Critical Reasoning: Assumption Questions
Almost all of the residents of Lonelitown drink cheap bottled mineral water, and not the water supplied by the municipality. Therefore, the municipality should reduce the price paid for water if they are to encourage residents to go back to drinking it.
The above conclusion is properly drawn if which of the following is assumed?
Well done!
The author assumes that the Lonelitown residents are buying the bottled water for financial reasons only.
Remember! The assumption isn't necessarily valid or logical and may appear to be incorrect. You
are not asked to discuss the validity of the assumption, just to point
it out.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]
Where the bottled water comes from is irrelevant, as it does not explain why the author concluded residents would drink municipality water if it were cheaper.
Incorrect.
The filtering process of the municipal water is irrelevant, as it does not explain why the author concluded residents would drink municipality water if it were cheaper.
Incorrect.
This answer choice presents a new premise about the residents of Lonelitown. It is irrelevant whether this new data
supports the conclusion; what you are looking for is the assumption, which should explain how the author drew the conclusion based on the existing premises.
Incorrect.
[[snippet]]If this answer choice were the author's assumption, he or she would more likely recommend a more extensive advertisement campaign for municipality water. However, the author suggested a price reduction. Why?
