LSAT Explanation PT 38, S4, Q20: Shy adolescents often devote themselves totally

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following assumptions does the argument depend on? 

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 passage claims that shy adolescents who develop an all-consuming hobby to help distract them from loneliness might be able to make friends through that hobby. However, if they lose interest in the hobby, their loneliness may worsen. The author concludes that developing an all-consuming hobby is not a successful strategy for overcoming adolescent loneliness.

The structure of the argument is as follows:

1. Premise: Shy adolescents develop an all-consuming hobby to distract from loneliness.

2. Premise: Sometimes, they can make friends through that hobby.

3. Premise: If they lose interest in the hobby, their loneliness may worsen.

4. Conclusion: Developing an all-consuming hobby is not a successful strategy for overcoming adolescent loneliness.

Now, let's create an "Evaluate" question for this argument: "Do all successful strategies for overcoming adolescent loneliness avoid worsening loneliness?"

The question type of this problem is Necessary Assumption, which asks us to identify an assumption that the argument depends on. Let's discuss each answer choice:

a) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. Even if shy adolescents don't want a wider circle of friends, the conclusion about the hobby not being a successful strategy for overcoming loneliness still holds.

b) This is the correct answer. If it were true that a successful strategy for overcoming adolescent loneliness could sometimes intensify that loneliness, then the argument's conclusion would be weakened. The argument assumes that no successful strategy ever worsens loneliness.

c) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. Whether or not shy adolescents lose interest in their hobbies if they don't make friends through them doesn't affect the conclusion that developing an all-consuming hobby is not a successful strategy for overcoming loneliness.

d) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. The argument doesn't need to assume that there is a more successful strategy for overcoming adolescent loneliness. The conclusion only states that developing an all-consuming hobby is not a successful strategy.

e) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument. The reason why shy adolescents devote themselves to hobbies is irrelevant to the conclusion that developing an all-consuming hobby is not a successful strategy for overcoming loneliness.

So, the correct answer is B, as it is a necessary assumption for the argument's conclusion to hold.