Statement and Assumption Questions

• Statement–Assumption (Centre Directs States to Cut Spending): Statement: The Central Government has directed State Governments to reduce expenditure due to a serious resource crunch and may not sanction additional grants to states for the next six months. Assumptions: I) State Governments are totally dependent on the Centre for their expenditure. II) The Central Government has reviewed State expenditure accounts. III) State Governments will abide by the directives.
• Statement–Assumption (Ad Claim: “Buy Y TV for better sound quality”): Statement: “Buy ‘Y’ TV for better sound quality.” — an advertisement. Assumptions: I) ‘Y’ TV is the only TV in the market. II) ‘Y’ TV is the costliest. III) People generally ignore such advertisements.
• Statement–Assumption (“Look at her audacity—Madhu has not replied to my letter”): Statement: “Look at her audacity—Madhu has not replied to my letter,” says A to B. Assumptions: I) Madhu received A’s letter. II) Madhu did not receive A’s letter. III) The letter was sent by post.
• Statement–Assumption (Pronoun Clue About D’s Gender): Statement: “She had the ability to be a very good singer but she could not explore herself in that direction,” A tells B about D. Assumptions: I) D is a male. II) D is a female. III) A and B are close friends.
• Statement–Assumption (Ad Claim: “Use Nova cold cream for fair complexion”): Statement: “Use ‘Nova’ cold cream for fair complexion,” an advertisement. Assumptions: I) People like to use creams to attain a fair complexion. II) People are easily fooled. III) People respond to advertisements.
• Statement–Assumption (No University Responded → No Deputation): Statement: “Since no university has responded to our proposal, we shall not depute any faculty member on the course this year.” Assumptions: I) The proposal has been received by the universities. II) The proposal also indicated financial provisions. III) The proposal was unanimously approved by the State Government.
• Statement–Assumption (Introduce Objective Tests for MBA Admissions): Statement: “We must introduce objective-type tests to reform and improve our examination system for admission to the MBA,” says the chairman to the admission committee. Assumptions: I) Admissions at present are conducted directly through interviews. II) The admission committee is desirous of improving admission examinations. III) The chairman himself is an MBA.
• Statement–Assumption (Penalty for Late Electricity Bill Payments): Statement: The electricity company announced via notice: consumers who do not pay their bills by the due date will be charged a penalty for every day of default. Assumptions: I) Money collected as penalty will compensate losses caused by delayed payments. II) People generally read such notices. III) A majority will pay by the due date to avoid the penalty.
• Statement–Assumption (Editor’s Regret for Misspelt Author Name): Statement: “In our report published last week, the name of the author was miss-spelt. We regret the error,” says a magazine editor. Assumptions: I) The author’s name was not easy to spell. II) Publishing the correct name is less important than the quality of the article. III) Publishing the correct name of authors is desirable and expected.
• Statement–Assumption (Choosing Avon for Picnic to Avoid Crowd): Statement: A group of friends decided to go for a picnic to Avon during the next holiday season to avoid the crowd. Assumptions: I) Generally, fewer people go to Avon (it is less crowded than alternatives). II) People prefer other spots to Avon. III) Many people know about Avon.
• Statement–Assumption (Telephone Penalty Notice for Late Bill Payment): Statement: The telephone company notified subscribers that those who do not pay by the due date will be charged a penalty for every defaulting day. Assumptions: I) A majority will pay by the due date to avoid the penalty. II) The money collected as penalty will offset losses due to delayed payments. III) People generally pay heed to such notices.
• Statement–Assumption (Circus Extends Show for Two More Weeks): Statement: Considering the tickets sold during the last seven days, the circus authorities decided to continue the show for another fortnight including two weekends. Assumptions: I) People may not turn up on weekdays. II) The average number of visitors over the next fortnight will be similar to the last seven days (especially around weekends). III) There may not be enough response at other locations.
• Statement–Assumption (Put Anti-Smoking Slogans on Office Notice Board): Statement: “Slogans against smoking in office should be put on the notice board,” suggests an employee. Assumptions: I) The suggestion will be considered by the management. II) People do smoke in the office. III) Some people will stop or reduce smoking after reading the slogans.
• Statement–Assumption (Tarun Switches Job Due to Low Salary): Statement: Unable to manage with the present salary, Tarun joined another company. Assumptions: I) The new company has a better work environment. II) The present company offers only a moderate pay packet. III) The new company offers a higher salary to all its employees.
• Statement–Assumption (Ad: Wanted 2-Bedroom Flat in Court Area for Immediate Possession): Statement: “Wanted a two-bedroom flat in the Court area for immediate possession,” — a classified advertisement. Assumptions: I) Such flats are (or may be) available in the Court area. II) Some people will respond to the advertisement. III) It is standard practice to advertise such requirements.
• Statement–Assumption (Consultant: Prune Staff and Borrow to Restore Viability): Statement: “To make the company commercially viable, there is an urgent need to prune staff strength and borrow from financial institutions,” opines a consultant. Assumptions: I) Financial institutions will lend for such restructuring needs. II) The company’s product has a viable market (revenue can cover streamlined costs). III) The employees of the company are inefficient.
• Statement–Assumption (Cigarette Pack Warning: “Smoking is injurious to health”): Statement: “Smoking is injurious to health,” a warning printed on cigarette packets. Assumptions: I) People read printed matter on a cigarette packet. II) People take careful note of a health warning. III) Not smoking promotes better health.
• Statement–Assumption (Ad: “Z TV lets you watch two programmes simultaneously”): Statement: “‘Z’ TV is the only TV that gives viewers a chance to watch two programmes simultaneously,” says an advertisement. Assumptions: I) Sales of ‘Z’ TV may increase due to the advertisement. II) Some people will be influenced by the ad and buy ‘Z’ TV. III) Sales of ‘Z’ TV may currently be declining.
• Statement: ‘Z-TV, the only TV that lets viewers watch two programmes simultaneously’ — an advertisement. Assumptions: I. Sales of Z-TV may increase because of this advertisement. II. Some people may be influenced by the advertisement and buy Z-TV. III. The current sales of Z-TV may already be on a downward trend.
• Statement: The company has recently announced a series of incentives for employees who are punctual and sincere. Assumptions: I. Employees who are currently not punctual may be motivated by the announcement. II. The company's productivity may increase as a result. III. The company's profit may exceed the total expenditure on the incentive programme.