Philatelist: The Swedish Treskilling Yellow is the rarest stamp in the

The correct answer is Option D

(A) If another Treskilling Yellow stamp happens to be found, it will bring in a price as high as that of the current Treskilling Yellow stamp. - This cannot be the assumption because if another Treskilling Yellow stamp happens to be found, then the current Treskilling Yellow stamp may not remain the most valuable stamp in the world - Out

(B) It is the unique quality of having been printed in error that makes the Treskilling Yellow stamp as rare and valuable as it is. - This is irrelevant - Out

(C) Because the Treskilling Yellow stamp is the only one of its kind, it would be worthless if another such stamp were located. - This can be eliminated for similar reasons, as Option A. The value of the current stamp would decrease if another such stamp were located. However, it would not be worthless - Out

(D) Because the Treskilling Yellow is the only one of its kind and has currently sold for the highest price among stamp collectors, it must have the most intrinsic value. - Yes, this can be assumed and aligns with the passage. The Treskilling Yellow stamp is the most valuable only because it is the only one of its kind and has been sold for the highest price among stamp collectors in the world - Keep

(E) Most of the finest and costliest stamps in the world have originated from printing errors in Sweden. - This is irrelevant - Out

Which of the following statements represents the assumption on which the philatelist’s conclusion depends?


(A) If another Treskilling Yellow stamp happens to be found, it will bring in a price as high as that of the current Treskilling Yellow stamp. Eliminated The price of the next Yellow Stamp has no bearing on the value of the stamp

(B) It is the unique quality of having been printed in error that makes the Treskilling Yellow stamp as rare and valuable as it is. Eliminated The sale price and not the printing error has been attributed to have provided value to the stamp.

(C) Because the Treskilling Yellow stamp is the only one of its kind, it would be worthless if another such stamp were located. Eliminated This is out of context. Not stated anywhere in the passage.

(D) Because the Treskilling Yellow is the only one of its kind and has currently sold for the highest price among stamp collectors, it must have the most intrinsic value. Suitable This can be inferred from "In 1996, it was sold for $2.06 million, making it the costliest stamp in the world. Therefore, the Treskilling Yellow is also the most valuable stamp in the world"

(E) Most of the finest and costliest stamps in the world have originated from printing errors in Sweden. Eliminated This assumption has nowhere been implied in the passage.

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Overview:

Question presents a statement from a philatelist (a stamp collector) who is discussing a very rare stamp, “the rarest stamp in the world,” according to the philatelist: the Swedish Treskilling Yellow. The philatelist notes that the stamp is so rare because it was originally printed in error and only one remains. As of 1996, the Treskilling Yellow was sold for $2.06 million dollars and is now the most expensive stamp in the world. The philatelist concludes that it is thus the most valuable stamp in the world. The student must consider which of the answer choices represents the assumption on which the philatelist’s conclusion depends. The first factor to consider is the conclusion itself – that the Treskilling Yellow is the most valuable stamp in the world. The second factor is the detail that supports the conclusion: (1) that the stamp is the only one of its kind to have been found, and (2) that it has sold for the highest price. According to the statements made by the philatelist these details make the stamp the most valuable in the world, so the correct answer choice will reflect this.

The Correct Answer:

D Answer choice (D) best summarizes the details noted in the Overview – that the philatelist consider the stamp to be the most valuable because it is unique and because it has sold for the most money. Therefore, answer choice (D) is correct.

The Incorrect Answers:

A The information in the passage suggests that the philatelist’s belief in the stamp’s value is based in part on the fact that there is only one stamp known to be in existence. Therefore, answer choice (A) cannot be correct, because the philatelist’s comments cannot be said to assume that a second stamp would sell for as much.

B Answer choice (B) is partially correct insofar as it expresses some of the information that supports the philatelist’s claim: the original error that printed the stamp in a different color has contributed to its rarity and its desirability among stamp collectors. However, this is a supporting detail and does not necessarily indicate the primary assumptions on which the philatelist’s argument depends. Answer choice (B) is not correct.

C Answer choice (C) offers a contrary assumption to answer choice (A): that the Treskilling Yellow would actually be worthless if a second stamp were found. But there is nothing in the passage to suggest that the philatelist believes this, so answer choice (C) can be eliminated due to insufficient support.

E The assumption that “the finest and costliest stamps in the world have originated from printing errors in Sweden” is utterly insupportable based on information in the passage. The philatelist notes only that one stamp is the costliest in the world, and this just happens to be because it is rare and because it is the result of a printing error. There is no further information about other rare and costly stamps, so answer choice (E) can be eliminated immediately.