Statement and Assumption Questions

• Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: A advises B, “You must learn to refer to a dictionary if you want to become a good writer.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Only writers refer to the dictionary. II. All writers, good or bad, refer to the dictionary.
• Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: “Only participative management can contain industrial indiscipline and ensure a quality of life for the worker.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Quality of life in our industries is already better. II. Indiscipline leads to poor quality of life.
• Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Advertisement claim: “You really get your money’s worth when you buy from our shop.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Other shops price goods above their worth. II. Customers want full value for their money.
• Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: “The next meeting of the Institute’s Governing Board will be held after one year.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. The Institute will continue to function after one year. II. The Governing Board will be dissolved after one year.
• Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: The Municipal Corporation bans entry of vehicles from suburban areas into the main city via main routes during peak hours to avoid traffic congestion. Assumptions to evaluate: I. People from suburban areas should not bring vehicles during peak hours. II. Vehicles of city residents do not cause congestion.
• Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: “A good book, even if costly, gets sold.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Some books are better (good) than others. II. Most books are costly.
• Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: WHO will double assistance to health programmes in India because per-capita health expenditure in India is very low compared to many countries. Assumptions to evaluate: I. The enhanced assistance may substantially raise India’s per-capita health expenditure to be on par with other countries. II. Government funding in India is less than adequate to provide medical facilities.
• Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: The President assured the people that elections will be held hereafter every five years. Assumptions to evaluate: I. People fear that elections may not be held at all. II. People fear that elections may not be held after five years (i.e., not at regular five-year intervals).
• Critical Reasoning — Assumptions Statement: “Job interviews should measure personality characteristics of candidates.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Performance on the job depends on personality characteristics. II. Personality characteristics can be measured during interviews.
• Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Statement on a public notice board at a ticket window: “Please come in queue.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Unless instructed, people will not form a queue. II. People, in any case, want to purchase tickets.
• Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Principal’s note to parents: “Children who receive encouragement usually perform better.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Some parents do not encourage their children. II. Parents may follow the Principal’s advice.
• Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Advice from A to B: “According to me, you should get your child examined by a specialist doctor.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Specialist doctors diagnose better than ordinary doctors. II. B will certainly not agree with A’s advice.
• Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Policy note: “The government is making efforts to boost tourism in State X.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Tourism in State X dropped following political unrest. II. Special discounts in air fare have been announced.
• Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Personnel Manager’s argument: “The best way to solve workers’ dissatisfaction is cash rewards. This incentive solved the problem in CIDCO Company; therefore it should work here as well.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. The reasons for dissatisfaction in both companies were similar. II. Monetary incentives have universal appeal.
• Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Notice: “Do not copy our software without our permission.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. It is possible to copy the software. II. Such a warning will have some effect.
• Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Policy statement: “Retired persons should not be appointed to executive posts in other organisations.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Retired persons may lack the zeal and commitment needed for executive work. II. Retired persons do not take interest in the work and welfare of the new organisation.
• Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Delegation request: “In my absence, I request you to look after the affairs of our company,” says B to C. Assumptions to evaluate: I. C may not accept B’s request. II. C has the expertise to handle the affairs of the company.
• Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Safety announcement in a ropeway trolley: “For your own interest, please fasten your seat belts while seated.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. People are always careful about their own safety. II. Unless advised, passengers might not use the seat belts.
• Critical Reasoning — Implicit Assumptions Advertisement claim: “Banking services are fine-tuned to meet growing business needs.” Assumptions to evaluate: I. Banking is a part of business activity. II. Industrialists prefer better banking services.
• Critical Reasoning – Implicit Assumptions Statement: The ‘M’ Cooperative Housing Society has put up a notice at its gate stating that salespersons are not allowed inside the society. Assumptions: I. All salespersons will stay away from the ‘M’ Cooperative Housing Society. II. The security guard posted at the gate may be able to stop salespersons from entering the society.