LSAT Explanation PT 22, S2, Q6: Astorga's campaign promises are apparently just

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is a questionable assumption on which the argument relies? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first break down the argument in the passage. The argument states that Astorga's campaign promises are based on opinion polls and are just an attempt to please voters. The conclusion is that voters are not being told what Astorga actually intends to do if she becomes mayor. This conclusion is based on the premise that Astorga's promises are based on opinion polls.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is there any evidence that Astorga will not continue to rely on opinion polls when making decisions if elected mayor?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices for this Necessary Assumption question, which asks us to identify a questionable assumption on which the argument relies.

a) If she is elected mayor, Astorga will not be capable of carrying out the campaign promises she has made.

- This answer choice is not relevant to the argument, as the argument is not concerned with Astorga's ability to carry out her promises, but rather with her intentions if elected.

b) The opinion polls on which Astorga's promises are based do not accurately reflect what voters want the new mayor to do.

- This answer choice is also not relevant to the argument, as the accuracy of the opinion polls is not the issue. The argument assumes that Astorga will not continue to rely on these polls once she is in office.

c) Most voters are unlikely to be persuaded by Astorga's campaign promises to vote for her in the mayoral election.

- This answer choice is not relevant to the argument either, as the conclusion of the argument is concerned with what Astorga intends to do if elected, not whether her campaign promises will be successful in persuading voters.

d) Astorga has no strong opinions of her own about what the new mayor ought to do in office.

- This answer choice does not affect the issue of whether Astorga will follow opinion polls if elected. In fact, if she has no strong opinions of her own, it could suggest that she might continue to rely on opinion polls, which would mean she is telling voters what she actually intends to do.

e) Astorga does not actually intend, if elected, to do what she has learned from the public opinion polls that voters want the new mayor to do.

- This is the correct answer choice. The argument lacks a link between Astorga's promises and her actual intentions if elected. This answer choice provides that link, showing that she does not intend to do what she has based her promises on, leading to the conclusion that voters are being deceived.