Verbal: Critical Reasoning Assumptions Flashcards

A startup says hiring more salespeople will increase revenue because each rep closes deals. A necessary assumption is that:

Answer: There are enough prospective customers for new reps to sell to

More reps raise revenue only if untapped demand exists for them to convert.

A critic argues a film is overrated because few critics praised it. The hidden assumption is that:

Answer: Critic praise is a reliable measure of a film's quality

The conclusion treats critic opinion as a valid proxy for quality.

A manager says remote work hurts productivity because output fell after the office closed. This assumes that:

Answer: No external disruption coincided with the office closure

Remote work gets blamed only if nothing else caused the drop at that time.

A board concludes a CEO is effective because profits rose during her tenure. A required assumption is that:

Answer: Factors outside her control did not primarily drive the profit rise

Crediting the CEO assumes the gains were not mainly due to external conditions.

A school claims smaller classes improved test scores because scores rose after class sizes shrank. The assumption is that:

Answer: No change in curriculum or teaching also occurred

Class size earns credit only if no other educational change caused the rise.

An investor argues a country is a safe bet because its currency has been stable for years. A necessary assumption is that:

Answer: Past stability is a reliable indicator of future stability

The forecast assumes historical stability will carry into the future.

A gym claims its program builds strength because members got stronger over six months. A required assumption is that:

Answer: Members did not also follow other strength routines elsewhere

The program earns credit only if no outside training caused the gains.