LSAT Explanation PT 35, S1, Q14: Novelists cannot become great as long

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 D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that novelists cannot become great as long as they remain in academia. It acknowledges that powers of observation and analysis, which schools hone, are useful to novelists. However, the passage argues that an intuitive grasp of the emotions of everyday life, which is necessary for greatness, can only be obtained by immersing oneself in everyday life, something that academia precludes.

The structure of the argument is as follows:

1. Premise: Academia hones observation and analysis skills.

2. Premise: Intuitive grasp of emotions of everyday life can only be obtained by immersion in everyday life, which academia precludes.

3. Conclusion: Novelists cannot become great as long as they remain in academia.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is an intuitive grasp of the emotions of everyday life truly necessary for a novelist to be considered great?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and answer choices. The question type is a Necessary Assumption question, asking us to identify an assumption on which the argument depends.

a) This answer choice is incorrect because the passage does not discuss the need for novelists to be impartial. The focus is on the intuitive grasp of emotions of everyday life, not impartiality.

b) This answer choice is incorrect because it is not necessary for the argument. The passage acknowledges that observation and analysis skills are useful, but it does not claim that no great novelist can lack these skills.

c) This answer choice is incorrect because it introduces a new idea that is not discussed in the passage. The passage does not mention that participation in life, interspersed with impartial observation, is what makes novelists great.

d) This is the correct answer because it directly addresses the main point of the argument. The passage claims that an intuitive grasp of the emotions of everyday life is necessary for a novelist to be considered great, and this answer choice states that novelists cannot be great without this intuitive grasp.

e) This answer choice is incorrect because it does not address the necessary link between greatness and intuitive grasp. The passage focuses on the importance of an intuitive grasp of emotions for a novelist to be great, whereas this answer choice discusses the acquisition of knowledge about emotions through observation and analysis.

In summary, the correct answer is D because it directly addresses the main point of the argument and is a necessary assumption for the conclusion to be valid.