Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: if neither Assumption I nor Assumption II is implicit
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:The statement explains a decision for the current period tied to economic conditions. It does not presuppose a mass resignation by employees, nor does it commit to or imply a future raise in the next period. The reasoning is confined to present constraints, not predictions about employee reactions or promises regarding future policy.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:A present-tense, constraint-driven decision does not logically require assumptions about extreme employee responses or future reversal. At most, it assumes cost control is necessary. Therefore neither I nor II is necessary to make the statement coherent or justified.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Focus on the causal link: economic situation -> no hike now.2) Check I: mass resignation is not required for the decision to be stated or to make sense.3) Check II: the possibility of next year’s hike is speculative and not needed.4) Conclude that neither I nor II is implicit.Verification / Alternative check:The statement remains valid whether or not resignations occur and whether or not next year brings increases. This independence shows I and II are not presupposed.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Only I/Only II/Either/Both: each adds content beyond what the statement minimally requires.Common Pitfalls:Reading policy statements as predictions; here it is only an explanation for the current decision.
Final Answer:Neither Assumption I nor Assumption II is implicit.
Discussion & Comments