LSAT Assumption Question December 2004

[David@VeritasPrep]

The following LSAT assumption question can be used in conjunction with the article "Approaching Assumption Questions like an Expert" https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/06/ ... -an-expert or it can be attempted on its own. Have fun!


Art theft from museums is on the rise. Most stolen art is sold to wealthy private collectors. Consequently, since thieves steal what their customers are most interested in buying, museums ought to focus more on their security on their most valuable pieces.

The argument depends on assuming which one of the following?

(A) Art thieves steal both valuable and not-so-valuable art.
(B) Art pieces that are not very valuable are not very much in demand by wealthy private collectors.
(C) Art thieves steal primarily from museums that are poorly secured.
(D) Most museums provide the same amount of security for valuable and not-so-valuable art.
(E) Wealthy art collectors sometimes sell their stolen art to other wealthy private collectors.

[vk_vinayak]

Is it D?

[Bhupisuhag]

I think B

[spartacus1412]

i go with B

[niketdoshi123]

+1 for B[/spoiler]

[Gaurav 2013-fall]

narrowed down to D and B. Finally B.

whats OA?

[rajcools]

narrowed down to B and D

than using infomercial answer B

[Bill@VeritasPrep]

I remember seeing quite a few similar questions during my LSAT prep a few years ago!

[ice_rush]

(B) should be correct. responded hastily earlier.

[David@VeritasPrep]

OA is B.

can you explain why?

I will give a full explanation a little later.

[GMAT Hacker]

Argument says that Museums should give more security to valuable goods. Underlying assumption is that only valuable goods is in demand by wealthy people.

Option 'B' says the same. If you negate 'B', argument will fall apart.

Hence, Ans is B

[sandeep_thaparianz]

The following LSAT assumption question can be used in conjunction with the article "Approaching Assumption Questions like an Expert" https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/06/ ... -an-expert or it can be attempted on its own. Have fun!


Art theft from museums is on the rise. Most stolen art is sold to wealthy private collectors. Consequently, since thieves steal what their customers are most interested in buying, museums ought to focus more on their security on their most valuable pieces.


(B) Art pieces that are not very valuable are not very much in demand by wealthy private collectors.
.

Point 1:Consequently, since thieves steal what their customers are most interested in buying
Point2 : museums ought to focus more on their security on their most valuable pieces

This means most valuable pieces is what thievies are interested in stealing and it turn customers are most interested to buy

B states this hence the answer

[David@VeritasPrep]

OA is B.

Nice explanations by Sandeep and GMATHacker.

The argument here concludes that "museums ought to focus more of their security on their most valuable pieces." Clearly this assumes on the fact these are the pieces that will likely be stolen. So what is the evidence so far that these pieces are the ones that are most likely to be stolen?
The evidence in the stimulus is "Because most stolen art is sold to wealthy private collectors and thieves steal what their customers are most interested in buying."

This seems like a good argument to this point. Remember, we need for the most valuable pieces to be the ones that are most likely to be stolen and since the thieves are stealing what wealthy private collectors want - well it seems that they would want the most valuable pieces.

But here is where the unexpected problem comes in. Answer choice B brings up the possibility that wealthy collectors might actually want the pieces that are not very valuable. If this were true then we have a problem with the argument. Luckily, like any good infomercial, the answer choice then solves this unexpected problem. Choice B lets us know that these not valuable pieces are not in demand. So our argument is safe once again.

How about the other choices?

Choice A seems pretty good, however, just because thieves steal both kinds of art does not mean that they do so in the same quantities. The valuable art could still be what is threatened most.

Choice C does not reference the type of art - valuable or non so valuable - that we are talking about but goes to something completely different which is poorly secured museums. This is new information that has nothing to do with our evidence and can be eliminated.

Choice D says "Most museums provide the same amount of security for valuable and not-so-valuable art." This talks about what is occurring right now. Yet the conclusion is a recommendation. These two things are not compatible. For example, if I say that schools should have exercise time for the kids each day this does not assume that they already do...and it also does not assume that they don't it only talks about what should happen.

Choice E is beside the point. We do not need to know what is done once the collectors have the art.