Reasoning

Statement Based Reasoning

280 Questions

Test your logical reasoning skills with these statement based questions covering assumptions and courses of action. You must critically analyze administrative decisions and implicit premises. These topics are a staple in the reasoning sections of IBPS banking, SSC, and government recruitment exams.

Courses of actionImplicit assumptionsLogical reasoningStatement analysisAdministrative decisions

Statement Based Reasoning Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: The question is a logical sequence of statements with a missing link, the location of which is shown parenthetically. Choose the alternative that best fits the sequence logically.

This great increase of the quantity of work which, in consequence of the division of labour, the same number of people are capable of performing, is owing to three different circumstances; first, to the increase of dexterity in every particular workman; secondly, to the saving of the time which is commonly lost in passing from one species of work to another; and lastly, to the (..) which facilitate and abridge labour.

  1. advantageous labour laws

  2. better work-life conditions

  3. innovations that have happened in all fields

  4. invention of a great number of machines

  5. specialisation of the labour
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Is correct because the next line 'which facilitate and abridge labour' explains that it is something that           aids and shortens labour and that can be machines. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the following passage/information and answer the question that follows.

In India, Bhartiya Kisan Manch (BKM) won 37 seats in the 545 seats of Parliament in 1954. It managed to win only 3 seats in the 1959 election, even though the party’s pro-agrarian reform agenda had essentially remained unchanged. This decline in the party’s fortunes clearly demonstrates that, in India, pro-agrarian reform concerns faded in significance between 1954 and 1959.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

  1. Between 1954 and 1959, the number of eligible voters in India rose, but not the percentage who actually voted.

  2. Between 1954 and 1959, India’s leading political parties revised their platform, adopting a strongly pro-agrarian reform stance.

  3. The parties that ran candidates in the 1959 election in India were the same as those that had done so in the 1954 election.

  4. In 1959, the Bhartiya Kisan Manch won fewer votes in India than it had won in 1954.

  5. Between 1954 and 1959, Bhartiya Kisan Manch redefined pro-agrarian reforms.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

On the basis of information that Bhartiya Kisan Manch (BKM),  which had 37 seats out of 545 in the town council in 1954, had lost majority of them in 1959, the author argues that the decline in the party’s fortunes clearly demonstrates that pro-agrarian reform concern faded in significance in India during this period. Choice (2) says that the India’s leading political parties (which had won majority of other seats in 1954 and 1959) had revised their platform adopting a strongly pro-agrarian reform stance. If this is true, voters who are in favor of pro-agrarian reform would have voted for the leading political parties this time instead of for the BKM. So the defeat of the members of the BKM party would not mean that pro-agrarian reform concerns had faded in significance in the minds of the voters. So, (2) seriously weakens the argument of the author and is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question below a statement is given followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. You have to consider the statement and the assumption given and decide which of the choices about implicitness of assumption is true.

Most of the parents desire to put their children in English medium schools vis-a-vis regional language schools. Assumptions: I. The quality of education in English medium schools is better than that in regional language schools. II. Regional language classrooms are very crowded.

  1. If only assumption I is implicit

  2. If only assumption II is implicit

  3. If neither I nor II is implicit

  4. If both the assumptions are implicit

  5. If either one, but not both has to be implicit
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The statement can be directly linked with I but not with II.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question below a statement is given followed by two conclusions numbered I and II. You have to assume everything in the statement to be true, then consider the two conclusions together and decide which of them logically follows beyond a reasonable doubt from the information given in the statement.

The government is thinking on a proposal to withdraw tax incentives on popular savings schemes like N.S.C., post/bank deposits etc. I. The government may withdraw tax incentives on these schemes. II. The government may not withdraw tax incentives on these schemes.

  1. If only conclusion I follows

  2. If only conclusion II follows

  3. If either conclusion I or II follows

  4. If both the conclusions follow

  5. If neither of the conclusions follow
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

When the government is contemplating an action, either of the two conclusions has to follow.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question below a statement is followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. You have to consider the statement and the assumptions and decide which of the choices about implicitness of assumption is true.

Safety and health practices in many Indian companies are well below the international standards. Assumptions: I. International standards of health and safety are ideal and unrealistic. II. Indian organisations do not consider safety and health management as their prime social obligation.

  1. If only assumption I is implicit

  2. If only assumption II is implicit

  3. If neither I nor II is implicit

  4. If both the assumptions are implicit

  5. If either one, but not both has to be implicit
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The statement rates Indian safety and health practices well below international standards. There is no mention in I about India.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question below a statement is given followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. You have to consider the statement and the assumption given and decide which of the choices about implicitness of assumption is true.

The product 'X' that you have asked for is not with us but can be made available against firm order from you. Implications: I. The product 'X' is not in great demand. II. The product 'X' is out of stock as new model is coming up.

  1. If only assumption I is implicit

  2. If only assumption II is implicit

  3. If neither I nor II is implicit

  4. If both the assumptions are implicit

  5. If either one, but not both, is implicit
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 I is clearly implicit because the supplier asks for a firm order; II cannot be inferred for there is no mention of new model. Hence it cannot be the correct answer choice.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a statement is followed by two assumptions I and II. You are to consider each statement and assumption(s) that follow, and decide which of the assumption(s) is/are implicit in the statement. Give answer (1) if only I is implicit; (2) if only II is implicit; (3) if both I and II are implicit; (4) if neither I nor II is implicit; (5) if either I alone or II alone is implicit.

Statement: Education and social changes are complementary, and lead to a steady loss of tradition on people's mind. Assumptions: I. There is a direct relationship between education and social change and decline of tradition on people's mind. II. Traditions can make priceless contribution to society.

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

  5. (5)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 Indeed the statement depicts a direct relation between the two. Increase in 1 leads to decline in the other.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a statement is followed by two assumptions I and II. You are to consider each statement and assumption(s) that follow, and decide which of the assumption(s) is/are implicit in the statement. Give answer (1) if only I is implicit; (2) if only II is implicit; (3) if both I and II are implicit; (4) if neither I nor II is implicit; (5) if either I alone or II alone is implicit. Statement: A few people demanded one-man-one-post in the case of the minister, for strengthening the party and for efficient administration. Assumptions: I. No human being can be efficient in two spheres. II. A person attending to only administration or party work will be able to do much.

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

  5. (5)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 'For strengthening the party and for efficient administration' is the clue. Hence, (2) is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a statement is followed by two assumptions I and II. You are to consider each statement and assumption(s) that follow, and decide which of the assumption(s) is/are implicit in the statement. Give answer (1) if only I is implicit; (2) if only II is implicit; (3) if both I and II are implicit; (4) if neither I nor II is implicit; (5) if either I alone or II alone is implicit.

Statement: If water pollution continues at its present rate, it will eventually make oxygen molecules unavailable to water plants. Assumptions: I. Water pollution affects the growth of water plants. II. Water pollution reduces the availability of oxygen in water.

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

  5. (5)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 Both I and II cannot be implicit because I is out of the scope of argument we don't know whether availability of oxygen is conducive or deleterious to growth of plants. Only II is implicit because of the word UNAVAILABLE.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a statement is followed by two assumptions I and II. You are to consider each statement and assumption(s) that follow, and decide which of the assumption(s) is/are implicit in the statement. Give answer (1) if only I is implicit; (2) if only II is implicit; (3) if both I and II are implicit; (4) if neither I nor II is implicit; (5) if either I alone or II alone is implicit.

Statement: War begins in the minds of men, and it is in the minds of men that defense against war has to be built. Assumptions: I. Individuals are responsible for waging war. II. Wars rise because people's thinking is not on the right lines.

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

  5. (5)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 I and II both can be implicit in the given case. War beginning in the minds and not thinking on the right lines is the key phrase to reach the correct answer choice.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a statement is followed by two assumptions I and II. You are to consider each statement and assumption(s) that follow, and decide which of the assumption(s) is/are implicit in the statement. Give answer (1) if only I is implicit; (2) if only II is implicit; (3) if both I and II are implicit; (4) if neither I nor II is implicit; (5) if either I alone or II alone is implicit.

Statement: The Railway authorities have decided to increase the freight charges by 10 per cent, in view of the possibility of incurring losses in the current financial year. Assumptions: I. The volume of freight during the remaining period may remain the same. II. The amount so obtained may set off a part or total of the estimated deficit

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

  5. (5)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 Only if the a part or whole of the amount can be set off , is the measure worthy. Hence, II can be implicit and (2) is the correct answer choice.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question below a statement is given followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. You have to consider the statement and the assumptions given and decide which of the choices about implicitness of assumption is true.

Sandeep has a large collection of books and he keeps on purchasing new books to add to his collection. Implications: I. Sandeep loves and cares for books. II. Sandeep has read each and every book that he has purchased.

  1. If only assumption I is implicit

  2. If only assumption II is implicit

  3. If neither I nor II is implicit

  4. If both the assumptions are implicit

  5. If either I alone or II alone is implicit
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A person would buy and preserve something only if he has love and care for that particular thing. I explains the same and is hence the correct answer. choice.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question below a statement is given followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. You have to consider the statement and the assumptions given and decide which of the choices about implicitness of assumption is true.

This year most of the shops and departmental stores are offering prizes and discounts on purchases to attract customers. Implications: I. The shops and departmental stores have so far earned a lot of profit so now they have started sharing it with customers. II. Lots of goods are available but the sale is not shooting up, there is no cheer for the customers.

  1. If only assumption I is implicit.

  2. If only assumption II is implicit.

  3. If neither I nor II is implicit.

  4. If both the assumptions are implicit.

  5. If either I alone or II alone is implicit.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Discounts and prizes are an eye candy to attract customers. So, II is a logical assumption to jack up sales.

Multiple choice

A ten-year comparison between India and China in terms of crop yields per acre revealed that when only planted acreage is compared, Chinese yields are equal to 60 percent of India yields. When total agricultural acreage (planted acreage plus fallow acreage) is compared, however, Chinese yield is 110 percent of India's yield.

From the information above, which of the following can be most reliably inferred about India and Chinese agriculture during the ten-year period?

  1. A higher percentage of total agricultural acreage was fallow in India than in China.

  2. India had more fallow acreage than planted acreage.

  3. Fewer total acres of available agricultural land were fallow in China than in India.

  4. China had more planted acreage than fallow acreage.

  5. China had greater land mass than India and, therefore, had greater chances of increasing planted acerage by converting fallow acreage.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is a simple inference type of question. When only planted acreage is compared, Indian yields are greater but when total agricultural acreage is compared, then Chinese yields are greater. This obviously means that India has more fallow area as compared to China, because only this would lead to the desired results. (To simplify the procedure, use the simple formula Yield = (Total Output) divided by (Planted Area + Fallow Area) The correct answer choice is (1). As a precaution, please note that nowhere are we told about the total planted area or total fallow area in India or China.

Multiple choice

Directions: In question below a statement is given followed by two conclusions numbered I and II. You have to assume everything in the statement to be true, then consider the two conclusions together and decide which of them logically follows beyond a reasonable doubt from the information given in the statement.

The citizen's forum wants to unite tax-paying citizens and to make them aware of their right to lead quality civic life. I. Till this time the citizens were neither united nor much aware of their rights as tax-paying citizens. II. Quality civic life is not possible for tax paying citizens in a country.

  1. If only conclusion I follows

  2. If only conclusion II follows

  3. If either conclusion I or II follows

  4. If both the conclusions follow

  5. If neither of the conclusions follow
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 I is definitely the conclusion because only something that is not united can be united. But II is illogical. The need for uniting doesn't mean that without uniting people cannot lead quality civic life. Hence, (1) is the correct choice.