STATEMENT AND ASSUMPTION

What is Statement and Assumption Reasoning?

As mentioned above, an assumption is something that we take for
granted, or we assume. In various government exams, candidates will be
given some statements followed by some assumptions. By reading the
given statements, candidates need to take the right decision. Here taking
the right decision means selecting the correct assumption.
Several types of problems based on Statement and Assumption reasoning
sections are asked in various government competitive exams. Let us see
them now one by one.

Types of Statement and Assumption

As now we know what consists of the questions related to the
Statement and Assumption reasoning section. Let us see the various
types of questions that may come one by one below.

1. Existence/Non – existence of the subject

In this type of statement and assumption reasoning, the
assumptions are normally simple in nature. Here the assumptions
are usually existing or non existing types.

2. Cause Effect
In this type of statement and assumption reasoning, some
statements will be given, which will mention a cause and effect
relationship. In this type of reasoning, words like “therefore”, “thus”,
“hence”, etc. are used frequently. And it would be an assumption to

say that “this cause leads to this effect.”

3. Course of action
In this type of statement and assumption reasoning, a fact, report,
observation, or study will be given followed by a suggested course of
action.

4. Advertisement/Notice/Appeals
In this type of statement and assumption reasoning, the statements
given are usually in a form of an advertisement or an official notice
or a notice issued in public interest or an appeal.
 Tips and Tricks
Candidates can find various tips and tricks below for solving
the questions related to the Statement and Assumption
reasoning section.

Tip # 1: An Assumption is the missing link of the logical

structure of an argument. It is left unsaid and therefore,
assumed.

Tip # 2: There are some standard categories of statements

that have standard ways of assuming certain things.

Tip # 3: In judging the validity of a given assumption, a

special note should be taken of some keywords.

Tip # 4: The answer choice “either of them is implicit” is very

rarely correct for assumption questions.

Tip # 5: The assumption should be considered from Author’s

point of view and not yours.

Tip # 6: There are some words that lend a greater degree of

emphasis to understand the sentence. The word “definitely”,
“certainly”, “only”, “best”, “strongest”, “all”, etc. Impart a
kind of exclusiveness to the sentence and thereby reduce the
scope of the sentence.

Sample Questions
Question 1:

Statement: According to me, you should get your child

examined by a specialist doctor.

Assumption: Specialist doctors are able to diagnose

better than ordinary doctors.

Solution: The assumption is valid. One is advising to get

his child examined by a specialist doctor. It is obvious
that he may be assuming that the specialist doctors
diagnose better than ordinary doctors.
 Sample Questions
Question 1:

Statement: According to me, you should get your child examined by a

specialist doctor.

Assumption: Specialist doctors are able to diagnose better than

ordinary doctors.

Solution: The assumption is valid. One is advising to get his child

examined by a specialist doctor. It is obvious that he may be assuming
that the specialist doctors diagnose better than ordinary doctors.

Question 2:

Statement: “The party will start at 6 p.m. You are requested to take your
seats before 6 p.m.” – last sentence in an invitation card.

Assumption: The party will start as scheduled.

Solution: Since the card says that the invitee should take his seat before
6:00 p.m., it implies that the party will start as scheduled. It has the
invitee who will have to see that he/she reaches before 6:00 p.m.

Question 3:
Statement: The government should focus on solving the
immediate problems
of today rather than trying to solve the anticipated problems of
the future.

Assumption: Current problems should be given more priority over

the problems of the future.

Solution: The words ‘solving the immediate problems of today

rather than on trying to solve the anticipated problems’ tells us
that more priority should be given to current problems. This
makes assumption implicit.

Note: This is an example, where we assume non-existence of

something whose absence is being discussed.
 Question 4:
Statement: It rained last night. The ground must have
become wet.
Assumption: When it rains the ground becomes wet.

Solution: As we know, things get wet when they come

in contact with water. So when it rains, the ground gets
wet due to water. So this is a valid assumption.

Question 5:

Statement: The manufacturing companies in Tamil

Nadu are facing acute power shortage.

Course of Action:

1. Government should take steps to solve the

power crisis.
2. Government should shut down manufacturing
companies to save power.

Solution: It is the job of the government to solve

the industrial power crisis when manufacturing
companies are facing the electricity crunch.
Shutting down the companies to save the power is
not the solution as it will stop the industrial growth
of the state. Hence only the 1st course of action is
correct.