Statement and Assumption Notes for SSC Exams
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
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An assumption is an idea that the speaker or writer takes for granted when he makes a statement. It is not written in the statement, but the statement would make no sense without it. In SSC reasoning, you are given a statement and two assumptions, and you decide which one is implicit. These statement and assumption notes for SSC explain the meaning, the negation test and the common patterns with solved examples.
Assumption and Conclusion: Difference
| Point | Assumption | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Before the statement (the base) | After the statement (the result) |
| Role | Something taken for granted | Something that follows |
| Test | The statement fails without it | It is a result of the statement |
The Negation Test
To check an assumption, deny it. If the statement becomes meaningless or weak after the denial, the assumption is implicit. If the statement is still fine, the assumption is not implicit.
Example. Statement: "Please book a ticket for me on the morning flight." Assumption: Tickets are available on the morning flight. If we deny it ("tickets are not available"), the request makes no sense, so the assumption is implicit.
Common Patterns
| Pattern of the statement | What is usually implicit | What is usually not implicit |
|---|---|---|
| Advertisement ("Use X for Y") | X can give Y; people want Y | X is the only product that gives Y |
| Advice or appeal ("Do not do X") | The advice can be followed; people will read it | Everybody will follow it |
| Government decision | The decision can be carried out; it will help | It will solve all problems |
| Request or order | The listener can do it; the listener will listen | The listener is the best person |
| Notice ("Entry only with ticket") | A ticket system exists; people need a ticket | All people have a ticket |
Rules for Deciding an Assumption
- The assumption must be connected with the main idea of the statement.
- Do not accept an assumption with words like "only", "all" or "always", unless the statement clearly needs them.
- An assumption about the result or the future is mostly not implicit.
- An assumption that is only true in general, but not needed by the statement, is not implicit.
- If both assumptions look right, check each with the negation test.
Solved Examples
Example 1. Statement: Use Fresh toothpaste for strong teeth.
Assumptions: I. Fresh toothpaste can make teeth strong. II. No other toothpaste can make teeth strong.
I is needed for the advertisement. II uses the strong claim "no other" which is not needed. Answer: only I is implicit.
Example 2. Statement: The government has banned plastic bags to protect the environment.
Assumptions: I. Plastic bags harm the environment. II. All people will stop using plastic bags.
I is the base of the decision. II is a result and not sure. Answer: only I is implicit.
Example 3. Statement: The teacher said, "Revise this chapter daily to score well in the exam."
Assumptions: I. Revision helps in scoring well. II. All students who revise will get full marks.
I is implicit, and II is an extreme claim. Answer: only I is implicit.
Example 4. Statement: "Carry an umbrella, because it may rain today."
Assumptions: I. An umbrella protects from rain. II. It will definitely rain today.
I is implicit. II contradicts the word "may". Answer: only I is implicit.
Quick Tips
- Use the negation test for every assumption.
- Reject the assumptions that are extreme or that talk about the future results.
- Look at the purpose of the statement: advice, advertisement or decision.
- If an assumption is only a result of the statement, it is not an assumption.
Quick Revision Points
- An assumption is taken for granted before the statement.
- Negate the assumption and see if the statement fails.
- Extreme assumptions are rarely implicit.
- The base of a decision is implicit, but its result is not sure.
- A conclusion comes after the statement, and an assumption comes before it.
Practice Questions With Answers
- What is an assumption?
Answer: Something that the speaker takes for granted while making the statement - What is the test of an implicit assumption?
Answer: The negation test - Statement: "Use this soap for soft skin." Is "the soap can make skin soft" implicit?
Answer: Yes - Statement: "Use this soap for soft skin." Is "no other soap can make skin soft" implicit?
Answer: No - Statement: "Book my ticket for tomorrow." Is "tickets are available for tomorrow" implicit?
Answer: Yes - Statement: "Walk daily to stay fit." Is "walking helps to stay fit" implicit?
Answer: Yes - Statement: "Walk daily to stay fit." Is "everybody who walks will never fall ill" implicit?
Answer: No - Which kind of words make an assumption weak or wrong?
Answer: Extreme words such as only, all and always - Is the result of a decision an assumption?
Answer: No, it is not sure - What is the difference between an assumption and a conclusion?
Answer: An assumption is the base before the statement, and a conclusion is the result after the statement
How to Practise This Chapter
Learn the rules, solve ten questions daily and write the reason for every answer. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Logical Reasoning notes page, and also read the Syllogism and Reasoning notes. Read the previous topic, Statement and Conclusion, and the next topic, Statement and Argument.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an assumption in reasoning?
An assumption is a hidden idea that the speaker takes for granted when making a statement.
How do I find an implicit assumption?
Deny the assumption. If the statement then loses its meaning, the assumption is implicit.
What is the negation test?
It is the test of denying an assumption and seeing if the statement still makes sense.
What is the difference between assumption and conclusion?
An assumption is the base of the statement, and a conclusion is a result that follows from the statement.
Are extreme assumptions implicit?
Usually not. Words like only, all and always make an assumption too strong.
What is usually implicit in an advertisement?
That the product can give the promised result and that people want that result.
Is the result of a decision an assumption?
No. The result is not sure, so it is not an assumption.
How much time should I take for one question?
About 30 to 40 seconds.
Is this topic asked in SSC exams?
Yes. It is asked as part of logical reasoning in several SSC papers.
What are common mistakes?
Taking a conclusion as an assumption and accepting extreme claims.
Can both assumptions be implicit?
Yes. Check each assumption separately with the negation test.
How many questions come from this topic in SSC exams?
Usually one or two, but the number changes from year to year.
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Statement and Conclusion Notes for SSC Exams
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Statement and Argument Notes for SSC Exams
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Rahul is a senior SSC exam strategist with 8+ years of experience helping aspirants crack CGL, CHSL and MTS exams. He writes in-depth notification breakdowns, exam pattern guides and preparation strategies.