Logical Reasoning

PT142 · S2 · Q16 Engineer: Thermophotovoltaic generators

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

  • 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

Engineer: Thermophotovoltaic generators are devices that convert heat into electricity.

Evidence

Thermophotovoltaic generators are devices that convert heat into electricity.

The process of manufacturing steel produces huge amounts of heat that currently go to waste.

Conclusion

So if steel-manufacturing plants could feed the heat they produce into thermophotovoltaic generators, they would greatly reduce their electric bills, thereby saving money.

Evaluate

The argument assumes that value of the energy produced would exceed the cost to implement the program. The savings must be greater than the costs for the company to save money.

16.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the engineer's argument depends?

  1. There is no other means

    Too Strong

    Thermophotovoltaic generators need to save the company money, but this goes further by saying that they must save the company more money than any other way the company may utilize the heat they produce by the steel-manufacturing process.

    4% picked this

  2. Using current technology, it would

    Too Strong

    The argument’s conclusion is conditional, so whether it’s possible or not does not matter. The conclusion is about what would happen if steel-manufacturing plants could feed the heat they produce into thermophotovoltaic generators.

    25% picked this

  3. Correct

    The amount steel-manufacturing plants would

    Why this is right

    The argument depends on assuming that the savings outweigh the costs.

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

    56% picked this

  4. At least some steel-manufacturing plants

    Too Strong

    At least some of them rely on electricity as an energy source, though not necessarily as their primary energy source.

    8% picked this

  5. There are at least some

    Reversal

    This reverses the relationship. It should be that if companies used some method of converting wasted heat or other energy into electricity, then they would reduce their electricity bills.

    7% picked this

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