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Statement-Assumption - Intermediate Level: assumption mapping INTERMEDIATE

Boost your speed and accuracy with this adaptive style 📈 worksheet. Worksheet 15 of 30 presents 20 intermediate-level statement-assumption problems. Focus on assumption mapping while practicing implicit assumptions, hidden premises, unstated beliefs. Difficulty: moderate complexity with mixed patterns. Perfect for mid-level test takers.

📝 Worksheet 15 of 30 • 20 questions • ⏱️ Estimated time: 20 minutes • 🎯 Intermediate level

What you'll learn in this worksheet:
Your progress through Statement-Assumption
Worksheet 15 of 30 (50% complete)

Question 1

Statement: To solve unemployment, the government should provide free technical training programs and guarantee job placement for all participants. Which assumption is most fundamental to this argument?
While the statement makes multiple assumptions, 'Unemployment is primarily due to skill gaps' is the most fundamental because without it, the entire premise of the solution becomes questionable.
assumption, multiple, complex

Question 2

Statement: Nuclear energy is safer than coal power, therefore we should build more nuclear plants. What hidden premise must be true for this argument to be valid?
The argument implicitly assumes that safety is the primary criterion for energy policy decisions, which may not always be true.
assumption, premise, hidden

Question 3

Statement: The government should increase minimum wage to help reduce poverty. Which of the following is an assumption made in the statement?
The statement assumes that higher wages reduce poverty, which is necessary for the argument to be valid.
assumption, identification, basic

Question 4

Statement: The stock market rose today, indicating economic recovery is underway. What hidden premise must be true for this argument to be valid?
The argument implicitly assumes that stock market performance reflects overall economic health, which may not always be true.
assumption, premise, hidden

Question 5

Argument: This new medicine should be approved because clinical trials show it's effective for 85% of patients. Consider the assumption: '85% effectiveness is clinically meaningful' If we negate this assumption (assume the opposite), does it break the argument?
Yes — If the effect size is trivial, approval isn't justified

Negation test: If '85% effectiveness is NOT clinically meaningful' then the argument 'fails'.
assumption, negation, test, validity

Question 6

Statement: The city should ban private vehicles during weekdays and promote electric buses to reduce air pollution and improve public health. Which assumption is most fundamental to this argument?
While the statement makes multiple assumptions, 'Private vehicles are major pollution sources' is the most fundamental because without it, the entire premise of the solution becomes questionable.
assumption, multiple, complex

Question 7

Statement: The new drug should be approved for public use since clinical trials showed 95% effectiveness. What is the primary assumption underlying this statement?
The statement implicitly assumes that clinical trials represent real-world conditions, which is crucial for the conclusion to be valid.
assumption, implicit, analysis

Question 8

Statement: To solve unemployment, the government should provide free technical training programs and guarantee job placement for all participants. Which assumption is most fundamental to this argument?
While the statement makes multiple assumptions, 'Unemployment is primarily due to skill gaps' is the most fundamental because without it, the entire premise of the solution becomes questionable.
assumption, multiple, complex

Question 9

Statement: Since it rained yesterday, the cricket match must have been cancelled. Evaluate this assumption: 'Rain always leads to cricket match cancellation' Is this assumption valid?
Invalid - matches can continue in light rain
assumption, validity, evaluation

Question 10

Statement: This candidate has 20 years of experience, so they're the best choice for the position. What hidden premise must be true for this argument to be valid?
The argument implicitly assumes that experience duration directly correlates with job performance, which may not always be true.
assumption, premise, hidden

Question 11

Argument: To get an A in this course, you must complete all assignments and score above 90% on the final exam. Assumption: 'Completing all assignments guarantees an A' Is this assumption necessary, sufficient, both, or neither for the argument's conclusion?
Not necessarily true: You also need the exam score - assignments alone are insufficient
assumption, necessary, sufficient, logic

Question 12

Argument: The new traffic light at Main Street will reduce accidents because it will control the previously dangerous intersection. Consider the assumption: 'The light will be properly maintained' If we negate this assumption (assume the opposite), does it break the argument?
Yes — A malfunctioning light could increase accidents

Negation test: If 'The light will NOT be properly maintained' then the argument 'fails'.
assumption, negation, test, validity

Question 13

Argument: If you want to lose weight, you should exercise regularly. However, exercise alone isn't enough; you also need a healthy diet. Assumption: 'A healthy diet is necessary for weight loss' Is this assumption necessary, sufficient, both, or neither for the argument's conclusion?
Necessary: Explicitly stated as required alongside exercise
assumption, necessary, sufficient, logic

Question 14

Statement: Online education is becoming more popular than traditional classroom learning. Which of the following is an assumption made in the statement?
The statement assumes that online platforms are accessible to students, which is necessary for the argument to be valid.
assumption, identification, basic

Question 15

Statement: She must be intelligent since she graduated from Harvard. Evaluate this assumption: 'Harvard only admits intelligent students' Is this assumption valid?
Questionable - intelligence has multiple factors
assumption, validity, evaluation

Question 16

Argument: This new medicine should be approved because clinical trials show it's effective for 85% of patients. Consider the assumption: '85% effectiveness is clinically meaningful' If we negate this assumption (assume the opposite), does it break the argument?
Yes — If the effect size is trivial, approval isn't justified

Negation test: If '85% effectiveness is NOT clinically meaningful' then the argument 'fails'.
assumption, negation, test, validity

Question 17

Statement: The government should increase minimum wage to help reduce poverty. Which of the following is an assumption made in the statement?
The statement assumes that businesses can afford higher wages, which is necessary for the argument to be valid.
assumption, identification, basic

Question 18

Statement: Students' test scores improved after the new teaching method was introduced, confirming its effectiveness. Which assumption is most problematic in this causal argument?
The assumption 'The teaching method caused the improvement' is problematic because it establishes causation without ruling out alternative explanations or confounding variables.
assumption, causality, logic

Question 19

Statement: The government should increase minimum wage to help reduce poverty. Which of the following is an assumption made in the statement?
The statement assumes that higher wages reduce poverty, which is necessary for the argument to be valid.
assumption, identification, basic

Question 20

Statement: The new drug should be approved for public use since clinical trials showed 95% effectiveness. What is the primary assumption underlying this statement?
The statement implicitly assumes that clinical trials represent real-world conditions, which is crucial for the conclusion to be valid.
assumption, implicit, analysis
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