Assumption Questions

[hihither]

Hey guys,

Whenever I do the assumption questions I would eliminate it down to two answer choices. I have the tendency to pick the one that phrases the strongest because when I use the negate method the strongest answer choice seems to make more sense.

How should I avoid this?

Thanks!

[hihither]

I know that the stronger the answer choice is for suffiencet assumption would be okay but not on necessary assumption?

[KelseyWoods]

Hi Hihither!

You are correct that on sufficient assumption questions (we call them Justify questions), you are looking for an answer choice that is strong enough to prove the conclusion 100%. On necessary Assumption questions, however, you are just looking for something that is necessary for the argument. It doesn't have to prove the argument, it doesn't even need to add to the argument; it just needs to be something that the argument cannot do without. If you're using the Assumption Negation technique correctly, it should be leading you to the correct answer. (Remember that the Assumption Negation technique only works on necessary Assumption questions--don't try to use it on sufficient assumption (Justify) questions!)

Let's use a simple argument as an example:

Argument: My friend is a great tennis player.

An assumption necessary for that argument would be something like:
My friend can hit the ball over the net.

It's not a very strong statement, it doesn't give me anything more than what is necessary for the argument. But if I negate it (My friend CANNOT hit the ball over the net.) it completely destroys my argument. How could my friend be a great tennis player if she can't even hit the ball over the net???

An answer choice that would be sufficient to Justify my argument would be something like:
My friend has won Wimbledon twice.

Wow! If my friend has won an international tennis tournament multiple times then she is definitely GREAT at tennis. It's a very strong statement and I don't need anything else. My argument is proven 100%. Mic drop. If I negate this answer choice (My friend has NOT won Wimbledon twice.) it doesn't really affect my argument. My friend could still be a great tennis player without having won Wimbledon twice.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Kelsey

[hihither]

Hey Kelsey,

I really need some help on approaching the necessary assumptions. i can almost always get sufficient assumption right but not necessary. I know I am supposed to find the supprt and conclusion, then look for the disconnect in terms. I always always pick the strong answer... why?? I don't know how to fix this problem. I use the negation technique too but it doesn't help!

[Jon Denning]

Let me follow up on Kelsey's post to recommend an additional Assumption resource: Dave and I recorded a pair of comprehensive PodCast episodes on both Sufficient and Necessary Assumptions. I think you'll find them quite helpful!

Necessary: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/11/

Sufficient: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/12/

Give those a listen and see if they clear things up!