The average 40-year-old North American will have watched more than one

This question is an excellent example of why categorizing questions by question type can actually be harmful. If the question asked for an assumption made by the argument, we would look for an answer choice that must be true in order for the conclusion to be properly drawn.

But it doesn’t just ask for an assumption. Instead, it asks for an answer choice that, if assumed, makes the conclusion logically follow. So, rather than looking for an answer choice that is merely NECESSARY, we are looking for an answer choice that is SUFFICIENT to draw the argument’s conclusion.

Keeping the question in mind, let’s take a look at (E):


If we were looking for an assumption made by the argument, (E) would be a good candidate. It has to be true that certain forms of communication affect people’s habits of thought for us to conclude that TV commercials influence North American habits of thought. But the question doesn’t ask for an assumption made by the argument. Instead, if we assume that certain forms of communication affect habits of thought, then can we logically conclude that TV commercials influence North American thought? We can’t because we don’t know if TV commercials are one of those “certain forms of communication.”

So while (E) is an assumption made by the argument, the conclusion does not necessarily logically follow if we assume (E). Eliminate (E).

And here’s (B):


According to the passage, the average 40-year-old North American is exposed to TV commercials in great quantity. If, as (B) says, anything people are exposed to in great quantity influences their habits to thought, then TV commercials will influence the habits of thought of North Americans. This is exactly what the conclusion of the argument states, so the author’s conclusion logically follows if we assume (B). Therefore, (B) is correct.

You’re actually correct to note that (B) is too broad if we were merely looking for an assumption made by the argument. It does not have to be true that ANYTHING people are exposed to in great quantity will influence their habits of thought in order for us to conclude that TV commercials have influenced North American thought. It’s possible that only those things which people WATCH in great quantity influence their habits of thought.

So, (B) is not an assumption made by the argument. But if we assume (B), the conclusion logically follows.

Again, one of the biggest takeaway from this question is that broadly categorizing questions into question types without considering the nuances of a particular question is not helpful and can actually be harmful. So as silly as this might sound: do your best to simply read the question, and answer the exact question that is asked.

I hope that helps!