Question

Bevex, an artificial sweetener used only in soft drinks, is carcinogenic for mice, but only when it is consumed in very large quantities. To ingest an amount of Bevex equivalent to the amount fed to the mice in the relevant studies, a person would have to drink 25 cans of Bevex-sweetened soft drinks per day. For that reason, Bevex is in fact safe for people. In order for the conclusion that Bevex is safe for people to be properly drawn, which one of the following must be true? (A) Cancer from carcinogenic substances develops more slowly in mice than it does in people. (B) If all food additives that are currently used in foods were tested, some would be found to be carcinogenic for mice. (C) People drink fewer than 25 cans of Bevexsweetened soda per day. (D) People can obtain important health benefits by controlling their weight through the use of artificially sweetened soft drinks. (E) Some of the studies done on Bevex were not relevant to the question of whether or not Bevex is carcinogenic for people.

Short answer

Option C is necessary for the conclusion.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Argument's Conclusion

First, identify what the conclusion of the argument is. In this case, the argument concludes that Bevex is safe for people based on the consumption levels in the studies.

Determine the Assumption

To properly draw the conclusion that Bevex is safe, the argument must assume that people do not consume enough Bevex to reproduce the conditions of the study (which involved feeding mice large quantities).

Evaluate Each Option

Examine each of the options: - (A) is irrelevant because the speed of cancer development is not discussed. - (B) is irrelevant to the safety of Bevex specifically. - (C) directly addresses the assumption by affirming people drink fewer than 25 cans daily, matching the context of the argument. - (D) discusses health benefits unrelated to the study conditions. - (E) undermines the relevance of the studies, but does not support the argument itself.

Select the Correct Answer

Option (C) is the only choice that aligns with the necessary assumption for the conclusion, as it states that people do not consume Bevex in quantities similar to the mice in the study.

Key concepts

Logical Assumptions

In the world of logical reasoning, assumptions are the hidden links that connect the evidence to the conclusion. They are critical for understanding the underlying structure of an argument, particularly in LSAT Logic Reasoning questions. In the exercise about Bevex, the conclusion rests on the assumption that people consume fewer than 25 cans of Bevex-sweetened soda daily.
Assumptions are usually unstated, making it our job to identify them. By pinpointing the assumption, you can better understand how the argument stands. Consider assumptions as the unseen supports that ensure an argument does not collapse under scrutiny.

• Identify what is being assumed for the conclusion to hold true.
• Understand the gap between the premise and the conclusion.
• Recognize that without certain assumptions, the argument fails.

This understanding will arm you with the ability to find these hidden assumptions quickly, which is a valuable skill in standardized test preparation.

Argument Evaluation

Evaluating an argument involves understanding its structure and assessing its validity. In the given exercise, the argument is:

• Premise: Bevex is only carcinogenic in large quantities and a person must drink 25 cans daily to consume a large amount.
• Conclusion: Bevex is therefore safe for people.

The crux of the evaluation lies in identifying the relationship between the premise and the conclusion. It is crucial to understand whether the conclusion logically follows from the premise.
Focus your evaluation on:

• The relevance and sufficiency of the premises in supporting the conclusion.
• Any implicit assumptions that need to be true for the conclusion to be valid.
• Any evidential gaps or logical fallacies in the reasoning.

Evaluating arguments is a skill that can be developed with practice and is essential for not just test-taking, but for critical thinking in daily life.

Deductive Reasoning

Deductive reasoning is the process of drawing specific conclusions from general information. When you use deductive reasoning, if your premises are true and your logic flawless, your conclusion must also be true.
In the Bevex exercise, deductive reasoning is employed to decide if Bevex is safe for people based on the given premise that a large quantity is carcinogenic in mice. The jump from the premise to the conclusion must be seamless, relying on the assumption about human consumption patterns.
Key aspects of deductive reasoning include:

• Logical progression from general statements to specific conclusions.
• Clear, distinct premises leading to a definitive conclusion.
• Relying on evidence or accepted facts as the starting point.

By practicing deductive reasoning, you become adept at constructing sound, valid arguments, an invaluable skill both academically and in everyday problem-solving.

Standardized Test Preparation

Preparing for standardized tests, especially those involving logic like the LSAT, takes a strategic approach. The focus is not only on content review but also on sharpening reasoning skills and test-taking strategies.
To effectively prepare, you should:

• Practice identifying assumptions in arguments as they are often tested.
• Review logical reasoning questions to gain familiarity with common question types.
• Work on time management to ensure you can thoroughly analyze arguments within the exam's time constraints.
• Take practice tests under timed conditions to simulate the actual test day experience.

Preparation goes beyond mere memorization; it involves improving logical deduction and critical thinking. These skills are not only critical for the LSAT but are also crucial in professional situations where sound reasoning is required.