Consider the given statement and decide which of the given assumptions is (are) implicit in the statement. Statement: During an exam, an invigilator said, “if anyone tries to copy. I will cancel their exam”. Assumptions: 1. Some students copy during exams. 2. Students will not copy during exams.
Only assumption 1 is implicit.
Understanding Statements and Implicit Assumptions in Exams
This question asks us to analyze a statement made by an invigilator during an exam and determine which of the given assumptions are implicit in that statement. Understanding implicit assumptions is crucial for logical reasoning questions.
What is an Implicit Assumption?
An implicit assumption is something that is not directly stated but is taken for granted or understood as true in order for the statement to make sense or be relevant. It's the underlying belief that makes the statement logical in its context.
Analyzing the Invigilator's Statement and Assumptions
Let's look closely at the statement and the proposed assumptions:
Statement: During an exam, an invigilator said, “if anyone tries to copy. I will cancel their exam”.
Assumptions:
- Some students copy during exams.
- Students will not copy during exams.
Analyzing Assumption 1: Some students copy during exams.
Consider the statement: "if anyone tries to copy, I will cancel their exam". Why would an invigilator make such a statement? An invigilator makes this statement as a warning and a deterrent. A warning about copying is only necessary or relevant if there is a possibility that copying might occur. If the invigilator assumed that absolutely no student would ever copy, then a warning specifically addressing copying would be redundant.
The fact that the invigilator feels the need to issue this warning implies that they consider copying to be a potential behavior among students during the exam. Therefore, the assumption that 'some students copy during exams' (or at least, that the possibility exists) is implicit in the invigilator's statement.
Analyzing Assumption 2: Students will not copy during exams.
This assumption states that students 'will not' copy. The invigilator's statement is a threat intended to *ensure* that students do not copy. It expresses the invigilator's *hope* or *intent* for student behavior *after* the warning is given. However, it does not represent an assumption that the invigilator holds *before* or *while* making the statement.
If the invigilator already assumed that students would not copy, there would be no logical reason to issue a threat about what will happen if they *do* copy. The warning is a preventative measure precisely because the invigilator does *not* assume students will automatically behave honestly without it.
Conclusion on Implicit Assumptions
Based on the analysis:
- Assumption 1 ("Some students copy during exams") is implicit because the warning is logically made only if the possibility of copying exists.
- Assumption 2 ("Students will not copy during exams") is the intended outcome of the warning, not an assumption underlying the decision to issue the warning.
Therefore, only assumption 1 is implicit in the invigilator's statement.
Revision Table: Statement and Assumptions
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Statement | Invigilator threatens to cancel exams for copying. |
| Assumption 1 | Some students copy during exams. |
| Assumption 2 | Students will not copy during exams. |
| Implicit Assumption Analysis | The warning is given because the possibility of copying is assumed to exist. |
| Not Implicit Analysis | The statement is a deterrent, not based on an assumption that students already won't copy. |
Additional Information: Logic and Reasoning in Exams
Questions involving statements and assumptions test your ability to understand the underlying logic of a statement. Here are some points to remember:
- An assumption must be something taken for granted *when the statement is made*.
- The statement relies on the assumption being true for it to be meaningful in its context.
- Often, assumptions relate to the context, purpose, or necessity of the statement. For instance, a warning about a danger assumes the danger exists. An advertisement promoting a product assumes people need or want that product.
- Distinguish between an assumption (a belief held when speaking) and an inference (a conclusion drawn from the statement) or an intended outcome (the desired result of the statement).
- Look for the core reason why the statement would be made. What must be true about the situation for the statement to be relevant?
Practicing with various statement and assumption questions helps improve logical reasoning skills needed for competitive exams.
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 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.
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.
