Statement And Argument

Statement: Should India immediately stop digging coal from its mines?

Arguments:

Yes. The present stock of coal will not last long if we continue mining at the present rate.
No. We do not have alternate energy source of sufficient quantity.
No. This will put millions of people at a disadvantage and their lives will get adversely affected and also the industry.

A:

Only I and II are strong

B:

Only II and III are strong

C:

Only I and III are strong

D:

All are strong

Answer: B

Though the reserves of coal are limited, yet stopping its use till alternate sources of energy have been discovered, is no solution to conserve it. So, I is not strong. It is true that we haven't till date found a renewable source of energy which is available in plenty and can substitute coal. So, II holds strong. Further, stopping coal mining would surely throw the engaged workers out of employment. So, III also holds strong.

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Statement: Should there be only one university throughout India?

Arguments:

Yes. This is the only way to bring about uniformity in the educational standards.
No. This is administratively impossible.
Yes. This will make the degrees procured by students, comparable for offering jobs.

A:

None is strong

B:

Only I and II are strong

C:

Only II and III are strong

D:

Only I and III are strong

Answer: C

The use of the word 'only' in argument I makes it weak. To bring uniformity in educational standards, we can have many universities all following same curricular and policies under one Board. Also, having one university will make the management of education throughout the country almost impossible. So, argument II holds. Besides, it is the variation in the syllabi and assessment of different universities that makes their degrees incomparable, when the students from these universities come together to compete for a job on a common platform. This problem can be eradicated by implementing this scheme. So, argument III also holds strong.

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Statement: Should government established higher level Institutes of Technology (IIT's) be privatized?

Arguments:

Yes. Privatization will make these institutes financially healthy, competitive and quality conscious.
Yes. Privatization is the key of the new era - can we survive without it?
No. Standard of education of these institutes will fall.

A:

None is strong

B:

All are strong

C:

Only I is strong

D:

Only I and III are strong

Answer: C

Clearly, privatization leads to betterment in a bid to win over the others in the field and earn both good reputation and money. So, argument I holds strong. Besides, privatization cannot be opted for just because it is the present trend. Also, privatization would, in no way, deteriorate the educational standards. So, neither II nor III holds.

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Statement: Should women be given equal opportunity in the matter of employment in every field?

Arguments:

Yes. They are equally capable.
No. They have to shoulder household responsibilities.
Yes. They should also go into the outside world.

A:

Only I is strong

B:

Only I and II are strong

C:

Only II and III are strong

D:

Only I and III are strong

Answer: D

In present times, women are being imparted education at par with the men and are capable of competing with them in all professions and fields. So, argument I holds. Also, women cannot be confined to the household and kept away from the challenges of the outside world against their will. They too have the right to be self-dependent. Besides, present-day women are well looking to outside jobs together with the household jobs. So, argument III holds while II does not.

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Statement: Should workers/employees be allowed to participate in the management of factories in India?

Arguments:

Yes. It is the present management theory.
No. Many workers are illiterate and so their contributions will not be of any value.
Yes. Employees-owned companies generally have higher productivity.
No. Employee-union ownership drives up salaries and wages.

A:

Only I and II are strong

B:

None is strong

C:

Only II and III are strong

D:

All are strong

Answer: C

Argument I in support does not provide a valid reason for the pursuance of the policy. So, it is vague. Argument II provides a valid reason, as literacy is an essential criteria to take proper decisions on policy matters regarding management of factories. Besides, workers, if involved in management, would surely be motivated to work more devotedly, thus enhancing productivity. So, both II and III follow. IV provides a reason too feeble in the light of facts given in II and III. So, IV also does not hold strong.

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Questions for: Statement And Argument