Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Statement: “Present-day education is in shambles and the country is going to the dogs.” Assumptions to test: I. A good education system is essential for the well-being of a nation. II. A good education alone is sufficient for the well-being of a nation.

Introduction / Context:
The speaker links a failing education system with national decline. We must determine which assumptions must be true for this causal lament to be meaningful.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Main complaint: education is failing; nation is deteriorating.
• Assumption I: strong education is essential to national well-being.
• Assumption II: good education alone is sufficient to ensure national well-being.

Concept / Approach:
When someone blames one system (education) for broader national decline, they typically presume that system is a key pillar needed for health of the nation. However, claiming exclusivity or sufficiency is stronger and usually not required.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Negate I: if education is unimportant, the complaint loses force. Negate II: admitting other factors matter does not weaken the complaint that poor education harms the nation. Therefore only I is implicit.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• II alone, Either, Neither, Both—each misreads the necessary scope of the speaker’s causal link.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming “essential” equals “sufficient.” Essential is necessary; sufficient means nothing else is needed—an unnecessarily strong claim.

Final Answer:
Only assumption I is implicit