{"id":1221,"date":"2017-01-04T09:18:49","date_gmt":"2017-01-04T17:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/lsat\/?p=1221"},"modified":"2016-12-29T20:20:07","modified_gmt":"2016-12-30T04:20:07","slug":"tips-necessary-assumption-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/lsat\/tips-necessary-assumption-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Necessary Assumption Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"tips<\/p>\n

Just like in real-life, arguments on LSAT Logical Reasoning<\/a> are not always air-tight. Ideally, there should be no huge gaps between your premises and the conclusion. But, sometimes, there are! <\/p>\n

Perhaps to prepare you for a career as an attorney, the test-writers include necessary assumption questions<\/a> on the logical reasoning section to test your ability to recognize these gaps. <\/p>\n

Example Necessary Assumption Questions<\/h2>\n

Necessary assumption questions will present a short argument with a confident conclusion. However, there will be a premise that they haven’t included. If this unstated premise happens to not be applicable to their argument, their conclusion wouldn’t be justified. Ultimately, the argument needs that unstated assumption, or it would fall apart. That’s why it’s necessary! <\/p>\n

Take a look at this example:<\/p>\n

Premise:<\/strong> Julie loves her salsa dancing class on Thursdays, and she always goes if she can.
\nPremise:<\/strong> Julie agreed to her boss’ request to work late–until 9pm, this Thursday.
\nConclusion:<\/strong> Julie won’t be able to make it to her Thursday salsa class. <\/p>\n

So can we be 100% sure that Julie can’t make it? What’s missing here? Think for a moment and imagine all the information you could add that would make the conclusion less certain.<\/p>\n

There are actually a ton<\/em> of potential assumptions that would do this! Here are a few:<\/p>\n