LSAT Explanation PT 23, S2, Q5: A recently passed law requires all

LSAT Question Stem

The conclusion above 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 C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first break down the argument in the passage. The passage states that a recently passed law requires all places of public accommodation to eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities by removing all physical barriers to accessibility. The conclusion of the argument is that private schools are legally obligated to make their campuses physically accessible to persons with disabilities.

The structure of the argument is as follows:

Premise: All places of public accommodation must remove physical barriers to accessibility.

Conclusion: Private schools must make their campuses physically accessible to persons with disabilities.

To better understand this argument, let's use a simple example. Imagine a town that has a law stating that all restaurants must provide ramps for wheelchair users. If we know that a certain café is a restaurant, then we can conclude that the café must provide a ramp for wheelchair users.

Now, let's formulate an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Are private schools considered places of public accommodation?"

The question type for this problem is Sufficient Assumption, which means we need to find an answer choice that, if assumed, would guarantee the conclusion to be true.

Answer choice explanations:

a) No private school can legally deny admission to a person with a disability.

This answer choice does not address whether private schools are places of public accommodation, so it does not guarantee the conclusion.

b) Private schools have historically been resistant to changes in government policy on discrimination.

This answer choice discusses the historical behavior of private schools, but it does not address whether they are considered places of public accommodation. Therefore, it does not guarantee the conclusion.

c) Private schools, like public schools, are places of public accommodation.

This answer choice directly addresses our "Evaluate" question and guarantees the conclusion. If private schools are places of public accommodation, then they must comply with the law requiring them to remove physical barriers to accessibility. Therefore, this is the correct answer choice.

d) Private schools have enough funds to make their campuses barrier-free.

This answer choice discusses the funding of private schools, but it does not address whether they are considered places of public accommodation. Therefore, it does not guarantee the conclusion.

e) Private property is often considered to be public space by groups that have historically been subjects of discrimination.

This answer choice does not specifically address private schools or their classification as places of public accommodation. Therefore, it does not guarantee the conclusion.

In summary, the correct answer choice is (c) because it directly addresses the "Evaluate" question and guarantees the conclusion of the argument.