difference between GMAT type and real life assumptions

[gmatwork]

What is the difference between GMAT type assumptions and real life assumptions?

In verbal we need to refrain from making real life assumptions for analyzing arguments (except Resolve the Paradox.....correct me if I am wrong???) and making the sense out of the answer choices in CR section.


In order to come up with the answer in CR, sometimes we need to make a common sense interpretation of a particular answer to see how it affects the argument....now this interpretation obviously needs to be based on common sense NOT on real life assumptions. Ron mentions this in his video lectures as well.

While interpreting CR choices, I sometimes get confused as to when I am assuming too much (or making a real life assumption as opposed to a GMAT type).

Can you please explain how to resolve this issue?

In strengthen/ Weaken type questions, it is generally suggested that a choice for which we need to make additional assumptions is NOT the right one. But then again there are lot of cases where we need to use our common sense assumptions to make sense out of answer choices to come up with the right answer.

I get confused since I can't figure out when I am assuming too much about choice and when not enough. I hope I make sense here.

E.g. In OG verbal review 2nd edition # 82, in order to get d we really need to make a common sense assumption as to how it will lead to increased sales......in this kind of line of thinking where I really have to consider the effect of an answer choice like choice (d) on the intended objective, I sometimes get confused as to am I assuming too much or too little (not enough to get the ans.)

[tim]

If i'm interpreting your question correctly, you seem to be asking which assumptions we can take for granted (i.e. common sense) versus which ones cannot be left out without damaging the argument. To illustrate, i'll use an example we used to include in our curriculum:

"The state championship will take place in four months. The Rivertown High School girls’ basketball team almost won the championship in 2009. However, the team will win it this year. The players on this year’s team are better than those who played on the 2009 team."

Obviously there are several things that need to be true in order for the conclusion to follow...

1) The better team will win the championship
2) The girls have improved enough relative to the other teams to win the championship
3) Massive injuries won't sideline key players on the team
4) The entire team won't be abducted by aliens

The first three are legitimate objections someone might pose, and their omission makes the argument incomplete. On the other hand, while the fourth one is required in order for the conclusion to hold, it is so absurd that common sense dictates it doesn't need to be made explicit..

i don't know if this will help, but in general you just need to keep in mind that using common sense, staying close to the text, and not bringing in outside knowledge is the best way to approach these questions. Let me know if you have other questions..

[gmatwork]

this helps...thanks!

[tim]

glad to hear it!