june 2007, logical reasoning 2, question 9
summary
the essence of tackling necessary assumption questions on the lsat involves identifying assumptions that are crucial for an argument's validity. specifically, the discussion revolves around an argument concerning the extinction of the tasmanian tiger, illustrating how to dissect an argument into its conclusion and evidence, and then pinpoint the assumptions that must hold for the argument to remain intact.
- necessary assumption questions require identifying something the argument fundamentally depends on.
- the argument's conclusion is that the tasmanian tiger is extinct, supported by evidence regarding sheep farmers and the lack of new evidence by naturalists.
- two major assumptions are highlighted: naturalists would have found any evidence if it existed, and the tigers aren't hiding elsewhere.
- the process of elimination through the answer choices demonstrates how to discern necessary assumptions from those that are either irrelevant or detrimental to the argument.
- answer choice d, asserting that the tasmanian tiger did not adapt to a new region, is identified as the necessary assumption for the argument's validity.
chapters
00:00
understanding necessary assumption questions
00:35
dissecting the argument
01:12
identifying major assumptions
01:50
navigating through answer choices
