LSAT Explanation PT 38, S1, Q14: Thirty years ago, the percentage of

LSAT Question Stem

The argument requires assuming which one of the following? 

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 presents the following premises and conclusion:

Premise 1: Thirty years ago, the percentage of British people who vacationed in foreign countries was very small compared to now.

Premise 2: Foreign travel is, and always has been, expensive from Britain.

Conclusion: British people must have, on average, more money to spend on vacations now than they did 30 years ago.

The argument assumes that the increase in the percentage of British people traveling abroad is due to them having more money to spend on vacations. However, there might be other factors influencing this increase, such as changes in priorities or the accessibility of foreign travel.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument would be: "Is the increase in the percentage of British people traveling abroad primarily due to having more money to spend on vacations?"

Now, let's discuss the question type and answer choices. This is a Necessary Assumption question, which asks us to identify the assumption that the argument requires.

a) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. It talks about a hypothetical situation in which foreign travel was less expensive 30 years ago, but it doesn't address the relationship between the percentage of British people traveling abroad and their money to spend on vacations.

b) This answer choice is out of scope, as it discusses people from other countries traveling to Britain, while the argument is about British people traveling abroad.

c) This answer choice is also out of scope, as it focuses on domestic vacations. The argument is concerned with the relationship between the percentage of British people traveling abroad and their money to spend on vacations.

d) This is the correct answer. It supports the assumption that the increase in the percentage of British people traveling abroad is due to having more money to spend on vacations. If more British people 30 years ago had enough money to vacation abroad, they would have done so, which strengthens the argument's conclusion.

e) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. It focuses on overall wealth, while the argument is concerned with the money to spend on vacations. It's possible for British people to be wealthier overall but not have more money to spend on vacations.

In conclusion, the correct answer is D, as it supports the assumption that the increase in the percentage of British people traveling abroad is primarily due to having more money to spend on vacations.