Question

The workers at Bell Manufacturing will shortly go on strike unless the management increases their wages. As Bell's president is well aware, however, in order to increase the workers' wages, Bell would have to sell off some of its subsidiaries. So, some of Bell's subsidiaries will be sold. The conclusion above is properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed? (A) Bell Manufacturing will begin to suffer increased losses. (B) Bell's management will refuse to increase its workers' wages. (C) The workers at Bell Manufacturing will not be going on strike. (D) Bell's president has the authority to offer the workers their desired wage increase. (E) Bell's workers will not accept a package of improved benefits in place of their desired wage increase.

Short answer

Option C is the assumed condition for the conclusion.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Argument

The statement provided is a logical reasoning argument. Here, the main point is that Bell Manufacturing's workers will go on strike unless their wages are increased. To increase wages, subsidiaries need to be sold. The conclusion is that some subsidiaries will be sold.

Identify the Logical Structure

The argument is conditional: "if" the workers' wages are increased, "then" subsidiaries will be sold. For the conclusion "subsidiaries will be sold" to be valid, it is assumed that the workers' wages will be increased.

Question Analysis

We are asked to identify an assumption that, if true, makes the conclusion (selling subsidiaries) logically follow from the premises. The assumption must connect selling subsidiaries to the workers not going on strike.

Evaluate Options

Each option is evaluated to see if it makes the premises logically lead to the conclusion: - (A) discusses increased losses, irrelevant to the argument. - (B) implies no wage increase, leading to a strike instead of selling subs. - (C) directly suggests there's no strike, which would support the conclusion. - (D) grants authority, but does not ensure action is taken. - (E) implies workers' desires aren't met with benefits, making (C) more relevant.

Select the Assumption

Among the choices, option (C), "The workers at Bell Manufacturing will not be going on strike," ties the need to sell subsidiaries directly to preventing a strike, which assumes wages will indeed be increased.

Key concepts

Conditional Statements

Conditional statements are a foundational concept in logical reasoning. They follow an "if-then" format, where a specific condition leads to a particular outcome. In our exercise, we have: "If the workers' wages are increased, then subsidiaries will be sold." This means the selling of subsidiaries is directly dependent on the wage increase. Identifying these statements helps in understanding the link between different parts of an argument. By recognizing the "if-then" structure, you can predict the consequences or understand what premise is being implied. When analyzing conditional statements, here are some helpful tips:

• Look for words like 'unless', 'only if', or 'provided that', which often indicate conditions.
• Determine what needs to happen for the condition to hold true.
• Consider the logical opposite: what if the initial condition doesn’t happen?

Understanding these dynamics ensures a clearer view of how the entire argument holds together.

Assumption Questions

Assumption questions are a key type of inquiry in logical reasoning exercises. They seek to uncover what must be true for an argument to stand. In this case, the assumption would be the missing link that binds the premises to the conclusion. For our problem, the assumption needed is that the workers will not go on strike. This directly indicates that an action (selling subsidiaries) will occur to prevent the strike by increasing wages. When tackling assumption questions, keep in mind:

• Identify any gaps between premises and conclusion.
• Look for unstated ideas that hint at necessary actions.
• Test each potential assumption by asking if it truly supports the conclusion.

Grasping these questions requires practice in pinning down the unsaid premises critical to the argument's validity.

Argument Analysis

Argument analysis involves breaking down a statement into its core parts, assessing its validity, and determining its logical soundness. It’s the process of dissecting the narrative to comprehend its inner workings. In our example, the argument is straightforward. Workers demand a wage increase; if met, subsidiaries must be sold to afford the raise. The conclusion drawn is that subsidiaries *will* be sold. Analyzing this requires understanding each part - the demand (workers' wages), the condition (selling subsidiaries), and the conclusion (not striking). For successful argument analysis:

• Focus on identifying the main proposition and how it's supported by premises.
• Distinguish between what is asserted and what is concluded.
• Check for logical coherence and any logical fallacies.

By disassembling arguments into manageable segments, evaluating each piece is simpler and more effective.

Standardized Test Preparation

Preparing for standardized tests can seem daunting, but understanding logical reasoning questions like the ones we've discussed makes it manageable. These questions often involve complicated scenarios needing analytical and critical thinking skills. For the given exercise and similar ones, familiarize yourself with:

• Types of logic questions, such as assumptions, inferences, and argument evaluation.
• Common logical structures and patterns, which recur frequently in tests.
• Strategies for efficient time management and question prioritization.

Practicing these concepts over time builds confidence and enhances performance. Employ resources such as practice tests and study groups to discuss different viewpoints and interpretations. This will help you become more adept at tackling logical reasoning challenges on the actual test day.