LSAT Practice Test

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Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument above?

The observed effects are not temporary
No other variables affect the ecosystem
The environmentalist has published similar reports before
The study adheres to scientific research protocols

The correct answer is: No other variables affect the ecosystem

In the argument provided, the environmentalist is making a claim that the recent decline in the frog population is due to the increased use of pesticide in the area. The assumption required for this argument to hold is that no other variables affect the ecosystem. If other variables were impacting the ecosystem, then the conclusion that the pesticide is solely responsible for the decline in the frog population might not be valid. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Options A, C, and D are not necessary assumptions for the argument to hold. The argument does not depend on whether the effects are temporary or permanent (Option A), whether the environmentalist has published similar reports before (Option C), or whether the study adheres to scientific research protocols (Option D). These factors do not impact the validity of the conclusion drawn in the argument about the pesticide's impact on the frog population.