LSAT PrepTest 44 Section 1 Question 23 Explanation | Logical Reasoning

I didn't write the following blog post. It was already on the blog when I took over the URL. The following blog post may contain mistakes. -Steve

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This Logical Reasoning question is from the October 2004 LSAT.

To solve this question, we have the understand its logic, so we can find the assumption needed to make the logic work. Let's quickly map out, in a chain how the argument progresses; you may want to write a word or two next to the question or underline a few words on test day, but it can also be done mentally:

Technology --> Less drudgery --> dependency/less self-sufficiency --> loss of overall well-being.

Such a diagram with arrows helps us see how the argument progresses. We see that it connects technology with less overall well-being, in the end. It also jumps from "self-sufficiency" to "well-being," saying that less of the former means an overall decrease of the latter.

What assumption is needed to make that jump? Let's pre-phrase an answer, to help us find the right answer more quickly rather than plodding through the 4 wrong ones and wasting precious time. The assumption is something like "there is a connection between self-sufficiency and well-being."

Scanning the answer choices, we notice that choice B fits that pre-phrase very well. Let's go through the other answer choices to see why they're wrong.

A) This assumption isn't required and is beyond the argument's scope, since the argument isn't saying physical labor is always necessary. It's just saying that, seeing how modern technology does some good but reduces self-sufficiency, the bad outweighs the good. If technology's advantages were way bigger, maybe physical labor ending would be all right.

B) Correct. If this wasn't assumed, if self-sufficiency didn't influence well-being, then the jump would not be bridged and the logic of the argument wouldn't work, since it less self-sufficency has to cause less wellbeing.

C) This is beyond the argument's scope. This assumption isn't required because the argument just says that how modern technology lessens labor (has us rely on things besides our own capacities) reduces self-sufficiency (freedom), not that any lessening of labor does this.

D) Again, beyond the argument's scope. It just mentions a loss in "life's charm" as an aside. Our chain shows us that the conclusion rests on how technology reduces overall wellbeing.

E) Once again, beyond the argument's scope. It talks about modern technology. Future technology or older technologies (even ancient stone tools are considered technologies, usually) might be different, so technology doesn't "inherently" limit wellbeing.

Remember:

1) Think of or briefly right down a chain that tracks the progression of the argument and try to find a jump in it, a place where the logic breaks down and the next step doesn't follow without an extra assumption, on assumption questions.

2) Pre-phrase an answer whenever possible. Just get an idea, in your head or briefly written down, of what the answer should be before you look at the questions. It will help you weed out wrong answers more quickly, which is vital on a tightly-timed test like this.

3) Eliminate answer choices that are beyond the scope of the argument. If the issue in the answer choice is not mentioned at all in the argument or doesn't form a part of its conclusion, that is not the assumption you're looking for. On LR and RC questions, this can eliminate a great deal of wrong answer choices.