Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Medium

PT111 S3 Q15 Explanation

During the recent economic downturn,

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

TopicsNecessary Assumption

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Stimulus

During the recent economic downturn, banks contributed to the decline by loaning less money. Prior to the downturn, regulatory standards for loanmaking by banks were tightened. Clearly, therefore, if those standards are relaxed.

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
15.

The argument assumes

Answer choices

  1. Correct72% picked this

    the downturn did not cause a significant decrease in the total amount of money on deposit with banks which is the source

    Why this is right

    Answer A is correct.

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

  2. Trap13% picked this

    the imposition of the tighter regulatory standards was not a cause of

  3. Trap6% picked this

    the reason for tightening the regulatory standards was

  4. Trap6% picked this

    no economic downturn is accompanied by a significant decrease in the amount of money loaned out by banks to

  5. Trap3% picked this

    no relaxation of standards for loanmaking by banks would compensate for the effects

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