CARS Assumptions and Underlying Premises

Question 1

An author argues that stricter gun laws will reduce violent crime because countries with stricter laws have lower crime rates. What must the author assume for this argument to hold?

Accepted Answer

The relationship between gun laws and crime rates observed in other countries would apply similarly in the target country

Answer

All violent crimes involve the use of firearms

Answer

Countries with strict gun laws have no violent crime whatsoever

Answer

Gun ownership is the primary cause of all criminal behavior

Question 2

A passage claims that increasing teacher salaries will improve student outcomes. Which of the following is an unstated assumption of this argument?

Accepted Answer

Higher salaries will attract or retain more qualified teachers who will improve instruction

Answer

All teachers currently earn below the poverty line

Answer

Student outcomes are determined solely by teacher quality

Answer

Government funding for education is unlimited

Question 3

In CARS, an 'assumption' differs from an 'inference' primarily in that an assumption is:

Accepted Answer

A premise the argument takes for granted without stating it explicitly

Answer

A conclusion drawn logically from stated evidence

Answer

A counterargument the author acknowledges but dismisses

Answer

An example the author uses to illustrate the main point

Question 4

An author writes: 'Since our product has more features than competitors, customers will prefer it.' Which assumption underlies this claim?

Accepted Answer

Customers value having more features over other purchasing factors such as price or simplicity

Answer

The product is priced identically to all competitor products

Answer

All customers are aware of every feature offered by every competitor

Answer

Having fewer features always makes a product inferior

Question 5

Which of the following, if true, would most directly undermine the assumption in this argument: 'Students who study more hours perform better on exams, so we should require longer study sessions'?

Accepted Answer

Beyond a certain threshold, additional study hours produce diminishing returns and may impair performance through fatigue

Answer

Some students already study the required number of hours voluntarily

Answer

Exam performance is one of several metrics used to assess student learning

Answer

Study sessions can take place either at home or at school

Question 6

A passage argues that ancient texts should be interpreted literally because the authors wrote exactly what they meant. What is the key assumption?

Accepted Answer

Ancient authors did not use metaphor, irony, or culturally specific language that modern readers might misunderstand

Answer

All ancient texts have been perfectly preserved without translation errors

Answer

Literal interpretation is always more academically rigorous than figurative interpretation

Answer

Modern readers have no access to historical or cultural context

Question 7

When an argument rests on a 'necessary assumption,' this means the assumption is one that:

Accepted Answer

Must be true for the conclusion to follow from the premises

Answer

Makes the conclusion more likely but is not required for it

Answer

Has been explicitly stated by the author in the passage

Answer

Can be inferred from evidence presented in a separate source