Assumption - LSAT Logical Reasoning
Card 1 of 392
Outlining a story's plotline before actually drafting the story reduces the amount of writing time. But writing a story through free-writing to generate a first draft, which then can be reformulated through rigorous editing, produces a more creative narration of events. Therefore, when quality fiction writing is more important than generating a quick writing product, outlining should give way to free-writing.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
Outlining a story's plotline before actually drafting the story reduces the amount of writing time. But writing a story through free-writing to generate a first draft, which then can be reformulated through rigorous editing, produces a more creative narration of events. Therefore, when quality fiction writing is more important than generating a quick writing product, outlining should give way to free-writing.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
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The conclusion speaks of free-writing as better than outlining when it comes to generating quality fiction. The premise (i.e., the evidence) for that conclusion speaks of "creative narration of events." That idea does not appear in the conclusion, so in order to link the premise to the conclusion, the assumption must address it in some meaningful way. The correct answer here does just that, by linking the idea of "creative narration of events" and the point in the conclusion about quality fiction.
The conclusion speaks of free-writing as better than outlining when it comes to generating quality fiction. The premise (i.e., the evidence) for that conclusion speaks of "creative narration of events." That idea does not appear in the conclusion, so in order to link the premise to the conclusion, the assumption must address it in some meaningful way. The correct answer here does just that, by linking the idea of "creative narration of events" and the point in the conclusion about quality fiction.
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Among the various models of racing cars used in top-level racing competitions, one cannot predict a car's ability to reach maximum speed simply by the horsepower of the motor. The efficiency of a motor's fuel-injection system varies significantly, even between racing cars with motors of comparable horsepower.
The argument's conclusion is properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed?
Among the various models of racing cars used in top-level racing competitions, one cannot predict a car's ability to reach maximum speed simply by the horsepower of the motor. The efficiency of a motor's fuel-injection system varies significantly, even between racing cars with motors of comparable horsepower.
The argument's conclusion is properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed?
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The conclusion of this argument speaks to the ability to predict a race car's quickness in reaching maximum speed---horsepower alone won't permit an accurate prediction. Why? The argument states that the efficiency of the fuel-injection system varies among comparable cars. This suggests that the fuel-injection system is a critical factor in a car's ability to reach maximum speed. And that indeed is the unstated assumption. The "efficiency of the fuel-injection system" is the key term in the evidence portion of the argument that is not stated in the conclusion, and it is that key term that must be contained in the assumption. Any answer choice that does not mention that key term can be immediately eliminated.
The conclusion of this argument speaks to the ability to predict a race car's quickness in reaching maximum speed---horsepower alone won't permit an accurate prediction. Why? The argument states that the efficiency of the fuel-injection system varies among comparable cars. This suggests that the fuel-injection system is a critical factor in a car's ability to reach maximum speed. And that indeed is the unstated assumption. The "efficiency of the fuel-injection system" is the key term in the evidence portion of the argument that is not stated in the conclusion, and it is that key term that must be contained in the assumption. Any answer choice that does not mention that key term can be immediately eliminated.
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The company now only hires persons with a post-graduate degree. Further, the company prefers to hire employees with significant work experience. Performance evaluations over the years have shown, however, that new hires with significant work experience outperform those without such experience, regardless of education level. Therefore, if the company relaxes the degree requirement and makes significant work experience mandatory, overall employee performance among new hires should increase.
Which one of the following is an assumption that would allow the conclusion above to be properly drawn?
The company now only hires persons with a post-graduate degree. Further, the company prefers to hire employees with significant work experience. Performance evaluations over the years have shown, however, that new hires with significant work experience outperform those without such experience, regardless of education level. Therefore, if the company relaxes the degree requirement and makes significant work experience mandatory, overall employee performance among new hires should increase.
Which one of the following is an assumption that would allow the conclusion above to be properly drawn?
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The correct answer is an unstated premise necessary to the argument’s conclusion, which is that “overall employee performance among new hires should increase.” Without this premise, it is possible that new hires’ performance will merely remain the same, as the company’s new hires may have all had significant work experience (despite it being a preference and not a requirement).
The correct answer is an unstated premise necessary to the argument’s conclusion, which is that “overall employee performance among new hires should increase.” Without this premise, it is possible that new hires’ performance will merely remain the same, as the company’s new hires may have all had significant work experience (despite it being a preference and not a requirement).
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Magazine article: Multivitamins seem to be taken mostly by the people who do not need them. Studies have shown that among those who take a multivitamin at least once a week, over 70% reported that they also eat, on average, the recommended daily allotment of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. As one researcher put it, this is like “getting the same vaccination twice.” For these people, the multivitamin is simply not necessary.
Which one of the following is an assumption upon which the magazine article’s argument depends?
Magazine article: Multivitamins seem to be taken mostly by the people who do not need them. Studies have shown that among those who take a multivitamin at least once a week, over 70% reported that they also eat, on average, the recommended daily allotment of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. As one researcher put it, this is like “getting the same vaccination twice.” For these people, the multivitamin is simply not necessary.
Which one of the following is an assumption upon which the magazine article’s argument depends?
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The article assumes, without stating, that multivitamins’ only benefits are equivalent to those gained by eating a proper amount of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If this assumption is false, the argument is invalid, as there could be other reasons to take multivitamins.
The article assumes, without stating, that multivitamins’ only benefits are equivalent to those gained by eating a proper amount of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If this assumption is false, the argument is invalid, as there could be other reasons to take multivitamins.
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Some recent classical music can be considered masterpieces. All masterpieces have a tight melodic structure. Furthermore, any piece of classical music that does not appeal to most aficionados of that musical genre cannot be deemed a masterpiece.
Each of the following statements follows logically from the assertions above EXCEPT:
Some recent classical music can be considered masterpieces. All masterpieces have a tight melodic structure. Furthermore, any piece of classical music that does not appeal to most aficionados of that musical genre cannot be deemed a masterpiece.
Each of the following statements follows logically from the assertions above EXCEPT:
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This is a formal logic question that calls for an inference based upon the logical structure of the argument. It is best to reformulate the statements into simple conditional declarations (if-then statements) and then note the contrapositive. Here is a suggested reformulation: If masterpiece (M), then tight melodic structure (TMS). Contrapositive: If no TMS, then not M. If not appealing to aficionados (not A), then not M. Contrapositive: If M, then A. Some recent classical music (R) are masterpieces. Therefore, some R have TMS and are M. All of the answer choices that express one of these conditional statements follow logically from the argument presented. Those are the incorrect responses. The correct response—in effect, If TMS, then A (“Only classical music that has a tight melodic structure appeals to classical music aficionados”)—does not comport with any of these logical conditional statements.
This is a formal logic question that calls for an inference based upon the logical structure of the argument. It is best to reformulate the statements into simple conditional declarations (if-then statements) and then note the contrapositive. Here is a suggested reformulation: If masterpiece (M), then tight melodic structure (TMS). Contrapositive: If no TMS, then not M. If not appealing to aficionados (not A), then not M. Contrapositive: If M, then A. Some recent classical music (R) are masterpieces. Therefore, some R have TMS and are M. All of the answer choices that express one of these conditional statements follow logically from the argument presented. Those are the incorrect responses. The correct response—in effect, If TMS, then A (“Only classical music that has a tight melodic structure appeals to classical music aficionados”)—does not comport with any of these logical conditional statements.
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Some have argued that the Tibutu tribe know nothing about the concept of private property because the Tibutu do not have in their dialect any word or phrase that appears to capture the concept. But this is pure nonsense. A person who drinks water and uses it for bathing surely knows what water is, even if that person has no word for it.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
Some have argued that the Tibutu tribe know nothing about the concept of private property because the Tibutu do not have in their dialect any word or phrase that appears to capture the concept. But this is pure nonsense. A person who drinks water and uses it for bathing surely knows what water is, even if that person has no word for it.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
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First we must identify the conclusion: It is wrong to conclude that the Tibutu do not understand the concept of private property. Second we must articulate the premise or evidence for that conclusion: drinking and using water can lead to knowledge of water, even without attaching a name to it (experiencing something is enough to gain knowledge of that thing). The assumption must link the premise or evidence to the conclusion. To do that, we must identify the word, phrase, or concept (or idea) in the premise or evidence that does not appear in the conclusion. That is relatively easy here—the idea of experiencing water as a way to gain knowledge of it is the key point that must appear in the assumption. The correct response expresses the key idea in the premise and links it to the conclusion. Note that the answer choice that invokes the idea of experiencing something as a way to know it states something extreme—namely, that is “better” to experience something than to have a name for it when it comes to gaining knowledge of it. While perhaps true, that qualitative judgment is not expressed or implied in the argument, so it is not the correct answer choice.
First we must identify the conclusion: It is wrong to conclude that the Tibutu do not understand the concept of private property. Second we must articulate the premise or evidence for that conclusion: drinking and using water can lead to knowledge of water, even without attaching a name to it (experiencing something is enough to gain knowledge of that thing). The assumption must link the premise or evidence to the conclusion. To do that, we must identify the word, phrase, or concept (or idea) in the premise or evidence that does not appear in the conclusion. That is relatively easy here—the idea of experiencing water as a way to gain knowledge of it is the key point that must appear in the assumption. The correct response expresses the key idea in the premise and links it to the conclusion. Note that the answer choice that invokes the idea of experiencing something as a way to know it states something extreme—namely, that is “better” to experience something than to have a name for it when it comes to gaining knowledge of it. While perhaps true, that qualitative judgment is not expressed or implied in the argument, so it is not the correct answer choice.
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Spiritual guru: All forms of analysis involve making distinctions, which is nothing more than using logic like a knife to slice up so-called “Reality". So we can say that analytical thought necessarily ignores the unifying features of all material forms and concepts. It likewise follows that non-analytical thought that embraces spiritual sensibilities is a more profound form of engagement with reality.
Which one of the following is an assumption necessary for the spiritual guru’s conclusion to be properly drawn?
Spiritual guru: All forms of analysis involve making distinctions, which is nothing more than using logic like a knife to slice up so-called “Reality". So we can say that analytical thought necessarily ignores the unifying features of all material forms and concepts. It likewise follows that non-analytical thought that embraces spiritual sensibilities is a more profound form of engagement with reality.
Which one of the following is an assumption necessary for the spiritual guru’s conclusion to be properly drawn?
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To derive the assumption, we must first identify the conclusion of the argument—to wit, “Non-analytical thought offers a more profound way to engage with reality than does analytical thought.” What is the evidence or premise to that conclusion? We can express it as something like this, as a paraphrase of what is expressed fully in the argument: “Analytical thought ignores ‘unity’ of all things.” What is a term or concept in the premise that does not appear in the conclusion? Answer: the notion of “unity.” So the assumption must contain within it some expression of that notion. More particularly, the assumption involves some notion of “grasping unity” as a way to penetrate “reality” in a more profound way. The credited answer choice expresses that notion precisely. The others miss the mark inasmuch as they do not express the key idea of “grasping unity” as a way to understand “reality” in a “profound” way.
To derive the assumption, we must first identify the conclusion of the argument—to wit, “Non-analytical thought offers a more profound way to engage with reality than does analytical thought.” What is the evidence or premise to that conclusion? We can express it as something like this, as a paraphrase of what is expressed fully in the argument: “Analytical thought ignores ‘unity’ of all things.” What is a term or concept in the premise that does not appear in the conclusion? Answer: the notion of “unity.” So the assumption must contain within it some expression of that notion. More particularly, the assumption involves some notion of “grasping unity” as a way to penetrate “reality” in a more profound way. The credited answer choice expresses that notion precisely. The others miss the mark inasmuch as they do not express the key idea of “grasping unity” as a way to understand “reality” in a “profound” way.
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Psychologist: Those suffering addictions to alcohol or drugs often rely on people close to them to facilitate their maladaptive behavior. They often manipulate others to feel guilty by withdrawing affection or attention until the other person capitulates and seeks to ingratiate him or herself to the addict. The person then caters to the addict, helps the addict get what he or she wants—namely, drink or drugs—and their relationship has some semblance of being strengthened. This pattern of guilt-inducement and guilt-relieving behavior by the addict and the facilitating partner is repeated such that the level of manipulation escalates to the point of intolerability.
The description offered by the psychologist best illustrates which one of the following generalizations?
Psychologist: Those suffering addictions to alcohol or drugs often rely on people close to them to facilitate their maladaptive behavior. They often manipulate others to feel guilty by withdrawing affection or attention until the other person capitulates and seeks to ingratiate him or herself to the addict. The person then caters to the addict, helps the addict get what he or she wants—namely, drink or drugs—and their relationship has some semblance of being strengthened. This pattern of guilt-inducement and guilt-relieving behavior by the addict and the facilitating partner is repeated such that the level of manipulation escalates to the point of intolerability.
The description offered by the psychologist best illustrates which one of the following generalizations?
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The psychologist gives a description of a certain repeated pattern of behavior which involves an addict and another person to whom the addict is close. That pattern reflects how one person’s behavior triggers responding behavior by the other, such that the behavior of both people is constantly being reinforced. The credited response must capture this mutual-reinforcement phenomenon. The argument by the psychologist is not calculated to tag all addicts as manipulative and untrustworthy; nor does it warn against having an intimate relationship with all addicts. Finally, the argument does not concern itself with how an addict develops his or her behavior pattern. So all of the other answer choices, to one degree or another, miss the mark.
The psychologist gives a description of a certain repeated pattern of behavior which involves an addict and another person to whom the addict is close. That pattern reflects how one person’s behavior triggers responding behavior by the other, such that the behavior of both people is constantly being reinforced. The credited response must capture this mutual-reinforcement phenomenon. The argument by the psychologist is not calculated to tag all addicts as manipulative and untrustworthy; nor does it warn against having an intimate relationship with all addicts. Finally, the argument does not concern itself with how an addict develops his or her behavior pattern. So all of the other answer choices, to one degree or another, miss the mark.
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No Alphas are Xenons, but all Omegas are Xenons. Therefore, no Omegas belong to the class of Homunculus.
Which one of the following assumptions permits the conclusion above to be properly drawn?
No Alphas are Xenons, but all Omegas are Xenons. Therefore, no Omegas belong to the class of Homunculus.
Which one of the following assumptions permits the conclusion above to be properly drawn?
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This is a formal logic problem. First, note the conclusion: If Omega, then not Homunculus. Second, note the evidence/premises: If Xenon, then not Alpha (or you can put it in its contrapositive form: If Alpha, then not Xenon).; and If Omega, then Xenon. To find the assumption, look for the missing term in the evidence/premises that does not appear in the conclusion---namely, Alpha. So we can eliminate any answer choice that does not mention Alpha.
To elaborate in order to select the proper answer choice, we can see that the premises come down to this (combining the two propositions): If Omega, then not Alpha. The conclusion states: If Omega, then not Homunculus. Therefore, the assumption has to be If not Alpha, then not Homunculus. Take the contrapositive of that: If H, then A. And that is what credited answer choice states.
This is a formal logic problem. First, note the conclusion: If Omega, then not Homunculus. Second, note the evidence/premises: If Xenon, then not Alpha (or you can put it in its contrapositive form: If Alpha, then not Xenon).; and If Omega, then Xenon. To find the assumption, look for the missing term in the evidence/premises that does not appear in the conclusion---namely, Alpha. So we can eliminate any answer choice that does not mention Alpha.
To elaborate in order to select the proper answer choice, we can see that the premises come down to this (combining the two propositions): If Omega, then not Alpha. The conclusion states: If Omega, then not Homunculus. Therefore, the assumption has to be If not Alpha, then not Homunculus. Take the contrapositive of that: If H, then A. And that is what credited answer choice states.
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Political scientist: Quality public education at the high school level leads to a citizenry more attuned to the problems of the community and of the society at large. But quality public education at the high school level does not necessarily lead to a citizenry capable of discerning which politicians are best equipped to address those problems, since campaign money can distort how arguments for change are presented. Consequently, rapid but foolhardy change may occur in a society that quickly improves its public education system at the high school level but does not address the problem of money in politics.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the political scientist's argument depends?
Political scientist: Quality public education at the high school level leads to a citizenry more attuned to the problems of the community and of the society at large. But quality public education at the high school level does not necessarily lead to a citizenry capable of discerning which politicians are best equipped to address those problems, since campaign money can distort how arguments for change are presented. Consequently, rapid but foolhardy change may occur in a society that quickly improves its public education system at the high school level but does not address the problem of money in politics.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the political scientist's argument depends?
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First, identify the conclusion: "Rapid but foolhardy change may occur in a society that quickly improves its public education system at the high school level but does not address the problem of money in politics."
Second, identify the key terms in the evidence/premises with a paraphrase of what is presented in the passage: for example, you might say, "campaign contributions (money in politics) distorts the electoral process."
What key term in the evidence/premises does not appear in the conclusion? Obviously, something relating to unbridled campaign contributions (i.e., the distorting affects of money in politics). That key term or idea must be at work in the assumption, and therefore it must appear in the correct answer choice. So we can quickly eliminate any answer choice that does not speak to this key term or idea.
The credited response speaks directly to the distorting effects of uncontrolled money in politics without the use of extreme language and without resort to unnecessary "ought" or "should" assertions. Note how the wrong answers either use extreme language or resort to claims that urge some kind of action (whereas the argument does not assume something about action that is needed---though it may lead to an INFERENCE that certain action would be wise, but that is not an assumption).
First, identify the conclusion: "Rapid but foolhardy change may occur in a society that quickly improves its public education system at the high school level but does not address the problem of money in politics."
Second, identify the key terms in the evidence/premises with a paraphrase of what is presented in the passage: for example, you might say, "campaign contributions (money in politics) distorts the electoral process."
What key term in the evidence/premises does not appear in the conclusion? Obviously, something relating to unbridled campaign contributions (i.e., the distorting affects of money in politics). That key term or idea must be at work in the assumption, and therefore it must appear in the correct answer choice. So we can quickly eliminate any answer choice that does not speak to this key term or idea.
The credited response speaks directly to the distorting effects of uncontrolled money in politics without the use of extreme language and without resort to unnecessary "ought" or "should" assertions. Note how the wrong answers either use extreme language or resort to claims that urge some kind of action (whereas the argument does not assume something about action that is needed---though it may lead to an INFERENCE that certain action would be wise, but that is not an assumption).
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News programs that have public intellectuals as guests often result in high-level discussions about social issues that many find uncomfortable or disturbing. For example, leftist intellectuals like Noam Chomsky and rightist intellectuals like William F. Buckley often angered and shocked television viewers, precisely because they prompted discussions that question basic assumptions many of us have about ourselves and the world. It is therefore quite clear that news programs on PBS (Public Broadcasting System), because they do not shy away from having controversial public intellectuals as guests, should continue to receive public funding.
Which one of the following is an assumption that the above argument requires in order for its conclusion to be properly drawn?
News programs that have public intellectuals as guests often result in high-level discussions about social issues that many find uncomfortable or disturbing. For example, leftist intellectuals like Noam Chomsky and rightist intellectuals like William F. Buckley often angered and shocked television viewers, precisely because they prompted discussions that question basic assumptions many of us have about ourselves and the world. It is therefore quite clear that news programs on PBS (Public Broadcasting System), because they do not shy away from having controversial public intellectuals as guests, should continue to receive public funding.
Which one of the following is an assumption that the above argument requires in order for its conclusion to be properly drawn?
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The conclusion here is readily identifiable. It advocates the use of PUBLIC FUNDS to support PBS news programs. Why? The answer to this "why?" question is our evidence: the appearance of public intellectuals on news programs often lead to high-level discussions that many might find disturbing or controversial. So the assumption needs to speak to the issue of "high-level discussions" that disturb many people since that is a term or idea that does not appear in the conclusion. Moreover, that key term or idea must operate in a way to link the evidence to the key idea in the conclusion, which is the notion of "public funding." The credited response does precisely that, whereas the wrong answer choices tend to go off in irrelevant or non-essential directions.
The conclusion here is readily identifiable. It advocates the use of PUBLIC FUNDS to support PBS news programs. Why? The answer to this "why?" question is our evidence: the appearance of public intellectuals on news programs often lead to high-level discussions that many might find disturbing or controversial. So the assumption needs to speak to the issue of "high-level discussions" that disturb many people since that is a term or idea that does not appear in the conclusion. Moreover, that key term or idea must operate in a way to link the evidence to the key idea in the conclusion, which is the notion of "public funding." The credited response does precisely that, whereas the wrong answer choices tend to go off in irrelevant or non-essential directions.
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A great film is not always appreciated by film critics when it is first released. In fact, many films now considered great were poorly reviewed upon their release; some critics even walked out of the initial screenings. Therefore, we must wait at least twenty years before determining the greatness of any particular film.
Which one of the following is an assumption that the argument requires in order for its conclusion to be properly drawn?
A great film is not always appreciated by film critics when it is first released. In fact, many films now considered great were poorly reviewed upon their release; some critics even walked out of the initial screenings. Therefore, we must wait at least twenty years before determining the greatness of any particular film.
Which one of the following is an assumption that the argument requires in order for its conclusion to be properly drawn?
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Nothing in the argument as written explains why the greatness of a film cannot be determined upon its release. To draw that conclusion, the argument requires a connecting premise indicating that a period of time (in this case, twenty years) must elapse to determine greatness because initial impressions might be inaccurate. The other answer choices either restate premises already contained in the argument, or state premises which do not support the conclusion.
Nothing in the argument as written explains why the greatness of a film cannot be determined upon its release. To draw that conclusion, the argument requires a connecting premise indicating that a period of time (in this case, twenty years) must elapse to determine greatness because initial impressions might be inaccurate. The other answer choices either restate premises already contained in the argument, or state premises which do not support the conclusion.
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Advertisement: Most cable companies are misleading you as to their prices. Their strategy is to advertise a low price, then tack on hidden fees after the customer has been “hooked.” The overall cost of that cable subscription often ends up to 20% higher than the advertised price. At Cool Cable, we state the full price of the subscription up front, so you know exactly what kind of deal you’re getting. This will help you make a more informed decision.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the advertisement’s argument depends?
Advertisement: Most cable companies are misleading you as to their prices. Their strategy is to advertise a low price, then tack on hidden fees after the customer has been “hooked.” The overall cost of that cable subscription often ends up to 20% higher than the advertised price. At Cool Cable, we state the full price of the subscription up front, so you know exactly what kind of deal you’re getting. This will help you make a more informed decision.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the advertisement’s argument depends?
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The argument states that giving the price up front will help people make a more informed decision than if they are charged hidden fees and given the total price later. For this statement to be valid, it must be true that decisions are less informed in the latter scenario. People’s awareness or preference as to the timing of prices are irrelevant; the key is whether they are more or less informed as a result of a particular advertising strategy.
The argument states that giving the price up front will help people make a more informed decision than if they are charged hidden fees and given the total price later. For this statement to be valid, it must be true that decisions are less informed in the latter scenario. People’s awareness or preference as to the timing of prices are irrelevant; the key is whether they are more or less informed as a result of a particular advertising strategy.
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Nutritionist: Water is often called the “universal elixir” because of its importance to the body in recovering from illnesses as well as maintaining general good health. But water, in and of itself, has little nutritional value. Furthermore, we often have a difficult time getting young people to consume water; they tend to prefer soda or juice because of water’s bland taste. Indeed, over 60% of the liquids consumed on high school campuses are found in soda machines. The solution is found in mineral waters, which contain all the benefits of water, plus nutrients and a distinct taste. Nutrition among our youth would significantly improve if we replaced soda machines in schools with machines containing various types of mineral water.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the nutritionist’s argument depends?
Nutritionist: Water is often called the “universal elixir” because of its importance to the body in recovering from illnesses as well as maintaining general good health. But water, in and of itself, has little nutritional value. Furthermore, we often have a difficult time getting young people to consume water; they tend to prefer soda or juice because of water’s bland taste. Indeed, over 60% of the liquids consumed on high school campuses are found in soda machines. The solution is found in mineral waters, which contain all the benefits of water, plus nutrients and a distinct taste. Nutrition among our youth would significantly improve if we replaced soda machines in schools with machines containing various types of mineral water.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the nutritionist’s argument depends?
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Providing students access to healthier liquids would not improve nutrition among students if the students didn’t actually drink the liquids. Therefore, the argument assumes that at least some portion of students (enough to be significant) would replace their normal soda drinking with mineral water drinking. The other answer choices, while they may be relevant, are not required for the argument to be sound.
Providing students access to healthier liquids would not improve nutrition among students if the students didn’t actually drink the liquids. Therefore, the argument assumes that at least some portion of students (enough to be significant) would replace their normal soda drinking with mineral water drinking. The other answer choices, while they may be relevant, are not required for the argument to be sound.
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City officials care a great deal about maintaining man-made structures so as to avoid liability. For instance, officials act quickly when bridges deteriorate to the point of causing concrete to fall on roadways. There can be no doubt that the officials' only concern is liability, because they rarely respond with similar urgency to address branches falling from rotting trees.
Which of the following assumptions is necessary for the conclusion to be properly drawn?
City officials care a great deal about maintaining man-made structures so as to avoid liability. For instance, officials act quickly when bridges deteriorate to the point of causing concrete to fall on roadways. There can be no doubt that the officials' only concern is liability, because they rarely respond with similar urgency to address branches falling from rotting trees.
Which of the following assumptions is necessary for the conclusion to be properly drawn?
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The argument seeks to prove that city officials maintain man-made structures only to avoid liability. The conclusion does not follow, though, if officials do not maintain rotting trees even though rotting trees also lead to liability.
The argument seeks to prove that city officials maintain man-made structures only to avoid liability. The conclusion does not follow, though, if officials do not maintain rotting trees even though rotting trees also lead to liability.
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Student: Obtaining student loans will be more beneficial to my future than working full-time while in school. If I obtain student loans for my remaining years in college, I will be in significant debt after I graduate from college. If I do not obtain student loans, and instead secure a full-time job while in school, I will avoid such debt. However, I cannot obtain a job in my chosen field after graduation without good grades, and my grades will suffer greatly if I am working full-time while attending school.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the student’s argument?
Student: Obtaining student loans will be more beneficial to my future than working full-time while in school. If I obtain student loans for my remaining years in college, I will be in significant debt after I graduate from college. If I do not obtain student loans, and instead secure a full-time job while in school, I will avoid such debt. However, I cannot obtain a job in my chosen field after graduation without good grades, and my grades will suffer greatly if I am working full-time while attending school.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the student’s argument?
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The conclusion of the argument, found in the first sentence, is that obtaining student loans will be more beneficial to the student’s future than working-full time while in college. For this conclusion to follow, it must be the case that the consequences of obtaining such loans (significant debt) are less costly – i.e. more beneficial – than the consequences of working full-time while in school (a drop in grades). The remaining answer choices that are either not helpful to the argument, or are helpful to the argument but not required for the conclusion to logically follow.
The conclusion of the argument, found in the first sentence, is that obtaining student loans will be more beneficial to the student’s future than working-full time while in college. For this conclusion to follow, it must be the case that the consequences of obtaining such loans (significant debt) are less costly – i.e. more beneficial – than the consequences of working full-time while in school (a drop in grades). The remaining answer choices that are either not helpful to the argument, or are helpful to the argument but not required for the conclusion to logically follow.
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Defense attorney: At this point it is abundantly clear that the rich receive better representation in the legal system. Those who can afford private attorneys often spend thousands or even millions of dollars on legal fees. This allows the private attorney to focus exclusively on that client's case, devoting his or her time and resources to it. Meanwhile, the poor are forced to either represent themselves or rely upon an appointed public attorney, who has hundreds of cases that must be handled simultaneously.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the defense attorney's argument?
Defense attorney: At this point it is abundantly clear that the rich receive better representation in the legal system. Those who can afford private attorneys often spend thousands or even millions of dollars on legal fees. This allows the private attorney to focus exclusively on that client's case, devoting his or her time and resources to it. Meanwhile, the poor are forced to either represent themselves or rely upon an appointed public attorney, who has hundreds of cases that must be handled simultaneously.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the defense attorney's argument?
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The underlying assumptions in the argument are that 1) attorneys who focus exclusively on one case have the time and resources to give better representation than those who don't have such resources; 2) those attorneys also provide better representation than those who represent themselves. The remaining answer choices include assumptions that the defense attorney may be making, but they are not required for the argument to be valid.
The underlying assumptions in the argument are that 1) attorneys who focus exclusively on one case have the time and resources to give better representation than those who don't have such resources; 2) those attorneys also provide better representation than those who represent themselves. The remaining answer choices include assumptions that the defense attorney may be making, but they are not required for the argument to be valid.
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At a particular bakery, sales have increased in each of the last six months. The top-selling item at the bakery is the peanut butter cookie. Due to concerns over nut allergies, the bakery has temporarily taken the peanut butter cookie off the menu and replaced it with the all-new snickerdoodle cookie. It is fair to say that the bakery's sales will not increase for a seventh consecutive month.
Which of the following assumptions does the author's argument rely upon?
At a particular bakery, sales have increased in each of the last six months. The top-selling item at the bakery is the peanut butter cookie. Due to concerns over nut allergies, the bakery has temporarily taken the peanut butter cookie off the menu and replaced it with the all-new snickerdoodle cookie. It is fair to say that the bakery's sales will not increase for a seventh consecutive month.
Which of the following assumptions does the author's argument rely upon?
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Regardless of how popular the snickerdoodle cookie turns out to be, the author's argument relies on the assumption that the sale of the peanut butter cookie was so significant to overall sales that its replacement will cause the bakery's overall sales not to increase during the seventh month. Even if the snickerdoodle cookie is as popular as the peanut butter cookie, sales could stop growing for other reasons.
Regardless of how popular the snickerdoodle cookie turns out to be, the author's argument relies on the assumption that the sale of the peanut butter cookie was so significant to overall sales that its replacement will cause the bakery's overall sales not to increase during the seventh month. Even if the snickerdoodle cookie is as popular as the peanut butter cookie, sales could stop growing for other reasons.
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Every winter, a species of North American bird flies south. Every year, the migration begins during the first week of November. For the last fifty years, if the average temperature is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the final week of October, the birds fly southwest. If the average temperature during that time is more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the birds fly southeast. his year, the average temperature during the final week of October is going to be 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the birds will fly in the southeast direction.
Which most correctly describes the necessary assumption(s) that the author makes?
Every winter, a species of North American bird flies south. Every year, the migration begins during the first week of November. For the last fifty years, if the average temperature is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the final week of October, the birds fly southwest. If the average temperature during that time is more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the birds fly southeast. his year, the average temperature during the final week of October is going to be 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the birds will fly in the southeast direction.
Which most correctly describes the necessary assumption(s) that the author makes?
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In concluding that the birds will fly southeast, the author assumes there is a causal relationship between the average temperature in the final week of October and the direction in which the birds fly, and that the correlation is not merely coincidental. If the correlation is coincidental, then it will not matter whether the forecast is correct or not.
In concluding that the birds will fly southeast, the author assumes there is a causal relationship between the average temperature in the final week of October and the direction in which the birds fly, and that the correlation is not merely coincidental. If the correlation is coincidental, then it will not matter whether the forecast is correct or not.
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Politician: Building up the military is a necessary part of keeping the nation safe. Other nations will invade our territory if they sense weakness, and having a strong national defense will make other nations think twice before they threaten our borders. Only an impressive military will allow us to make the world safe.
Which of the following is a necessary assumption in the argument made above?
Politician: Building up the military is a necessary part of keeping the nation safe. Other nations will invade our territory if they sense weakness, and having a strong national defense will make other nations think twice before they threaten our borders. Only an impressive military will allow us to make the world safe.
Which of the following is a necessary assumption in the argument made above?
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The politican states that the nation must have a strong military to prevent other nations from invading the country's borders. This line of thinking necessarily relies on the assumption that other nations will invade any country whose military is viewed as too weak. If other nations do not think in this manner, then the politican's argument completely falls apart.
The politican states that the nation must have a strong military to prevent other nations from invading the country's borders. This line of thinking necessarily relies on the assumption that other nations will invade any country whose military is viewed as too weak. If other nations do not think in this manner, then the politican's argument completely falls apart.
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