LSAT Explanation PT 42, S4, Q13: Consumer advocate: A recent study concluded

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption upon which the consumer advocate's argument depends? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage's argument structure. The consumer advocate presents the following argument:

Premise: A recent study concluded that top-loading washing machines are superior overall to front-loaders.

Premise: Front-loaders have the controls and access in front, which is more convenient for wheelchair users, some of whom find it highly inconvenient to remove laundry from top-loaders.

Sub-conclusion: For some consumers, front-loaders are superior.

Conclusion: The claim that top-loaders are superior overall is not true for all consumers.

The question type for this problem is Necessary Assumption, which means we need to find the assumption that the consumer advocate's argument depends on.

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) For some consumers, the convenience of front-loaders outweighs the advantages of top-loaders in assessing which is superior.

This answer choice correctly identifies the missing assumption. The consumer advocate's argument assumes that for some consumers, the convenience factor of front-loaders is more important than other factors, making front-loaders superior overall. This assumption connects the convenience aspect to overall superiority, making the argument valid.

b) Washing machines of a given type should be compared only with washing machines of that type.

This answer choice is not a necessary assumption for the consumer advocate's argument. The advocate is comparing two different types of washing machines, so this assumption is not required for the argument to be valid.

c) Convenience is the only important factor in determining which type of washing machine is superior.

This answer choice is incorrect because the consumer advocate does not assume that convenience is the only important factor. The argument simply states that for some consumers, the convenience of front-loaders makes them superior. There could be other important factors as well.

d) Retrieving clothes from a top-loader is convenient for people who do not use wheelchairs.

This answer choice is not a necessary assumption for the consumer advocate's argument. The argument focuses on the convenience of front-loaders for wheelchair users, not the convenience of top-loaders for people who do not use wheelchairs.

e) Retrieving clothes from front-loaders is inconvenient for people who are not wheelchair users.

This answer choice is also not a necessary assumption for the consumer advocate's argument. The argument does not depend on the convenience or inconvenience of front-loaders for people who are not wheelchair users.

In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (a), as it provides the necessary assumption that links the convenience factor of front-loaders to their overall superiority for some consumers.