Assumption Questions -- General

[kim4956]

Hello,

Today I'm reviewing Assumption questions. I noticed that I get to a point where I narrow the choices down to two, usually the correct answer and the second most attractive answer. And unfortunately, sometimes I select the latter choice! When reading over the explanations, I understand why the correct answer is the better choice, but I need to be able to get these questions right the first time around on the actual test! I've read the concept analysis and tips on approaching Assumption questions, but can anyone offer some additional advice on avoiding the trap answers? I realize this is a very broad question, but any insights would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Kim

[Robert Carroll]

Kim,

I'll give several pieces of advice, because there can be so many reasons why you can narrow the answers down as you did - two total, one correct, one incorrect, but you choose the wrong one.

Remember that the Assumption Negation technique will work to find out which answer is right and which is wrong. If the negation of an answer undermines the conclusion, you've discovered the assumption that truly was needed - the argument fails without it. If you negate an answer and can truly say "This doesn't affect the argument," it can't be the right answer. If you negate an answer and can truly say "This made the argument even better," then the negation strengthens the argument - this is an opposite answer! That situation can be tricky, so pay attention to exactly what you want when you use the Assumption Negation technique. It may be that you're choosing an opposite answer!

When you have a Supporter assumption - in other words, there was a gap between the premises and the conclusion, and the author is assuming a connection that he/she didn't explicitly state - the correct answer will bridge that gap. What I find sometimes happens with these is that two answers appear to bridge that gap, because two answers discuss things from the premises and conclusion. Since the author thinks that knowing the premise information at first lets you infer the conclusion information afterwards, you need an assumption that goes from premise to conclusion. Often, wrong answer choices in this situation go in the reverse direction.

A subset of these situations will involve assumptions that are conditionals. Imagine the author says the following:

"If A happens, then B happens. A did happen. Therefore, C happens."

This argument doesn't make sense unless something like "If B happens, C happens" is added to it. An answer that says "If C happens, then B happens" is the Mistaken Reversal of what you're looking for, and sometimes the answer choices will do exactly this - two answers give you two different conditonals, one in the right order, and one as the Mistaken Reversal of what you actually want. Thus, you can choose the wrong one if you are unclear on what order you needed that assumption in. Thus, it pays to be careful about which order your prephrase is in, as this can really help you eliminate that attractive incorrect answer.

These are general principles that I think help with the situation you were talking about, and I think you'll find applying them in future practice will allow you to avoid the situation you're in - so close, and yet still choosing the incorrect answer!

Robert Carroll