Three Quirks of Assumption Question Answer Choices

Over the years, certain recurring traits have appeared in Assumption answer
choices. Recognizing these quirks may help you eliminate wrong answers or
more quickly identify the correct answer at crunch time.
1. Watch for answers strarting with the phrase “at least one” or “at least
some.”
For some reason, when an Assumption answer choice starts with either
of the above constructions the chances are unusually high that the
answer will be correct. However, if you spot an answer with that
construction, do not simply assume the answer is correct; instead, use
the proper negation (“None”) and check the answer with the
Assumption Negation Technique.
2. Avoid answers that claim an idea was the most important consideration
for the author.
These answers typically use constructions such as “the primary
purpose,” “the top priority,” or “the main factor.” In every Assumption
question these answers have been wrong. And, unless, the author
specifically discusses the prioritization of ideas in the stimulus, these
answers will continue to be wrong because an author can always claim
that the idea under discussion was very important but not necessarily the
most important idea.
3. Watch for the use of “not” or negatives in assumption answer choices.
Because most students are conditioned to think of assumptions as
positive connecting elements, the appearance of a negative in an
Assumption answer choice often causes the answer to be classified a
Loser. Do not rule out a negative answer choice just because you are
used to seeing assumptions as a positive part of the argument. As we
have seen with Defender answer choices, one role an assumption can
play is to eliminate ideas that could attack the argument. To do so,
Defender answer choices frequently contain negative terms such as
“no,” “not,” and “never.” One benefit of this negative language is that
Defender answer choices can usually be negated quite easily.
Law Services is clearly aware that negative language in an Assumption
answer confuses most people, and at one point in the 1980s there were
numerous problems where the first answer choice contained negative
language and was correct. This phenomenon has faded, but the
implications are clear: the test makers expect you to routinely bypass
answers with negative language. Remember, you can quickly drop the
negative term and see if the negated answer attacks the argument.