LSAT Explanation PT 27, S1, Q13: Problems caused by the leaching of

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that pollution problems caused by the leaching of pollutants from dumps and landfills are worst in countries with an annual per capita economic output of $4,000 to $5,000. It then explains that these pollution problems increase during the early stages of a country's industrial development but diminish as industrial development increases and generates adequate resources to tackle the problems. The conclusion of the argument is that the pollution problems caused by such leaching in Country X, where the annual per capita economic output is now $5,000, should begin to diminish in the next few years.

To make this more understandable, let's use a simple example. Imagine a small town that starts to develop its industries. Initially, as the industries grow, pollution increases because there aren't enough resources to manage the waste. However, as the town becomes wealthier and the industries continue to develop, they can invest in better waste management systems, and the pollution problems begin to decrease.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Will industrial development in Country X continue to increase in the next few years?"

This LSAT problem is a Necessary Assumption question, which means we need to identify the assumption on which the argument depends.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) This answer choice suggests that Country X will impose a system of fines for illegal waste disposal by its industrial companies within the next few years. While this could potentially help with pollution problems, we don't know the specific impact of these fines, and it is not a necessary assumption for the argument.

b) This answer choice talks about countries surrounding Country X reducing their pollution. However, the argument is solely focused on Country X and its industrial development, so what other countries do is irrelevant to the argument.

c) This is the correct answer. The argument assumes that industrial development in Country X will continue to increase in the next few years, leading to a decrease in pollution problems. If industrial development does not increase, we cannot conclude that the pollution problems will diminish.

d) This answer choice suggests that Country X will begin the process of industrialization in the next few years. However, the argument already states that pollution problems increase during the early stages of a country's industrial development. If Country X were to begin industrialization, it would imply that pollution problems might increase, not diminish. Moreover, the process could have already started a few years ago.

e) This answer choice compares Country X to other countries with a similar amount of industrial development. However, the argument is focused on Country X and its pollution problems, so the severity of pollution problems in other countries is not relevant to the argument.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C, as the argument depends on the assumption that industrial development in Country X will continue to increase in the next few years, leading to a decrease in pollution problems caused by leaching.