Question

Difficulty: MediumBridging Gap (Supporter) Assumptions

Match each logical argument with the required bridging (supporter) assumption that logically connects its premise to its conclusion.

  • An unsigned manuscript features rare harmonic structures exclusively utilized by Vivaldi's inner circle. Therefore, the manuscript was definitely composed between 1710 and 1720.The specific compositional techniques employed by the Venetian group were not utilized by them outside of a specific ten-year timeframe.
  • Oakhaven has recently shifted its primary economic focus from exporting raw minerals to exporting manufactured electronics. Thus, the country's national trade deficit will undoubtedly decrease this year.Generating revenue through the international sale of finished goods rather than unrefined resources leads to a more favorable balance of imports and exports.
  • The isolated island community of Kaelen has experienced zero immigration from the mainland for over two centuries. Consequently, the Kaelen dialect contains no vocabulary adopted from modern continental languages.Without the physical relocation of speakers, linguistic borrowing from contemporary external sources does not occur in a geographically segregated population.
  • The municipal water supply has been treated with a new ultraviolet purification system that eliminates 99 percent of waterborne bacteria. Therefore, the incidence of waterborne viral infections in the city will drop significantly.Treatments that successfully eradicate single-celled bacterial organisms are also effective at neutralizing or removing infectious viral agents.

Answer

Each argument must be matched with the assumption that connects the unique subject matter in its premise to the new, distinct concept introduced in its conclusion.
Each correct pairing successfully identifies the 'Supporter' assumption. This is the unstated premise that connects a new, 'rogue' concept in the conclusion to the established concepts in the premises. The correct statements abstractly supply the necessary link without which the conclusion of the corresponding argument would be logically invalid. Furthermore, applying the Negation Test to each correct assumption immediately destroys the corresponding argument.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the premise and conclusion of each argument to identify the 'rogue' elements.
In the linguistics argument, the premise discusses 'zero immigration', while the conclusion introduces a new concept: 'no vocabulary adopted'.
A supporter assumption must explicitly connect the new conclusion element back to the existing premise elements.
2
Pre-phrase the missing conceptual link for each argument before looking at the choices.
The musicology argument requires a link between 'rare harmonic structures' and the dates '1710 and 1720'. The health argument requires a link between 'bacteria' and 'viral infections'.
Formulating the logical bridge mentally prevents being tricked by out-of-scope distractors.
3
Evaluate the assumption statements to find the abstract expressions that match your pre-phrased links.
The statement about 'physical relocation' linking to 'linguistic borrowing' bridges the linguistics argument. The statement linking 'finished goods' to the 'balance of imports and exports' bridges the economics argument.
Correct answers in LSAT questions often use abstract, synonymous language rather than repeating the exact keywords from the stimulus.

Key Concept

Bridging Gap (Supporter) Assumptions
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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