LSAT Question Stem

The president's argument depends on which one of the following assumptions? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The Biocarb Company wants to build a sterilization plant in a city neighborhood, but residents and environmental activists are concerned that the plant will pollute the area. The president of Biocarb argues that the plant cannot cause pollution because the waste would be sterile after processing. This is the main conclusion of the argument. The premise supporting this conclusion is that the waste will be exposed to superheated steam in the autoclave for an hour, making it cleaner than food prepared in the cleanest kitchen.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is there any possibility of pollution occurring during the waste processing or before the waste is treated in the autoclave?"

Now let's discuss the answer choices for the question, which asks us to identify the necessary assumption in the president's argument.

a) Environmental activists believe that waste treated with steam will not pollute.

- This answer choice is not a necessary assumption because the belief of environmental activists does not directly affect the validity of the president's argument. The argument is concerned with whether the plant will cause pollution, not what the activists believe.

b) Handling of the waste before treatment in the proposed facility will not pose a threat of pollution to the area.

- This is the correct answer choice. The president's argument assumes that there is no risk of pollution before the waste is treated in the autoclave. If this assumption is not true, the argument falls apart.

c) Fear of pollution is the only argument against construction of an autoclave facility for medical waste.

- This answer choice is not a necessary assumption because the president's argument is focused on addressing the pollution concern, not dismissing other potential arguments against the plant.

d) No others besides environmental activists are concerned about pollution hazards that can result from processing medical waste.

- This answer choice is not a necessary assumption because it is irrelevant to the president's argument. The argument is concerned with whether the plant will cause pollution, not who is concerned about the pollution hazards.

e) Treatment by superheated steam represents the surest method of sterilization.

- This answer choice is not a necessary assumption because the president's argument does not rely on the claim that superheated steam is the best method of sterilization. The argument only needs to establish that the waste will be sterile after processing, not that the method used is the best one available.

In conclusion, the necessary assumption in the president's argument is that handling of the waste before treatment in the proposed facility will not pose a threat of pollution to the area (answer choice b).