Necessary AssumptionDiff: Hard
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Academic political writing is too dense for regular people to understand, so since these ideas are important for social change, we need people outside of universities to rewrite them clearly.
Conclusion: People outside of the university system must take on the task of translating political theories into clear, accessible language.
Reasoning: Political theories can change society, but they are currently written in complex academic language that alienates the very people needed to implement that change.
Analysis: The argument identifies a problem (alienating language) and assigns a solution to a specific group (outsiders). However, there is a glaring gap: why can't the academics just write more clearly themselves? For it to be a 'special role' for those outside the university, it must be the case that those inside the university are unable or unwilling to do it. Look for an assumption that suggests the academics cannot or will not bridge this communication gap on their own. It’s a bit like saying we need a translator because the original author refuses to speak the local language.
Conclusion: People outside of the university system must take on the task of translating political theories into clear, accessible language.
Reasoning: Political theories can change society, but they are currently written in complex academic language that alienates the very people needed to implement that change.
Analysis: The argument identifies a problem (alienating language) and assigns a solution to a specific group (outsiders). However, there is a glaring gap: why can't the academics just write more clearly themselves? For it to be a 'special role' for those outside the university, it must be the case that those inside the university are unable or unwilling to do it. Look for an assumption that suggests the academics cannot or will not bridge this communication gap on their own. It’s a bit like saying we need a translator because the original author refuses to speak the local language.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage16.Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
Correct Answer
E
E bridges the key gap. If academics were equally or more able/willing to write clearly, there would be no special role for outsiders. Negation test: If persons within academia are not less willing/able than outsiders to write straightforwardly, then the argument’s conclusion about a special role for outsiders collapses—showing E is necessary.
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