LSAT 21, Logical Reasoning II, Q6, LSATHacks

QUESTION TEXT: Books about architectural works, unless they are not…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: Morton’s book is flawed.

REASONING: It mentions the usefulness of the palaces, but leaves out an important aesthetic element. Architectural books need to mention both unless they are intended for a general audience.

ANALYSIS: We need to know whether Morton’s work is designed for a general audience.

The argument’s evidence about when a book is flawed only applies to a non-general book.

___________

1. The argument didn’t say that the book’s discussions had to be flawed. Simply failing to mention aesthetics is enough to make the entire book flawed (assuming it wasn’t aimed at a general audience).
2. The argument only said that utility and aesthetics were important. We don’t know if other things matter.
3. CORRECT. If Morton’s book isn’t intended for a general audience, then it is flawed because it left out aesthetics.
4. The main potential problem with the palace passage is that it left out an important aesthetic element. The stimulus tells us that architectural books must discuss aesthetics.

   It doesn’t matter what role the passage played in Morton’s argument.

5. This would strengthen the idea that Morton’s book is flawed. But it’s not a necessary assumption. Even trivial aesthetic oversights are enough to make a book flawed (assuming it’s not aimed at a general audience).

Recap: The question begins with “Books about architectural works, unless they are not”. 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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