Statement:\n“It is very regrettable that although issues pertaining to the elderly and disadvantaged children do find space in the media, the treatment accorded to these topics is often shallow and rarely reflects their actual condition,” says Mr X.\n\nAssumptions:\nI. The media should not gloss over the real problems faced by the elderly.\nII. Radio/print coverage touches these issues but the information supplied often has little practical value.\n\nWhich of the above assumptions are implicit in the statement?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Both Assumptions I and II are implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The speaker laments that while topics about the elderly and disadvantaged children appear in the media, the coverage is shallow and rarely mirrors ground reality. In “statement and assumption” problems, we identify the propositions that must be taken for granted for the statement to make sense. Here, we test whether a normative expectation about media responsibility and a descriptive claim about low-value reportage are assumed.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The media gives some space to issues of the elderly and disadvantaged children.
  • The treatment is shallow and unrepresentative of actual conditions.
  • Assumption I: Media ought to present deeper, reality-reflecting coverage.
  • Assumption II: Existing radio/print mentions have limited practical value to audiences and stakeholders.


Concept / Approach:
The word “regrettable” encodes a value judgment: the speaker believes the current practice falls short of an expected standard of responsible coverage. That presumes a norm that media should not gloss over real problems (Assumption I). Simultaneously, the speaker contrasts “space” with “treatment,” implying coverage exists but is superficial—i.e., of low usefulness (Assumption II). The evaluative force of the criticism relies on both components: an expectation (I) and a diagnosis of present inadequacy (II).


Step-by-Step Solution:

1) “Do find space” → there is some coverage.2) “Treatment is shallow” → existing coverage lacks depth and real-world reflection (supports II).3) “Very regrettable” → invokes a normative benchmark of what media should do (supports I).4) Therefore, both I and II underpin the criticism.


Verification / Alternative check:


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Only I: Lacks the descriptive claim of superficiality that the criticism depends on.• Only II: Lacks the normative baseline justifying “regrettable.”• Either / Neither: Understate the dual evaluative–descriptive nature of the statement.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “finding space” with “adequate treatment.” The statement explicitly distinguishes volume of coverage from its quality.


Final Answer:
Both Assumptions I and II are implicit.

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