Assumptive Questions
Assumptions are unstated premises that make the argument easier to believe. On the GMAT there are two types of Assumptions.
The first type of assumption connects the premises with the conclusion. Here is a pictorial representation.
The assumption fills the gap in logic. Consider the following:
Brooklyn is a borough of New York City, therefore it has a library.
The linking assumption is that every borough has a library. The assumption closes the hole in the argument.
Assumptive Question Stems
Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
The argument assumes which of the following?
The claim above rests on the questionable presupposition that . . .
An Example
A building contractor ensures compliance with building codes by using established technologies. This means there will never be any significant innovation in building designs.
The argument above depends on the assumption that in choosing the technologies to use in construction, building constructors
a) are always more concerned to avoid difficulties in proving compliance with the relevant codes than to be innovative.
b) are always concerned to exceed the official specifications by a wide margin in order to forestall challenges
c) pay little or no attention to the total construction costs entailed by different technologies
d) consult directly with authors of the relevant codes in order to avoid using unproven technology
e) are unable to foresee any changes the relevant codes may undergo before the completion of a new project
The correct answer is A. (Highlight to Reveal)
Let’s see why.
Immediately try to find the conclusion. The conclusion is:
There will never be any significant innovation in building designs
The premise is:
A building contractor most ensures compliance with building codes by using established technologies.
Ask yourself which of the answer choices fills the gap in logic.
Let’s look at the answer choices:
a) are always more concerned to avoid difficulties in proving compliance with the relevant codes than to be innovative.
This is the correct answer. This choice effectively connects the premise to the conclusion.
b) are always concerned to exceed the official specifications by a wide margin in order to forestall challenges
This answer choice is out of scope.
c) pay little or no attention to the total construction costs entailed by different technologies
This answer choice is way out there and fails to close the gap.
d) consult directly with authors of the relevant codes in order to avoid using unproven technology
The passage makes no mention of this.
e) are unable to foresee any changes the relevant codes may undergo before the completion of a new project
The passage makes no mention of this.
The second type of assumption question occurs at higher levels of difficulty on the GMAT. These assumptions contain statements that eliminate ideas that would weaken the conclusion. Usually, we can spot these questions when there is no obvious weakness in the argument.
An Example
Energy saved from recent technology saves billions of dollars. Therefore, in the next century, we will save even more money.
The argument assumes which of the following?
a) Technology will not become substantially more expensive in the next century.
b) An oil crisis will occur in the next century.
c) Buildings will gradually use less energy than transportation.
d) Energy bills will be lower in the next century.
e) Energy efficient technology will be introduced in the next century.
The correct answer is A. (Highlight to reveal)
Let’s see why.
The premise is: Energy saved from recent technology saves billions of dollars.
The conclusion is: In the next century, we will save even more money.
Let’s look at the answer choices:
a) Technology will not become substantially more expensive in the next century.
This is the correct answer. If technology becomes more expensive, the conclusion won’t happen. Thus, the author must assume that this will not happen.
b) An oil crisis will occur in the next century.
The conclusion doesn’t rely on this to happen.
c) Buildings will gradually use less energy than transportation.
The argument is about total energy saved not between buildings and transportation.
d) Energy bills will be lower in the next century.
The author doesn’t assume that energy bills will be lower just that we will save more money.
e) Energy efficient technology will be introduced in the next century.
The author doesn’t mention that there will be new technology in the future.
Negation Test
To determine whether a statement or answer choice is assumed, we can perform the negation test. Here how it works: Simply negate the statement and see if the resulting statement weakens the argument. If it does, you have found the author’s assumption. Try the negation test on the above examples. It works on both types of assumptive questions.
Assignment on Assumptions
OG 11: 2, 14, 22, 25, 32, 47, 50, 52, 59, 63, 89, 92, 96, 97
Verbal Review: 63, 67
(46)
(28)
(2)