Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: Due to violent students' agitation, the state government decides to close all educational institutions for two weeks with immediate effect. Assumptions to evaluate: I. The agitation may subside after two weeks. II. Closure will deny students a place to gather and continue the agitation.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Both I and II are implicit

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The government’s action is a crisis-management measure aimed at reducing violence. For such a measure to be reasonable, it must be grounded in beliefs about what the closure will achieve in the short term, both temporally and logistically.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Action: A two-week statewide closure of educational institutions.
  • Assumption I: The agitation is likely to cool down within about two weeks (a temporal expectation).
  • Assumption II: By closing campuses, typical gathering points are removed, disrupting the ability to continue agitation (a logistical expectation).


Concept / Approach:

  • Crisis policies are justified by expected outcomes: diffusion of crowds and de-escalation over time.
  • Both a time-based and a place-based rationale support the closure.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Assumption I: Without believing that a two-week pause helps calm tensions, choosing that duration would be arbitrary.Assumption II: The closure targets the primary venues where agitation coalesces; removing access is assumed to hinder momentum.


Verification / Alternative check:

If either assumption fails—e.g., the agitation persists regardless of time or easily shifts off-campus—the policy’s effectiveness is undermined. Having both provides the coherent rationale for the immediate closure.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Only I or Only II ignores one leg of the policy logic. Either / Neither do not reflect the dual expectations behind such emergency measures.


Common Pitfalls:

Assuming the measure must solve root causes; here it is designed to de-escalate and disrupt organization in the short term.


Final Answer:

Both I and II are implicit

More Questions from Statement and Assumption

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