Assumption

Question 1

T/F ?

Assumptions are necessary conditions
for the conclusion to be valid

Answer 1

True

Conclusion (Valid) –> Assumption True

assumptions are described as what must be true in order for the conclusion to be true

Question 2

What is the major difference in the question stem or Assumption vs Justify the conclusion?

Answer 2

Assumption will always use necessary condition indicators - required, must, necessary. It will never contain a sufficient word -e.g if

While,

Justify the assumption (though you wil see words like assume, presuppose) contains sufficient condition markers - if.

Question 3

is this an Assumption or Justify the conclusion question stem?

“Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument above”

Answer 3

Assumption

Question 4

is this an Assumption or Justify the conclusion question stem?

“The position taken above presupposes which one of the following?”

Answer 4

Assumption

Question 5

Assumption or Justify?

The conclusion in the passage above relies on which one of the following assumptions?

Answer 5

Assumption

Question 6

is this an Assumption or Justify the conclusion question stem?

“The conclusion cited does not follow unless”

Answer 6

ASSUMPTION

Question 7

Negate the conditional statement

“To be rich, you must be smart”

Answer 7

To be rich, you do not necessarily have to be smart

To negate a conditional statement you must show that the necessary condition is not in fact necessary.

Question 8

Quirks of Assumption Question Answer Choices

Answer 8

1. Watch for answers strarting with the phrase “at least one” or “at least
   some.”- they are usually Correct
2. Avoid answers that claim an idea was the most important consideration for the author.
3. Watch for the use of “not” or negatives in assumption answer choices.
4. If conditional statements are linked together in the argument, the correct
   answer choice for an Assumption question will typically supply a missing link in the chain
5. If you see a conditional conclusion (where no conditional chains are present) and then are asked an Assumption question, immediately look for an answer that confirms that the necessary condition is truly necessary or that eliminates possible alternatives to the necessary condition (a defender)

Question 9

5 common types of correct assumption answer choices

Answer 9

1. Argument: Proposes a plan
   Assumption: The plan will work/desired outcome will occur and there is no factor that will make the plan not to work
2. Argument: X causes Y
   Assumption: There is no alternative explanation for the observed event that can render the current claim invalid
3. Argument: A plan will not work/outcome will not occur
   Assumption: There is no alternative factor that can make the plan work/outcome occur
4. Argument: Because an event happened in the past, it will occur in the future
   Assumption: a change will not occur overtime that will render the conclusion invalid

5.Argument: X is likely true therefore X is true (without evidence)
Assumption: Likely true = actually true

Question 10

T/F?

An assumption answer choice that weakens the argument is correct

Answer 10

False

Any answer choice that weakens the conclusion act as a malicious variable and can never be correct.

An assumption in its un-negated state should actually strengthen the argument. Its when negated that it then hurts the argument shich signifies that it must be true for the argument to be valid.

Question 11

T/F?

An assumption answer choice that confirms a premise can be correct

Answer 11

False

Premise is already fact. We do not need an extra bridge to strengthen a fact.

Question 12

The Supporter/Defender Assumption Model™️

Answer 12

On the LSAT, assumptions play one of two roles—the Supporter or the Defender.

1. The Supporter role is the traditional linking role, where an assumption connects the pieces of the argument.
   Because Supporters often connect “new” or “rogue” pieces of information in the argument, the Supporter role generally appears similar to the Justify the conclusion answers

2.The Defender role is entirely different, and Defender assumptions protect the
argument by eliminating ideas that could weaken the argument.- Find an answer choice that takes the conclusion and put the word “NOT” into it or takes it out of the conclusion sentence.

when you see gap/new element , think –> supported

When gap/new element not obvious , think –> defender

Question 13

Logocal oposite/negation of

All

Answer 13

Not all

Question 14

Logocal oposite/negation of

Some

Answer 14

None

Question 15

Logocal oposite/negation of

Always

Answer 15

Not always

Question 16

Logocal oposite/negation of

Never

Answer 16

Sometimes

Question 17

Logocal oposite/negation of

Not everywhere

Answer 17

Everywhere

Question 18

Logocal oposite/negation of

Somewhere

Answer 18

Nowhere

Question 19

Logocal oposite/negation of

Will

Answer 19

Will Not
Might not

Question 20

Logocal oposite/negation of

Exactly one

Answer 20

Not exactly one
or
More than one
or
none

Question 21

What does these question stems tell me to do?

“The conclusion above follows logically if which one of the following
is assumed?”

“Which one of the following, if assumed, would allow the conclusion to
be properly drawn?”

Answer 21

To justify the conclusion

To solve this type of question, apply the Justify Formula:

Premises + [Answer choice] = Conclusion.

Justify questions are perfect strengthening questions ie they MUST strengthen 100%: the correct answer will strengthen the argument so well that the conclusion MUST follow from the combination of the premises and the correct answer choice.

Tip to get tough questions right: the correct answers usually link new elements that occur in the premises or conclusion and ignore elements common to both.