An assumption is an unstated premise that supports the author's conclusion. It's the connection between the stated premises and the conclusion. The author's conclusion will depend upon the assumption being valid. Assumption questions are extremely common and have stems that look like these:
- Which of the following most accurately states a hidden assumption that the author must make in order to advance the argument above?
- Which of the following is an assumption that, if true, would support the conclusion in the passage above?
- Which of the following, if added to the passage, would make the conclusion logical?
- The validity of the argument depends on which of the following?
- Upon which of the following assumptions does the author rely?
- The argument presupposes which one of the following?
How to approach Assumption Questions
- Look for gaps between the premises and the conclusion. Go on an Assumption Hunt and spend a few seconds finding any holes in the argument.
- Ask yourself why the conclusion is true. Before you progress to the answer choices, try to get feel for what assumptions are necessary to fill the gaps between the premises and the conclusion.
- Take note of sweeping language or extreme statements.
Samples of an assumption question:
Question #1
When doing assumption questions, spend maybe 10 to 20 seconds trying to think of assumptions underlying the argument.
What ideas or words are in the conclusion, but not stated in any premise or evidence? That's an assumption.
A study released yesterday by the American Dental Association shows that people who gargle with Berry Pop Soda
are 20% less likely to get cavities. We should therefore stock up on Berry Pop Soda and prepare ourselves for increased demand.
Quick! What assumptions are in this argument? Think about it creatively and quickly. The premise is a new report coming out, and the conclusion is that it would lead to increased sales. That's quite a leap!
Let's quickly brainstorm some assumptions:
- The study was released to major media outlets and people know about it.
- Berry Pop soda is an attractive product that tastes good. It may be good for teeth because it tastes like toothpaste!
- Berry Pop is as effective as conventional mouthwashes at cavity prevention.
- Berry Pop has name recognition. Have you ever heard of Berry Pop?
Question #2
Apartment building owners argue that rent control should be abolished. Although they acknowledge that they would increase rents in the short term, owners argue that in the long term the rent increases would lead to greater profitability. Higher profits would lead to increased apartment construction. Increased apartment construction would then lead to a greater supply of residences and lower prices as the supply of apartments increases. Thus, abolishing rent control would ultimately reduce prices.
Express that complicated argument in your own words:
Premise 1: Abolishing rent control will increase the supply of housing (premise).
Premise 2: Greater supply leads to lower prices (premise).
Conclusion: Abolishing rent control leads to lower rents (conclusion). It is a supply/demand argument.
Try to find gaps between premises.
Look at premise 1: Abolishing rent control will increase the supply of housing.
This premise is based on the assumption that higher profits draw increased supply.
Look at premise 2: Greater supply leads to lower prices.
This is a supply/demand argument; greater supply leads to lower prices. However, there is something missing: supply and demand requires a discussion of demand. Indeed, demand is missing; that is the hidden assumption.
Sample Question
Since the late 1970s and early 1980s, tax regulations and other changes have encouraged increasing numbers of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs to start new enterprises. Since 1980, some one-half million new ventures have been started. Not all have succeeded, of course.
The above statement makes which of the following assumptions?
- Success in starting a new business depends in large part on sound financial planning.
- Social incentives motivate investors just as much as financial rewards.
- Financial incentives are associated with new business starts.
- Most new business ventures succeed initially but fail later on.
- Venture capitalists are motivated by non-monetary gains.
Explanation:
This is an "after this, therefore because of this" argument. It assumes that tax changes since the 1980's have increased the number of small businesses.
- may be correct, but there is nothing in the passage to substantiate it.
- is the second best answer. However, it cannot be inferred that social motives are just as strong as the financial motive, given that the passage states that tax regulations motivated increasing numbers of entrepreneurs to invest.
- is the correct answer.
- may be eliminated because of the word "most."
- there is no evidence in the passage to support this answer.
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Negation Test for Assumption Questions
To test if a statement is an assumption required for an argument, try to negate it. If the argument falls apart, it means that the argument requires that assumption.
In the above sample question if you got rid of the assumption that people are motivated by financial gain, then the argument falls apart. Therefore, that assumption is likely a necessary one for the argument. |
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