Critical reasoning — identify implicit assumptions: Statement: Many people have expressed surprise because the princess has broken the royal tradition of marriage by choosing a commoner as her life partner. Assumptions: I. People expect royal families to observe customs and traditions. II. People still value the “purity of royal blood” and high social status in royal marriages.

Introduction / Context:
The statement reports public “surprise” at a princess breaking royal marital tradition. We must identify which assumptions are necessary for this reaction to be coherent. In such items, focus on what is minimally required for the reported reaction to make sense.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Action: The princess chooses a commoner, breaking tradition.
• Reaction: Many people are surprised.
• Assumption I: People expect the royal family to follow tradition.
• Assumption II: People value royal blood purity and status in such marriages.

Concept / Approach:
Surprise at a rule-breaking action typically presupposes an expectation that the rule or custom would be followed. Whether people specifically value blood purity or social status is an additional, stronger assumption that is not strictly required to explain the surprise.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Negate I: If people did not expect adherence to customs, the act would not be surprising; the reported reaction becomes inexplicable. Negate II: Even if people no longer care about blood purity, the act can still surprise because it breaks an established tradition.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Only II / Either / Both: These overstate the requirement by importing a specific value judgment not necessary for surprise.
• Neither: Fails to recognize the expectation underpinning surprise.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing general expectation of rule-following with particular ideological reasons (status, bloodline) for holding that expectation.

Final Answer:
Only assumption I is implicit