Logical Reasoning :: Statement and Argument

Each question given below consists of a statement, followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments is a 'strong' argument and which is a 'weak' argument.
Give answer:

• (A) If only argument I is strong
• (B) If only argument II is strong
• (C) If either I or II is strong
• (D) If neither I nor II is strong and
• (E) If both I and II are strong.

1.	Statement: Should India encourage exports, when most things are insufficient for internal use itself? Arguments: Yes. We have to earn foreign exchange to pay for our imports. No. Even selective encouragement would lead to shortages.
	A. Only argument I is strong B. Only argument II is strong C. Either I or II is strong D. Neither I nor II is strong E. Both I and II are strong

Answer: Option A
Explanation
Clearly, India can export only the surplus and that which can be saved after fulfilling its own needs, to pay for its imports. Encouragement to export cannot lead to shortages as it shall provide the resources for imports. So, only argument I holds. 

2.	Statement: Should all the drugs patented and manufactured in Western countries be first tried out on sample basis before giving licence for sale to general public in India? Arguments: Yes. Many such drugs require different doses and duration for Indian population and hence it is necessary. No. This is just not feasible and hence cannot be implemented.
	A. Only argument I is strong B. Only argument II is strong C. Either I or II is strong D. Neither I nor II is strong E. Both I and II are strong

Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Clearly, health of the citizens is an issue of major concern for the Government. So, a product like drugs, must be first studied and tested in the Indian context before giving licence for its sale. So, only argument I holds strong.

3.	Statement: Should India make efforts to harness solar energy to fulfil its energy requirements? Arguments: Yes, Most of the energy sources used at present is exhaustible. No. Harnessing solar energy requires a lot of capital, which India lacks in.
	A. Only argument I is strong B. Only argument II is strong C. Either I or II is strong D. Neither I nor II is strong E. Both I and II are strong

Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Clearly, harnessing solar energy will be helpful as it is an inexhaustible resource unlike other resources. So, argument I holds. But argument II is vague as solar energy is the cheapest form of energy.

4.	Statement: Should there be students union in college/university? Arguments: No. This will create a political atmosphere in the campus. Yes, it is very necessary Students are future political leaders.
	A. Only argument I is strong B. Only argument II is strong C. Either I or II is strong D. Neither I nor II is strong E. Both I and II are strong

Answer: Option E
Explanation:
The students union formation shall be a step towards giving to students the basic education in the field of politics. However, it shall create the same political atmosphere in the campus. Thus, both the arguments hold strong.

5.	Statement: Should India give away Kashmir to Pakistan? Arguments: No. Kashmir is a beautiful state. It earns a lot of foreign exchange for India. Yes. This would help settle conflicts.
	A. Only argument I is strong B. Only argument II is strong C. Either I or II is strong D. Neither I nor II is strong E. Both I and II are strong

Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Clearly, India cannot part with a state that is a major foreign exchange earner to it. So, argument I holds strong. Further, giving away a piece of land unconditionally and unreasonably is no solution to settle disputes. So, argument II is vague.

6.	Statement: Should cottage industries be encouraged in rural areas? Arguments: Yes. Rural people are creative. Yes. This would help to solve the problem of unemployment to some extent.
	A. Only argument I is strong B. Only argument II is strong C. Either I or II is strong D. Neither I nor II is strong E. Both I and II are strong

Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Clearly, cottage industries need to be promoted to create more job opportunities for rural people in the villages themselves. The reason that rural people are creative is vague. So, only argument II holds.

7.	Statement: Should young entrepreneurs be encouraged? Arguments: Yes. They will help in industrial development of the country. Yes. They will reduce the burden on employment market.
	A. Only argument I is strong B. Only argument II is strong C. Either I or II is strong D. Neither I nor II is strong E. Both I and II are strong

Answer: Option E
Explanation:
Clearly, encouraging the young entrepreneurs will open up the field for the establishment of new industries. Thus, it shall help in industrial development and not only employ the entrepreneurs but create more job opportunities for others as well. So, both the arguments hold strong.

8.	Statement: Should all the annual examinations up to Std. V be abolished? Arguments: Yes. The young students should not be burdened with such examinations which hampers their natural growth. No. The students will not study seriously as they will get automatic promotion to the next class and this will affect them in future.
	A. Only argument I is strong B. Only argument II is strong C. Either I or II is strong D. Neither I nor II is strong E. Both I and II are strong

Answer: Option E
Explanation:
Clearly, neither the students can be burdened with studies at such a tender age, nor can they be left free to take studies casually, as this shall weaken their basic foundation. So, both the arguments follow.

9.	Statement: Should Indian scientists working abroad be called back to India? Arguments: Yes. They must serve the motherland first and forget about discoveries, honours, facilities and all. No. We have enough talent; let them stay where they want.
	A. Only argument I is strong B. Only argument II is strong C. Either I or II is strong D. Neither I nor II is strong E. Both I and II are strong

Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Clearly, every person must be free to work wherever he wants and no compulsion should be made to confine one to one's own country. So, argument I is vague. However, talented scientists can be of great benefit to the nation and some alternatives as special incentives or better prospects may be made available to them to retain them within their motherland. So, argument II also does not hold.

10.	Statement: Should we scrap the system of formal education beyond graduation? Arguments: Yes. It will mean taking employment at an early date. No. It will mean lack of depth of knowledge.
	A. Only argument I is strong B. Only argument II is strong C. Either I or II is strong D. Neither I nor II is strong E. Both I and II are strong

Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Clearly, argument I is vague because at present too, many fields are open to all after graduation. However, eliminating the post-graduate courses would abolish higher and specialized studies which lead to understanding things better and deeply. So, argument II is valid.