OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
Almost all of the residents of Lonelitown drink cheap bottled mineral water, and not the water supplied by the municipality. Therefore, the municipality should reduce the price paid for water if they are to encourage residents to go back to drinking it.
The above conclusion is properly drawn if which of the following is assumed?A. The bottled water is imported from springs overseas.
Incorrect.
To solve this Assumption question, first break down the argument. The second sentence includes a conclusion conjunction (Therefore) and a recommendation (should) so it's the conclusion, and the first sentence must be a premise since it provides us with a hard fact.
Now ask yourself: the author thinks that making the municipal water cheaper will make people drink it more. But what is the missing link? What unfounded connection (assumption) does the author make?
Where the bottled water comes from is irrelevant, as it does not explain why the author concluded residents would drink municipality water if it were cheaper.B. The municipality's water supply is filtered through a sophisticated process.
Incorrect.
The filtering process of the municipal water is irrelevant, as it does not explain why the author concluded residents would drink municipality water if it were cheaper.C. Residents of Lonelitown are not dedicated to the livelihood of their municipality.
Incorrect.
This answer choice presents a new premise about the residents of Lonelitown. It is irrelevant whether this new data supports the conclusion; what you are looking for is the assumption, which should explain how the author drew the conclusion based on the existing premises.D. The price is the factor that most influences the resident's choice of drinking water.
The author assumes that the Lonelitown residents are buying the bottled water for financial reasons only.
Remember! The assumption isn't necessarily valid or logical and may appear to be incorrect. You are not asked to discuss the validity of the assumption, just to point it out.E. Bottled mineral water receives far more public attention through advertising than municipal water does.
Incorrect.
If this answer choice were the author's assumption, he or she would more likely recommend a more extensive advertisement campaign for municipality water. However, the author suggested a price reduction. Why?