B. Assumption Questions

     An assumption is an unstated premise that supports the author's conclusion. It's the connection between the stated premises and the conclusion. An assumption is something that the author's conclusion depends upon. Assumption questions are extremely common and have stems that look like this:

• Which of the following most accurately states a hidden assumption that the author must make in order to advance the argument above?
• Which of the following is an assumption that, if true, would support the conclusion in the passage above?

How to approach Assumption Questions

1. Look for gaps between the premises and the conclusion. Ask yourself why the conclusion is true. Before you progress to the answer choices, try to get feel of what assumption is necessary to fill that gap between the premises.
2. Beware of extreme language in the answer choices of assumption questions. Assumptions usually are not extreme. "Extreme" answer choices usually contain phrases such as always, never, or totally.

Here is an example:

Apartment building owners argue that rent control should be abolished. Although they acknowledge that they would increase rents in the short term, owners argue that in the long term the rent increases would lead to greater profitability. Higher profits would lead to increased apartment construction. Increased apartment construction would then lead to a greater supply of residences and lower prices as the potential apartment residents have a better selection. Thus, abolishing rent control would ultimately reduce prices.

Express that complicated argument in your own words.

Premise 1: Abolishing rent control will increase the supply of housing (premise).
Premise 2: Greater supply leads to lower prices (premise).

Conclusion: Abolishing rent control leads to lower rents (conclusion). It is a supply/demand argument.

Try to find gaps between premises.

Look at premise 1: Abolishing rent control will increase the supply of housing.
This premise seems reasonable. Higher profits draw increased supply.

Look at premise 2: Greater supply leads to lower prices.
This is a supply/demand argument; greater supply leads to lower prices. However, there is something missing: supply and demand require a discussion of demand. Indeed, demand is missing; that is the hidden assumption.

SAMPLE QUESTION

There are many reasons why individuals want to run their own businesses. Some foresee more personal satisfaction if they are successful in launching their own business, while others are interested mainly in the prospect of larger financial rewards. Since the late 1970s and early 1980s, tax regulations and other changes have encouraged increasing numbers of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs to start new enterprises. Since 1980, some one-half million new ventures have been started. Not all have succeeded, of course.

The above statement makes which of the following assumptions?

a) Success in starting a new business depends in large part on sound financial planning.

b) Social incentives motivate investors just as much as financial rewards.

c) Financial incentives are associated with new business starts.

d) Most new business ventures succeed initially but fail later on.

e) Venture capitalists are motivated by non-monetary gains.

Explanation: While personal satisfaction is a motivating factor, the statement shows that since 1980, business starts increased along with a set of tax changes, promoting financial gains. (B) is the second best answer. However, it cannot be inferred that social motives are just as strong as the financial motive, given that the passage states that tax regulations motivated increasing numbers of entrepreneurs to invest. Answer choice (A) may be correct, but there is nothing in the passage to substantiate it. Choice (D) may be eliminated because of the word "most." There is no evidence in the passage to support answer choice (E). (C) is the correct answer.

w C. Strengthen and Weaken Questions

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