Group 8 Question 39: University researchers are interested in...

Official Explanation:

University researchers are interested in developing a greater understanding of the native people inhabiting Orangeland. The researchers plan to hire a few university students from nearby Orangetown who are familiar with the native nation but are not members themselves. These students are interested in indigenous rights, and their university studies focus on native populations; their knowledge of traditional native customs may contribute to a greater understanding of the native people.

Which of the following is an assumption on which the success of the plan depends?

A. There are native students at the university who the students can talk to.
B. The student representatives have a reasonably strong understanding of the native populations as a result of their studies.
C. Native students would be a better source of information than non-native students studying native populations.
D. Modern technologies available to the researchers allow them to study the native people without direct contact.
E. Most or all native sites are not available in Orangeland.

Question Type: Assumption
Boil It Down: University researchers want to learn more about the native people who live in Orangeland. To do this, the university wants to hire students who are familiar with this native group, study native populations in school, and are interested in studying this particular group.
Goal: Which of the following assumptions MUST exist for this plan to work?

Analysis:
This is a great example of an assumption question. The university in this example is trying to put together a program to study the native people of Orangeland. They believe that hiring university students who study native populations and have an interest in the topic will be a success.

What MUST they assume to be true to insure that this program will work? Make sure to rule out any options that are illogical or outside the scope of the passage:

A. There are native students at the university who the students can talk to.
A is incorrect because, while likely correct, native students aren’t considered in the passage.

B. The student representatives have a reasonably strong understanding of the native populations as a result of their studies.
B is correct because the researchers believe they can rely on students interested in the native population to provide a complex understanding of that population.

C. Native students would be a better source of information than non-native students studying native populations.
C is incorrect because, while likely correct, native students aren’t considered in the passage.

D. Modern technologies available to the researchers allow them to study the native people without direct contact.
D is incorrect because, while the researchers don’t intend to make direct contact, there is no mention of technology in the passage.

E. Most or all native sites are not available in Orangeland.
E is incorrect because the passage clearly indicates the native people are located in Orangeland.


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