1
Read the Question Stem
Confirm it’s a Necessary Assumption question. Look for these keywords:
“requires an assumption”
“depends on assuming”
“assumes which of the following”
“relies on which assumption”
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2
Identify Premise(s) & Conclusion
Read the stimulus. What is the author’s evidence? What are they concluding?
Premise(s)
Conclusion
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3
Core Argument & Gap
Simplify the argument down to its core. What concept is missing between premise and conclusion?
Simplified Argument
Identify the Gap Predict
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4
Answer Choices
Must Be True — start here
If the premises and conclusion are true, does this answer choice have to be true?
Tip: Embrace the conclusion.
— or —
Negation Test
If this answer were false, would the argument fall apart?
See a negative word like “none”? Use this test to get rid of it.
A
Click to select & explain
B
Click to select & explain
C
Click to select & explain
D
Click to select & explain
E
Click to select & explain
Must be true for the argument to work