Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Hard

PT111 S1 Q18 Explanation

The current pattern of human

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

TopicsNecessary Assumption

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Stimulus

The current pattern of human consumption of resources, in which we rely on nonrenewable resources, for example metal ore, must eventually change. Since there is only so much metal ore available, ultimately we must renewable resources to take its place.

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
18.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by

Answer choices

  1. Trap9% picked this

    There are renewable resource replacements for all of the nonrenewable resources

  2. Correct66% picked this

    We cannot indefinitely replace exhausted nonrenewable resources with other

    Why this is right

    Answer B is correct.

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

  3. Trap18% picked this

    A renewable resource cannot be exhausted by

  4. Trap3% picked this

    Consumption of nonrenewable resources will not continue to increase in the

  5. Trap4% picked this

    Ultimately we cannot do without nonrenewable

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