Critical Reasoning – Implicit Assumptions Statement (Advertisement claim): “Use PVC pipes, which have 10 years longer life than any other.” Assumptions: I. People prefer only those pipes which are durable. II. Other pipes are not durable.

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Solve this multiple-choice question and choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context:Advertising often highlights a comparative advantage—in this case, longevity of PVC pipes. We must examine which strong statements about consumer preference and competitors are required for the ad’s persuasive force. Given Data / Assumptions: Claim: PVC lasts 10 years longer than “any other.” Assumption I: Consumers prefer only durable pipes (excludes all other factors). Assumption II: Other pipes lack durability. Concept / Approach:The ad needs durability to matter, but not to the exclusion of all other buying factors (price, availability, brand, installation). It also does not need competitors to be “not durable,” only “less durable than PVC.” Step-by-Step Solution: I is too absolute (“only durable”). The ad can persuade even if durability is one among several valued attributes.II is also unnecessary: competitors may be durable, just not as long-lived as PVC. Verification / Alternative check: If buyers value durability significantly (not exclusively), the claim still works; if competitors are somewhat durable but inferior, the claim still works—thus neither I nor II is required. Why Other Options Are Wrong: I-only or II-only or Both place unwarranted extremes on preference or competitor quality.Either: At least one is required—but neither is. Common Pitfalls: Reading “advantage” as “others are bad,” and treating “important” as “only.” Final Answer:Neither I nor II is implicit

Critical Reasoning – Implicit Assumptions Statement (Advertisement claim): “Use PVC pipes, which have 10 years longer life than any other.” Assumptions: I. People prefer only those pipes which are durable. II. Other pipes are not durable.

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