These questions test whether you can separate what is explicitly said from what logically follows and what is silently presumed. Read only the information given, without adding facts from personal experience.

Key terms

• Statement: the information, claim, or situation presented.
• Conclusion: an idea that must logically follow from the statement.
• Assumption: an unstated idea that must be true for the statement to make sense.
• Inference: a reasonable deduction from the available information.

How to test a conclusion

A conclusion follows only when the statement makes it certain. It is not enough for it to be likely, generally true, or possible. A valid conclusion must stay within the scope of the statement and must not introduce a new cause, condition, or group.

• Accept only what necessarily follows.
• Reject broad generalizations drawn from limited information.
• Reject conclusions based on outside knowledge or personal opinion.
• Watch for words such as all, only, always, never, and must.

How to test an assumption

Use the negation test: temporarily assume the proposed assumption is false. If the original statement or its purpose falls apart, the assumption is implicit. If the statement still makes sense, it is not a necessary assumption.

Common assumption patterns

• A recommendation assumes that the suggested action is useful or possible.
• An advertisement assumes that its intended audience may value the stated benefit.
• A comparison assumes that the items can reasonably be compared.
• A warning assumes that the stated risk can occur or matters to the audience.

Frequent mistakes

• Confusing a possible result with a certain conclusion.
• Treating a desirable outcome as a proven fact.
• Selecting an assumption that is helpful but not necessary.
• Adding a detail that the statement never mentions.
• Using real-world knowledge to override the given words.

Quick solving method

1. Identify whether the question asks for a conclusion or an assumption.
2. For a conclusion, ask: “Must this be true?”
3. For an assumption, ask: “What must already be accepted?”
4. Use the negation test for each possible assumption.
5. Choose only the option supported by the statement itself.

Quick revision summary

• A conclusion is a certain logical result.
• An assumption is an unstated but necessary belief.
• Possible, popular, and desirable are not the same as logically valid.
• Use the negation test to identify a genuine assumption.