(IGP) IAS Pre Paper - 2: GS - Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability - Statement and Arguments

Such type of questions consist of a Statement followed by certain arguments in favour of or against the Statement. Candidates would be required to distinguish between the strong and weak arguments.

‘Strong’ arguments are those which are both important and directly related to the question. ‘Weak’ arguments are those which are of minor importance and also may not be directly related to the question or may be related to a trivial aspect of the question. A weak argument is very simple, superfluous, ambiguous and long drawn one.

Following points should be taken into consideration while choosing a strong argument

1. A strong argument should give the realistic diagnosis of the situation described in the Statement.
2. A strong argument should give the deep analysis of the topic deal within the Statement.
3. A strong argument should relate with the Statement and be supported up by facts or established notions.
4. A strong argument should not be mere reiteration of the situation given in the Statement.

Following examples will help the students to have an understanding of the logic used to solve these questions.

Types of Questions that could be Asked in CSAT

There are two types of questions which may be asked.

Type 1 Two Arguments Based

In these questions a Statement is followed by two arguments. Candidates are required to distinguish between the strong and weak arguments. Generally both the arguments are contrary to each other and refer to positive and negative results.

Directions (Q. Nos. 1 to 2) Study the instructions carefully and answer the questions that follows. In making decisions about important question it is desirable to be able to distinguish between “strong” and “weak” argument so far as they relate to the questions. “Weak” arguments may not be directly related to the question and may be of minor importance or may be related to the trivial aspect of the question. Each question below is 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 neither I nor II is strong and (d) if both I and II are strong.

Example I Statement: Will the newly electedmembers fulfil their promises?

Arguments
I. Yes, otherwise their very existence will be in danger.
II. No, electedmembers never seemto remember their promises and commitments.

Solution. (d) Both the arguments are strong. Elected members have to face the electorates after each completion of their terms as their existence asmembers is decided by people. Secondly, at the time of elections, so many commitments are made which are hardly fulfilled.

Example 2 Statement: Should parent play with their children?

Arguments
I. Yes, it helps in building up a healthy and much needed companionship between children and parents.
II. No, children treat their parent like equals and there is no distance left.

Solution. (a) Argument I is strong because a close companionship bridges the gap between parents and children. Argument II is not supported by a positive logical aspect of the Statement: and hence, is a weak argument.

Type 2 More than Two Arguments Based

Here we are given more than two (basically three or four arguments) are given we have to study them then find which is/are true.

Directions Question given below consists ofa Statements, followed by three arguments numbered I, II, and III.You have to decide which of the arguments is/are ‘strong’ argument (s) and which is/are ‘weak’ arguments (s) and accordingly choose your answer from the alternatives given below each question.

Example 3 Statement Should all the students graduating in any disciplines desirous of pursuing post graduation of the subjects of their choice be allowed to enroll in the post-graduate courses ?

Arguments
I. Yes, the students are the best judge of their capabilities and there should not be restrictions for joining post graduation courses.
II. No, the students need to study relevant subjects in graduate courses to enroll in post-graduate courses and the students must fulfill such conditions.
III. No, there are not enough institutes offering post-graduate courseswhich can accommodate all the graduates desirous of seeking post-graduation education of their own choice.
(a) None is strong
(b) Only I is strong
(c) Only II is strong
(d) Only I and III are strong

Solution. (c) The students cannot be enrolled in the courses just on the basis of their interests but their compatibility with the same also matters. So, argument I does not hold. Besides, lack of Institutions is no criteria to deny post graduate courses to students. Hence, argument III does not hold. But argument (II) holds as it is genuine reason.

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