LSAT 19, Logical Reasoning II, Q14, LSATHacks

LR Question 14 Explanation, by LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: The Biocarb Company wants to build a sterilization…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: Biocarb’s president argues that the plant can’t cause pollution.

REASONING: The waste will be sterile after it’s processed.

ANALYSIS: The president only assures us the waste will be safe after it is processed. But it might not be safe before it is processed. The plant could still pollute before processing.

___________

1. It doesn’t matter what environmentalists believe. We’re trying to decide if the plant does or does not pollute. That’s a matter of fact, not belief.
2. CORRECT. If this isn’t true, then the plant could pollute before the waste is processed.
3. There could be other arguments against the plant. The president only claimed that fear of pollution wasn’t an argument against the plant.
4. This tells us what people believe. It doesn’t tell us what’s actually true. Belief can’t prove anything.
5. It doesn’t matter if superheated steam is the surest method. It just has to be an acceptable method.

Recap: The question begins with “The Biocarb Company wants to build a sterilization”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn more about LSAT Necessary questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.

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