Assumptions, Conclusions, and Courses of Action: Concepts, Formulas, and Clear Examples
These items test reading discipline: whether a statement, when treated as true, forces an assumption, allows a conclusion, or justifies an action. You are not debating real-world truth—you are checking logical containment.
Assumption questions ask what must be taken for granted for the statement to make sense. Conclusion questions ask what follows if the statement is true. Course-of-action questions ask which step is suitable given the problem—often requiring feasibility and relevance, not idealism.
Assumptions: implicit premises
An assumption is unstated but necessary. If denying it makes the argument collapse, it is assumed. If the statement works even when the candidate is false, it is not assumed.
- Statement: ‘Advertise more to increase sales.’ Assumes advertising can influence sales—not that sales are already high.
- Avoid assumptions that add new goals (profit, brand fame) unless the text mentions them.
Example — Assumption check
Statement: ‘The company should train staff because errors have risen.’
Necessary: training can reduce errors (or errors are due to skill gaps). Not assumed: errors will become zero, or competitors also train.
Conclusions: must follow vs may follow
- Definitely true: follows logically from the statement alone.
- Probably true: plausible but needs outside facts.
- Definitely false: contradicts the statement.
- Quantifiers matter: ‘some,’ ‘all,’ ‘only,’ ‘unless.’
Courses of action: feasibility filters
A valid course should address the stated problem, be practically doable, and not contradict the situation. Reject extreme, vague, or duplicate actions.
- Problem: water shortage → ‘rainwater harvesting’ relevant; ‘ban all agriculture’ usually invalid.
- Two actions both needed? Some papers allow ‘both I and II’ if independent and sufficient together.
Common trap patterns
- Reverse causation in conclusions.
- Assumption = conclusion (assumption is premise, not result).
- Course that solves a different problem.
- Absolute words (‘only,’ ‘never’) in unsupported conclusions.
Syllabus-style pairing with data
Long stems may combine a paragraph with two assumption/conclusion sets. Underline the core claim once; ignore decorative examples.
Verification
- Assumption: negate it—does the statement still stand?
- Conclusion: can you derive it without new data?
- Course: does it directly reduce the stated harm?
Step-by-step method for exam questions
- Separate facts in the statement from opinions and recommendations.
- For assumptions, list what must be true for the recommendation to be meaningful.
- For conclusions, map quantifiers and logical connectors (if…then, only if, unless).
- For courses, match each option to the problem sentence.
- Eliminate options that need external knowledge or exaggerate.
- Choose the minimal, necessary option set.
Formula cheat sheet
| Situation | Formula | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Assumption test | Negate → argument fails? | Implicit premise MCQs |
| Must follow | Statement ⊢ conclusion | Definite conclusion |
| Course fit | Action → stated problem | COA questions |
| Unless / only if | Reverse conditional | Legal-style stems |
| Some / all | Do not generalize | Quantifier traps |
Frequently asked questions
Can an assumption be false in real life?
Yes; you only judge whether the author needs it for the statement to be reasonable.
Are ‘both follow’ answers common?
Sometimes two conclusions both follow; verify each independently.
What invalidates a course of action?
Irrelevance, impossibility, or addressing a symptom while ignoring the stated cause.
Practice on this platform
Use 4 practice sets (10 MCQs, detailed solution after each answer) and 2 timed mocks (20 minutes) on this topic to convert formulas into speed and accuracy.