LSAT Question Stem

The critic'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 D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The critic is discussing the relationship between people's high value on respect for others and their enjoyment of comedians who display disrespect in their acts. The argument can be broken down into the following structure:

Premise 1: People today place an especially high value on respect for others.

Premise 2: Many popular comedians display blatant disrespect for others in their acts.

Premise 3: Exaggeration of people's failings (such as not living up to their ideals) often forms the basis of successful comedy.

Conclusion: The current popularity of comedians who display disrespect in their acts is not surprising.

The question type for this problem is Necessary Assumption, which means we are looking for an assumption that the critic's argument depends on. An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be, "Do people who value respect for others sometimes fail to live up to this ideal?"

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) This answer choice suggests that people who enjoy disrespectful comedians do not value respect for others. However, this would weaken the critic's argument, as it would create a disconnect between the population being discussed and the fans of these comedians. Therefore, this is not the correct answer choice.

b) The critic never claims that only comedians who display disrespect are successful. The argument only states that exaggeration of people's failings often forms the basis of successful comedy, not that it's the only basis. So, this answer choice is not necessary for the argument to work.

c) This answer choice states that many people disapprove of the portrayal of disrespect in comedy acts. However, if this were true, it would weaken the critic's argument by suggesting that disrespectful comedians are not as successful as the critic claims. So, this is not the correct answer choice.

d) This answer choice states that people who value an ideal highly do not always succeed in living up to this ideal. This assumption is necessary for the critic's argument to work, as it provides a basis for the comedians to exaggerate people's failings and create successful comedy. Therefore, this is the correct answer choice.

e) The passage does not discuss changes in the popularity of comedians over time or compare people's behavior today to the past. This answer choice is not relevant to the argument, so it is not the correct assumption.