Statement-Assumption - Advanced Level: statement analysis ADVANCED

Exam-focused holistic practice ★ worksheet: 20 advanced-level statement-assumption questions. Worksheet 23 of 30 targets statement analysis. Build proficiency in hidden premises, unstated beliefs, presupposed facts with detailed solutions. Ideal for advanced competitive exam preparation.

📝 Worksheet 23 of 30 • 20 questions • ⏱️ Estimated time: 20 minutes • 🎯 Advanced level

What you'll learn in this worksheet:
Your progress through Statement-Assumption
Worksheet 23 of 30 (76% complete)

Question 1

Statement: Students perform better when class sizes are reduced from 30 to 15 students. What is the primary assumption underlying this statement?
The statement implicitly assumes that teacher attention improves with fewer students, which is crucial for the conclusion to be valid.

Question 2

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

Question 3

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.

Question 4

Statement: The company's profits will increase if they expand to international markets. What is the primary assumption underlying this statement?
The statement implicitly assumes that international demand exists for their products, which is crucial for the conclusion to be valid.

Question 5

Argument: We should hire Maria as our lead developer because she has 10 years of experience in our industry. Consider the assumption: 'The salary budget can accommodate her' If we negate this assumption (assume the opposite), does it break the argument?
Yes — If we can't afford her, the recommendation fails

Negation test: If 'The salary budget cannot accommodate her' then the argument 'fails'.

Question 6

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.

Question 7

Statement: Private companies provide better customer service than government organizations. Which of the following is an assumption made in the statement?
The statement assumes that competition drives better service, which is necessary for the argument to be valid.

Question 8

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 technology improves learning outcomes, which is necessary for the argument to be valid.

Question 9

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.

Question 10

Argument: We should hire Maria as our lead developer because she has 10 years of experience in our industry. Consider the assumption: 'The salary budget can accommodate her' If we negate this assumption (assume the opposite), does it break the argument?
Yes — If we can't afford her, the recommendation fails

Negation test: If 'The salary budget cannot accommodate her' then the argument 'fails'.

Question 11

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.

Question 12

Argument: The new traffic light at Main Street will reduce accidents because it will control the previously dangerous intersection. Consider the assumption: 'Drivers will obey the traffic light' If we negate this assumption (assume the opposite), does it break the argument?
Yes — If drivers ignore it, the light won't reduce accidents

Negation test: If 'Drivers will NOT obey the traffic light' then the argument 'fails'.

Question 13

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

Question 14

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

Question 15

Statement: Students perform better when class sizes are reduced from 30 to 15 students. What is the primary assumption underlying this statement?
The statement implicitly assumes that teacher attention improves with fewer students, which is crucial for the conclusion to be valid.

Question 16

Statement: The restaurant is expensive because it's located in the city center. Evaluate this assumption: 'City center locations have higher operational costs' Is this assumption valid?
Valid - location affects rent and operational expenses

Question 17

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.

Question 18

Argument: We should hire Maria as our lead developer because she has 10 years of experience in our industry. Consider the assumption: 'Maria wants the position' If we negate this assumption (assume the opposite), does it break the argument?
No — Even if she doesn't want it, we could still argue we should hire her (though she'd decline)

Negation test: If 'Maria does NOT want the position' then the argument 'still could hold'.

Question 19

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

Question 20

Statement: The restaurant is expensive because it's located in the city center. Evaluate this assumption: 'City center locations have higher operational costs' Is this assumption valid?
Valid - location affects rent and operational expenses
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