VeritasPrepBrandon wrote:
Veritas teaches a technique called the "assumption negation technique" that is very effective for solving critical reasoning assumption questions. In order to utilize the assumption negation technique, narrow down your list of potential answers to a couple you feel may be correct. Then, for each answer choice, negate the choice, insert the negated statement back into the argument, and gauge whether or not the argument falls apart. A correct assumption, when negated, will destroy the argument.
This argument is stating that mercury levels are higher in saltwater fish now than in the 1880s, and it uses the comparison of the mercury in feathers of currently living birds vs. those of birds stuffed in the 1880s.
Negating answer choice E, we have: "the process used to preserve birds in the 1880s DID substantially decrease the amount of mercury in the birds’ feathers." If that is the case, then the comparison between living birds and those stuffed in the 1880s is no longer relevant, as the mercury in those birds' feathers was significantly altered. This destroys the link between premises and conclusion, and thus answer choice E is a required assumption.
I hope this helps!!!
hi
its fairly easy problem, and like everyone, I also got it right, but...
I was wondering if you could tell me whether the way I have eliminated "C" is okay
Assumption is an unstated premise, but the premise that "C" states is clearly stated in the argument, so it cannot be an unstated premise, so I have ruled it out. Is that okay ..?
thanks in advance, man