ISAT - International Student Admissions Test International Student Admissions Identifying Assumptions in Arguments 1

Question 1

A university administrator argues: 'Since our graduates earn 30% more than the national average, attending our university is a worthwhile investment.' What is the most critical unstated assumption?

Accepted Answer

The higher earnings are caused by attending the university rather than by other factors such as student selection.

Answer

Universities should focus primarily on graduate earnings rather than academic excellence.

Answer

A 30% salary premium is sufficient to justify any level of tuition cost.

Answer

All students who attend the university will achieve the same salary outcomes.

Question 2

A health campaign states: 'Countries with higher rates of bicycle use have lower rates of heart disease, so encouraging cycling will reduce heart disease in our population.' What assumption underlies this reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The relationship between cycling rates and heart disease is causal, not merely correlational.

Answer

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in all countries studied.

Answer

Governments have a responsibility to promote physical activity among citizens.

Answer

Cycling is more effective than other forms of exercise for cardiovascular health.

Question 3

A technology company argues: 'Our new productivity software increased output by 25% at the three firms that piloted it, so rolling it out company-wide will produce the same gains.' What is the hidden assumption?

Accepted Answer

The three pilot firms were representative of all departments and working conditions across the company.

Answer

A 25% productivity increase is the maximum achievable with any software solution.

Answer

Employees prefer digital tools to traditional workflows in every industry sector.

Answer

The software was developed using the latest artificial intelligence algorithms.

Question 4

A politician claims: 'We should lower the corporate tax rate because countries that have done so have seen increased foreign investment.' What must be assumed for this argument to hold?

Accepted Answer

The tax rate reduction, rather than other concurrent policy changes, was responsible for the investment increase.

Answer

Foreign investment is always more beneficial than domestic investment for economic growth.

Answer

Corporate taxes are the single most important factor businesses consider when choosing where to invest.

Answer

Higher foreign investment necessarily leads to improved living standards for all citizens.

Question 5

A school counsellor advises: 'Students who read for pleasure for at least 20 minutes a day consistently score higher on verbal reasoning tests, so you should read daily to improve your scores.' What assumption is this advice making?

Accepted Answer

The reading habit causes the higher scores rather than both being products of an underlying aptitude or motivation.

Answer

Verbal reasoning tests are the most accurate measure of a student's academic potential.

Answer

Twenty minutes is the precise minimum time required to produce measurable cognitive benefits.

Answer

All genres of recreational reading are equally effective for improving verbal reasoning skills.

Question 6

An environmental report argues: 'City A introduced a plastic bag fee and saw a 60% drop in plastic bag litter within one year, proving that such fees effectively reduce plastic pollution.' What is the most important hidden assumption?

Accepted Answer

No other significant changes, such as public awareness campaigns or enforcement programmes, occurred simultaneously in City A.

Answer

A 60% reduction in litter is sufficient to meet international environmental targets.

Answer

Plastic bag litter is the primary driver of overall plastic pollution in urban environments.

Answer

All cities have the administrative capacity to implement and enforce a plastic bag fee.