Computer security experts correctly

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

TopicsSufficient Assumption

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Stimulus

Computer security experts correctly maintain that computer passwords are a less secure means of protecting one’s information than are alternative security options like fingerprint scanners. But computer passwords are not going to be replaced by these other options anytime soon. The alternative security options remain significantly more expensive if they become standard on most of the world’s computers.

What this question is testing

Sufficient Assumption

Your task

Find the assumption that, if added, guarantees the conclusion follows.

Common trap

Answers that only partly bridge the gap, leaving the conclusion unproven.

Winning move

Identify the new term in the conclusion and pick the choice that links it to the evidence.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question

The conclusion drawn above follows logically if which one of the following

Answer choices

Out of Scope0% picked this
There are ways to make computer passwords a more secure means of
The argument is about replacing passwords. Making them more secure is outside the scope of this argument.
0%
Out of Scope2% picked this
Any security option that is no more expensive to employ than computer passwords provides less
The evidence states that other options are more expensive. Options that are less expensive are outside the scope of the argument. Whether an alternative option provides less security or not is also outside the scope of this argument.
2%
Bad Evidence Match2% picked this
Most computer security experts do not believe that computer passwords will be replaced by an alternative
We're looking for an answer to connect the evidence we've been given to the conclusion. The evidence is about alternative options being more expensive and not being standard on most computers. The evidence is not about what computer experts believe.
2%
Correct91% picked this
Security options that are significantly more expensive to employ than computer passwords will not become standard on most of
Why this is right
This connects both pieces of evidence together and connects them to the conclusion. The evidence states that other security options are significantly more expensive. more $ This answer states that more expensive options will not become standard on most computers. more $ → ~standard The evidence already states that, if other options do not become standard on most computers, they will not replace passwords. ~standard → ~replace This allows us to conclude that these other options will not replace passwords. ~replace
Skill tested: Sufficient Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.
91%
Bad Conclusion Match5% picked this
As soon as a security option is developed that is not significantly more expensive to employ than computer passwords, computer passwords will
This statement would supports the conclusion that computer passwords will be replaced. We want an assumption which supports the opposite conclusion.
5%

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