Necessary AssumptionDiff: Medium
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Since athletes will use drugs regardless of the rules, we should just let doctors give them out in safe amounts to keep everyone healthy.
Conclusion: Performance-enhancing drugs should be legalized and administered by doctors in safe doses.
Reasoning: Banning them is ineffective because athletes will use them anyway for a competitive edge, and medical supervision eliminates the health risks.
Analysis: The columnist is making a huge leap by assuming that 'safe doses' actually exist for these substances. If these drugs are inherently dangerous regardless of the amount, the argument that health risks 'disappear' is dead in the water. Additionally, the author assumes athletes would be satisfied with a 'safe' dose rather than seeking an even larger, 'winning' dose on the black market. Look for an answer that addresses the existence of safe levels or the willingness of athletes to follow medical guidance.
Conclusion: Performance-enhancing drugs should be legalized and administered by doctors in safe doses.
Reasoning: Banning them is ineffective because athletes will use them anyway for a competitive edge, and medical supervision eliminates the health risks.
Analysis: The columnist is making a huge leap by assuming that 'safe doses' actually exist for these substances. If these drugs are inherently dangerous regardless of the amount, the argument that health risks 'disappear' is dead in the water. Additionally, the author assumes athletes would be satisfied with a 'safe' dose rather than seeking an even larger, 'winning' dose on the black market. Look for an answer that addresses the existence of safe levels or the willingness of athletes to follow medical guidance.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage13.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the columnist's argument?
Correct Answer
E
E is necessary. If using PEDs at unsafe levels did create a bigger advantage than using them at safe levels, then athletes who “will do whatever it takes” would still pursue unsafe doses even if PEDs are allowed under medical supervision. The claimed result that “health risks disappear” would fail. Negation test: If unsafe dosing yields a bigger advantage than safe dosing, the policy won’t keep athletes at safe levels; thus the argument collapses.
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