Tips & Tricks: Statement and Assumption
Introduction
- Statement is an information or a fact related to any general subject and assumption is the hidden or unsaid part of the statement which a person assumes before stating some fact or statement.
- When we analyse assumption, we find that when one says or writes something, he does not put everything into words and leaves some part unsaid or unwritten. He does so because he takes this unsaid part for granted. In other words, he thinks this unsaid part will be understood without saying and there is no need to put this (unsaid part) into words.
- In this type of questions, a statement is followed by two or more assumptions. The candidate is required to assess the given statement and decide, which of the given assumptions is implicit in the statement.
Tips
- An Assumption is the missing link of the logical structure of an argument. It is left unsaid and therefore, assumed.
- There are some standard categories of statements that have standard ways of assuming certain things.
- In judging the validity of a given assumption, a special note should be taken of some keywords.
- The answer choice "either of them is implicit" is very rarely correct for assumption questions.
- The assumption should be considered from Author's point of view and not yours.
- There are some words that lend a greater degree of emphasis to understand the sentence. The word "definitely", "certainly", "only", "best", "strongest", "all", etc. Impart a kind of exclusiveness to the sentence and thereby reduce the scope of the sentence.
Types
1. Existence/Non - existence of the subject
- In this type of statement and assumption reasoning, the assumptions are normally simple in nature. Here the assumptions are usually existing or non existing types.
2. Cause Effect
- In this type of statement and assumption reasoning, some statements will be given, which will mention a cause and effect relationship. In this type of reasoning, words like "therefore", "thus", "hence", etc. are used frequently. And it would be an assumption to say that "this cause leads to this effect."
3. Course of action
- In this type of statement and assumption reasoning, a fact, report, observation, or study will be given followed by a suggested course of action.
4. Advertisement/Notice/Appeals
- In this type of statement and assumption reasoning, the statements given are usually in a form of an advertisement or an official notice or a notice issued in public interest or an appeal.
Solved Examples
Try yourself: Directions: In this question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. Consider the statement and decide which of the given assumptions is implicit. Try yourself: Directions: In this question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. Consider the statement and decide which of the given assumptions is implicit. Try yourself: Directions: In this question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. Consider the statement and decide which of the given assumptions is implicit. Try yourself: Directions: In this question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. Consider the statement and decide which of the given assumptions is implicit.
Statement: Unemployment allowance should be given to all unemployed Indian youth above 18 years of age.
Assumptions: I. There are unemployed youth in India who needs monetary support.
II. The government has sufficient funds to provide allowance to all unemployed youth.
Statement:
‘Smoking is injurious to health’ – A statutory warning printed on a cigarette box.
Assumptions:
I. The warning will have a negative effect on the smoking habits of the people buying the product.
II. People will not pay heed to such notices.
Statement:
Technology has not only bridged gaps but has also created new ones.
Assumptions:
I. Life without modern technology was much better.
II. Technology should be used strictly on a limited basis.
Statement:
‘I do not think the use or misuse of expensive gadgets, modern technology and the likes defines our generation. On the other hand, we are also intellectually superior than our previous generations as we’re more receptive to change, we like experimenting and the gadgets and technology are just the culmination of such traits.’– Mr Prakash during a debate on ‘Whether we control technology or the technology controls us’.
Assumptions:
I. Being receptive to change and continuous experimentation leads to intellectual superiority.
II. The use of expensive gadgets leads to intellectual superiority.
