Multiple choice

The fact that the word “hunk” has come to be utilized informally as a generic term for attractive men is a lamentable development in the English language. The original meaning of “hunk” is “a large piece of bread, meat.” Therefore, the utilization of “hunk” as a generic term for men is wrong and ought not to be encouraged.
Which of the following is an assumption on which the position above could be based?

  1. The only acceptable meaning of an English word is its original meaning.

  2. The word “hunk” has been used in the English language for hundreds of years.

  3. The utilization of “hunk” as a generic term for men is only a recent development in the language.

  4. Those speaking informal English are not required to use acceptable meanings of words.
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A Correct answer
Explanation

An assumption links the premises to the conclusion, so in order for the utilization of the term “hunk” as a generic term for attractive men to be wrong, the assumption must be that there is only one acceptable meaning of a word.

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