harsh_gupta123 wrote:Investigators concluded that human failure was not responsible for the fatal airplane crash last August, and since that time new and more stringent rules for identifying and reporting mechanical problems have been in effect. That accounts for the fact that reports of airplane mechanical problems have increased in frequency by 50 percent since last August.

Which one of the following is an assumption underlying the argument in the passage?

(A) Airplane travel is still relatively safe, despite the increase in reported mechanical problems.
Incorrect : Safety of airplane travel is not the issue here. Eliminated.

(B) Mechanical problems in airplanes have increased dramatically since last August.
Incorrect : This one looks like a weak contender. Lets keep this on hold.

(C) Mechanical problems in airplanes have not increased by 50 percent since last August.
Correct : The conclusion is the reports were increased by 50% which means already existing problems were reported rather than new problems.

(D) Airlines are less reluctant to report mechanical problems than they previously were.
Incorrect : Out of scope.

(E) Mechanical problems in airplanes have become easier to detect since last August
Incorrect : This is certainly not an assumption because it is already stated in the argument above.