The statement below is followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. You have to consider the statement and the following assumptions and decide which of the assumptions is implicit in the statement.
Give answer (a) if only assumption I is implicit; (b) if only assumption II is implicit; (c) if either I or II is implicit; (d) if neither I nor II is implicit.
Statement: If you have any problems, bring them to me.
Assumptions:
I. You have some problems.
II. I can solve any problem.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → b
An assumption is implicit when the speaker must take it for granted to say what he says. Option (4) is ‘b’, that is, only assumption II is implicit.
I. You have some problems. Not implicit. The speaker says “if you have any problems”; the “if” shows he does not take it for granted that the listener has any.
II. I can solve any problem. Implicit. A person asks others to bring their problems to him only because he believes he can deal with them; otherwise there is no point in the offer.