How to Solve Assumption Based CAT RC and CR Questions?

How to Solve Assumption-Based CAT RC and CR Questions:? Assumption-based questions in Critical Reasoning (CR) and Reading Comprehension (RC) sections of CAT (Common Admission Test) or other similar exams are designed to test your ability to identify and evaluate the underlying assumptions behind arguments or passages. Here’s a step-by-step guide to solving these types of questions effectively:

For Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions:

1. Read the Question Stem Carefully: Understand what the question is asking. It might ask you to find the assumption, weaken, strengthen, or infer based on the argument.
2. Analyze the Argument: Read the argument provided in the passage and identify its main conclusion and premises. Understanding the structure of the argument is crucial.
3. Identify Assumptions: Assumptions are unstated premises that are necessary for the conclusion to be valid. Look for gaps in the argument that, if filled, would make the argument logically sound. These gaps are often where assumptions hide.
4. Pre-think Assumptions: Before looking at the answer choices, try to predict what kind of assumption would be necessary to bridge the gap between the premises and the conclusion. This can help you eliminate incorrect answer choices more effectively.
5. Evaluate the Answer Choices: Compare your pre-thought assumptions with the answer choices provided. Eliminate choices that do not directly address the identified gap or that do not make the argument logically sound.
6. Be Careful with Extreme Language: Assumption answer choices are often stated strongly. Be cautious of answer choices with extreme language (words like “always,” “never,” “only,” etc.) as these are less likely to be correct.

For Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions:

1. Skim the Passage: Before diving into the questions, quickly skim through the passage to get an understanding of its main theme, structure, and the author’s perspective.
2. Read the Question Stem: Understand what the question is asking. Is it about the author’s viewpoint, the passage’s purpose, or assumptions underlying the argument?
3. Locate Relevant Information: Go back to the passage and identify the relevant part that pertains to the question. Focus on the paragraph(s) containing the information needed to answer the question.
4. Identify Assumptions/Inferences: If the question asks about assumptions or inferences, look for implied ideas that are not explicitly stated but can be logically drawn from the information provided in the passage.
5. Analyze Answer Choices: Evaluate each answer choice and see if it aligns with the information in the passage or follows logically from it. Be cautious of answer choices that introduce new information not mentioned in the passage.
6. Refer Back to the Passage: If you’re unsure about an answer, go back to the passage to recheck the relevant information. Make sure your answer is based on the information given in the passage.
7. Eliminate Extreme Choices: Just like in CR questions, be wary of answer choices with extreme language or choices that are too broad or too specific.

Remember, practice is key. The more you practice these types of questions, the better you’ll become at identifying assumptions and making logical inferences. Also, keep track of your mistakes and learn from them to improve your approach.

How to Approach Assumption Questions?

How solve and Approach Assumption Based CAT RC and CR Questions require identifying the unstated premises vital for an argument’s validity. Begin by grasping the argument’s structure and intent. Predict the aforementioned premise that bridges the gap between the given premises and conclusion. Evaluate answer choices against this prediction, eliminating those irrelevant or unrelated.

Avoid extreme language choices. For Reading Comprehension, recognize implied connections, and drawing inferences crucial for the author’s standpoint or passage’s purpose. Skim the passage, identify relevant sections, and weigh answer choices against the inferred ideas. Consistent practice enhances skill in recognizing and assessing these hidden logical foundations, enhancing overall aptitude in critical thinking and analysis.