Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Medium

PT115 S2 Q17 Explanation

Columnist: Over the last 20

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

TopicsNecessary Assumption

Keep going in LSAT Lab

  • 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

Free to start

Full official LSAT questions are available through LawHub. This page provides LSAT Lab's explanation, strategy, and review tools without republishing the full official question.

Stimulus

Columnist: Over the last 20 years the demand in North America for Japanese-made automobiles has increased, whereas the Japanese demand for North American-made automobiles has been stagnant. Until recently, this imbalance could plausibly be attributed to Japanese models’ superior fuel efficiency and reliability, but now cars made in North America are by imbalance will be removed if North American manufacturers simply produce more cars with right-side steering wheels.

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
17.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the

Answer choices

  1. Trap1% picked this

    The fuel efficiency and reliability of cars made in North America will

  2. Correct73% picked this

    If the Japanese drive on the left side of the road, then they are not inclined to buy

    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. Trap3% picked this

    Japanese automotive safety standards require that all new domestic automobiles have

  4. Trap13% picked this

    Given a choice between similar Japanese and North American models, all with right-side steering wheels, most Japanese would

  5. Trap11% picked this

    The automotive trade imbalance can be lessened only if North American manufacturers produce automobiles that more effectively meet

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