Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT134 S3 Q12 Explanation

Some gardening books published

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

TopicsNecessary Assumption

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Stimulus

Some gardening books published by Garden Path Press recommend tilling the soil and adding compost before starting a new garden on a site, but they do not explain the difference between hot and cold composting. Since any gardening book that recommends adding compost is flawed if it composting, some books published by Garden Path are flawed.

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
12.

The argument requires the assumption

Answer choices

  1. Weaken3% picked this

    some gardening books that recommend tilling the soil and adding compost before starting a new

    This makes it less likely that the books by Garden Path Press are flawed.

  2. Out of Scope1% picked this

    gardeners should not add compost to the soil unless they have a thorough

    The is about gardeners, but the argument is about gardening books.

  3. Correct85% picked this

    an explanation of the basics of composting must include an explanation of the difference between

    Why this is right

    This bridges the gap between not explaining the difference between hot and cold composting and not explaining the basics of composting.

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

  4. Out of Scope4% picked this

    everyone who understands the difference between hot and cold composting understands at least the

    The is about gardeners, but the argument is about gardening books.

  5. Illegal Negation7% picked this

    no gardening book that includes an explanation of at least the basics of

    The argument told us that if a book that recommended composting didn't cover the basics, then it would be flawed. This is saying that every gardening book that does include an explanation of the basics is not-flawed. That's an illegal negation.

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