Logical Reasoning - Statement and Argument

Exercise : Statement and Argument - Section 1
Directions to Solve

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.


36.

Statement: Should there be uniforms for students in the colleges in India as in the schools?

Arguments:

  1. Yes, this will improve the ambience of the colleges as all the students will be decently dressed.
  2. No. The college students should not be regimented and they should be left to choose their clothes for coming to the college.
Only argument I is strong
Only argument II is strong
Either I or II is strong
Neither I nor II is strong
Both I and II are strong
Answer: Option
Explanation:
Clearly, after being in strict discipline and following a formal dress code of the school for so many years, the students must be granted some liberty in college life, as they have to take on the responsibilities of life, next. Besides, schools adopt uniforms to take care of the security of the child - an aspect which doesn't matter much in the colleges. So, argument II holds strong. Also, the environment of the college depends on the students' dedication and etiquettes and not on their uniforms. So, argument I is vague.

37.

Statement: Should India engage into a dialogue with neighbouring countries to stop cross border tension?

Arguments:

  1. Yes. This is the only way to reduce the cross border terrorism and stop loss of innocent lives.
  2. No. Neighbouring countries cannot be relied upon in such matters, they may still engage in subversive activities.
Only argument I is strong
Only argument II is strong
Either I or II is strong
Neither I nor II is strong
Both I and II are strong
Answer: Option
Explanation:
Clearly, peaceful settlement through mutual agreement is the best option, whatever be the issue. So, argument I holds strong. Moreover, the problem indicated in II can be curbed by constant check and vigilance. So, II seems to be vague.

38.

Statement: Should there be a world government?

Arguments:

  1. Yes. It will help in eliminating tensions among the nations.
  2. No. Then, only the developed countries will dominate in the government.
Only argument I is strong
Only argument II is strong
Either I or II is strong
Neither I nor II is strong
Both I and II are strong
Answer: Option
Explanation:
Clearly, a world government cannot eliminate tensions among nations because it will also have the ruling group and the opposition group. Further, the more powerful and diplomatic shall rule the world to their interests. So, only argument II holds.

39.

Statement: Should the practice of transfers of clerical cadre employees from government offices of one city to those of another be stopped?

Arguments:

  1. No. Transfer of employees is a routine administrative matter and we must continue it.
  2. Yes. It involves lot of governmental expenditure and inconvenience too many compared to the benefits it yields.
Only argument I is strong
Only argument II is strong
Either I or II is strong
Neither I nor II is strong
Both I and II are strong
Answer: Option
Explanation:
It is not necessary that any practice which has been in vogue for a long time is right and it must be continued. So, argument I is not strong. Also, a practice must be continued or discontinued in view of its merits/demerits and not on grounds of the expenditure or procedures it entails. The policy of transfer is generally practised to do away with corruption, which is absolutely essential. So, argument II also does not hold.

40.

Statement: Is paying ransom or agreeing to the conditions of kidnappers of political figures, a proper course of action?

Arguments:

  1. Yes. The victims must be saved at all cost.
  2. No. It encourages the kidnappers to continue their sinister activities.
Only argument I is strong
Only argument II is strong
Either I or II is strong
Neither I nor II is strong
Both I and II are strong
Answer: Option
Explanation:
Both the arguments are strong enough. The conditions have to be agreed to, in order to save the life of the victims, though actually they ought not to be agreed to, as they encourage the sinister activities of the kidnappers.