Statement–Assumption — “If it is easy to become an engineer, I do not want to be an engineer.” Assumptions: I) An individual aspires to be a professional. II) People desire achievements that are hard earned. Choose the implicit assumption(s).
Correct Answer: if only assumption II is implicit.
Introduction / Context:The speaker rejects the goal of becoming an engineer purely on the ground that it is “easy.” This is a classic statement–assumption task that probes the value system implied by a preference: choosing goals based on their difficulty rather than the profession’s intrinsic nature.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The decision criterion stated is “ease.”
- Nothing else is said about engineering or other jobs.
Concept / Approach:An implicit assumption must be necessary for the statement to have force. The statement only makes sense if the speaker values accomplishments that are difficult to obtain (hard earned). It does not require any general claim that “an individual aspires to be a professional.” The speaker could, for example, aspire to art or entrepreneurship; professionalism in general is irrelevant to the reasoning.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Identify the operative criterion: difficulty level of attainment.2) Map that to a minimal belief: hard-earned goals are more desirable (Assumption II).3) Reject Assumption I as not required for the preference expressed.Verification / Alternative check:If the speaker did not value difficulty, the ease of becoming an engineer would not be a reason to reject it.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:Assumption I adds an unrelated generalization; “either/neither” fail to capture the explicit value premise.
Common Pitfalls:Reading “professional” as synonymous with “engineer”; it is not part of the logic.
Final Answer:Only assumption II is implicit.