Steps:
- Identify the question type. Although not phrased in the typical Cambridge format (“What is the assumption in the argument…”) we can easily identify that it is asking for an assumption.
- Strategy Tool Kit for solving assumptions
- Find the conclusions
- Find the reasons
- Find the unwritten link that the conclusion relies on
- Discard and decide (use negation test if needed)
After reading over the text there are a few important things we should notice right away. Strong language such as “clearly” and “they should ashamed” show us that the author is voicing his opinion strongly in this text. There is a problem and he believes that the great nations of the world could have done more to help. Now that we have a basic understanding of what the author has voiced, let us look at the answers.
A The relief agencies were able to import trucks to Haiti but not helicopters:
The author’s conclusion is that the great nations should be ashamed of themselves for not getting food to the people that needed it, it is not about relief agencies. Regardless of whether or not the relief agencies could or could not import trucks or helicopters, the responsibility should be placed on the great nations. Therefore A is incorrect.
B The great nations of the world had helicopters at their disposal which could reach Haiti within a week:
If we use the negation test here (take the opposite statement): then it would mean that the great nations of the world could not get helicopters to Haiti within a week. Why would it be their fault then for not being about to make sure people got food there? It would mean that this is out of the control of the great nations and therefore the author’s argument is placing blame without warrant. Therefore B is the correct answer.
C There was enough food in Haiti to supply all the people in the weeks after the earthquake:
The problem in the text is not about the amount of food, it is about the distribution of food. They do not talk about the amount of food, they say that they cannot get food to those who need it. The problem the author is talking about is the transport within the country, which is the most important because what good is having food if you cannot distribute it? Our assumption should be related to transport as it is the main topic in the text. Therefore C is incorrect.
D The images failed to prompt the great nations of the world into relief operations after the earthquake:
We cannot make any conclusions about the actions of the great nations outside the fact that they could not ensure that the food was not getting to those who need it. There are other ways that the great nations could have helped, maybe they sent food or money but not transport. Therefore D answer is incorrect.
E The people of Haiti were able to clear their roads within a week of the earthquake:
This is incorrect because it says in the text that “even a week later their relief still depended on the ability of courageous and skillful drivers to reach them in trucks”. This statement leaves us to believe that it was difficult driving in the conditions even a week later, probably due to the roads being unclear. In addition, this would not change the argument if correct because the damage of neglect from the great nations has already been done. Therefore E cannot be correct.