LSAT Explanation PT 45, S4, Q13: Art theft from museums is on

LSAT Question Stem

The argument depends on 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 B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's start by analyzing the argument in the passage. The argument states that art theft from museums is increasing, and most stolen art is sold to wealthy private collectors. Based on this information, the author concludes that museums should focus more of their security on their most valuable pieces. The structure of the argument can be broken down as follows:

Premise: Art theft from museums is on the rise.

Premise: Most stolen art is sold to wealthy private collectors.

Conclusion: Museums ought to focus more of their security on their most valuable pieces.

To help you understand this argument, let's consider a simple example. Imagine a store that sells a variety of items, including expensive electronics and cheap toys. The store notices that theft has increased, and most stolen items are expensive electronics. The store owner concludes that they should focus more security on the expensive electronics section.

Now, let's create an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Do wealthy private collectors primarily buy the most valuable pieces of stolen art?" The answer to this question would help us determine if the argument is valid or not.

The question type for this problem is Necessary Assumption, which means we need to find the assumption that the argument depends on. Let's examine each answer choice:

a) Art thieves steal both valuable and not-so-valuable art.

This answer choice would actually weaken the argument, as it suggests that focusing security on valuable art might not be enough to prevent theft. It doesn't fill the gap between the premises and the conclusion.

b) Art pieces that are not very valuable are not very much in demand by wealthy private collectors.

This is the correct answer choice. It establishes a connection between the value of the art and what collectors want, which supports the author's conclusion that museums should focus more security on their most valuable pieces.

c) Art thieves steal primarily from museums that are poorly secured.

This answer choice is irrelevant because the argument is about refocusing security, not adding it. The need for security in general is not essential or helpful in establishing that a refocusing of security is a good plan.

d) Most museums provide the same amount of security for valuable and not-so-valuable art.

The author's argument does not depend on this idea. Even if museums currently provide different levels of security for valuable and not-so-valuable art, the author could still argue that it's a good idea to focus more on valuable items.

e) Wealthy private collectors sometimes sell their stolen art to other wealthy private collectors.

What collectors do with their art after they buy it is beyond the scope of this argument, so this answer choice is incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct answer is (b) because it establishes a connection between the value of the art and what collectors want, which supports the author's conclusion that museums should focus more security on their most valuable pieces.