ISAT Identifying Assumptions in Arguments 3

Question 1

Argument: 'Because this country has the highest per-capita chocolate consumption, it must also have the highest rate of happiness.' What assumption underlies this claim?

Accepted Answer

Chocolate consumption is a valid indicator of overall national happiness

Answer

The argument assumes a correlation between chocolate consumption and happiness reflects a meaningful relationship worth concluding from.

Question 2

Argument: 'My grandfather smoked his whole life and lived to 95, so smoking cannot be as dangerous as scientists claim.' What assumption is made here?

Accepted Answer

A single person's experience is representative of the general population's risk

Answer

The argument assumes one anecdote can refute statistical evidence drawn from large population studies.

Question 3

Argument: 'Every successful entrepreneur I know dropped out of college; college degrees are therefore unnecessary for business success.' What assumption is present?

Accepted Answer

The entrepreneurs known to the speaker are a representative sample of all successful entrepreneurs

Answer

The argument assumes that personal acquaintances constitute a representative sample, ignoring selection bias.

Question 4

Argument: 'The report states that Exercise X burns 500 calories per session. Sarah does Exercise X daily, so she will lose weight.' Which assumption does this depend on?

Accepted Answer

Sarah's caloric intake does not increase enough to offset the calories burned

Answer

The argument assumes Sarah won't compensate by eating more, which is necessary for the calorie deficit to produce weight loss.

Question 5

Argument: 'Nations that invest heavily in education have stronger economies; therefore, investing in education causes economic growth.' What assumption is this based on?

Accepted Answer

The correlation between education spending and economic strength reflects causation rather than reverse causation or a third factor

Answer

The argument assumes the observed correlation reflects a causal direction, ignoring that wealthy economies can afford to spend more on education.

ISAT - International Student Admissions Test Practice Test

ISAT - International Student Admissions Test Practice Test

ISAT Identifying Assumptions in Arguments 3