LNAT Assumption Identification 3

Question 1

'The plaintiff suffered an injury after using the product, therefore the manufacturer must be liable.' What assumption is this argument based on?

Accepted Answer

The product caused the injury rather than some other unrelated factor

Answer

The manufacturer had prior knowledge of a defect in the product

Answer

The plaintiff used the product strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions

Answer

The manufacturer holds insurance coverage that can compensate the plaintiff

Question 2

'Students who read more have larger vocabularies. Therefore, reading programs will improve students' vocabularies.' What assumption is being made?

Accepted Answer

The correlation between reading frequency and vocabulary reflects a causal relationship

Answer

Teachers have the training and resources to implement reading programs effectively

Answer

Having a larger vocabulary is genuinely beneficial for students in academic settings

Answer

All students benefit equally from structured reading programs regardless of background

Question 3

'This neighbourhood was once considered dangerous, so it must still be dangerous today.' What assumption underlies this reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The conditions and circumstances in the neighbourhood have not changed significantly since it was dangerous

Answer

Crime statistics are consistently tracked and reported on a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood basis

Answer

Neighbourhoods that were once dangerous tend to become progressively more dangerous over time

Answer

The person making the argument has personal experience of living in that neighbourhood

Question 4

'The policy reduced traffic accidents in Country A, so it will reduce accidents in Country B as well.' What assumption is being made?

Accepted Answer

Country B's traffic conditions are sufficiently similar to those in Country A for the policy to transfer

Answer

Country A and Country B operate under similar traffic laws and regulations

Answer

Country B currently has significantly higher traffic accident rates than Country A

Answer

Traffic accidents in general are preventable with appropriate policy interventions

Question 5

'Since no evidence of wrongdoing has been found, the official must be innocent.' What assumption is made?

Accepted Answer

The investigation was sufficiently thorough that it would have uncovered wrongdoing if any existed

Answer

Officials in public positions are generally more honest than private citizens

Answer

The official has served in public office for a substantial number of years without incident

Answer

All instances of wrongdoing will inevitably leave behind detectable evidence

Question 6

'The lawyer argued persuasively, so the jury must have been convinced.' What assumption underlies this statement?

Accepted Answer

The persuasiveness of the legal argument is what ultimately determines the jury's verdict

Answer

The jury members have sufficient background knowledge to follow complex legal arguments

Answer

The lawyer spent a significant amount of time preparing and practising the argument

Answer

The case before the jury involved particularly complex and contested legal issues

Question 7

'Increasing the minimum wage will reduce poverty because workers will earn more money.' What key assumption does this argument make?

Accepted Answer

Employers will not respond by reducing staff numbers or cutting employee hours

Answer

All workers earning the minimum wage are currently living below the poverty line

Answer

The minimum wage has not been raised for a significant period of time prior to this proposal

Answer

The government is the body that sets and enforces minimum wage levels in this jurisdiction