LSAT 3 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q19

LR Question 19 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Because a large disparity in pay between the public…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: The government will be able to recapture administrators and improve its functioning if it raises pay for those administrators to the rate they are currently earning in the private sector.

REASONING: The administrators left for the private sector because they could earn more.

ANALYSIS: We know the administrators left for better pay. Now we expect them to switch back, for equal pay? Switching careers is hard. And maybe money isn’t as important now. Perhaps they have come to like certain aspects of the private sector.

Who knows, really? We haven’t got enough information to conclude that administrators will easily be persuaded to come back to government.

___________

1. Even if it isn’t helpful, these are still experienced administrators who know the public sector. Presumably they will help improve efficiency.
2. If administrators’ experience is a factor then it doesn’t matter whether it is the most important.
3. It doesn’t matter if it continues to increase. Even if the disparity stays the same people will leave government if they can earn more in the private sector.
4. CORRECT. This assumption is necessary. The entire argument was based on convincing administrators to switch back to government work. If they won’t change careers, then the argument is ruined.
5. The stimulus is arguing in favor of decreasing the disparity. I’m not sure what this answer choice has to do with anything.

Recap: The question begins with “Because a large disparity in pay between the public”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn how to master LSAT Necessary questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.