Instruction: Identify the assumptions that must hold for the statement to be valid, then choose the correct option. Statement: The discovery of exoplanets in habitable zones around distant stars has provided exciting prospects for the search for extraterrestrial life, yet the vast distances and technological limitations pose significant obstacles to direct exploration.
Assumptions:
I. Exoplanets located in habitable zones may have the potential to support life.
II. Current technology is insufficient to directly explore exoplanets in habitable zones.
III. Direct exploration of exoplanets will be unnecessary if we detect signs of life remotely.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Only I and II are implicit.
I. Exoplanets located in habitable zones may have the potential to support life. → This is assumed, because the statement says these discoveries offer “exciting prospects for the search for life.” That only makes sense if such planets might support life.
II. Current technology is insufficient to directly explore exoplanets in habitable zones. → The statement explicitly mentions “technological limitations pose significant obstacles to direct exploration,” so this is clearly assumed true.
III. Direct exploration will be unnecessary if we detect signs of life remotely. → The statement never implies this idea; it only mentions difficulties in direct exploration, not that it’s unnecessary.