Introduction / Context:
Policy recommendations often rest on multiple assumptions. Here, the measure “provide mid-day meals” aims specifically to increase attendance. We must identify which beliefs must be true for this policy to plausibly achieve its target.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Goal: Increase the number of students attending school.
- Instrument: Mid-day meals in primary schools.
- Assumption I: Meals will attract children to school.
- Assumption II: Food-deprived children will be motivated to attend for the meals.
Concept / Approach:
For the policy to work, the incentive must change behavior. Assumption I captures the general behavioral link: meals → increased attendance. Assumption II captures a key target group likely to respond (nutritionally deprived children). While I is the primary requirement, II reasonably underpins the mechanism of impact and is often part of the rationale in such programs, making both assumptions implicit in the policy logic.
Step-by-Step Solution:
If I is false (meals do not attract children), the policy cannot increase attendance → I is necessary.If II is false (deprived children would not attend even with meals), the expected boost among the most responsive segment vanishes, greatly weakening the policy’s rationale. The statement’s targeted logic (increase by offering meals) tacitly banks on such children responding → II is implicit.
Verification / Alternative check:
Real-world school feeding schemes rely on both general attractiveness and the specific draw for undernourished children. Without either, attendance gains become doubtful.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Only I (option a) overlooks the central target group that drives the effect.Only II (option b) ignores the broader draw.Either (option c) is too weak; both complement each other.Neither (option d) contradicts the explicit rationale.
Common Pitfalls:
Treating a core beneficiary segment as “extra” rather than integral to the intended effect of an incentive policy.
Final Answer:
Both I and II are implicit
Discussion & Comments