Hope your preparation is going well.
To solve such questions, the first step should be to read the question.
1. The question gives you clarity about the task. In this case, it is asked to identify the assumption. The role of the assumption is to the bridge the gap that exists between premise and conclusion.
2. Next, the argument should be understood.
While reading the argument, the following pattern can be observed
Planning Pattern
Premise – There is a plan to solve the problem.
Conclusion –Do the plan!!
Assumption- there is no problem with the plan
Weakening- Identify problems with the plan
Strengthening- provide solutions to the problems
Let us see the application
The commissioner intends to decrease the number of crimes by moving the police officers from low crime to high crime districts. The proposal of the commissioner is based on the data of city Y which shows that employing additional forces helps to reduce crimes.
.However, the data do not mention anything about the effect on the districts from which the police officers were removed. This is the flaw/gap/loophole present in the argument .The role of the assumption is to bridge this gap. So, in this case it is assumed that movement of police officers will not have any negative effect on the low crime districts and the plan is going to work.
3. The next step is to predict the answer
The plan is going to work or there is no problem with the plan.
4. Eliminate the incorrect choices and reach to the right one
A –This choice is out of scope. The argument nowhere discusses about City X. This analogy is not bridging any gap.
B – The commissioner’s plan intends to reduce number of crimes in city Y .The severity of the crimes is not discussed in the argument. This choice can also be eliminated as it is out of scope.
C-The comparison drawn between high and low crime areas of the city does not influence the commissioner’s decision.
D- This answer choice has no relevance in the discussion and hence is out of scope.
E –This answer choice matches with the predicted answer.
Hope it helps. Please get in touch if you require further help.
Keep practicing.
All the best!!
PythaGURUS Faculty Team
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Aarushi
MBA Consulting Team
PythaGURUS Education