Tap to reveal answer
The passage states that the cure for the disease should come to pass soon, and that it will happen because there have now been breakthroughs in treating the disease's side effects. This indicates that it assumed that the two events are highly related, which is the sufficient assumption for the conclusion in the passage.
The passage states that the cure for the disease should come to pass soon, and that it will happen because there have now been breakthroughs in treating the disease's side effects. This indicates that it assumed that the two events are highly related, which is the sufficient assumption for the conclusion in the passage.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →