strengthener options on assumptions ques

[vikram4689]

hi,
i have heard that strengthener options on assumptions ques. are commonly used as trap option. can some expert please help me understand this common trap by giving an example.

[tim]

"i have heard" is always a red flag to us. where did you hear this? i'm not saying it's wrong, because the GMAT does a lot of things to try to trap you, but all of us should be skeptical of any claim about the GMAT the begins with "i have heard" and is not further attributable to a verifiable and credible source..

[vikram4689]

i saw it in ron's video on assumption. he gave an example similar to below one:
argument: because mark's weight is less than 100lbs, he will not qualify for olympics shooting event
option: all atheletes require at least 100lbs to qualify for olympics.

since negation technique works on above choice, how can i identify whether above option is strengthener trap choice on assumption questions or correct answer for an assumption question

[tim]

as usual, you have the right idea and are doing exactly the right thing but still asking questions about it. :) the negation technique is exactly how to go about testing necessary assumptions!

[vikram4689]

sir,
the option i mentioned is *incorrect* i.e. it is NOT an assumption but negation technique still works. hence, i request experts to help me.

[tim]

i apologize for not reading your post thoroughly. i simply took your word that the negation technique worked. now you're implying that it in fact DOESN'T work. i'll take a closer look at this one, and i or one of my colleagues will respond when we get a chance..

[vikram4689]

thanks, i'll wait :)

[RonPurewal]

i saw it in ron's video on assumption. he gave an example similar to below one:
argument: because mark's weight is less than 100lbs, he will not qualify for olympics shooting event
option: all atheletes require at least 100lbs to qualify for olympics.

since negation technique works on above choice, how can i identify whether above option is strengthener trap choice on assumption questions or correct answer for an assumption question

can you reproduce the example that i gave in the session, please?

the study hall sessions have the same posting restrictions as these forums do, so there should be no problem with your re-posting the original argument and answer choice here.

thanks

[vikram4689]

sure. below is the example:

James has a low ratio of TypeII to TypeI muscle fibres. Therefore, James cannot be an Olympic sprinter.
Option: Athletes require a ratio of typeII to typeI muscle that is not low

you mentioned "above option is too broad and is not an assumption because we don't have to assume this ratio for all athletes. in fact, it acts as a good strengthner." i agree but lets say somehow i don't realize this and apply negation test. applying negation test - athletes do not require a ratio of typeII to typeI muscle that is not low. conclusion fails ! because sprinters are subset of athletes.

[tim]

the conclusion does not fail in this case when you apply negation, because it is still possible that James is precluded from being an Olympic sprinter for other reasons. just because one barrier to his becoming an Olympic sprinter is removed, that does not mean he is *guaranteed* to become an Olympic sprinter. please note that the sentence you've labeled "option" works fine as a sufficient assumption (i think Ron's term was "strengthener"), just not as a necessary one. most assumption problems are looking for necessary assumptions, and those are the only ones that the negation technique works on..