ISAT - International Student Admissions Identifying Assumptions in Arguments Questions and Answers

Question 1

A city council member argues, 'To reduce traffic congestion during peak hours, we must invest in expanding our subway system.
A larger, more efficient subway will persuade thousands of commuters to abandon their cars for public transit.' Which of the following is a necessary assumption in the council member's argument?

Accepted Answer

A significant number of commuters who currently drive would be willing and able to use the expanded subway system.

Answer

Building a new subway line is less expensive than constructing new highways.

Answer

The current subway system is overcrowded and poorly maintained.

Answer

Traffic congestion is the single most pressing issue for the city's residents.

Question 2

A financial analyst stated, 'Our company's stock price has risen 20% in the last year, a direct result of our new CEO's innovative leadership.' The analyst's conclusion depends on which of the following assumptions?

Accepted Answer

The new CEO's leadership was the primary factor driving the stock price increase, and not other external factors like a strong overall market.

Answer

The company's stock price had been declining in the years prior to the new CEO's arrival.

Answer

The CEO's innovations have already led to a significant increase in company profits.

Answer

All innovative leaders cause their company's stock price to increase.

Question 3

A university administrator claims: 'To improve our graduation rates, we should require all first-year students to attend mandatory weekly study skills workshops.' Which of the following is an assumption underlying this claim?

Accepted Answer

A significant portion of students who fail to graduate do so because they lack effective study skills that can be taught in a workshop.

Answer

First-year students are the only students at the university who struggle academically.

Answer

The current graduation rate is unacceptably low.

Answer

The workshops will be taught by experienced and effective instructors.

Question 4

An advertisement for a new sports drink, 'Quench-It,' states: 'Top marathon runner Helena Price drinks Quench-It before every race. To achieve peak athletic performance like Helena, you should drink Quench-It.' What assumption does the advertisement ask the consumer to make?

Accepted Answer

The sports drink is the causal factor for Helena Price's success, and it will have a similar effect on other consumers.

Answer

Helena Price is paid to endorse the Quench-It sports drink.

Answer

Quench-It tastes better than other sports drinks on the market.

Answer

Peak athletic performance is a goal for everyone who sees the advertisement.

Question 5

A public health official stated, 'Our city has seen a dramatic rise in cases of Type 2 diabetes. Since regular exercise is known to help prevent this condition, we are launching a campaign to provide free access to all city-owned gyms.' The official's plan to combat diabetes relies on which of the following assumptions?

Accepted Answer

The cost of gym memberships was the primary barrier preventing residents from exercising regularly.

Answer

The campaign will be funded entirely by the city's existing health budget.

Answer

City-owned gyms are conveniently located for all residents.

Answer

No other health conditions are as serious as Type 2 diabetes in the city.

Question 6

A historian argues: 'The fall of the ancient Roman Empire was primarily caused by its over-reliance on slave labor, which led to technological stagnation and economic fragility. Therefore, any modern nation that becomes overly dependent on cheap, foreign labor risks a similar collapse.' Which of the following is a key assumption of the historian's argument?

Accepted Answer

The economic and social structures of modern nations are sufficiently analogous to those of the Roman Empire for the comparison to be valid.

Answer

Modern nations do not use slave labor.

Answer

Technological stagnation is always a direct result of reliance on cheap labor.

Answer

The Roman Empire would not have collapsed if it had continued to expand its territory.