Critical reasoning — identify implicit assumptions Statement: The school authority decided to open a summer school on the campus this year for students aged 7 to 14 years. Assumptions to evaluate: I. All students will attend the summer school. II. All parents will prefer to remain in the city to enable their children to attend. III. Families that cannot afford travel out of town will send their children to the summer school.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: None is implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Schools often offer optional summer programs. The decision to open such a program does not necessarily depend on sweeping claims about universal attendance, parental choices, or economic status of families. We must find which assumptions are truly required.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • A summer school is being opened for ages 7–14 on campus.
  • I: Every student will attend.
  • II: All parents will stay in the city to facilitate attendance.
  • III: Families unable to travel will send their children.


Concept / Approach:
A policy decision can be justified by partial participation, enrichment goals, or resource utilization. It does not require extreme universals like “all will attend” or socioeconomic profiling of attendees.



Step-by-Step Solution:

I is unnecessary: programs can run with partial enrollment; viability does not need 100% participation.II is unnecessary: the school cannot presume citywide travel plans; the offer is an option, not a mandate.III is unnecessary: the decision does not hinge on why families enroll; it merely provides an opportunity.


Verification / Alternative check:
Even if only a subset attends for diverse reasons (academic, sports, childcare), the program still serves its purpose, confirming that none of the listed assumptions is essential.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Only II / Only III / II and III / All: each imports stronger conditions than needed for the school’s reasonable decision.


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming any service offering implies universal uptake or a specific demographic; mistaking possibility for necessity.



Final Answer:
None is implicit

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