Statement: "To keep myself up to date, I always listen to the 9:00 p.m. news on radio," says a candidate to an interview board. Assumptions: I. The candidate does not read newspapers. II. Only radio broadcasts the most recent news.
-
AOnly assumption I is implicit
-
BOnly assumption II is implicit
-
CEither I or II is implicit
-
DNeither I nor II is implicit
-
EBoth I and II are implicit
Answer
Correct Answer: Neither I nor II is implicit
Explanation
Introduction / Context:This item checks whether we can distinguish what a speaker actually presupposes from what is merely possible. The candidate claims a habit: listening to the 9:00 p.m. radio news keeps them up to date. We must identify assumptions without overreading the statement.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Speaker listens to radio news at a fixed time to stay updated.
- No explicit claim about newspapers or exclusivity of radio.
Concept / Approach:An assumption is necessary for the statement’s point. Possibilities are not assumptions. We test each proposed assumption by asking: if it were false, would the statement lose sense?
Step-by-Step Solution:1) Assumption I: "The candidate does not read newspapers."2) Even if the candidate also reads newspapers, they may still "always listen" to the 9 p.m. news to stay current. The statement remains meaningful.3) Assumption II: "Only radio broadcasts recent news."4) The claim is not about exclusivity; it is about a chosen method. TV, web, and newspapers might also provide updates. The statement still stands.
Verification / Alternative check:Substitute counterfactuals: If the candidate both reads newspapers and listens to the radio, the statement remains true. If other media also carry recent news, the statement still makes sense as a personal routine.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Only I: Not necessary.
- Only II: Not necessary.
- Either / Both: Overstate what the statement requires.
Common Pitfalls:Assuming exclusivity when the statement indicates preference or habit, not a logical monopoly.
Final Answer:Neither I nor II is implicit.