Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT135 S2 Q9 Explanation

Reducing stress lessens a person's

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

TopicsNecessary Assumption

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Stimulus

Reducing stress lessens a person's sensitivity to pain. This is the conclusion reached by researchers who played extended audiotapes to patients before they underwent surgery and afterward while they were recovering. One tape consisted of conversation; the other consisted of music. Those who listened only to the latter tape than those who listened only to the former tape.

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
9.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the researchers'

Answer choices

  1. Too Strong5% picked this

    All of the patients in the study listened to the same tape before surgery as they

    The study might have included some patients that listened to a mix of tapes, even though the patients compared in the argument listened to the same tape before surgery and after surgery.

  2. Out of Scope3% picked this

    Anticipating surgery is no less stressful than recovering

    The stress of anticipating surgery is not relevant to the argument.

  3. Correct83% picked this

    Listening to music reduces

    Why this is right

    This bridges the gap between listening to music and reducing stress.

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

  4. Out of Scope - Term Shift7% picked this

    The psychological effects of music are not changed by anesthesia

    Psychological effects are not the same as physiological effects, such as one’s sensitivity to pain.

  5. Weakens2% picked this

    Both anesthesia and painkillers tend to

    While the argument assumes that listening to music reduces stress, this answer provides a possible alternative cause of reduced stress.

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