An assumption is simply an unstated premise of the argument.
Whether you arefinding an assumption of the argument or strengthening the conclusion, you
are doing something positive for the stimulus.
Chapter Three contained a basic definition of each question type. Now we will
expand those definitions and compare and contrast each type:
Strengthen questions ask you to support the argument in any way
possible. This type of answer has great range, as the additional support
provided by the answer choice could be relatively minor or major.
Speaking in numerical terms, any answer choice that strengthens the
argument, whether by 1% or by 100%, is correct.
Justify the Conclusion questions ask you to strengthen the argument so
powerfully that the conclusion is made logical. Compared to a
Strengthen question, the answer to a Justify question must strengthen the
conclusion so it is 100% proven; anything less and the answer choice is
incorrect. Logically speaking, the correct answer to a Justify the
Conclusion question is sufficient to prove the conclusion when added to
the premises.
Assumption questions ask you to identify a statement that the argument
assumes or supposes. An assumption is simply an unstated premise—
what must be true in order for the argument to be true. An assumption
can therefore be defined as what is necessary for the argument to be
true.
Because the three question types are confusingly similar, let’s use a simple
example to clarify the difference among the correct answer choices that appear
with each question type:
An argument concludes that a teenager is an outstanding golfer.
In an Assumption question, the correct answer could be: “The teenager
always hits the ball” or “The teenager never swings and misses the
ball.” Either statement is an assumption of the argument; otherwise
how could the teenager be an outstanding golfer?
In a Justify the Conclusion question, the correct answer could be: “The
teenager recently won the Masters golf tournament” (The Masters is
perhaps the most prestigious golf tournament in the world). This
answer choice proves the conclusion beyond a doubt but is not an
assumption of the conclusion—the teenager did not have to win the
Masters to prove greatness; other professional tournaments would
suffice.
In a Strengthen question, the correct answer could be: “The teenager
won a local club tournament.” This answer choice supports the idea
that the teenager is an outstanding golfer, but does not undeniably
prove the teenager to be outstanding (what if the tournament was
composed primarily of pre-teen players?) nor is the answer an
assumption of the conclusion.
Admittedly, this is a simple example, but take a moment to examine the different
types of answers to each question. The differences are subtle and can be
confusing at first, especially with Assumption and Justify the Conclusion
questions.
Whether you arefinding an assumption of the argument or strengthening the conclusion, you
are doing something positive for the stimulus.
Chapter Three contained a basic definition of each question type. Now we will
expand those definitions and compare and contrast each type:
Strengthen questions ask you to support the argument in any way
possible. This type of answer has great range, as the additional support
provided by the answer choice could be relatively minor or major.
Speaking in numerical terms, any answer choice that strengthens the
argument, whether by 1% or by 100%, is correct.
Justify the Conclusion questions ask you to strengthen the argument so
powerfully that the conclusion is made logical. Compared to a
Strengthen question, the answer to a Justify question must strengthen the
conclusion so it is 100% proven; anything less and the answer choice is
incorrect. Logically speaking, the correct answer to a Justify the
Conclusion question is sufficient to prove the conclusion when added to
the premises.
Assumption questions ask you to identify a statement that the argument
assumes or supposes. An assumption is simply an unstated premise—
what must be true in order for the argument to be true. An assumption
can therefore be defined as what is necessary for the argument to be
true.
Because the three question types are confusingly similar, let’s use a simple
example to clarify the difference among the correct answer choices that appear
with each question type:
An argument concludes that a teenager is an outstanding golfer.
In an Assumption question, the correct answer could be: “The teenager
always hits the ball” or “The teenager never swings and misses the
ball.” Either statement is an assumption of the argument; otherwise
how could the teenager be an outstanding golfer?
In a Justify the Conclusion question, the correct answer could be: “The
teenager recently won the Masters golf tournament” (The Masters is
perhaps the most prestigious golf tournament in the world). This
answer choice proves the conclusion beyond a doubt but is not an
assumption of the conclusion—the teenager did not have to win the
Masters to prove greatness; other professional tournaments would
suffice.
In a Strengthen question, the correct answer could be: “The teenager
won a local club tournament.” This answer choice supports the idea
that the teenager is an outstanding golfer, but does not undeniably
prove the teenager to be outstanding (what if the tournament was
composed primarily of pre-teen players?) nor is the answer an
assumption of the conclusion.
Admittedly, this is a simple example, but take a moment to examine the different
types of answers to each question. The differences are subtle and can be
confusing at first, especially with Assumption and Justify the Conclusion
questions.
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