HSRT Identifying Assumptions and Argument Structure

Question 1

'Our clinic should stop offering the flu shot, because few of our patients have gotten the flu this year.' What is the unstated assumption?

Accepted Answer

The low number of flu cases is not due to the flu shot program itself.

Answer

The argument only works if low flu rates are independent of the vaccination program. If the shots caused the low rate, stopping them would be a mistake.

Question 2

In the argument 'Because the patient is allergic to penicillin, we should prescribe a different antibiotic,' which part is the conclusion?

Accepted Answer

We should prescribe a different antibiotic.

Answer

The word 'because' marks the reason (the allergy). The recommendation to prescribe a different antibiotic is what the reason supports, so it is the conclusion.

Question 3

Which word or phrase most clearly signals a CONCLUSION rather than a reason?

Accepted Answer

Therefore

Answer

'Therefore' introduces a claim drawn from earlier statements. 'Since' and 'because' introduce reasons.

Question 4

'Everyone in the ward who took the new supplement recovered, so the supplement caused the recovery.' Which assumption does this argument depend on?

Accepted Answer

Recovery would not have occurred without the supplement.

Answer

To claim causation, the argument assumes the patients would not have recovered anyway. Other explanations, such as natural recovery, are ignored.

Question 5

Which statement is a CLAIM that needs support rather than a plain statement of fact?

Accepted Answer

This treatment is the best option for all elderly patients.

Answer

'Best option for all elderly patients' is a broad evaluative claim that requires evidence. The others are verifiable facts.

HSRT - Health Sciences Reasoning Test Practice Test

HSRT - Health Sciences Reasoning Test Practice Test

HSRT Identifying Assumptions and Argument Structure