Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT133 S1 Q5 Explanation

Gardener: The design of Japanese

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

TopicsNecessary Assumption

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Stimulus

Gardener: The design of Japanese gardens should display harmony with nature. Hence, rocks chosen for placement in such gardens should vary widely in appearance, since vary widely in appearance.

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.

The gardener's argument depends on assuming which one of

Answer choices

  1. Too Strong1% picked this

    The selection of rocks for placement in a Japanese garden should reflect every key value embodied in the

    To require the selection of rocks for placement in a Japanese garden reflect every key value goes too far.

  2. Correct91% picked this

    In the selection of rocks for Japanese gardens, imitation of nature helps to achieve

    Why this is right

    This bridges the gap between selecting rocks that vary widely in appearance (imitation of nature) and achieving harmony of nature.

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

  3. Too Strong3% picked this

    The only criterion for selecting rocks for placement in a Japanese garden is the expression

    There could be other criteria for selecting rocks for placement in a Japanese garden other than the expression of harmony with nature.

  4. Out of Scope3% picked this

    Expressing harmony with nature and being natural are the

    Being natural is not relevant to the argument.

  5. Too Strong1% picked this

    Each component of a genuine Japanese garden

    The argument only requires that the rocks vary widely in appearance.

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