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

EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, but electricity may come from fossil fuel plants. Battery production also has environmental costs.

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

Elite universities admit students with socioeconomic advantages that independently predict higher earnings.

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

The argument assumes causation from correlation and that marginal returns would apply to our specific situation.

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

The Hawthorne effect and novelty could explain temporary improvement.

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

Organic farming uses natural pesticides that can also be toxic, and conventional residues are typically well below safety limits.

ISAT - International Student Admissions Test Practice Test

ISAT - International Student Admissions Test Practice Test

ISAT - International Student Admissions Identifying Assumptions in Arguments 3