Necessary AssumptionDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: If something helps back pain, doctors should talk about it. Since yoga works just as well as physical therapy for back pain, doctors should be ready to discuss yoga.
Conclusion: Physicians ought to be ready to talk about the advantages of yoga with patients who inquire about it.
Reasoning: Doctors should discuss any activity that notably lessens chronic back pain, and yoga has been shown to reduce such pain as effectively as physical therapy stretching classes.
Analysis: This argument hinges on a comparison. We are told that yoga is as effective as stretching classes, but we aren't explicitly told that either one meets the 'significant' threshold mentioned in the first premise. For the conclusion to follow, the argument requires that the stretching classes (and thus yoga) actually provide a significant reduction in pain. Look for an answer that bridges this gap by confirming the effectiveness of the benchmark activity.
Conclusion: Physicians ought to be ready to talk about the advantages of yoga with patients who inquire about it.
Reasoning: Doctors should discuss any activity that notably lessens chronic back pain, and yoga has been shown to reduce such pain as effectively as physical therapy stretching classes.
Analysis: This argument hinges on a comparison. We are told that yoga is as effective as stretching classes, but we aren't explicitly told that either one meets the 'significant' threshold mentioned in the first premise. For the conclusion to follow, the argument requires that the stretching classes (and thus yoga) actually provide a significant reduction in pain. Look for an answer that bridges this gap by confirming the effectiveness of the benchmark activity.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage12.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
Correct Answer
B
B supplies the needed link: if stretching classes significantly reduce pain, then yoga, which reduces to the same extent, also significantly reduces pain. Negation test: if stretching classes do not significantly reduce pain, then yoga’s equal reduction isn’t significant either, and the rule gives no basis to say doctors should be prepared to discuss yoga. That collapses the argument, so B is necessary.
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