Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT130 S1 Q19 Explanation

Economist: Our economy's weakness

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

TopicsNecessary Assumption

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Stimulus

Economist: Our economy’s weakness is the direct result of consumers’ continued reluctance to spend, which in turn is caused by factors such as high-priced goods and services. This reluctance is exacerbated by the fact that the average income is significantly lower than it was five years ago. Thus, even government were to lower income taxes, the economy would improve.

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
19.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the

Answer choices

  1. Contradiction4% picked this

    Increasing consumer spending will cause prices for goods and services

    Increasing consumer spending will cause prices for goods and services to increase.

  2. Out of Scope2% picked this

    If consumer spending increases, the average income

    The reason why average incomes are lower is not relevant to the argument.

  3. Speculation5% picked this

    If income taxes are not lowered, consumers' wages will decline

    The argument concludes that the economy will improve if taxes are lowered. But it does not say what would happen if taxes are not lowered.

  4. Correct89% picked this

    Consumers will be less reluctant to spend money if income taxes

    Why this is right

    This connects lowering taxes with consumers being less reluctant to spend, thereby improving the economy.

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

  5. Out of Scope1% picked this

    Lowering income taxes will have no effect on

    Government spending is not relevant to the argument.

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