Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Statement: “Read this book to get detailed and most comprehensive information on this issue.” Assumptions: I. The person seeking this information can read. II. There are other books available on this issue.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Only assumption I is implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The recommendation is to read a specific book for comprehensive information. What must be taken for granted for this advice to be meaningful?


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Advice: “Read this book.”
  • Assumption I: the target can read.
  • Assumption II: other books on the topic exist.


Concept / Approach:
Advice about reading presupposes literacy/ability to read. Whether other books exist is irrelevant to the validity of recommending a particular best source.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1) If the person cannot read, the advice is inapplicable. Thus I is implicit.2) The statement compares quality (“detailed and most comprehensive”) but does not require the existence of other books; “most comprehensive” can be understood as a claim of thoroughness without enumerating alternatives. Hence II is not necessary.


Verification / Alternative check:
Negate I: the person cannot read — the instruction fails. Negate II: there are no other books — the advice still stands; the recommended book may be the sole comprehensive source. Therefore only I is implicit.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Only II, Either, Neither, Both: Misstate necessity by importing competition between sources that the statement does not require.


Common Pitfalls:
Over-interpreting “most” as an absolute comparative requiring multiple items. In everyday persuasive language, it often signals “very comprehensive,” and the advice remains sensible regardless.


Final Answer:
Only assumption I is implicit

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