Statement & Assumptions – Logical Reasoning – MBA CUET PG – Notes & Practice Questions

An assumption is something that can be supposed by the implied meanings of the given statement. Imply means suggest or express indirectly. Often people do not speak what is in their mind or what they think in totality, but we can infer or assume what must have been there in their mind from the statements made by them. For example, when you say, “An honest Police Inspector has come to the city and so crime will be checked”, then the assumption you make is that Police Inspector is honest, he could put a check on the crime. Thus, when we say something we do not express everything every aspect of our ideas into words. We tend to leave many things or ideas unsaid, which may be defined as an assumption, it is that part of an argument on the basis of which we say something. Now, we can say that an assumption is that part of an argument which is not expressed or said explicitly as it is assumed or understood intrinsically.

Consider the following illustration:

Ex. Statement: Robert is a good player of Indian hockey team. So, India should win the match. When we analyse these statements, we can express the same idea more elaborately as:

(i) Robert is a good player of Indian hockey team.

(ii) A good player is likely to help his team win the match.

(iii ) So, India may win the match.

The statement (ii) is left unsaid deliberately while arguing because it is taken for granted. Hence, it is an assumption. Thus, an assumption is the hidden part of an argument.

In short, we can say that an assumption is something which is assumed, supposed or taken for granted. Assumption is one type of implication. If we ask a person, “Did you go from Delhi to Patna by air”?, we assume that Delhi and Patna are connected by air (route) – it is the implied meaning of the statement. Therefore, an implication may be an assumption, i. e., on the basis of which we say something. Consider another example:

Ex. Statement: Our country has stood like a solid rock in the face of common danger.

From the statement, it is implied that there have been dangers to our country – this is also an assumption. Here, it should be noted that implications can also be long drawn conclusions and such conclusions are not valid assumptions. Note that there is basic difference between the assumption and implication. An assumption is something on which the statement is based. On the other hand, an implication is something which is derived from and, therefore, based upon the statement.

Solved Examples

Direction (1-4): In each question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. An assumption is something supposed or taken for granted. You have to consider the statement and the following assumptions and decide which of the assumptions is implicit in the statement.

(a) If only assumption I is implicit

(b) If only assumption II is implicit

(c) If either assumption I or assumption II is implicit.

(d) If neither assumption I nor assumption II is implicit.

1. Statement:

Mankind can get freedom only through revolutions.

Assumptions:

I. Revolutions can bring freedom.

II. Except revolution there is no other method of getting freedom.

Sol. (a); It is clearly mentioned in the statement that there is only means to get freedom. i.e., revolution. Thus, the statement is based on the fact that revolution can bring freedom. Hence, assumption I is implicit Assumption II is only the meaning of the sentence and hence it is not implicit.

2. Statement:

People behave differently in the presence of their Boss

Assumptions:

I. Behaviour can be observed.

II. Behaviour cannot be observed.

Sol. (a); Only assumption I is implicit. If behaviour cannot be observed, how one can say that people behave differently in the presence of their Boss. For similar reason, the assumption II is not implicit.

3. Statement:

A good book, even if costly, is sold.

Assumptions:

I.  Some of the books are better than others.

II. Most of the books are costly.

Sol. (a); The statement is about a good book. This means some books may be good. So, I is implicit. The words ‘if costly’ show that most books are not costly. So, II is not implicit.

4. Statement:

If people are intelligent, they should be creative.

Assumptions:

I. Creativity and intelligence are related.

II. Creative people are intelligent.

Sol. (a); Only I is valid. It is clear that creativity and intelligence are related.

Assumption II is not an assumption at all. It is mere restatement of the given statement.

5. Statement:

Vitamin E tablets improve circulation keep your complexion in a glowing condition.

Assumptions:

I. People like a glowing complexion.

II. Complexion becomes dull in the absence of circulation.

(a) If only assumption I is implicit

(b) If only assumption II is implicit

(c) If either assumption I or assumption II is implicit.

(d) If Both assumption I and II are implicit.

Sol. (d); Good feature of a product is highlighted which people crave for, so I is implicit. Complexion glows if circulation is improved. So II is also implicit.

Practice Questions

Direction (1-25): In each question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. You have to consider the statement and the following assumptions and decide which of the assumptions is implicit in the statement.

Give answer

(a) If only assumption I is implicit

(b) If only assumption II is implicit

(c) If both I and II are implicit.

(d) If neither I nor II is implicit

1. Statement:

The government has decided to pay compensation to the tune of Rs.1 lakh to the family members of those who are killed in railway accidents.

Assumptions:

I. The government has enough funds to meet the expenses incurred due to Compensation.

II. There may be reduction in incidents of railway accidents in near future.

2. Statement:

“I have not received telephone bills for nine months inspite of several complaints:- A telephone customer’s letter to the editor of a daily

Assumptions:

I. Every customer has a right to get bills regularly from the telephone company.

II. The customer’s complaints points to defect in the services which is expected to be corrected.

3. Statement:

The management of XYZ Pvt. Ltd. asked the worker’s union to call off strike immediately, otherwise the management would be forced to close down the factory.

Assumptions:

I. No alternative other than closing down the factory is left for the management of XYZ Pvt. Ltd.

II. Such threat may have some effect on the worker’s union.

4. Statement:

Why don’t you go to the court if the employer does not pay you the provident fund contribution?

Assumptions:

I. Courts can intervene in matters of dispute between employer and employees.

II. It is obligatory for the employer to pay the Provident Fund Contribution to the employees.

5. Statement:

Nobody can predict as to how long our country would take to contain the unfortunate and disastrous terrorist activities.

Assumptions:

I. It is impossible to put on end to terrorist activities.

II. Efforts to control the terrorist activities are on.