Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Statement: “If I am not well, you will have to go for the meeting,” a manager tells a subordinate. Assumptions: I. It is not necessary that only manager-level personnel attend the meeting. II. If the manager is well, he would himself like to attend the meeting.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Both I and II are implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The manager assigns a contingency: if unwell, the subordinate will attend the meeting. We must uncover the hidden beliefs that make this direction reasonable.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Attendance can be delegated.
  • Assumption I: non-managers can represent in the meeting.
  • Assumption II: the manager intends to go if healthy.


Concept / Approach:
Directives often embed permissions and preferences: permission that a subordinate may attend, and preference that the manager would otherwise go himself.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1) If only managers could attend, delegation would be impossible. Therefore I is implicit.2) The “if I am not well” condition indicates the manager expects to attend when well; otherwise the condition is unnecessary. Hence II is implicit.3) Both together justify the conditional delegation.


Verification / Alternative check:
Negate I: only managers may attend — the instruction becomes invalid. Negate II: the manager would not go even if well — the conditional clause becomes misleading. Both negations undermine the statement, confirming the assumptions are required.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Only I or only II: misses the other essential premise.
  • Either/Neither: fails the necessity test demonstrated by negation.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “allowed to attend” with “best person to attend.” The assumption is about permission/possibility, not desirability of representation quality.


Final Answer:
Both I and II are implicit

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