Logical Reasoning

PT105 · S2 · Q20 Each of the following is an assumption

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

  • Save & drill this skill — build targeted practice sets from questions like this one

  • Video walkthroughs — watch every question solved step by step

  • 81 official LSATs — as questions, timed sections & full-length tests

Start practicing free

Some people have been promoting a new herbal mixture as a remedy for the common cold.

Conclusion (therefore)

This new herbal mix is obviously not effective as a remedy for the common cold.

Evidence (since)

Many people who have colds aren't using the mix.

Intermediate Conclusion (it follows)

If the mix were effective, almost everyone with a cold would be using it.

Evidence (since)

Most people with colds wish to recover quickly.

Evaluate

Because this argument makes multiple conclusions (signified by "it follows that" / "therefore"), we're allowed to talk about assumptions or flaws that occur in making either move.

What's being assumed in going from "if this mix were an effective cold remedy" to "almost everyone would be using it"?

I guess ideas like, .

What's being assumed in going from to "the mix is obviously ineffective"?

Well, seems like the same type of things. The author is assuming they're not using the mix because it's ineffective, so she's assuming there isn't some other reason why they aren't using the mix (too expensive / can't find it / don't know about it / side effects).

Goal

Look for four things being assumed. They'll either sound like something the author is clearly thinking or we'll verify they're being assumed by convincing ourselves that when we negate them, they turn into weakening objections.

The correct answer might go against the author's logic, but more likely it will just be stronger than anything the author needs to assume or bring up some concept that's out of scope.

20.

Each of the following is an assumption required by the skeptical cold sufferer's argument EXCEPT:

  1. Enough of the mixture is

    Assumed

    In order for the author to think that the world isn't using the mix because it's ineffective, she has to assume the mix isn't being used for some other reason. She's assuming that "supply of doses" isn't the issue. If we negated this and got "there's not enough doses of the mix to supply everyone with a dose", it would offer an alternate explanation for why many people who have colds don't use the mixture, which weakens the author's argument.

    4% picked this

  2. The mixture does not have

    Assumed

    When Necessary Assumption answer choices have a ruling out "not" in them, we lovingly stop, negate them (by removing the "not"), and see if they would weaken. Does it hurt the author if we say, "the mix does have side effects severe enough to make many people avoid it"? Yes, because again the author is blaming the mix's lack of use on its ineffectiveness, but if we offer an alternate explanation for its lack of use, that weakens her argument. She has to assume people are avoiding it because it doesn't work, not because it has severe side effects.

    5% picked this

  3. Correct

    The mixture is powerful enough

    Why this is right

    Correct Too Strong: prevents most future colds The argument definitely didn't need to assume that this is some super-elixir that not only treats your current cold but then almost always prevents all future colds.

    Skill tested: Necessary Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    71% picked this

  4. The mixture is widely enough

    Assumed

    Does it hurt the author if we negate this answer and say, "the mix is not widely enough know that the vast majority of people would be aware of it" (i.e. a lot of people are not aware of it). Yes, because the author is blaming the mix's lack of use on its ineffectiveness, but if we offer an alternate explanation for its lack of use, that weakens her argument. She has to assume people are avoiding it because it doesn't work, not because they aren't aware of it (and so have never even tried it in the first place).

    7% picked this

  5. There are no effective cold

    Assumed

    When Necessary Assumption answer choices have a ruling out "no / not" in them, we stop, negate them (by removing the "no / not"), and see if they would weaken. Does it hurt the author if we say, "there are effective cold remedies that many people prefer to this mix"? Yes, because the author is blaming the mix's lack of use on its ineffectiveness, but if we offer an alternate explanation for its lack of use, that weakens her argument. She has to assume people are avoiding it because it doesn't work, not because it works but people just prefer a different cold remedy.

    14% picked this

Continue the review in LSAT Lab

Save this question, watch the video walkthrough, and drill similar questions in your LSAT Lab account.

Save and practice this skill
LSAT Lab

Turn this review into a targeted study plan.

Save this question, drill more like it, watch the video walkthrough, and track your progress in your LSAT Lab account.

Start practicing free