Logical Reasoning - Statement and Argument

Exercise : Statement and Argument - Section 2
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.


6.

Statement: Should luxury hotels be banned in India?

Arguments:

  1. Yes. They are places from where international criminals operate.
  2. No. Affluent foreign tourists will have no place to stay.
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, the luxury hotels are a mark of country's standard and a place for staying for the affluent foreign tourists. So, argument II holds. Argument I is not a strong reason because ban on hotels is not a way to do away with the activities of international criminals.

7.

Statement: Should shifting agriculture be practised?

Arguments:

  1. No. It is a wasteful practice.
  2. Yes. Modern methods of farming are too expensive.
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, shifting agriculture is a practice in which a certain crop is grown on a land and when it becomes infertile it is left bare and another piece of land is chosen. Clearly, it is a wasteful practice. So, only argument I holds.

8.

Statement: Should our country extend generous behaviour and goodwill to our erring and nagging neighbours?

Arguments:

  1. Yes. Goodwill always pays dividend.
  2. No. Our generous behaviour and goodwill will be considered as our weakness.
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 good behaviour may at some point of time lead to mutual discussions and peaceful settlement of issues in the long run. So, argument I holds strong. However, such behaviour may be mistaken for our weakness and it would be difficult to continue with it if the other country doesn't stop its sinister activities. Hence, II also holds.

9.

Statement: Is pen mightier than a sword?

Arguments:

  1. Yes. Writers influence the thinking of the people.
  2. No. With the help of physical force one can conquer all.
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:
Physical force can accomplish a task by compulsion, while the influential writings can mould the thinking of an individual and change his discretion into accomplishing the task wilfully. So, only argument I holds strong.

10.

Statement: Should the sex determination test during pregnancy be completely banned?

Arguments:

  1. Yes. This leads to indiscriminate female foeticide and eventually will lead to social imbalance.
  2. No. People have a right to know about their unborn child.
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:
Parents indulging in sex determination of their unborn child generally do so as they want to only a boy child and do away with a girl child. So, argument I holds. Also, people have a right to know only about the health, development and general well-being of the child before its birth, and not the sex. So, argument II does not hold strong.