Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Safety announcement in a ropeway trolley: “For your own interest, please fasten your seat belts while seated.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. People are always careful about their own safety. II. Unless advised, passengers might not use the seat belts.
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AOnly assumption I is implicit
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BOnly assumption II is implicit
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CEither I or II is implicit
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DNeither I nor II is implicit
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EBoth I and II are implicit
Answer
Correct Answer: Only assumption II is implicit
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Transport operators issue safety instructions to reduce risk. We test which background beliefs are necessary for the announcement to be purposeful.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Passengers are advised to fasten seat belts.
- Assumption I: people are always safety-conscious.
- Assumption II: without advice, some passengers might not fasten belts.
Concept / Approach:A safety announcement presupposes that compliance is not automatic and that guidance can increase safe behavior. It does not require the belief that people are always safety-focused; in fact, the instruction exists precisely because some are not.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) The operator anticipates that, absent reminders, some will forget or ignore belts. Hence II is necessary.2) I claims people are always careful, which contradicts the need for reminders. It is not necessary; if it were true, no announcement would be needed.Verification / Alternative check:Negate II: passengers will use belts anyway—the announcement becomes redundant. Negate I: people are not always careful—the announcement still makes sense. Therefore only II is implicit.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Only I / Either / Neither / Both: These ignore the practical rationale for safety reminders and misstate the necessity.
Common Pitfalls:Reading “in their own interest” as proof that people are always careful. It is persuasive wording, not a logical claim about universal behavior.
Final Answer:Only assumption II is implicit