Statements: assumptions & conclusions

Mental model

Treat the given statement as an absolute universe of facts.

An assumption is the unwritten foundation that must be true for the author to say the statement. A conclusion is a direct, 100% guaranteed output of the statement without adding external facts.

Method

1. Read the statement and isolate the core subject, the action/event, and pay special attention to absolute words (all, none, always, only).
2. Identify if you are asked for an Assumption or a Conclusion, as they require opposite directional thinking.
3. For Assumptions: Look backward. Ask 'What unstated belief MUST the author hold to justify making this statement?'
4. For Conclusions: Look forward. Ask 'What can be proven 100% true using ONLY the exact words provided?'
5. Eliminate options that require outside real-world knowledge, predict the future, or use extreme words that weren't in the original statement.

Worked example

Problem: Statement: 'To increase productivity, the company has decided to allow employees to work from home two days a week.' Which assumption is implicit? A) Employees will misuse the work-from-home policy. B) Working from home for two days can positively impact productivity.

1. Isolate core subject/action: The company is taking an action (WFH 2 days) to achieve a goal (increase productivity).
2. Identify task: We are looking for an Assumption (backward thinking).
3. Ask the author requirement: What must the company implicitly believe to take this action? They must believe the action works.
4. Evaluate Option A: This contradicts the company's belief. If they assumed misuse, they wouldn't enact the policy.
5. Evaluate Option B: This exactly matches the required unstated belief that links the action to the goal.
6. Eliminate A, confirm B.

Answer: Assumption B is implicit.

Common mistakes

• Using real-world common sense: Evaluating options based on what is factually true in the real world rather than what is strictly confined to the provided text.
• Accepting extreme conclusions: Choosing a conclusion that includes words like 'always', 'never', or 'all' when the statement only used words like 'some' or 'often'.

Glossary

implicit

Something that is understood but not directly stated.

assumption

A hidden fact that must be true for a statement to make sense.

conclusion

A final, guaranteed result that comes directly from the facts given.

Recall questions

• What is the primary difference in how you approach an Assumption vs a Conclusion?
• What should you do with answer options containing extreme words like 'always' or 'none'?
• Should you apply real-world knowledge to determine if a conclusion is valid?

Questions & answers

Statement: 'All pens are books. Some books are tables.' Conclusion I: Some pens are tables. Conclusion II: Some tables are books.

Only Conclusion II follows.

Approach: Direct syllogism. Pens inside Books. Tables overlap with Books. Tables and Pens may not overlap. Conclusion I is not 100% guaranteed. Conclusion II is the direct reverse of 'Some books are tables', which is 100% guaranteed.

Statement: 'The state government has decided to declare a holiday tomorrow due to heavy rains.' Assumption I: The rains might cause waterlogging. Assumption II: People might prefer to stay indoors.

Both I and II are implicit.

Approach: Why declare a holiday? The government assumes travel will be difficult (waterlogging) and that safety requires staying indoors. Both assumptions justify the action.

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