Statement and Assumption

Pattern Name

Type

Statement & Assumption

Explanation

Overview

In Statement and Assumption questions, you are given a statement and several assumptions. An assumption is something that is implicit – an unstated but taken-for-granted premise – that the speaker believes to be true when making the statement.

Criteria for a Valid Assumption

An assumption is considered implicit (or valid) if:

It is absolutely necessary for the statement to make sense or be logically coherent.
The speaker or author must have believed this assumption to be true for their statement to be rational and justified.
It provides the logical link or missing evidence that makes the statement stand.

An assumption is NOT implicit (or invalid) if:

It is explicitly stated within the given statement itself (an assumption cannot be an overt part of the statement).
It is a conclusion that follows from the statement, rather than a premise that precedes it.
It contradicts the statement or goes against the obvious intent of the speaker.
It introduces entirely new information that is not essential for the statement to hold true.
It is a piece of advice or a suggestion, rather than an underlying belief.

Solving Strategy

The "Necessity Test": For each assumption, ask yourself: "If this assumption were false, would the original statement still make sense or be logical?" If the statement falls apart or becomes illogical when the assumption is negated, then the assumption is implicit.
Subtlety is Key: A valid assumption is often subtle and unstated. If an option is very obvious or is merely a rephrasing of part of the statement, it's usually not a correct assumption.
Distinguish from Conclusions: Remember the order: Assumptions are what the speaker believes before making the statement, serving as foundational beliefs. Conclusions are what logically follow after the statement is made.
Avoid External Knowledge: Base your evaluation strictly on the given statement. Do not bring in outside general knowledge or personal opinions.
Look for Logical Gaps: Assumptions often fill a logical gap between a statement and its implied intent or outcome. For example, if a statement is an advertisement, a common assumption is that "people will be influenced by this advertisement."

Difficulty

Hard