Statement Assumptions
Key Concepts
| # | Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is an Assumption? | An unstated, logically necessary premise that must be true for the statement to hold. |
| 2 | Standard Format | Statement → Assumption → Conclusion. Assumption bridges the gap. |
| 3 | Positive vs Negative | Positive assumption supports; negative assumption contradicts. Reject negative. |
| 4 | Too Obvious | If the assumption merely repeats the statement, it is not an assumption. |
| 5 | Extreme Words | “Only”, “Always”, “Never”, “All” usually make assumptions invalid. |
| 6 | Chain Assumption | If assumption needs another assumption, it is not the correct one. |
| 7 | Venn-Trick | Draw a quick Venn/arrow diagram to visualise scope & direction. |
| 8 | 3-Step Elimination | 1. Reject contradicting. 2. Reject obvious. 3. Pick the must-be-true. |
15 Practice MCQs
1. Statement: “Use R-Wallet, the new digital ticketing app of Railways, for hassle-free booking.”
**Assumption I:** People want hassle-free booking.**Assumption II:** R-Wallet is faster than traditional methods.
**A.** Only I implicit **B.** Only II implicit **C.** Both I & II **D.** Neither
**Answer:** A
**Solution:** The appeal is based on the desire for convenience; speed is not claimed.
**Shortcut:** Appeal-word “hassle-free” ⇒ desire assumption (I) only.
**Tag:** Appeal-word
2. Statement: “The factory has introduced an 8-hour shift to reduce worker fatigue.”
**I.** Longer shifts cause fatigue.**II.** 8-hour shift will reduce fatigue.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** C
**Solution:** Both are necessary; if longer shifts did not cause fatigue, no need to reduce them; if 8-hour does not reduce fatigue, action is useless.
**Shortcut:** Cause-effect statements usually assume both cause and remedy efficacy.
**Tag:** Cause-effect
3. Statement: “Smoking is prohibited on railway premises – fine ₹200.”
**I.** Some people smoke on premises.**II.** Fine can prevent smoking.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** C
**Solution:** Prohibition implies existence (I) and penalty deterrent value (II).
**Shortcut:** “Prohibition” ⇒ existence + penalty belief.
**Tag:** Prohibition
4. Statement: “Beware of pickpockets in crowded trains.”
**I.** Crowded trains have pickpockets.**II.** Passengers carry valuables.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** A
**Solution:** Warning assumes threat exists (I). Valuables (II) not required for warning.
**Shortcut:** Warning ⇒ threat, not victim property.
**Tag:** Warning
5. Statement: “To get a railway job, apply only online.”
**I.** Offline applications are not accepted.**II.** Everyone has internet access.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** A
**Solution:** “Only online” ⇒ offline ruled out (I). Internet access (II) not assumed; railways may still accept offline later.
**Shortcut:** “Only X” ⇒ non-X invalid; availability of X not assumed.
**Tag:** Only-clause
6. Statement: “Increase in freight fares will improve punctuality of passenger trains.”
**I.** Freight trains cause passenger delays.**II.** Higher fare will reduce freight traffic.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** C
**Solution:** Fare ↑ ⇒ freight ↓ ⇒ lines free ⇒ punctuality ↑; both links needed.
**Shortcut:** Policy-action statements usually assume full causal chain.
**Tag:** Policy-action
7. Statement: “Now rail tickets with QR code—no need to print.”
**I.** QR codes can be scanned from mobile screens.**II.** Passengers own smartphones.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** A
**Solution:** “No print” needs scannability (I); smartphone ownership (II) not claimed—passenger may borrow device.
**Shortcut:** Tech feature ⇒ feasibility, not user ownership.
**Tag:** Technology
8. Statement: “Senior citizens can travel at 50 % concession—produce ID proof.”
**I.** Senior citizens have ID proof.**II.** Concession is desirable for them.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** C
**Solution:** Rule useless without ID (I) and desire for concession (II).
**Shortcut:** Benefit-scheme ⇒ eligibility + desire.
**Tag:** Benefit-scheme
9. Statement: “The train will arrive on platform 2—please stand behind the yellow line.”
**I.** Passengers may cross the yellow line.**II.** Platform 2 can accommodate the train.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** C
**Solution:** Warning (I) & announcement (II) both presupposed.
**Shortcut:** Instruction ⇒ possible violation + infrastructural possibility.
**Tag:** Instruction
10. Statement: “Railway introduced women-only coaches for safety.”
**I.** Women feel unsafe in mixed coaches.**II.** Separate coaches enhance safety.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** C
**Solution:** Measure assumes problem exists (I) and solution works (II).
**Shortcut:** Remedy-problem ⇒ existence + efficacy.
**Tag:** Remedy
11. Statement: “CCTV surveillance has been installed—passengers are safe.”
**I.** CCTV deters criminals.**II.** No other safety measure is needed.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** A
**Solution:** Conclusion needs deterrent value (I). “Only CCTV” (II) is extreme & not implied.
**Shortcut:** Reject extreme “only/never” assumptions.
**Tag:** Extreme-word
12. Statement: “Eat at IRCTC cafés—tasty and hygienic food guaranteed.”
**I.** Passengers care for taste and hygiene.**II.** Other vendors are unhygienic.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** A
**Solution:** Ad appeal needs customer concern (I). Degrading others (II) not stated.
**Shortcut:** Advert appeal ⇒ customer value, not competitor slam.
**Tag:** Advertisement
13. Statement: “Railway exams will be held in regional languages also.”
**I.** Some candidates are uncomfortable in English/Hindi.**II.** Regional language papers are already printed.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** A
**Solution:** Decision implies need (I); logistics (II) is future action, not assumed.
**Shortcut:** Policy announcement ⇒ need, not implementation detail.
**Tag:** Policy
14. Statement: “Wait-listed passengers should opt for Vikalp scheme for alternative train.”
**I.** Vikalp gives confirmed berths.**II.** Wait-listed passengers want confirmed berths.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** C
**Solution:** Advice assumes benefit (I) and desire (II).
**Shortcut:** Advisory ⇒ benefit + desire.
**Tag:** Advisory
15. Statement: “Railway station provides free Wi-Fi—‘RailWire’.”
**I.** Passengers need internet at station.**II.** RailWire is free for everyone.
**A.** Only I **B.** Only II **C.** Both **D.** Neither
**Answer:** A
**Solution:** Service implies demand (I). “Free for everyone” (II) repeats statement ⇒ not assumption.
**Shortcut:** Free service ⇒ demand, not restatement.
**Tag:** Restatement-reject
Speed Tricks
| Situation | Shortcut | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “Only X” appears | Assume non-X is invalid; don’t assume X is available to all. | Q.5 above |
| Warning/Prohibition | Assume (i) threat exists, (ii) penalty deters. | Q.3 |
| Advertisement | Assume customer values claimed benefit; never assume competitor is bad. | Q.12 |
| Cause-Effect policy | Assume both cause exists & proposed action will work. | Q.2, Q.6 |
| Extreme words (always/never/all/only) in assumption option | 90 % mark invalid; pick only if unavoidably necessary. | Q.11 |
Quick Revision
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1 | Assumption = unstated must-be-true premise. |
| 2 | If assumption is explicit in statement → reject. |
| 3 | Negative assumption → always reject. |
| 4 | “Only” in statement ⇒ reverse is invalid; “only” in assumption ⇒ likely invalid. |
| 5 | Chain assumption (assumption needs another assumption) → invalid. |
| 6 | Appeal/Advisory ⇒ assume desire/need exists. |
| 7 | Warning ⇒ assume threat exists. |
| 8 | Remedy ⇒ assume problem exists & remedy works. |
| 9 | Technology ⇒ assume feasibility, not user ownership. |
| 10 | 3-step elimination: Contradictory → Obvious → Must-be-true; saves 20 s per Q. |
BETA
