Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT145 S2 Q3 Explanation

The current sharp decline in

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

TopicsNecessary Assumption

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Stimulus

The current sharp decline in commercial honeybee populations has been attributed to the same viral and bacterial infections, pesticide poisonings, and mite infestations that devastated bees in the past. Whichever of these adverse conditions is the immediate cause, it is highly likely that there is also a long-ignored underlying meant to maximize pollinating efficiency have limited honeybees’ genetic diversity.

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
3.

Which one of the following is an assumption that is required by

Answer choices

  1. Trap3% picked this

    Commercial honeybees are more vulnerable to problems with inbreeding than wild

  2. Trap3% picked this

    The results of decades of breeding practices cannot be

  3. Trap4% picked this

    The genetic diversity of the honeybee population continues

  4. Trap2% picked this

    In the past, viral infections and mites have devastated genetically diverse

  5. Correct89% picked this

    Lack of genetic diversity can make honeybees more vulnerable to

    Why this is right

    Answer E is correct.

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

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