Critical Reasoning

Student Advisor: One of our exchange students faced multiple arguments with her parents over the course of the past year. Not surprisingly, her grade point average (GPA) over the same period showed a steep decline. This is just one example of a general truth: problematic family relationships can cause significant academic difficulties for our students.

Which of the following is an assumption underlying the general truism claimed by
the Student Advisor?

(A) Last year, the exchange student reduced the amount of time spent on academic work, resulting in a lower GPA.
(B) The decline in the GPA of the exchange student was not the reason for the student's arguments with her parents.
(C) School GPA is an accurate measure of a student's intellectual ability.
(D) If proper measures are not taken, the decline in the student's academic performance may become irreversible.
(E) Fluctuations in academic performance are typical for many students.

Good one. Was strugling between A & B
IMO B OA pls?

It should be B.
B eliminates the option that the reverse is not true.
P1 = student had arguments with her parents.
P2 = Her grade declined at the same time.

Advisor says, P1 causes P2(Conclusion).
But what if P2 causes P1? Advisor assumes this is not possible, and reaches to his conclusion.

A is weakening the argument, cannot be assumption.
C,D, E = out of scope/irrelevant

The answer is B.

B is the assumption which needs to be made for arriving at the conclusion stated in the paragraph. All other options are either irrelevant or not assumptions that strengthen the conclusion.

OA : B

cause effect question straight B