LSAT Explanation PT 22, S4, Q13: Politician: The bill that makes using

LSAT Question Stem

The argument's main conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Sufficient Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Sufficient Assumption, which means we are looking for an answer choice that, when assumed, will make the argument's main conclusion logically follow.

Let's first break down the passage and identify its structure. The politician presents the following argument:

Premise 1: Using a car phone while driving distracts the driver.

Premise 2: Distracted driving poses a threat to safe driving.

Premise 3: Making car phone use while driving illegal would deter people from using their car phones while driving.

Conclusion: The bill that makes using car phones while driving illegal should be adopted.

Now, let's create an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Are there any other factors or alternatives that should be considered before adopting the bill?"

With this in mind, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) The more attention one pays to driving, the safer a driver one is.

- This answer choice supports the idea that distracted driving is unsafe, but it doesn't address other factors or alternatives to adopting the bill.

b) The only way to reduce the threat to public safety posed by car phones is through legislation.

- This answer choice addresses the alternatives to adopting the bill, but it doesn't consider any possible benefits of car phone use or whether adopting the bill is the best course of action.

c) Some distractions interfere with one's ability to safely operate an automobile.

- Similar to answer choice (a), this answer choice supports the premise that distracted driving is unsafe, but it doesn't address other factors or alternatives to adopting the bill.

d) Any proposed law that would reduce a threat to public safety should be adopted.

- This is the correct answer choice because it addresses the "Evaluate" question and assumes that any law reducing a threat to public safety should be adopted, regardless of other factors or alternatives. By assuming this, the argument's main conclusion logically follows.

e) Car phone use by passengers does not distract the driver of the car.

- This answer choice doesn't fill in any gaps in the argument, as it addresses a separate issue (car phone use by passengers) rather than the issue at hand (car phone use by drivers).

In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (d), as it addresses the "Evaluate" question and makes the argument's main conclusion logically follow when assumed.