LSAT 21, Logical Reasoning II, Q13, LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: One of the effects of lead poisoning is an…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: Van Gogh probably had lead poisoning.

REASONING: Van Gogh had used paint that contained lead, and some of his later paintings showed haloes around the Sun and stars. Lead poisoning causes people to see haloes around light.

ANALYSIS: The argument is implying that Van Gogh must have seen a halo around the Sun, because he painted a halo around the Sun.

But what if Van Gogh wasn’t painting what he saw?

___________

1. CORRECT. If this isn’t true then it means Van Gogh didn’t see haloes around the Sun and stars.
2. This isn’t necessary, as long as Van Gogh developed lead poisoning somehow.
3. The argument would be stronger if Van Gogh had other symptoms of lead poisoning.
4. Other toxic ingredients don’t matter. The argument is only about lead poisoning.
5. That’s irrelevant. Van Gogh did use Naples Yellow, and could have gotten lead poisoning as a result.

Recap: The question begins with “One of the effects of lead poisoning is an”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn how to master LSAT Necessary questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.

---