Introduction
An assumption is something the speaker takes for granted but does not explicitly state. A valid
assumption must be implicit (not directly said) and necessary — the statement wouldn't make logical sense without
it.
How to Identify a Valid Assumption
- Ask: "Is this assumption directly stated in the passage?" — if yes, it's NOT an assumption (it's a fact).
- Ask: "Does the statement's action/advice only make sense if this is true?" — if yes, it likely IS the assumption.
- Reject assumptions that are too broad, unrelated, or introduce new information not implied by the statement.
Q. Statement: "Please switch off the lights when you leave the room to save electricity." — Notice on an office wall.
Assumption: People currently do not switch off lights when leaving the room.
The notice would only be necessary if the assumed behaviour (people leaving lights on) is currently happening.
This is implicit — not stated directly, but necessary for the notice to make sense.
Answer: The assumption is valid.
Q. Statement: "Company X has decided to switch entirely to recycled packaging from next quarter."
Assumption: Recycled packaging materials will be available in sufficient quantity for Company X's needs.
For the company to make and commit to this decision, it must be taking for granted that the supply of recycled
packaging will be adequate — otherwise the decision wouldn't be practically actionable.
Answer: The assumption is valid (it's implicit and necessary for the decision to hold).
⚠️ Key Insight: A common wrong-answer trap is an assumption that is too general or represents
"good practice" broadly, rather than something specifically necessary for THIS statement to be logical — reject
assumptions that could apply to almost any similar statement.
✅ Practice Focus: Distinguishing stated facts from implicit assumptions · Testing "necessity" of
an assumption · Identifying overly broad or irrelevant assumption traps.