Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: if only assumption I is implicit.
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The speaker singles out water as a sector from which MNCs should be excluded, while permitting their role in other infrastructure. The distinction rests on a principle about the nature of water, not necessarily on claims about specific MNC behaviors.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
To justify excluding MNCs from water but not from roads, the speaker must treat water as qualitatively different: a life-critical commons to be owned/managed by communities (Assumption I). The policy preference does not require a belief that MNCs are actively attempting hostile takeovers (Assumption II); opposition can be principled.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Without I, the speaker’s sector-specific prohibition becomes arbitrary.2) II (MNCs “on the prowl”) is an optional justification, not a necessary one; the speaker would oppose even benign MNC interest based on the commons principle alone.
Verification / Alternative check:
Public-trust doctrines worldwide argue that vital resources like water require public/community stewardship independent of private actors’ intentions.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Any option elevating II to necessity adds a contingent factual claim not required for the normative position.
Common Pitfalls:
Assuming a moral stance implies a specific conspiracy or market move; here the principle stands on its own.
Final Answer:
Only assumption I is implicit.
Discussion & Comments