LSAT 4 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q10

LR Question 10 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Millions of irreplaceable exhibits in natural history museums…

QUESTION TYPE: Necessary Assumption

CONCLUSION: We should preserve at least those exhibits that will be most valuable to science in the future.

REASONING: Millions of irreplaceable exhibits are decaying. Some exhibits have proved useful in the past, such as birds’ eggs.

ANALYSIS: There are millions of exhibits decaying. How do we choose which ones to save? It’s not obvious which will be most valuable in the future. If we knew we would probably already be preserving them.

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1. The argument doesn’t assume every irreplaceable exhibit has to be saved. Only those that will be most important to science in the future.
2. The argument is talking about preservation. Analysis is for the future. Besides, even if we destroy exhibits during analysis we may gain invaluable knowledge.
3. Not necessary. There are many reasons to save exhibits even if this is not true.
4. CORRECT. If this isn’t true, how will we know which of the millions of exhibits to save?
5. The argument is assuming that this is false and that decay can be prevented.

Recap: The question begins with “Millions of irreplaceable exhibits in natural history museums”. It is a Necessary Assumption question. Learn more about LSAT Necessary questions in our guide to LSAT Logical Reasoning question types.