Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT11 S2 Q5 Explanation

The government has proposed a plan

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

TopicsNecessary Assumption

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Stimulus

The government has proposed a plan requiring young people to perform services to correct various current social ills, especially those in education and housing. Government service, however, should be compelled only in response to a direct threat the proposed program should not be implemented.

What this question is testing

Necessary Assumption

Your task

Find the assumption the argument requires in order for its conclusion to hold.

Common trap

Answers that would help the argument but aren't strictly required (sufficient, not necessary).

Winning move

Negate each choice — the right one breaks the argument when negated.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
5.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the

Answer choices

  1. Trap1% picked this

    Government-required service by young people cannot correct all

  2. Trap6% picked this

    The nation’s existence is directly threatened only in times of

  3. Trap6% picked this

    Crises in education and housing constitute a threat to the

  4. Trap3% picked this

    The nation’s young people believe that current social ills pose no direct threat to

  5. Correct84% picked this

    Some of the social ills that currently afflict the nation do not pose a direct threat

    Why this is right

    Answer E is correct.

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

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