Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: This moth stays safe by eating a specific plant that makes it taste bad to predators. Because that plant is dying out, the moth is expected to die out too.

Conclusion: The leopard magpie moth is currently at risk of becoming extinct.

Reasoning: The moth relies on the Natal grass cycad for a toxin that protects it from predators, and this plant is currently endangered.

Analysis: The argument assumes a tight, exclusive dependency between the moth and this specific plant. To be a necessary assumption, the argument must require that the moth cannot simply switch to a different 'poison source' or survive without the toxin altogether. If the moth had another way to avoid being eaten, the threat to the plant wouldn't necessarily mean the end of the moth. Look for an answer that eliminates these alternative survival possibilities.

Passage Stimulus

Passage Redacted

Unlock Full Passage

5.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?

Correct Answer
A
Feeding on the Natal grass cycad is the only means by which the moth can make itself highly unpalatable. Negation test: if the moth could become highly unpalatable in some other way, the cycad’s extinction would not necessarily endanger the moth, collapsing the argument’s link. So this assumption is required.
Upgrade Your Prep

Ready to go beyond free explanations?

LSAT Perfection is the #1 modern LSAT prep platform, trusted by thousands of students for comprehensive test strategies, advanced drilling, and full analytics on every PrepTest.

Detailed explanations for 59 PrepTests
Advanced drillset builder
Personalized analytics
Built-in Wrong Answer Journal
Explore Perfection Plus for full LSAT prep