Statement And Arguments Practice Question Paper4

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Instruction: 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
(E) If both I and II are strong.

Statement And Arguments Question Paper -4

1) Statement: Should government jobs in rural areas have more incentives?

Arguments:

(I)Yes. Incentives are essential for attracting government servants there.
(II)No. Rural areas are already cheaper, healthier and less complex than big cities. So ? Why offer extra incentives!

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 is: Option a) Answer: Only argument I is strong

Explanation:

Clearly, government jobs in rural areas are underlined with several difficulties. In lieu of these, extra incentives are needed. So, only argument I holds strong.

2) Statement: Should there be a cap on maximum number of contestants for parliamentary elections in any constituency?

Arguments:

(I)Yes. This will make the parliamentary elections more meaningful as the voters can make a considered judgement for casting their vote.
(II)No. In a democracy any person fulfilling the eligibility criteria can contest parliamentary elections and there should be no restrictions.

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 is: Option e) Answer: Both I and II are strong

Explanation:

Clearly, if there were less candidates, the voters would find it easy to make a choice. So, argument I holds. Also, every person satisfying the conditions laid down by the Constitution must be given an opportunity and should not be denied the same just to cut down the number of candidates. So, argument II also holds strong.

3) Statement: Should so much money be spent on advertisements?

Arguments:

(I)Yes. It is an essential concomitant in a capitalist economy.
(II)No. It leads to wastage of resources.

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 is: Option a) Answer: Only argument I is strong

Explanation:

Clearly, the advertisements are/the means to introduce people with the product and its advantages. So, argument I holds strong. But argument II is vague because advertisements are an investment for better gain and not a, wastage.

4) Statement: Should all the legislators be forced to resign from their profession?

Arguments:

(I)Yes. They will be able to devote more time for the country.
(II)No, nobody will contest election.

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 is: Option a) Answer: Only argument I is strong

Explanation:

The legislators should surely not be engaged in any other profession because only then will they be able to work with devotion. So, argument I holds. Also, if such a law is enforced, only those people will contest elections who are really prepared to work for the country. So, argument II is vague.

5) Statement: Should 'computer knowledge' be made a compulsory subject for all the students at secondary school level?

Arguments:

(I)No, our need is 'bread' for everyone, we cannot follow western models.
(II)Yes. We cannot compete in the international market without equipping our children with computers.

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 is: Option b) Answer: Only argument II is strong

Explanation:

Nowadays, computers have entered all walks of life and children need to be prepared for the same. So, argument II is strong. Argument I holds no relevance.

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

Arguments:

(I)Yes, this will improve the ambience of the colleges as all the students will be decently dressed.
(II)No. The college students should not be regimented and they should be left to choose their clothes for coming to the college.

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 is: Option b) Answer: Only argument II is strong

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.

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

Arguments:

(I)Yes. This is the only way to reduce the cross border terrorism and stop loss of innocent lives.
(II)No. Neighbouring countries cannot be relied upon in such matters, they may still engage in subversive activities.

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 is: Option a) Answer: Only argument I is strong

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.

8) Statement: Should there be a world government?

Arguments:

(I)Yes. It will help in eliminating tensions among the nations.
(II)No. Then, only the developed countries will dominate in the government.

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 is: Option b) Answer: Only argument II is strong

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.

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

Arguments:

(I)No. Transfer of employees is a routine administrative matter and we must continue it.
(II)Yes. It involves lot of governmental expenditure and inconvenience too many compared to the benefits it yields.

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 is: Option d) Answer: Neither I nor II is strong

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.

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

Arguments:

(I)Yes. The victims must be saved at all cost.
(II)No. It encourages the kidnappers to continue their sinister activities.

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 is: Option e) Answer: Both I and II are strong

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.

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