Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: The Municipal Corporation bans entry of vehicles from suburban areas into the main city via main routes during peak hours to avoid traffic congestion. Assumptions to evaluate: I. People from suburban areas should not bring vehicles during peak hours. II. Vehicles of city residents do not cause congestion.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Only assumption I is implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Policy announcements imply a view about what should or should not happen to achieve a goal. Here the goal is to reduce peak-hour congestion by restricting suburban vehicles on main routes. We must identify the minimum presuppositions enabling this ban to make sense.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Decision: Ban suburban vehicles on main routes during peak hours.
  • Assumption I: Suburban commuters ought to avoid bringing vehicles then (normative backing of the ban).
  • Assumption II: City residents’ vehicles are not a source of congestion.


Concept / Approach:

  • A ban directed at a specific group assumes curbing that group’s vehicles will help; it carries an implied “should not” for that group at that time.
  • However, the policy need not assume that city vehicles never cause congestion; the ban could still be helpful even if city vehicles contribute to some extent.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Assumption I is necessary—otherwise, there is no normative basis for prohibiting suburban entries during peak hours.Assumption II is not necessary—congestion may have multiple contributors; targeting one major contributor can still be justified.


Verification / Alternative check:

Keep I and drop II: The policy retains sense. Keep II and drop I: The ban lacks a directed rationale.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

II or Both: Overstate the requirement by demanding an absolute about city vehicles.


Common Pitfalls:

Assuming a policy must eliminate all causes rather than address a significant one.


Final Answer:

Only assumption I is implicit

More Questions from Statement and Assumption

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