LSAT Explanation PT 27, S4, Q19: Most people feel that they are

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption that the argument requires in order for its conclusion to be properly drawn? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The argument in the passage states that most people feel confused by the information from broadcast news. It suggests that this confusion could be due to the information being delivered too quickly or being poorly organized. The passage then presents an analysis of a typical broadcast news story, showing that its information density is lower than the maximum most people can cope with. From this, the author concludes that the information in typical broadcast news stories is poorly organized.

The structure of the argument is as follows:

1. Premise: Most people feel confused by broadcast news.

2. Premise: This confusion could be due to information being delivered too quickly or being poorly organized.

3. Premise: Analysis shows that information density in a typical broadcast news story is lower than the maximum most people can cope with.

4. Conclusion: The information in typical broadcast news stories is poorly organized.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Are there any other possible reasons for people feeling confused by broadcast news?"

Now, let's analyze the answer choices for the Necessary Assumption question:

a) It is not the number of broadcast news stories to which a person is exposed that is the source of the feeling of confusion.

This is the correct answer. The argument assumes that the confusion is due to either the information being delivered too quickly or being poorly organized. If the number of broadcast news stories were the source of confusion, it would undermine the conclusion that the information is poorly organized.

b) Poor organization of information in a news story makes it impossible to understand the information.

This answer choice strengthens the conclusion, but it is not necessary for the conclusion to be valid. The argument does not require that poorly organized information makes it impossible to understand, just that it causes confusion.

c) Being exposed to more broadcast news stories within a given day would help a person to better understand the news.

This answer choice offers a potential remedy for the confusion, but it does not need to be assumed in order for the explanation offered to stand.

d) Most people can cope with a very high information density.

This answer choice supports the premise that the information density in a typical broadcast news story is lower than the maximum most people can cope with. However, it does not address the gap between the evidence and the conclusion.

e) Some people are being overwhelmed by too much information.

This answer choice undermines the argument by suggesting that for some people, it is neither the density nor the organization that leads to confusion. However, it does not need to be assumed for the conclusion to be valid.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A. This is because the argument assumes that the confusion is due to either the information being delivered too quickly or being poorly organized. If the number of broadcast news stories were the source of confusion, it would undermine the conclusion that the information is poorly organized.