LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most strongly supports the explanation above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The passage presents an argument that states that during the 1980s, Japanese collectors were active in the European art market, particularly in purchasing nineteenth-century Impressionist paintings. The conclusion of the argument is that this pattern reflects a specific preference of Japanese collectors for certain aesthetic attributes they found in these paintings. The premise supporting this conclusion is that Japanese collectors were very active in the market for European art during the 1980s.

To make this argument more understandable, let's consider a simple example: Imagine that during a certain period, people in a town were buying a lot of blue cars. The argument claims that this pattern reflects the people's preference for the color blue in cars. The premise is that people were buying a lot of blue cars during that period.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Is there any other reason people were buying blue cars during that period?"

The question type is Strengthen, which means we need to find the answer choice that provides additional support to the given explanation. Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Impressionist paintings first became popular among art collectors in Europe at the beginning of the twentieth century.

- This answer choice doesn't provide any information about the Japanese collectors' preferences, so it doesn't strengthen the argument.

b) During the 1980s, the Japanese economy underwent a sustained expansion that was unprecedented in the country's recent history.

- This answer choice provides a possible alternative explanation for the increase in art purchases, but it doesn't directly support the explanation provided in the passage. Therefore, it doesn't strengthen the argument.

c) Several nineteenth-century Impressionist painters adopted certain techniques and visual effects found in Japanese prints that are highly esteemed in Japan.

- This answer choice directly supports the conclusion by providing a connection between the aesthetic attributes of Impressionist paintings and Japanese preferences. It suggests that Japanese collectors were likely drawn to these paintings because they contained elements of their own culture's highly esteemed art. This answer choice strengthens the argument, making it the correct answer.

d) During the 1960s and 1970s, the prices of nineteenth-century Impressionist paintings often exceeded the prices of paintings by older European masters.

- This answer choice provides information about the prices of Impressionist paintings in comparison to other European art, but it doesn't provide any information about the preferences of Japanese collectors. Therefore, it doesn't strengthen the argument.

e) During the 1980s, collectors from Japan and around the world purchased many paintings and prints by well-known twentieth-century Japanese artists.

- This answer choice provides information about the purchasing habits of collectors during the 1980s, but it doesn't specifically address the preferences of Japanese collectors for nineteenth-century Impressionist paintings. Thus, it doesn't strengthen the argument.

In conclusion, answer choice C is the correct answer because it provides additional support for the explanation given in the passage by connecting the aesthetic attributes of Impressionist paintings to Japanese preferences.