LSAT 129 – Section 2 – Question 12

LSAT 129 - Section 2 - Question 12

June 2009

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Question
QuickView		 Type Tags Answer
Choices		 Curve Question
Difficulty		 Psg/Game/S
Difficulty		 Explanation
PT129 S2 Q12
+LR
Sufficient assumption +SA
Link Assumption +LinkA
A
2%
156
B
16%
161
C
5%
157
D
75%
166
E
3%
158
143
153
163
 +Harder 144.702 +SubsectionEasier

Criminologist: The main purpose of most criminal organizations is to generate profits. The ongoing revolutions in biotechnology and information technology promise to generate enormous profits. Therefore, criminal organizations will undoubtedly try to become increasingly involved in these areas.

Summary
The criminologist predicts that criminal organizations will try to further their involvement with certain types of tech. She supports this with two claims: Most criminal organizations want to generate profit, and these technologies will generate profit.

Missing Connection
The support establishes something that these organizations want (profit), and one sufficient path to obtain it (tech). But we can’t assume that a path will be taken just because it is guarantees a goal. We need to know that this ambition is a sufficient condition for the criminologist’s prediction.

A
If an organization tries to become increasingly involved in areas that promise to generate enormous profits, then the main purpose of that organization is to generate profits.
This is switching sufficient and necessary. This answer choice can only support a conclusion about purpose, but we need a conclusion about increasing involvement.
B
At least some criminal organizations are or will at some point become aware that the ongoing revolutions in biotechnology and information technology promise to generate enormous profits.
Awareness does not guarantee action. This would be a correct answer for a Necessary Assumption question.
C
Criminal organizations are already heavily involved in every activity that promises to generate enormous profits.
The conclusion is about increasing efforts. An increase is relative, and we don’t know their starting level of involvement. Regardless of initial involvement, they might not increase their involvement. But we need an airtight conclusion that they will increase involvement.
D
Any organization whose main purpose is to generate profits will try to become increasingly involved in any technological revolution that promises to generate enormous profits.
We know that most criminal organizations would have this purpose. So we can conclude that they will try to increase their involvement.
E
Most criminal organizations are willing to become involved in legal activities if those activities are sufficiently profitable.
Willingness does not guarantee action. We need to know that these organizations will try to increase their involvement, not just that they are willing to. Additionally, (E) is assuming that these technologies are considered legal activities.

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LSAT PrepTest 129 Explanations

Section 1 - Logical Reasoning

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Reading Comprehension

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