LSAT 23 | Section 2 | Logical Reasoning: Q17

LR Question 17 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Studies show that the most creative engineers get…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: Engineers will be more creative if their computer programs will let them type crazy ideas.

REASONING: Engineers were often most creative when they doodled and wrote down crazy ideas.

ANALYSIS: Is a computer doodle the same as a physical scribble? Probably not. There’s something special about paper.

(Try writing your ideas down on paper. I don’t know why it works, but you’ll get better ideas.)

___________

1. The argument doesn’t depend on how long engineers doodle. It’s only necessary that they do doodle.
2. If the notepads were used for a few other purposes (writing down to-do lists?), the argument would not be hurt.
3. If three engineers out of 5 million still doodle on paper, that doesn’t hurt the argument. Maybe the others would benefit if they started doodling, too.
4. CORRECT. If paper is necessary, then a computer doodling program won’t be much use.
5. It doesn’t matter what engineers do with outlandish ideas, as long as the ideas help them to be more creative.

Recap: The question begins with “Studies show that the most creative engineers get”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn how to master LSAT Necessary questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.