The goal here is to first look at the question stem - "Which of the following is an assumption on which the stickler’s argument depends?"

The argument that Stickler makes is that red velvet cake contains cream cheese by definition and since vegan cakes would not contain any it should not be referred to as red velvet cake.

So, lets apply process of elimination (PoE) here:

a. Cream cheese is defined not by its taste, but by its composition. - this assumption would help Stickler's argument.
b. Red velvet cake must contain milk. - this assumption is irrelevant as it is not associated with cream cheese. This choice can eliminated
c. Any vegan cake ought not to take the name of its non-vegan counterpart. - Stickler makes no argument about any other cake other than red velvet which makes this statement too broad. This choice can be eliminated.
d. A proper red velvet cake has a white, creamy appearance. - this assumption is irrelevant as it is not associated with cream cheese. This choice can eliminated.
e. The amount of cream cheese in a red velvet cake is not variable - even though this is related to cream cheese it does not help the argument. This choice can be eliminated.

The answer is A.

Hope this helps!

Lighthouse Prep

Answers (A) and (E) are both equally contenders, why (A) is better than (E). Please help

a.Cream cheese is defined not by its taste, but by its composition.
Since cream cheese cannot be defined with out its composition and cream cheese contains milk products, vegan cannot have cream cake with out its original composition. So vegan cannot be called red velvet.

e.The amount of cream cheese in a red velvet cake is not variable
If it is variable it can vary from 100% to 0%, then in that case it shatters the conclusion and the vegan cake can be called as red velvet.

E is nowhere an assumption. Lets negate E and check if it affects the argument.

The amount of cream cheese in a red velvet cake is variable. It need not vary from 0-100% and vary between a close range of 10-15% and still be called variable. But does it matter to the conclusion? No

What is the point of considering 0% of cheese in other words when it does not exist?

Choice A is a clear winner for reasons already described above.

OA and official answer veritas prep

Solution: A

Any Assumption question can be solved by employing the Assumption Negation Technique, and this question is no exception. Negate each answer choice, plug that negation into the argument, and see if the negation undermines or outright refutes the conclusion. Here answer choice (A) destroys the conclusion: if cream cheese is defined by its taste, then a vegan red velvet cake that tastes like a dairy-based red velvet cake can be referred to as a red velvet cake.

if we apply prethinking then two assumptions pops up
1. one product can not have two definitions
2. definition defines the name of product

as per these two pre though assumption choice C should be correct

Could someone please explain why option C is incorrect? If we negate this option “Any vegan cake OUGHT TO take the name of its non-vegan counterpart”, it breaks down the conclusion as well because in if any vegan cake can take the name of a non-vegan cake, then RV cake can be referred to as a RV cake.