assumptionAn idea accepted as a starting point for reasoning rather than established by that argument. It may be stated or left unstated.
You’ll leave with these skills
01Find the unstated link an argument needs to reach its conclusionUnderline the evidence and the conclusion, then pick the choice that must be true for that evidence to lead to that conclusion.
02Tell an assumption the argument needs from a fact that only helps itImagine each choice is false, reread the argument, and pick the one that makes the evidence stop leading to the conclusion.
03Spot the assumption hidden in a claim about a causeWhen the conclusion says “must have” or “caused,” pick the choice that rules out another way the same evidence could have come about.
04Question an explanation by identifying another possible causeIdentify the proposed cause, then ask whether the new finding gives another plausible explanation for the same result.
This lesson is part of the full library
207 lessons that teach every skill the SAT tests
71Math
40Reading
24Grammar
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