CCAT Identifying Assumptions & Argument Evaluation — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Argument: 'Our new software reduces data-entry errors, so our company's overall productivity will increase.' Which assumption is this argument making?
- Reduced data-entry errors are a significant factor in the company's overall productivity. (Correct answer)
- Data-entry is the most expensive task employees perform.
- The software was developed internally.
- All employees make frequent data-entry errors.
Correct answer: Reduced data-entry errors are a significant factor in the company's overall productivity.
The conclusion (higher productivity) only follows if data-entry errors meaningfully impact productivity. Without that link, the argument doesn't hold.
Question 2: Argument: 'Students who eat breakfast perform better on tests. Therefore, schools should provide free breakfast.' Which of the following, if true, most weakens this argument?
- Most students who skip breakfast do so because they are not hungry in the morning, not because of lack of access. (Correct answer)
- Breakfast programs have been shown to improve school attendance.
- Schools in other countries already provide free breakfast.
- Test performance is one indicator of school success.
Correct answer: Most students who skip breakfast do so because they are not hungry in the morning, not because of lack of access.
The argument assumes students skip breakfast due to lack of access. If they skip by choice, a free program may not improve test performance, undermining the policy recommendation.
Question 3: Argument: 'The crime rate in Milltown fell 20% after the new police chief took office. The new chief must be responsible for the drop.' What is the primary flaw in this reasoning?
- It assumes the chief's appointment caused the drop without ruling out other explanations. (Correct answer)
- It uses a percentage rather than an absolute number.
- It compares two different time periods.
- It fails to define what counts as a crime.
Correct answer: It assumes the chief's appointment caused the drop without ruling out other explanations.
Correlation in timing does not establish causation. Other factors (economic changes, demographics, other policies) could explain the drop.
Question 4: Argument: 'Every athlete on the team passed the fitness test. Jordan is an athlete, so Jordan passed the fitness test.' For this conclusion to be valid, which condition must hold?
- Jordan is on this specific team. (Correct answer)
- Jordan trained harder than other athletes.
- The fitness test was fair and unbiased.
- All athletes in the city passed the fitness test.
Correct answer: Jordan is on this specific team.
The premise covers athletes on this team. The conclusion follows only if Jordan is a member of that team — otherwise the general category 'athlete' is too broad.
Question 5: Which of the following arguments contains a hidden assumption that its conclusion relies on?
- 'Reading improves vocabulary; therefore, reading more will help you score higher on verbal tests.' (Assumes verbal tests measure vocabulary.) (Correct answer)
- '2 + 2 = 4, so four items cost twice as much as two identical items.'
- 'It rained yesterday. The ground is wet today.'
- 'All squares have four sides. This shape has four sides, so it is a square.'
Correct answer: 'Reading improves vocabulary; therefore, reading more will help you score higher on verbal tests.' (Assumes verbal tests measure vocabulary.)
The argument assumes verbal tests primarily measure vocabulary. That is a hidden assumption. The other options are either mathematical facts, direct observations, or formal logical statements.
Question 6: Argument: 'Our customer satisfaction scores have risen every quarter this year. We should continue our current strategy.' Which piece of information would most strengthen this argument?
- Competitors' satisfaction scores declined or stayed flat during the same period. (Correct answer)
- The satisfaction surveys were conducted by a third-party firm.
- Customer satisfaction scores are collected twice per year.
- The company hired more staff this year.
Correct answer: Competitors' satisfaction scores declined or stayed flat during the same period.
If competitors also rose (e.g., due to industry-wide trends), the current strategy deserves less credit. Showing competitors did not rise strengthens the case that the company's strategy is the cause.
CCAT Identifying Assumptions & Argument Evaluation
Argument: 'Our new software reduces data-entry errors, so our company's overall productivity will increase.' Which assumption is this argument making?