LSAT Necessary and Sufficient Assumptions 2

Question 1

An argument concludes that a new drug will reduce hospital readmissions. The argument assumes the drug's effects in clinical trials will mirror its effects in the general population. This assumption is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A necessary assumption because without it the conclusion cannot follow

Answer

The assumption is necessary because if trial results don't generalize, the conclusion that the drug reduces readmissions in practice cannot follow.

Question 2

On the LSAT, when a question asks 'The argument depends on which assumption?' it is asking for a:

Accepted Answer

Necessary assumption

Answer

The word 'depends on' signals a necessary assumption—something the argument cannot do without.

Question 3

Which technique is most reliable for identifying a necessary assumption?

Accepted Answer

Negate the assumption and check if the argument falls apart

Answer

The negation test works by denying the assumption—if this destroys the argument, the assumption is necessary.

Question 4

Argument: 'All students who pass the bar exam become licensed attorneys. Jordan passed the bar exam. Therefore, Jordan is a licensed attorney.' What type of assumption, if any, does this argument require?

Accepted Answer

No unstated assumption—the conclusion is deductively guaranteed

Answer

This is a valid deductive argument; the conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises without any hidden assumption.

Question 5

A sufficient assumption differs from a necessary assumption in that a sufficient assumption:

Accepted Answer

Guarantees the conclusion when added to the premises

Answer

A sufficient assumption, when combined with the premises, is strong enough on its own to guarantee the conclusion.

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT Necessary and Sufficient Assumptions 2