Assumption Identification Flashcards
7 cards from real LNAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Assumption Identification flashcards as text
An argument states: 'Students who study abroad perform better in their careers.' What underlying assumption does this argument make?
Answer: International experience provides skills and qualities that employers value
The argument assumes that studying abroad develops skills or qualities employers value, which is what links it to career success.
Consider the argument: 'All citizens should pay taxes because government services benefit everyone.' What core assumption underlies this reasoning?
Answer: Those who benefit from public services have an obligation to contribute to their cost
The argument assumes a principle that those who benefit from services bear an obligation to fund them through taxation.
The argument states: 'Since crime rates fell after the new policing policy was introduced, the policy must be working.' What assumption does this make?
Answer: The new policing policy caused the reduction in crime rather than other factors
The argument assumes a causal relationship between the policy and crime reduction rather than mere temporal correlation.
'The university's ranking has improved, so its quality of education must have improved.' What is the underlying assumption?
Answer: Higher rankings accurately and reliably reflect genuine educational quality
The argument assumes that ranking systems are a valid and accurate measure of real educational quality.
'We should ban violent video games because they cause children to behave violently.' What assumption is being made?
Answer: There is a proven causal link between playing violent games and engaging in violent behavior
The argument assumes that exposure to video game violence directly causes real-world violent behavior, which must be true for the ban to be justified.
'The new medicine reduced symptoms in clinical trials, so doctors should prescribe it to all patients with this condition.' What assumption does this make?
Answer: The trial results will generalise to all patients, not just those in the trial
The argument assumes that outcomes observed in trial participants will apply equally to the wider patient population.
'This law has been in place for 100 years, so it must be a good law.' What assumption underlies this reasoning?
Answer: Laws that have existed for a long time must have proven their value and effectiveness
The argument assumes that longevity alone is sufficient evidence of a law's quality or effectiveness.