Solved Examples Statements and Assumptions - General Intelligence and Reasoning
Definition
An assumption is an unstated idea that must be accepted as true for a given statement or argument to be meaningful or valid. In problems on statements and assumptions, you are given a statement and two proposed assumptions. Your task is to decide which of the suggested assumptions is logically required (implicit) on the basis of the statement.
Rules and Principles for Evaluating Statements and Assumptions
- An assumption is usually unstated; it provides a premise that connects the given statement to a conclusion.
- Assumptions are typically positive and general in tone; they are not direct restatements of the given sentence.
- Words such as each, every, only, all, any, and interrogatives like why, what, or terms expressing certainty such as definitely or therefore often appear in assumptions but are not normally present in the given statement itself.
- If an option uses words like few, some, many, or to a large extent, it indicates a general or partial claim and is likely an implicit assumption rather than an explicit statement.
- Advertising-type statements often imply marketing assumptions (for example, that the advertised feature is desirable); such implications are to be tested for logical necessity, not for marketing rhetoric.
- Assumptions about social welfare or broadly desirable outcomes (for example, that people desire good health) are often implicit and acceptable if they are necessary to make sense of the statement.
- Assumptions that require knowledge of past or future events which are not indicated by the statement are usually not implicit.
- Words such as suggestion, order, or request in an option often identify an implicit presumption when the statement refers to advice, orders, or notices.
- Comparisons between entities are not to be assumed unless explicitly indicated by the statement; assuming comparisons is generally incorrect.
Method to Decide Whether an Assumption Is Implicit
- Ask: Is the assumption necessary for the statement to be meaningful? If yes, it is implicit.
- Ask: Can the statement be true while the assumption is false? If it can, the assumption is not implicit.
- Distinguish between what is merely probable (plausible) and what is logically required. Only the latter is treated as implicit.
- Avoid bringing in outside facts or general knowledge not required by the statement; rely only on information present or logically entailed by the statement.
- When the statement is an advertisement, notice, or advice, consider the purpose of the statement to determine what assumptions the writer must have in mind.
Solved Examples
Example 1
Example 1: Statements: "Please send this email in the evening". An officer tells his assistant.
Assumptions:
I. The assistant would follow the instructions.
II. The assistant knows the email address to whom the email is to be sent.
(a) Only assumption I is implicit
(b) Only assumption II is implicit
(c) Either I or II is implicit
(d) Neither I nor II is implicit
Ans: (a)
The instruction presumes that the assistant will act on it. Therefore the officer's request logically requires that the assistant will follow the instruction.
The instruction does not state or imply that the assistant already knows the recipient's address; that is additional information not required to make the instruction meaningful.
Example 2
Example 2: Statements: No family planning mostly leads to high child mortality
Assumptions:
I. There are cases of High child mortality.
II. Lack of family planning does take place.
(a) Only assumption I is implicit
(b) Only assumption II is implicit
(c) Either I or II is implicit
(d) Both I and II are implicit
Ans: (d)
The statement connects lack of family planning and high child mortality; it presupposes that both phenomena occur.
Therefore, the existence of high child mortality and the occurrence of lack of family planning are both implicit in the statement.
Example 3
Example 3: Statement: Richard's advice to Katie-If you want to study English, join ASI institute".
Assumptions:
I. Katie listens Richard's advice.
II. ASI institute provides good English classes.
(a) Only assumption I is implicit
(b) Only assumption II is implicit
(c) Either I or II is implicit
(d) Both I and II are implicit
Ans: (d)
The advice presupposes that Katie may follow advice; the purpose of giving advice is to influence behaviour, so assuming Katie listens is reasonable.
The advice also presumes that ASI institute is suitable for studying English; otherwise the recommendation would be pointless. Hence both assumptions follow.
Example 4
Example 4: Statement: "Ensure a good heath for your family with Olive oil." - An advertisement.
Assumptions:
I. Olive oil is better than any other food oils.
II. A good family health is desirable.
(a) Only assumption I is implicit
(b) Only assumption II is implicit
(c) Either I or II is implicit
(d) Both I and II are implicit
Ans: (b)
The advertisement claims that olive oil ensures good family health but does not logically assert that olive oil is better than every other oil; that is a comparative claim not required by the advertisement.
The advertisement does presuppose that good family health is desirable, because it is using that desirable outcome to promote the product.
Example 5
Example 5: Statement: Vitamin B tablets improve brain development, keep your mood good.
Assumptions:
I. People like a good mood.
II. Mood becomes negative in the absence of brain development.
(a) Only assumption I is implicit
(b) Only assumption II is implicit
(c) Either I or II is implicit
(d) Both I and II are implicit
Ans: (d)
The product claim relies on the idea that a good mood is desirable; otherwise highlighting mood improvement makes no sense.
The claim further links brain development with mood, implying that poor brain functioning would negatively affect mood; this causal link is implicitly assumed by the statement.
Example 6
Example 6: Statement: "Stop drinking before it ends you." - A notice issued in public interest by drugs and health ministry.
Assumptions:
I. People feel afraid of being devastated.
II. Alcohol destroys the whole family.
(a) Only assumption I is implicit
(b) Only assumption II is implicit
(c) Either I or II is implicit
(d) Both I and II are implicit
Ans: (a)
The notice aims to deter drinking by warning of severe harm; for that purpose it presumes people fear serious consequences, so assumption I is implicit.
The notice does not assert that alcohol will always destroy an entire family; that is an extreme and specific claim not necessary to justify the notice.
Example 7
Example 7: Statement: "Repeat your Matrimonial ads on Sunday for just 100 per sq cm." - An advertisement in a newspaper
Assumption:
I. People want advertisement at no cost
II. There are some people who want to repeat their matrimonial advertisement.
(a) Only assumption I is implicit
(b) Only assumption II is implicit
(c) Either I or II is implicit
(d) Both I and II are implicit
Ans: (b)
The word "just" suggests the price is low, not free; therefore it does not imply people want advertisements at no cost.
The advertisement presupposes the existence of people who desire to repeat matrimonial advertisements; that is the audience the ad addresses.
Example 8
Example 8: Statement: The doctor warned Mr. Shah against any further consumption of drugs, if he desired to get cured from the disease and live a longer life.
Assumptions
I. Mr. Shah may follow the doctor's advice and stop consuming drugs
II. The doctor may be able to cure Mr. Shah from the disease, if he stops consuming drugs
(a) Only assumption I is implicit
(b) Only assumption II is implicit
(c) Either I or II is implicit
(d) Both I and II are implicit
Ans: (d)
The warning is issued so that Mr. Shah might follow it; the purpose of the warning implies that stopping drugs is a plausible course of action, so assumption I is implicit.
The doctor's warning also implies that cessation of drugs will enable cure or longer life, so the doctor's ability to effect cure on cessation is implicitly assumed.
Example 9
Example 9: Statement: The driver of the Bulldozer dragged the emergency brakes to elude hitting the car which suddenly came in front of the vehicle.
Assumptions:
I. The car driver may be able to steer his vehicle away from the oncoming vehicle
II. The bulldozer driver may be able to stop the vehicle before it hits the car
Ans: (b)
The bulldozer driver's action (dragging emergency brakes) presupposes the intention and possibility of stopping the bulldozer in time; therefore assumption II is implicit.
The bulldozer driver cannot assume what the car driver will do next; the car driver's possible evasive action is independent and not required by the bulldozer driver's decision to brake. Hence assumption I is not implicit.
Example 10
Example 10: Statement: "BSA Cycles - Fast, easy to ride, inspiring, consistent, crafted and up-to-date automation." - An advertisement.
Assumptions:
I. No other brands are available with any of these features.
II. Cost is not a matter for People.
(a) Only assumption I is implicit
(b) Only assumption II is implicit
(c) Either I or II is implicit
(d) Neither I nor II is implicit
Ans: (d)
The advertisement lists desirable features of BSA cycles but does not claim exclusivity-other brands may also have these features-so assumption I is not implicit.
There is no information about buyers' concern for cost; the advertisement does not imply that cost is irrelevant. Therefore assumption II is not implicit.
Common Pitfalls and Tips
- Do not assume facts not required by the statement; avoid introducing extra-world knowledge.
- Do not equate probability with implication: an assumption that is merely likely is not necessarily implicit unless it is required.
- When the statement is a command, request, or advice, consider what must be true for that instruction to make sense; those are often the implicit assumptions.
- Avoid interpreting rhetorical or hyperbolic language as strict logical claims.
- Practice by identifying whether removing an assumption makes the statement meaningless or unreasonable; if yes, treat it as implicit.
Final Summary
To answer statements and assumptions questions reliably: identify the core claim of the statement, test whether each assumption is necessary for the claim to make sense, and reject assumptions that introduce unrelated or stronger claims than the statement supports. Prefer what is logically required over what is merely probable or plausible.
