Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Hard

PT2 S2 Q23 Explanation

Despite improvements in treatment for asthma

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

TopicsNecessary Assumption

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Stimulus

Despite improvements in treatment for asthma, the death rate from this disease has doubled during the past decade from its previous rate. Two possible explanations for this increase have been offered. First, the recording of deaths due to asthma has become more widespread and accurate in the past decade than it had of increased deaths is the use of bronchial inhalers by asthma sufferers to relieve their symptoms.

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
23.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the

Answer choices

  1. Trap2% picked this

    Urban pollution has not doubled in the

  2. Trap2% picked this

    Doctors and patients generally ignore the role of allergies

  3. Trap15% picked this

    Bronchial inhalers are unsafe, even when used according to the

  4. Trap13% picked this

    The use of bronchial inhalers aggravates other diseases that frequently occur among asthma sufferers and that often lead to fatal outcomes even

  5. Correct68% picked this

    Increased urban pollution, improved recording of asthma deaths, and the use of bronchial inhalers are the only possible explanations of the increased

    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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