Critical Reasoning Questions: Overview

Low-fat milk contains 50% fewer calories than does whole milk. Thus, a glass of low-fat milk is healthier than a glass of whole milk.

The above argument relies on which of the following assumptions?

Very good!

If the author assumed low-calorie drinks are healthier, that would explain why he or she concluded low-fat milk is healthier than whole milk, based on the premise that low-fat milk contains less calories.

Premise: that low-fat milk contains less calories than whole milk

Assumption: low-calorie drinks are healthier

Conclusion: low-fat milk is healthier than whole milk

Incorrect.

Skim milk is outside the scope of this argument, which only compares low-fat and whole milk. The assumption does not introduce any new factors (in this case, skim milk), but rather links existing factors.

In addition, this answer choice uses the word thus, which is a conclusion word. This means that the answer choice contains a conclusion. Since we're looking for an assumption and not for a conclusion, this answer choice can be eliminated.

Taste is outside the scope of this argument. The assumption does not introduce any new factors (in this case, taste), but rather links existing factors.

Did you assume that since this answer choice is similar to the next one, one of them must be right?

Taste is outside the scope of this argument. The assumption does not introduce any new factors (in this case, taste), but rather links existing factors to each other.

Did you assume that since this answer choice is similar to the previous one, one of them must be right?

Incorrect.

Lactose tolerance or intolerance is outside the scope of this argument. The assumption does not introduce any new factors (in this case, lactose tolerance), but rather links existing factors.

Okay. Let's continue.