Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Statement: The present examination system needs overhauling thoroughly. Assumptions: I. The present examination system is obsolete or inadequate. II. Overhauling will result in improvement.
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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: Both I and II are implicit
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Calling for a thorough overhaul of an examination system implies judgments about its current state and about the efficacy of overhauling. We must surface those necessary judgments (assumptions).
Given Data / Assumptions:
- A recommendation: “needs overhauling thoroughly.”
- Assumption I: the current system is obsolete/inadequate.
- Assumption II: overhauling is expected to improve matters.
Concept / Approach:Recommendations presuppose two things: (a) the status quo is unsatisfactory, and (b) the proposed remedy is beneficial. Without both, the recommendation lacks rationale.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) If the present system were adequate, a thorough overhaul would be unnecessary. Thus I is implicit.2) If overhauling did not lead to improvement, recommending it would be pointless or harmful. Hence II is implicit.3) Both premises support the call for overhaul; remove either and the prescription loses force.Verification / Alternative check:Negate I: the system is fine — recommendation collapses. Negate II: overhaul will not improve — recommendation is irrational. The necessity test confirms both are assumptions.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Only I or only II: misses half the rationale behind a policy recommendation.
- Either/Neither: fail the negation test of necessity.
Common Pitfalls:Interpreting “obsolete” narrowly as “old.” The core is inadequacy for current needs; “overhauling” targets functional improvement, which is the assumed benefit.
Final Answer:Both I and II are implicit