Statement and Assumptions

Whenever we say something (in any conversation) there are certain assumptions which must be true for the statement to make sense. In other words an assumption is something that is ‘taken for granted’ in the context of a statement.

Most questions on Statement and Assumptions give you a statement and follow it up with two further statements which have to be tested for whether they are implied in the original statement or not. In order to identify whether an assumption is implied in a statement the best way to do so is to look at the original statement in the question by negating the assumption which is being tested. In case the assumption being tested is implied, negating it will have the effect of weakening the argument of the original statement.

Directions: In each question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. Consider the statement and decide which of the given assumption is implicit.

Given answer

(a) If only assumption I is implicit.

(b) If only assumption II is implicit.

(c) Ifboth I and II are implicit.

(d) If neither I nor II is implicit.

Example 1

Statement

Strong programming skills cannot be the only criteria for a successful career in the field OfInformation Technology.

Assumptions

I. Bright careers in Information Technology are not linked only with strong programming skills.

II. If a person has excellent communication skills as well as strong programming skills, only then would he be successful.

Solution

Clearly, there should be some other skills such as interpersonal skills, communication skills, negotiation skill, etc., for a successful career. Hence, assumption I is implicit. Assumption II is not implicit because it talks only about communication and technical skills. Hence option (a) is correct.

Note: Try the negation test in this question.

Example 2

Statement

The maximum IAS exam selection will be from our institute—A director of a coaching institution.

Assumptions

I. Most of the students who study in this institute are genius.

II. Teachers of the coaching institution are preparing their students thoroughly.

Solution

Assumption I is irrelevant because there might be some other genius students who are studying in other coaching institutions. Assumption II is implicit.

A coaching institution can only claim such statements if it is preparing its students thoroughly. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Example 3

Statement

Over a cricketing career most players would do well to remember that there is only one thing that overcomes hard luck—hard work.

Assumptions

I. If a cricketer is hardworking, he/she can easily tackle the toughest phases of his cricketing career.

II. A cricketer writes his/her own destiny by hard work.

Solution

Both the statements are implicit. All cricket players face difficult times in their careers, but only those succeed, who confront these phases bravely and work hard to overcome them. In this way, hard luck becomes insignificant for a cricketer. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Example 4

Statement

The case of Marion Jones clearly indicates that if taking drugs play a vital role in the performance of athletes, there is absolutely no use of spending time to watch the athletics in the Olympics.

Assumptions

I. Cricketers, hockey players and footballers are not involved in doping. So we can spend time to watch such games.

II. Asian athletes do not win medals because they refrain from taking drugs.

Solution

Both the assumptions are irrelevant. In the statement nothing is said about other games and as such negating that assumption has no effect on the strength of the argument in the statement. Besides, the performance of Asian athletes is irrelevant to the argument. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Example 5

Statement

A Reliance Fresh Retail store was attacked by vegetable vendors in Ranchi.

Assumptions

I. Reliance Fresh has affected the livelihood of local vegetable vendors.

II. Reliance Fresh stores are built in thickly populated areas.

Solution

Assumption I is implicit because somewhere down the line, Reliance Fresh is affecting the local vendors. That is why they have been violent. Assumption II is irrelevant because nothing is mentioned regarding the location of the stores. Hence, option (a) is correct.