LSAT Explanation PT 31, S2, Q17: Because addictive drugs are physically harmful,

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following can be inferred from the passage above? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the passage and summarize its main points. The passage argues that the use of nonaddictive drugs by athletes should not be prohibited, and it provides two reasons. Firstly, the purists' argument that they are unnatural is not a valid reason, as many things in sports are unnatural but not prohibited. Secondly, there are more serious issues in sports, such as unnecessary deaths and injuries, that should be addressed instead.

Now, let's examine the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Must Be True (MBT) question, which means we need to find the answer choice that can be inferred from the information provided in the passage.

Let's go through each answer choice:

a) The fact that something is unnatural is not a sufficient reason for banning it.

This answer choice can be inferred from the passage, as the author argues that many unnatural things in sports are not prohibited, and thus being unnatural is not a valid reason for banning nonaddictive drugs. This is the correct answer.

b) There is nothing unnatural about the use of nonaddictive drugs by athletes.

This answer choice is incorrect because the passage does not claim that the use of nonaddictive drugs is natural. Instead, it argues that being unnatural is not a sufficient reason for prohibition.

c) The use of addictive drugs by athletes should be prohibited because addictive drugs are unnatural.

This answer choice is incorrect because the passage states that addictive drugs should be prohibited due to their physical harm, not because they are unnatural.

d) Some of the unnecessary deaths and injuries in modern sports are caused by the use of addictive drugs by athletes.

This answer choice is incorrect because the passage does not establish a direct connection between addictive drugs and unnecessary deaths and injuries. It only states that addictive drugs are physically harmful and that there are other serious problems in sports that need attention.

e) The use of addictive drugs by athletes is a less serious problem than are unnecessary injuries.

This answer choice is incorrect because the passage does not compare the severity of the problems caused by addictive drugs and unnecessary injuries. It only argues that nonaddictive drugs should not be prohibited and that there are more serious issues in sports to address.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A, as it can be inferred from the passage that the fact that something is unnatural is not a sufficient reason for banning it.