Statements and Assumptions: Logical and Critical Reasoning in CAT

Statement — Assumption Questions are an integral part of Logical Reasoning/Critical Reasoning. The question may be asked in different formats but the essence of the question remains the same, i.e. is the assumption used to answer, implicit in the statement? or which of the given options (different assumptions) actually supports the conclusion given in the argument
Do you Remember What an Argument is?

An argument is a set of propositions where one proposition leads to the other. This means it has a premise and a conclusion. A premise may be overtly or covertly expressed in an argument. A premise when covertly (not explicit) present in the argument is known as assumption or a hidden premise.

Example:

My car does not start.            Premise

My car does not have fuel.     Conclusion

What is the assumption in the above argument? How can we support the conclusion?
The conclusion is true if we assume that the car will not start if there is no fuel in the car. This is not explicitly stated in the argument and hence it is the assumption.

Types of Assumption Questions

TYPE 1

A regular visit to the health club followed by a strict diet programme helped 100 women reduce their respective weight. Thus all overweight women should join health clubs and follow a strict diet programme.

The conclusion in the above argument is based on which of the following assumptions?

(a) Joining a health club is the only way to reduce weight.

(b) Joining a health club would surely result in weight loss.

(c) Joining a health club and following a strict diet programme would result in weight loss for all.

(d) All overweight women want to lose weight.

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

What is the objective of joining a health club and following a strict diet programme? — Weight loss!

The assumption is the underlying premise, which is necessary for a valid conclusion.
That all overweight women should ‘join health clubs and follow a strict diet programme’…would be valid only if the women are interested in weight loss.

Choice (a) is wrong because it misses out on one of the components — following a strict diet programme— the arguments includes two components — ‘joining a health club’ and ‘following a strict diet programme’.

Choice (b) is also wrong for the same reason as given above.

Choice (c) is wrong because it introduces ‘all which could mean both men and women’. The argument talks only about women and therefore this is rejected.

Remember: The assumption is the link between the premise and the conclusion— hence, should properly fit between them.

Note: This article has a second part detailing TYPE II& TYPE III problems under this topic.