Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: “Given the recent spurt in sugar prices in the open market, the government has asked dealers to release a vast quantity of imported sugar into the market.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Dealers will comply with the government directive. II. Releasing more sugar will reduce prices. III. The price of indigenous sugar will remain unchanged.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Only I and II are implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The government attempts to curb rising sugar prices by increasing supply via imported sugar. The logic rests on compliance and basic supply-demand economics, not on detailed behavior of indigenous sugar prices.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • I: Dealers will release the sugar as directed.
  • II: Increased supply will ease the price (downward pressure).
  • III: Indigenous sugar prices will remain unchanged despite the intervention.


Concept / Approach:

  • A policy directive assumes implementation (I).
  • To address high prices through supply, one must assume a standard inverse relation between supply and price (II), ceteris paribus.
  • III is not necessary: indigenous prices may adjust too; the policy does not require them to stay fixed.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Retain I: Without compliance, the directive is futile.Retain II: The intended effect is lower prices via more supply; this is the core economic premise.Reject III: The policy’s success does not rely on indigenous prices being static; total market price is the target.


Verification / Alternative check:

If I fails, no additional supply reaches the market. If II fails, higher supply would not help prices. III is unnecessary to the causal chain.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

II and III or I and III misplace emphasis on an irrelevant condition. “None” overlooks basic compliance and supply logic. “All” adds an unneeded constraint.


Common Pitfalls:

Assuming stability of all other price components; policies often target net outcomes, not invariance of every component.


Final Answer:

Only I and II are implicit

More Questions from Statement and Assumption

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion