Question

identify the assumptions in each of the following arguments, applying the reverse test before you make up your mind. sometimes there may be several assumptions. write them in the spaces provided and explain why they are assumptions. then evaluate whether they are likely to be false or sound assumptions, or discuss whether it would be possible to find this out.
1 since jack straw made his speech against muslim women wearing the veil, attacks on asians in the streets of britain have increased. politicians should clearly be more guarded in their remarks about ethnic minorities.
the assumption is that since jack straw gave his speech attacks on asians in the street britain have increased.
politicians should be more careful about there ethnic minorities.
2 swedish teaching methods produce excellent results. a british teacher at a secondary school tested his year 10 groups ict skills after he had taught them using ofsted - recommended british methods for 3 months. their average score was 45%. he then visited two swedish schools and was so impressed by their methods that, on his return, he used the methods on his year 10 class. after 3 months of this, he gave them a similar test to the previous one and the average score was 80%.

Explanation:

1. Assumption: There is a causal link between Jack Straw's speech and the increase in attacks on Asians in Britain. This is an assumption because just because the speech was made and attacks increased does not mean one caused the other. There could be other factors at play. It is difficult to determine if this is a sound or false assumption without more data on the timing and other possible causes of the attacks. Politicians being more guarded in remarks about ethnic - minorities is based on this assumed causal link.
2. Assumption: The only factor influencing the year 10 group's ICT skills scores was the teaching method. There could be other variables such as the students' prior knowledge, their level of interest during different teaching periods, or changes in the test difficulty. Just because the scores increased after using Swedish methods does not prove that the Swedish methods were the sole cause of the improvement.

Answer:

1. Assumption: Jack Straw's speech caused the increase in attacks on Asians in Britain. Reason: Correlation does not imply causation. Difficulty in determining soundness without more data.
2. Assumption: Swedish teaching methods were the sole cause of the increase in ICT skills scores. Reason: Multiple variables could affect scores. Difficulty in determining soundness without more data.