Opinion vs Assumption – LNAT Question Types Explained

What is the difference between an Opinion and an Assumption?

Opinion

An opinion is a personal belief, view, or judgment that may be subjective and not necessarily based on facts or evidence.

Opinions can be influenced by emotions, personal experiences, or perspectives and may vary from person to person; and situation to situation.

Examples of Opinions

• The author says “I believe that ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is the best play ever written.” – This is a personal judgment based on individual taste and preferences. There is no proof to substantiate the statement.
• “I think that the government should spend more money on education than on the military.” – In the absence of any data, facts or verifiable information to justify the statement, this is a viewpoint based on personal values and priorities.
• “Cats are better pets than dogs.” – This is a completely subjective belief, probably based on a specific situation, personal preferences and experiences.

Assumption

An assumption is something that may accepted as true, based on the partial information available.

In logic and critical thinking, an assumption is a basic premise or starting point that is taken to be true in order to build an argument or reach a conclusion. Assumptions are necessary for logical reasoning, but they should be scrutinized and questioned to ensure their validity.

Assumption can also refer to a generalization, inference, or estimation made based on limited data, experiences or information. In this sense, an assumption is an educated guess.

Assumptions are often made to simplify complex situations or to fill in gaps in information.

You can say that an assumption is just a ‘theory’ that is based on incomplete information; OR an assumption is a prediction, based on past data and experiences.

Examples of Assumptions

• If a traveler reads a news article about an increase in crime rates in a city, he might assume that the entire city is unsafe. – This is an assumption based on limited information, without considering other factors or areas within the city that may be safe. It is a generalization. However, in the absence of of contradicting information, travelers would be prudent to take precautions based on the assumption.
• In a story where a character is described as wearing glasses, a reader might assume that the character is intelligent or studious. – This is a stereotype-based assumption, without any specific evidence about the character’s intellect or habits.
• When reading a historical novel set in medieval Europe, a reader might assume that all characters adhere to traditional gender roles. – This is an assumption based on general knowledge of the time period, without considering possible deviations or unique circumstances within the story.

Practice makes you perfect – Improve your ability to distinguish between opinions and assumptions by practicing with sample reading comprehension tests and reviewing the answers and explanations. Learn from any mistakes, and apply that knowledge to future tests.

How to answer Opinion vs Assumption questions in the LNAT?

Questions related to the author’s Opinions and Assumptions appear frequently in section A of the LNAT. Listed below are some of the basic steps, tips and tricks in tackling them.

• First of all, understand of the content and context of the question and the passage. Pay attention to the main ideas, supporting details, and any contrasting viewpoints.
• Identify keywords: Look for keywords in both the passage and the questions that can help you determine whether the statement is an opinion or an assumption.
  • Opinion keywords include “believe,” “think,” “feel,” or “argue.”
  • Assumption keywords include “assume,” “presume,” “infer,” or “imply.”
• Remember, opinions are subjective statements that express a person’s feelings or beliefs – with little or no evidence, whereas assumptions are beliefs based on incomplete or partial information.
• Look for evidence – Determine whether the statement in question is supported by evidence or examples in the passage. If there is evidence backing up the statement, it is more likely to be an assumption than an opinion.
• Consider the author’s tone – Analyze the tone of the passage to understand the author’s stance on the subject.
  • An opinionated tone may indicate that the statement is an opinion
  • while a more neutral or speculative tone could suggest an assumption.
• Evaluate logical reasoning: Check if the statement in question is used as a basic premise or foundation for an argument or conclusion. If it is, then it is more likely to be an assumption.
• Determine if the statement is general or specific: Assumptions tend to be broader and more general, while opinions are often more specific and focused on a particular aspect of the topic.
• Pay attention to qualifiers:
  • Opinion statements may use qualifiers like “might,” “could,” “possibly,” or “in my view” to express uncertainty or personal belief.
  • Assumptions typically lack such qualifiers.
• Use process of elimination: If you are unsure which of the given statements is an opinion or assumption, try eliminating the least likely options first. This can help you narrow down the choices and make a more informed decision.

Remember ! Questions in the LNAT may not always have the keywords ‘Opinion’ or ‘Assumption’. Read the question carefully to understand the intention – what does the question want you to do?

Examples of ‘Opinion’ questions that may appear in LNAT.

• What is the author’s opinion on the central issue in the passage?
• Which statement best represents the opinion of the author?
• How does the author’s opinion on the subject matter evolve throughout the passage?
• What evidence does the author use to support their opinion?
• How does the author’s opinion compare to that of the opposing viewpoint?

Keywords that will help in identifying and answering ‘opinion’ related questions.

• Believe
• Think
• Feel
• Perception
• View
• Attitude
• Judgment
• Assessment
• Evaluation
• Perspective
• Position
• Standpoint
• Bias
• Prejudice
• Subjective

Examples of ‘Assumption’ questions that may appear in LNAT.

• What assumption does the author make about the central issue?
• Which statement best represents an underlying assumption in the passage?
• What assumption can be inferred from the author’s argument?
• Which of the following assumptions does the author challenge?
• How does the author’s assumption influence their perspective on the issue?

Keywords that will help in identifying and answering ‘assumption’ related questions.

• Presume
• Suppose
• Hypothesize
• Take for granted
• Premise
• Postulate
• Posit
• Surmise
• Speculate
• Infer
• Conjecture
• Guess
• Hypothetical
• Hypothetical scenario
• Condition