SNAP Questions | Critical Reasoning: Assumption questions

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Critical Reasoning – Assumptions and Conclusions is one such topic of Verbal Ability which is high-scoring and it comes in most of the MBA Entrance exams like GMAT, XAT, MAT, and CMAT. The assumption of an argument is the basis for establishing the conclusion.

Critical Reasoning questions that ask about assumptions are only based upon unstated assumptions. Unstated assumptions are present in arguments that are not entirely complete. There is thus at least one significant gap in such an argument. It is a type of question where a student involves in ability to reason, analyze, evaluate, decision making as well as problem-solving. It entails effective communication and problem-solving ability.

Frequent questions are asked every year from this topic which makes it very high score bearing topic. Three to four questions every year can be expected.

XAT, SNAP, and GMAT come up with a lot of Assumptions and Conclusion questions, so to score high one must be thorough with these.

Critical Reasoning questions: Assumption questions and conclusions

Below you will find Decision Making questions that came in previous years’ in different MBA entrance papers.

Pythons are land-based reptiles. However, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts have come face to face with pythons in lakes and rivers. Finding pythons in water is not a mystery or a miracle. Many species of predators have been found living in surprising habitats. Predators such as alligators, otter and mountain lions are thriving in places they shouldn’t, revealing some serious misunderstandings about their behaviors and how to protect them. Scientific literature divulges that these creatures are actually returning to habitats they once originally occupied. This fact helps conservationists help improve the original habitats of these creatures.

Which of the following strengthens the fact that predators such as pythons are returning to habitats they once occupied?

A. Most pythons still live on land.
B. Predators such as pythons have an awareness of the place they were born in.
C. Most pythons prefer to live in lakes and rivers.
D. More pythons live on land than in water such as lakes and rivers.
E. Predators such as pythons have a genetic memory of their original habitats. [XAT 2020]

Show Answer

1. Answer:

In a strengthening question we have to strengthen the conclusion always. The conclusion of this argument is that predators such as pythons are actually returning to habitats they once originally occupied. How is this possible? Only option E gives the plausible explanation – predators such as pythons have a genetic memory of their original habitats.

2. Statement: A warning in a train compartment – “To stop train, pull chain. Penalty for improper use 500”

Assumptions:

1. Some people misuse the alarm chain
2. On certain occasions, people may want to stop a running train [NMAT 2020]

Show Answer

2. Answer:

Option E

Explanation: clearly, it can be stated that the penalty is imposed to prevent people from misusing the alarm chain. this means that some people misuse it. so, i is implicit. the alarm chain is provided to stop the running train in times of urgency. so, ii is also implicit.

3. Statement: If it is easy to become an engineer, I don’t want to be an engineer.

Assumptions:

1. An individual aspires to be professional
2. One desires to achieve a thing which is hard earned

A. Only assumption I is implicit
B. Only assumption II is implicit
C. Either I or II is implicit
D. Neither I nor II is implicit
E. Both I and II are implicit [XAT 2019]

Show Answer

3. Answer:

Option B

Explanation: nothing is mentioned about the professional nature of the job. so, I is not implicit. the statement also gives us a hint that one rejects a thing that is easy to achieve. so, ii is implicit.

4. Statement: The concession in rail fares for the journey to hill stations has been cancelled because it is not needed for people who can spend their holidays there.

Assumptions:

1. Railways should give concession only to needy persons
2. Railways should not encourage people to spend their holidays at hill stations

A. Only assumption I is implicit
B. Only assumption II is implicit
C. Either I or II is implicit
D. Neither I nor II is implicit
E. Both I and II are implicit [SNAP 2018]

Show Answer

4. Answer:

Option A

Explanation: the statement mentions that concessions should not be given to people who can afford to spend holidays in hill stations. this means they should be given only to needy persons. so, i is implicit. but, ii does not follow from the statement and is not implicit.

LIST of Concepts in Critical Reasoning: Assumptions and Conclusions

Concept of Assumption – an unstated or hidden fact that supports the conclusion.
Concept of Conclusion – Totally based on facts and is based upon the argument.
Learning about the different types of Arguments – Deductive and Non-deductive.
The concept of Elimination method – Eliminating assumptions and then choosing from fewer options which prove to be more convenient for the correct answer.
The concept of Negation – Selecting an answer that occupies the sample space that in return excludes the original choice.

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Frequency of Assumption & Conclusion Question in the various MBA Entrance Exams

XAT :

YEAR	NO OF QUESTIONS	GOOD ATTEMPT	DIFFICULTY LEVEL
2020	6	4	Moderate
2019	5	3	Moderate-Difficult
2018	5	3	Moderate

SNAP :

YEAR	NO OF QUESTIONS	GOOD ATTEMPT	DIFFICULTY LEVEL
2019	–	–	–
2018	2	2	Easy
2017	2	1	Moderate
2016	1	1	Easy

How to deal with Critical Reasoning:

LEVEL 1

Students are supposed to have basic knowledge of the narrative the argument forms.
They should be quick in choosing the correct assumption. Students should follow MBAP CAT E-book (Concept Theory) study material for this. This is the best book for Critical reasoning.
Students must be able to eliminate the assumptions which seem not to match.
They must be aware of the fact that assumptions are always indefinite and positive.
They must not compare the different assumptions.
Students should read the statement with an approach that the assumptions would be true about the statement.

LEVEL 2

Critical reasoning tips: Some words like some, to large extent, many, much, exist in the assumptions. The key learning is that the assumption will always be implicit (True). Use MBAP Live Lecture Recording (Basic) for understanding this.
Any assumption that is conveying the message of advertisement or notice will also be always true.
Any critical reasoning assumption question that is talking about the past and future, that assumption will always be explicit (False).
Any assumption that is talking about social welfare (positive), government policies then will always be true.
If any assumption shows the words like a suggestion, order, request then that particular assumption will be Implicit. A restatement is never implicit.
The Negation of the assumption is one of the most common methods to arrive at the right answer choice. In other words, if your assumption is correct, negating it will weaken your conclusion. Make use of MBAP Previous year CAT question paper to practice to arrive at the negation of the assumption.

LEVEL 3

1. Common assumptions questions are safe to follow but other than that one should not align the statement with General Knowledge and facts. Try to answer Assumptions and Conclusion questions from MBAP Previous year CAT paper questions study materials.

2. Finish all the concepts used, examples, and questions given in the recommended critical reasoning book along with miscellaneous exercises. The Critical Reasoning book by K Sinha Nishit is very helpful. Also, the book MBAP CAT E-book (Practice Questions) is of huge value for critical reasoning questions

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SNAP Questions | Critical Reasoning: Assumption questions

CAT Quantitative Aptitude

CAT DILR

CAT Verbal Ability

Critical Reasoning questions: Assumption questions and conclusions

LIST of Concepts in Critical Reasoning: Assumptions and Conclusions

Frequency of Assumption & Conclusion Question in the various MBA Entrance Exams

How to deal with Critical Reasoning:

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

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Words From Our Students

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