LSAT 19, Logical Reasoning I, Q15, LSATHacks

LR Question 15 Explanation, by LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: Because of the lucrative but illegal trade in…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: We could stop poaching by cutting off rhinos’ horns.

REASONING: Poachers kills the rhinos for their horns. With no horns, there would be no reason to kill rhinos.

ANALYSIS: The argument is assuming that cutting off the horns won’t harm the rhinos somehow.

___________

1. If this were false then other animals would be at risk. But the conclusion is only about rhinos.
2. CORRECT. If no rhinos with trimmed horns can attract mates then the species could die of celibacy.
3. The argument would be weaker if this were true. The reasoning is that poachers only hunt rhinos for horns.
4. The argument would be even stronger if demand for rhino horns decreases.
5. The argument would be stronger if rhinos could defend themselves even without horns.

Recap: The question begins with “Because of the lucrative but illegal trade in”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn how to master LSAT Necessary questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.

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