Statement–Assumption — “Imprisonment for 27 years made Nelson Mandela the President.” Assumptions: I) Only those imprisoned for 27 years will become President. II) To become President, imprisonment is a qualification. Choose the implicit assumption(s).

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: If neither Assumptions I nor II is implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The statement narrates a unique biographical arc: Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years and later became President. In statement–assumption questions, we must ask which background beliefs are necessary for the statement to carry its intended sense, not what could be loosely associated or exaggerated from it.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • A singular exemplar is cited (Mandela).
  • No general rule about all Presidents or all prisoners is asserted.


Concept / Approach:
An implicit assumption must be indispensable for the statement’s communicative intention. Here, the sentence links two facts about one person; it does not universalize a rule about who becomes President or prescribe imprisonment as a criterion. Thus, the generalized claims in I and II are not required for the statement to be meaningful.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Identify the scope: one individual’s path, not a policy or rule.2) Test Assumption I: “Only those imprisoned for 27 years will become President.” This is a sweeping universal and plainly unnecessary.3) Test Assumption II: “Imprisonment is a qualification.” Again, unnecessary and contrary to normal democratic qualifications.


Verification / Alternative check:


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Options asserting I or II (or either) mistake description for prescription or general law.


Common Pitfalls:
Reading causal language as a normative rule; confusing “happened in this case” with “must happen for all.”


Final Answer:
Neither Assumption I nor II is implicit.

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