Assumption-Reasoning
Assumption-Reasoning problems present a statement or argument followed by two assumptions. You must determine which assumption(s) are implicit (assumed by the speaker) in the statement. These problems test your ability to identify unstated premises that are necessary for the argument to hold.
What You'll Learn
Introduction to Assumption-Reasoning
Assumption-Reasoning problems present a statement or argument followed by two assumptions. You must determine which assumption(s) are implicit (assumed by the speaker) in the statement. These problems test your ability to identify unstated premises that are necessary for the argument to hold.
Prerequisites
How to Solve Assumption-Reasoning Problems
Step 1: Read the statement carefully and identify the speaker's core claim or recommendation
Step 2: Ask yourself: What must be true for this statement to make sense?
Step 3: Evaluate each assumption independently by asking: Is this assumption necessary for the statement to hold?
Step 4: If the statement would be meaningless or false without the assumption, it is implicit
Step 5: If the assumption is not required (the statement could still be valid without it), it is not implicit
Step 6: Use the 'negation test': If negating the assumption makes the statement invalid, the assumption is implicit
Step 7: Remember that implicit assumptions are often about necessity, availability, or typical conditions
Step 8: Select the appropriate answer based on which assumptions are implicit
Example Problem
Example: Statement: 'You should carry an umbrella today.' Assumptions: I. There is a possibility of rain. II. Umbrellas are available in stores. Solution: Step 1: Core claim: Recommendation to carry umbrella Step 2: For this recommendation to make sense, rain must be possible Step 3: Assumption I: If there were no possibility of rain, carrying an umbrella would be pointless → Implicit Step 4: Assumption II: Even if umbrellas aren't in stores, the person might already own one → Not implicit Answer: Only assumption I is implicit
Pro Tips & Tricks
- An assumption is implicit if the statement cannot be valid without it
- Use the negation test: If negated assumption makes statement false/meaningless → implicit
- Assumptions are often about necessity, not sufficiency
- Don't confuse 'implicit' with 'true' - assumptions can be false but still implicit
- Look for hidden premises about cause-effect relationships
- Assumptions often fill gaps between evidence and conclusion
Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Practice Worksheets
Practice makes perfect! Work through these worksheets to master Assumption-Reasoning. Each worksheet contains 20 questions with detailed explanations. Start from Worksheet 1 and progress through increasing difficulty levels.
Exam Importance
Assumption-Reasoning is an important topic for various competitive exams. Here's how frequently it appears:
Ready to Master Assumption-Reasoning?
Start with Worksheet 1 and work your way up to expert level! Each worksheet includes: