LSAT 2 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q23

LR Question 23 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Despite improvements in treatment for asthma, the death rate…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: The cause of increased asthma deaths in the current decade is the use of bronchial inhalers to relieve asthma symptoms.

REASONING: Two possible alternative explanations were given: better record keeping (which identified more cases) and an increase in pollution. Yet asthma deaths increased even in cities that had long standing, excellent medical records and little pollution.

ANALYSIS: This is a half-decent argument, but it is not rock solid. For one, we don’t know why bronchial inhalers ought to kill those with asthma.

Secondly, it’s possible there was another cause. Or multiple other causes. The argument only eliminated two alternate causes.

___________

1. Since the rate of asthma increased dramatically even in cities where pollution stayed the same this isn’t a necessary assumption.
2. The stimulus doesn’t even mention allergies.
3. It is only a necessary assumption that they are unsafe in at least some circumstances. Not everyone follows instructions.
4. This isn’t necessary. The argument only requires that bronchial inhalers can increase asthma deaths somehow.
5. CORRECT. This is the only way the argument can correctly conclude that bronchial inhalers are the cause. Normally eliminating two of three proposed causes doesn’t mean the third cause is correct: there could be other causes.

Recap: The question begins with “Despite improvements in treatment for asthma, the death rate”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn how to master LSAT Necessary questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.