ISAT - International Student Admissions Identifying Assumptions in Arguments 3

Question 1

'Electric vehicles are better for the environment because they produce zero emissions.' What critical assumption does this rely on?

Accepted Answer

That electricity comes from clean sources and battery manufacturing impact is less than the tailpipe emissions they eliminate

Answer

That EVs are affordable

Answer

That charging stations are available

Answer

That EVs perform well

Question 2

A university advertises: 'Our graduates earn 40% more than the national average, proving the value of our education.' What assumption is most critical?

Accepted Answer

That higher earnings are caused by the education rather than pre-existing advantages of students admitted

Answer

That earning more indicates better education

Answer

That salary data is accurate

Answer

That all graduates responded

Question 3

'Countries with higher military spending are safer. Therefore, we should increase our defense budget.' Identify the hidden assumption.

Accepted Answer

That the correlation reflects causation and that additional spending would produce proportional safety improvements in our specific context

Answer

That military spending is the best use of funds

Answer

That the public supports this

Answer

That current spending is insufficient

Question 4

'Since implementing the four-day work week, we've seen increased productivity. This proves shorter weeks boost output.' What assumption must hold?

Accepted Answer

That the increase was caused by the shorter week and not by the novelty effect, heightened motivation, or simultaneous improvements

Answer

That employees enjoy having an extra day off

Answer

That all employees prefer shorter weeks

Answer

That productivity was measured consistently

Question 5

'Organic food is healthier because it doesn't contain synthetic pesticides.' What assumption makes this vulnerable?

Accepted Answer

That absence of synthetic pesticides makes food meaningfully healthier, ignoring that organic farming uses natural pesticides and conventional residue levels may already be safe

Answer

That organic food tastes better

Answer

That organic farming helps the environment

Answer

That organic food is more nutritious

Question 6

'Our city's test scores improved after switching to year-round schooling, so year-round schooling improves academic outcomes.' What two assumptions are embedded?

Accepted Answer

That the format caused the improvement (not other changes) and that the result would generalize to other contexts

Answer

That testing is fair and students enjoy it

Answer

That improvement is statistically significant and continuing

Answer

That teachers support it and parents are satisfied