LSAT 4 | Section 1 | Logical Reasoning: Q5

LR Question 5 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Economic considerations color every aspect of international…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: A nation that owes money to another nation cannot be a world leader.

REASONING: As with individuals, the lending country sets the terms of its dealings with the borrowing country.

ANALYSIS: “World leader” comes out of nowhere, and shows up in the conclusion. We don’t know anything about what it takes for a country to be a world leader. We don’t know what would prevent a country from being a world leader.

The only evidence given is about lending. So it’s a necessary assumption that a nation that has the terms of its dealings set cannot be a world leader.

___________

1. Our conclusion is about countries that borrow, not those that do or do not lend.
2. There can only be one world leader but there can be many countries that lend. It is not a necessary assumption that every lender is world leader.
3. CORRECT. If this isn’t true then the argument is bad. You could be a world leader even if you borrowed money and had another country set terms.
4. This contradicts the stimulus. Every country that lends gets to set the terms.
5. We have no idea what a world leader can or cannot do. It is claimed they cannot borrow. That’s all we know. This isn’t necessary.

Recap: The question begins with “Economic considerations color every aspect of international”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn how to master LSAT Necessary questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.