Consider the given argument and decide which of the given assumptions is (are) implicit. Argument: Due to the water crisis in the city, the authority had asked all the citizens to reduce their water consumption by 25%. Assumptions: 1. Many citizens may reduce their water consumption. 2. Many activists may protest to this advisory by the authority.
Only assumption 1 implicit.
Analyzing the Argument on Water Consumption Reduction
The argument states that due to a water crisis, the authority has requested citizens to reduce their water consumption by 25%. We need to examine the given assumptions and determine which one(s) are implicit in this argument.
Understanding Implicit Assumptions
An implicit assumption is something that is not directly stated in the argument but is taken for granted or believed to be true by the person making the argument. It's the underlying belief that makes the argument make sense or the action logical.
Evaluating Assumption 1: Citizens May Reduce Consumption
Assumption 1: Many citizens may reduce their water consumption.
- The authority is making a request for citizens to reduce their water consumption.
- Why would the authority make this request if they didn't believe that at least some citizens might actually comply and reduce their consumption?
- The very act of asking suggests an expectation of potential action from the citizens.
- If the authority assumed no one would reduce consumption, the request would be pointless in addressing the water crisis.
- Therefore, the assumption that citizens may reduce their water consumption is a necessary underlying belief for the authority to make such a request. This assumption is implicit.
Evaluating Assumption 2: Activists May Protest
Assumption 2: Many activists may protest to this advisory by the authority.
- The argument is about the authority asking citizens to reduce water consumption due to a crisis.
- Protest is a potential reaction from certain groups or individuals.
- However, the authority making the request does not necessarily imply that they are *assuming* protests will happen as a condition for making the request.
- The authority's action is driven by the need to address the water crisis and relies on the possibility of citizens reducing consumption.
- While the authority might be *aware* that protests are possible reactions to many advisories, assuming that *many activists may protest* is not a fundamental belief required for the authority to issue the advisory itself.
- This assumption is not implicit in the argument.
Comparing the Assumptions
Let's compare how each assumption relates to the argument:
| Assumption | Relationship to the Argument | Implicit? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Many citizens may reduce water consumption. | This is a necessary belief for the authority to make the request effective in addressing the water crisis. | Yes |
| 2. Many activists may protest. | This is a possible reaction, but not a necessary underlying belief for the authority to issue the advisory about reducing water consumption. | No |
Conclusion on Implicit Assumptions
Based on the analysis, only the assumption that many citizens may reduce their water consumption is implicit in the authority's argument asking for a reduction in water usage. The possibility of protests, while real, is not an assumption the authority must hold to make the request.
Revision Table: Understanding Arguments and Assumptions
| Concept | Explanation | Example (from question context) |
|---|---|---|
| Argument | A statement or series of statements intended to persuade or inform. | Authority asks citizens to reduce water consumption by 25%. |
| Assumption | A belief taken for granted or accepted as true without proof. | Citizens might comply with the request. |
| Implicit Assumption | An assumption that is not stated directly but is understood or implied. | The authority assumes citizens are capable of reducing consumption and some might do so. |
Additional Information on Analyzing Arguments
When analyzing arguments and assumptions, consider the following points:
- Identify the main point: What is the core statement or action being made in the argument? In this case, it's the authority's request to reduce water consumption.
- Ask "What must be true?": What beliefs or conditions must exist for the argument or action to make sense or be reasonable? The authority must believe that reducing water consumption is possible for citizens and that doing so will help the water crisis.
- Distinguish between assumption and prediction/outcome: An assumption is a belief held *before* or *while* making the argument. A prediction or outcome is something that *might happen* as a result of the argument or action. Protest is a potential outcome, not necessarily an underlying assumption driving the initial request to reduce water consumption.
- Focus on the arguer's perspective: What must the person making the argument believe to justify their statement or request? The authority must believe compliance is possible.
Understanding implicit assumptions is crucial in evaluating the strength and validity of arguments.
Similar Questions
Given below is a statement followed by two assumption numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the assumptions is/are implicit in the statement.
Statement : The human body produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
Assumption I: The human body will have Vitamin D even if it is not consumed via food.
Assumption II: A large portion of the global population suffers from Vitamin D deficiency.Consider the argument and decide which of the given assumptions is/are implicit.
Argument:
Due to potholes in the city a large number of people are unable to reach the airport on time.
Assumptions:
1. Reaching the airport on time is not necessary.
2. There is no other route to the airport.
Consider the given argument and decide which of the given assumptions is (are) implicit.
Argument:
A government servant sitting idle tells a visitor to come after 2 weeks to get this certificate attested, as he is very busy and have a lot of work.
Assumptions:
1. The government servant wants to help the visitor.
2. The government servant is expecting a favour from the visitor.
Consider the given argument and decide which of the given assumptions is (are) implicit.
Argument:
In City X, people prefer to buy Honda bikes instead of Bajaj, as Honda Company brings in Japanese technology.
Assumptions:
1. If Bajaj used Japanese technology, then its sales also would be on a par with Honda Company.
2. Bikes with Japanese technology are preferred to other bikes in City X.
Consider the given statement to be true and decide which of the assumptions is implicit from the statement.
Statement:
The price of onion and tomato had remained unchanged for the past 2 weeks in Delhi.
Assumptions:
1. Onion and tomato price had changed elsewhere in this 2 weeks.
2. The prices of onion and tomato 2 weeks ago were different from their present prices.
Consider the given statement to be true and decide which of the following assumptions is/are implicit.
Statement:
A leading school in Mumbai will increase its fees by 150% from the next academic year.
Assumptions:
1. Students may change school due to more fees.
2. The school may still have the same demand among the students.
Consider the given statement to be true and decide which of the following assumptions is/are implicit in the statement.
Statement:
Company X announced that in their company, 10 clerical jobs will be filled, with the minimum eligibility criteria being bachelor's degree pass.
Assumptions:
1. Those who have passed the bachelor's degree can apply.
2. Masters can also apply.
Consider the given statement true and decide which of the given assumptions is (are) implicit.
Statement:
A teacher tells a student, “if you don’t finish your homework, you will not be allowed into the class”.
Assumptions:
1. Discipline is a way to create effective learning.
2. The teacher will be happy not to have a student who is not punctual in his work.
Consider the argument and decide which of the given assumptions is/are implicit.
Argument:
Alexander the Great was mortal.
Assumption:
1. Alexander the Great was human.
2. Alexander the Great was Greek.Consider the given statement and decide which of the given assumption(s) is (are) implicit.
Statement:
Shyam tells Gita, “The ways to reach Sri Lanka is through air and water”.
Assumptions:
1. Gita likes to travel to Sri Lanka.
2. Shyam is fond of advising people.
Important Questions from Statements and Assumptions
You have to decide which of these assumptions is/are implicit in the statement, considering the statement and the assumptions that follow it.
Statement:
I like the soldiers.
I want to become a soldier.
Assumptions:
I) I am not a soldier.
II) I am a soldier.
Read the following passages and answer the question follows. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.
Many people in India feel that if we cut our defence expenditure on weapon-building, we can create a climate of peace with our neighbours, subsequently reducing the conflict or creating a no-war situation. People who proclaim such ideas are either the victims of war or the propagators of false argument.
With reference to the above passage, which of the following is the most valid assumption?
Consider the given statement and decide which of the given assumptions is (are) implicit.
Statement :
“Successful people are happy in life."
Assumptions :
1. Those that are unhappy are not successful
2. Most of the times success in one’s endeavours gives happiness.
In this question, a statement is followed by two assumptions:
Statements: Though he is fat yet he runs fast.
Assumptions:
I. Fat people have weak muscles.
II. Fat people generally cannot run fast.
Then which of the answer is correct?
Consider the given statement and decide which of the given assumptions is implicit in the statement.
Statement:
Television is correctly called the Idiot box.
Assumptions:
1. People who watch television are idiots.
2. People who do not watch television are intelligent.
