Statement and Assumption Questions

• Statement: The Government transferred the entire staff of police station X and ordered a magisterial inquiry into the mysterious death of a man in police custody. Assumptions: I. A magisterial inquiry can uncover the cause of death in custody. II. Transferring the entire staff helps ensure a free and fair inquiry.
• Statement: "Bring your education dreams to life. Avail a student loan today and start repayment only when you begin earning." — an advertisement by Bank XYZ. Assumptions: I. Students who need loans prefer flexible repayment options (such as repayment after employment), besides low or zero processing charges. II. Students who need loans prefer loans without collateral security.
• Statement: To make the Conditional Access System (CAS) more consumer-friendly, the Government notified that cable operators must declare pay-channel rates by June 15. Assumptions: I. Cable operators may be unable to declare rates by June 15 due to inadequate time. II. Businesses have their own compulsions and want to test their markets independently.
• Statement: "Despite a draconian crackdown on software pirates announced last year in country X, the country remains the world’s third-largest market for bootleg computer programs," reports a journalist. Assumptions: I. Computer piracy is declining worldwide but increasing in country X. II. A draconian crackdown can or should “bring bootleggers to hell” (completely stop them).
• Statement: "Problems with your spouse and too little time to talk things through? Online couples therapy may be for you." — an advertisement. Assumptions: I. People may have sufficient trust in online therapy to consider using it. II. Time-pressed couples expect online, therapist-mediated chats to deliver results comparable to face-to-face therapy.
• Statement: "If you see any street lights on during the day, or notice electricity pilferage, please inform us." — a notice by NDPL to the public. Assumptions: I. Watching TV together and using a single fan/cooler/AC will help conserve electricity. II. Power generation is limited; joint conservation efforts can help maintain reliable electricity supply.
• Statement: A militant group that infiltrated Indian territory kidnapped a local resident and forced him to act as a guide. Assumptions: I. Local residents have good knowledge of the terrain and routes in and around the area. II. Even under coercion, a local guide may still provide proper and accurate guidance.
• Statement: Being unable to schedule adequate training sessions for the national team, country X has decided not to defend the LG Cup it won last year in city Z. Assumptions: I. Without playing several matches against major soccer-playing nations, defending the LG Cup would be futile. II. Entering the tournament underprepared may result in failure for country X.
• Statement: “I want Multinational Companies (MNCs) out of the water business. I don’t mind them in road construction or other areas.” — says a community water activist. Assumptions: I. Water is fundamental to life, and communities should own or control it. II. (Repaired) MNCs are on the prowl to buy or control rivers and water sources.
• Statement: Courier companies, led by major brands, plan a 25–30% hike in courier/parcel rates after domestic airlines raised onboard courier rates by 67%. Assumptions: I. Without raising rates, the industry would suffer huge losses and might shrink or shut operations. II. The hike in courier/parcel rates may compensate for the increased airline charges.
• Statement: “Before you hire a domestic help, get his/her background verified through us. Your family’s safety depends on this simple step.” — City Police. Assumptions: I. Police verification of domestic help is an effective measure for preventing crime. II. The verification of domestic help’s antecedents is a simple process.
• Statement: “My life has become a burden on too many people. Jumping from a multistoreyed building will bring happiness to many. I blame no one. Please let me die peacefully.” — a 19-year-old’s suicide note. Assumptions: I. Jumping from a multistoreyed building will cause death. II. Jumping is the easiest method among forms of suicide such as hanging, burning, or poisoning.
• Statement: “If we truly wish to reduce the menace of smoking, our deeds should reflect it — including our movies, which currently depict smoking far more than actual consumption among the public.” — view of Mr X. Assumptions: I. There is a strong link between films and viewers’ behavior. II. Showing smoking in movies increases smoking among the public. III. The menace of smoking can be reduced through proper planning and appropriate efforts.
• Statement: “Why are only high-profile people considered adventurous? Villagers in India, with no buses, walk barefoot for miles on dusty, untarred roads — isn’t that more adventurous than rafting or gliding?” — a person’s view. Assumptions: I. Walking barefoot for miles on dusty, untarred roads is a Herculean task. II. Rafting and gliding are considered adventurous by people. III. Walking barefoot for miles on dusty, untarred roads is not considered adventurous by people.
• Statement: “Publish the names of the ten worst colleges/institutions; this will lead to an overall improvement of Indian institutes.” — a reader’s request to a weekly’s editor. Assumptions: I. Naming and shaming will pressure management/administrators to improve conditions. II. The move will help admission-seekers avoid degraded institutions. III. The editor may accept the request and take positive steps.
• Statement: “City X should have more women driving public transport because most women do not over-speed, avoid mobile phone use while driving, do not play blaring music, and rarely jump red lights.” — a minister of state X. Assumptions: I. Increasing women drivers will create more job opportunities for women. II. Women are more disciplined than men on the roads. III. More women drivers would increase commuter safety.
• Statement: “Performing complex mental tasks while driving is dangerous.” — a psychologist. Assumptions: I. Increased cognitive load reduces the driver’s ability to detect hazards and react safely. II. Hands-free phone conversations can be as safe—or as risky—as talking to a passenger, depending on the conversational demands. III. Human insecurity is a man-made problem.
• Statement: “Despite a hike in the electricity tariff, power is still cheap in City X,” says the Power Minister. Assumptions: I. The cost of purchasing or generating electricity is much higher in City X than in the neighbouring states. II. A hike in tariff generally makes power costlier for consumers. Which of the above assumptions is implicit in the statement?
• Statement: “Supporting the Reserve Bank of India’s Clean Note Policy, we have introduced special polythene currency-note packets. These are secure, transparent, and unstapled. Please help us maintain this.” — A request to customers of Bank XYZ. Assumptions: I. Writing on currency notes is not in tune with RBI’s Clean Note Policy. II. Only people’s participation is sufficient to achieve the RBI policy’s desired outcome. Which of the above assumptions is implicit in the statement?
• Statement: “India needs a dedicated military satellite for future defence purposes, where communication will play a vital role in quick decision-making,” says the Chief of Air Staff. Assumptions: I. Future wars will be fought primarily through air and aerospace. II. Faster (speedy) communication enables quicker decision-making. Which of the above assumptions is implicit in the statement?