LNAT · Section A
LNAT assumption questions
Find the unstated belief the argument needs for its conclusion to follow.
How to spot it
- Which of the following is an assumption the argument relies on?
- The author's argument depends on which of the following?
Try one
Original example
A town plans to cut traffic in its centre by doubling parking charges there. The council argues that drivers who now park in the centre will switch to the bus, because the bus fare will then be cheaper than an hour's parking.
Which of the following is an assumption the council's argument relies on?
The method
- Name the conclusion and the reason given for it.
- Find the gap between them.
- Negate each option: if the argument collapses, that is the assumption.
The trap
Watch forPicking an option that is too strong, such as "every" or "all", when the argument needs much less.
Now a harder one
Harder
Pupils who take music lessons score higher in maths tests than pupils who do not. So if the school paid for every pupil to learn an instrument, its maths results would rise.
Which of the following is an assumption the argument relies on?