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: A certain city is served by subway lines A,B and C and numbers 1 2 and 3 When it snows , morning service on B is delayed When it rains or snows , service on A, 2 and 3 are delayed both in the morning and afternoon When temp. falls below 30 degrees Fahrenheit afternoon service is cancelled in either the A line or the 3 line, but not both. When the temperature rises over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the afternoon service is cancelled in either the line C or the 3 line but not both. When the service on the A line is delayed or cancelled, service on the C line which connects the A line, is delayed. When service on the 3 line is cancelled, service on the B line which connects the 3 line is delayed On Aug 15th with the temperature at 97 degrees Fahrenheit it begins to rain at 1 PM. What is the minimum number of lines on which service will be affected?

  1. 2

  2. 3

  3. 4

  4. 5
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

On Aug 15, temperature 97°F (above 90°F), rain at 1 PM (afternoon): Rain/snow causes delays on A, 2, 3 in afternoon. Above 90°F causes afternoon cancellation on either C or 3. To minimize affected lines, cancel C afternoon. A is delayed (causing C to also be delayed), 2 and 3 are delayed. This affects 4 lines: A, 2, 3, C. If 3 were cancelled instead, B would also be delayed (5 lines affected).

Multiple choice

Directions: For this question, select the best of the answer choices given.

Archaeologists have found wheeled ceramic toys made by the Toltec, twelfth-century inhabitants of what is now Veracruz. Although there is no archaeological evidence that the Toltec used wheels for anything but toys, some anthropologists hypothesize that wheeled utility vehicles were used to carry materials needed for the monumental structures the Toltec produced. Which of the following, if true, would most help the anthropologists explain the lack of evidence noted above?

  1. The Toltec sometimes incorporated into their toys representations of utensils or other devices that served some practical purpose.

  2. Any wheeled utility vehicles used by the Toltec could have been made entirely of wood, and unlike ceramic, wood decays rapidly in the humid climate of Veracruz.

  3. Carvings in monument walls suggest that the Toltec's wheeled ceramic toys sometimes had ritual uses in addition to being used by both children and adults as decorations and playthings.

  4. Wheeled utility vehicles were used during the twelfth century in many areas of the world, but during this time wheeled toys were not very common in areas outside Veracruz.

  5. Some of the wheeled ceramic toys were found near the remains of monumental structures.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The anthropologists need to explain why no archaeological evidence of wheeled utility vehicles exists despite wheeled toys being found. Option B provides this explanation: wheeled utility vehicles could have been made entirely of wood, which decays rapidly in Veracruz's humid climate, unlike ceramic which survives. This perfectly explains the lack of archaeological evidence while allowing for the hypothesis to be true. Options A, C, and E discuss toys but don't explain the lack of utility vehicle evidence. Option D discusses wheel use elsewhere but doesn't address the local evidence gap.

Multiple choice

Directions: For this question, select the best of the answer choices given.

After observing the Earth's weather patterns and the 11-year sunspot cycle of the Sun for 36 years, scientists have found that high levels of sunspot activity precede shifts in wind patterns that affect the Earth's weather. One can conclude that meteorologist will be able to improve their weather forecasts based on this information. Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument above?

  1. Weather forecasts are more detailed today than they were 36 years ago.

  2. Scientists can establish that sunspot activity directly affects the Earth's weather.

  3. Evidence other than sunspot activity has previously enabled meteorologists to forecast the weather conditions that are predictable on the basis of sunspot activity.

  4. Scientist have not determined why the sunspot activity on the Sun follows an 11-year cycle.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The argument claims that sunspot activity will improve weather forecasts. Option C weakens this by stating that meteorologists can already predict the same weather conditions using other evidence. If they can already forecast what sunspots would help predict, then sunspot information adds no new predictive value.

Multiple choice

Directions: For this question, select the best of the answer choices given.

American customers expect high quality. When the quality of a manufactured product is raised, it in turn raises customer expectations. A company that believes that the quality of its products is satisfactory will soon discover that its customers are not similarly satisfied. The goal of Sunnybrook Corporation is to meet or exceed customer expectations. Which of the following must be true on the basis of the statements above?

  1. Sunnybrook's competitors will succeed in attracting customers only if those competitors adopt Sunnybrook's goal as their own.

  2. A company that does not correctly forecast the expectations of its customers is certain to fail in advancing the quality of its products.

  3. It is possible to meet the goal of Sunnybrook Corporation only if the quality of their products can be continually improved upon.

  4. If a company becomes satisfied with the quality of the products it manufactures, then the quality is likely to decline.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The best answer is (3). Sunnybrook wishes to meet customer expectations, however these expectations are always being raised. Whatever the quality of Sunnybrook's products, it will be possible to meet their goal only by continually improving their products.

Multiple choice

For years, scientists have believed that a certain hormone produced by the human liver was triggered by Enzyme U, which is released in the pancreas. Recently, however, researchers in Belgium discovered that Enzyme U is always preceded by the release of Enzyme W in the brain, and hypothesized that Enzyme W, not Enzyme U, triggers the release of the liver hormone. If a second research project were set up to verify the findings of the Belgian researchers, which of the following test results would most seriously weaken their hypothesis?

  1. Enzyme W is released, but not followed by the release of Enzyme U, although the liver hormone is released.

  2. Enzyme U is released, but neither preceded by the release of Enzyme W, nor followed by the release of the liver hormone.

  3. Neither Enzyme W nor Enzyme U is released and the liver hormone is not released.

  4. Enzyme W is released, followed by the release of Enzyme U and the release of the liver hormone.

  5. Enzyme U is released and followed by the release of the liver hormone, although enzyme W is not released
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

(5) The Belgian Researchers' CONCLUSION: Enzyme W, rather than U, triggers the release of the liver hormone.THE EVIDENCE: Enzyme U is always preceded by the release of Enzyme W. It's a classic causality question. Remember the key issues. We want to weaken a causal claim - that Enzyme W releases the liver hormone - so we ask whether the cause always precedes the effect (it should) or whether another cause could be at work (it shouldn't). If we get test results that present the liver hormone and Enzyme U's release, but not the release of Enzyme W, we have the effect (the liver hormone) without the cause (Enzyme W). We also have a strong case for another cause (Enzyme U). These test results hammer the researchers' conclusion. An example of the effect without the cause destroys a causal claim-some other cause must account for the effect.

Multiple choice

Directions: The question is a logical sequence of statements with a missing link, the location of which is shown parenthetically. From the five choices available you are required to choose the one which best fits the sequence logically.

Nothing boosts the confidence of a player more than success. And having broken such a big barrier, there can be no looking back for him. Hartford, where the World Doubles Championship is to be held from November 19, is well in sight of the Indians who stay at No.5 in rankings as a pair, (.) They are playing in the Singapore Open this week, to be followed by the European indoor circuit.

  1. and definitely require a lot of practice

  2. and just need to win a round or two in the remaining five tournaments to make sure of a berth

  3. and want to attain the top slot as soon as possible

  4. but will not be able to make it due to personal reasons
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The introductory sentence says that nothing boosts the confidence of a player more than success. The two players have crossed a big barrier, and now they can aim high. “And want to attain the top slot as soon as possible” logically follows “the Indians who stay at No.5 in rankings as a pair”. Hence, option (3) is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

What is/are the assumption(s) taken for Black box concept?

  1. The relationship between the inputs and the outputs is stable

  2. Black boxes are dependent on environment

  3. The supra-system is stable

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The black box concept assumes that the system's behavior is predictable and consistent based on its inputs. If the relationship between inputs and outputs were unstable, the black box model would not be applicable.

Multiple choice

In a recent study, researchers observed that old people are more likely to suffer from depression immediately after the holiday season. They concluded that this was because old people are exhausted by the end of the holidays.

Which of the following statements most directly contradicts the conclusion drawn above?

  1. Old people lack the energy and strength of the younger people.

  2. No study has yet proved that holidays are the cause of any serious illness.

  3. After the holidays, old people have nothing to look forward to and become melancholy.

  4. Old age is a debilitating factor for most persons, particularly when one is free.

  5. Several old people gain health during the holiday sojourn.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This directly contradicts the conclusion about exhaustion being the culprit. Old people get lonely because they have nothing to look forward to and this leads to depression.

Multiple choice

All students who earned advance management degree from Abacus University received several excellent job offers. Typically, many graduates of Payola College have gone on to pursue advance management degrees at Abacus. Thus, enrolling as an undergraduate at Payola College is a wise choice for students who wish to ensure success in their careers.

Which of the following would most strengthen the conclusion?

  1. All students of Payola College have had a choice of career.

  2. Payola college graduates meet the stringent academic standards required for admission to Abacus University.

  3. Several alumni of Payola College do not accept the job offers.

  4. Payola College is the only one in the immediate vicinity of Abacus University.

  5. Alumni of Abacus University consider enrolling at Payola College as the 1st step to a successful career.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This clearly supports the argument that for 'success in their careers' Payola college is a wise choice. Graduates, who're now pursuing careers, are in the right position to judge if the academic moves of present students are headed towards success.

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 follows 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.

Statement: The Railway authorities have decided to increase the freight charges by 10 percent, 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)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The volume may decrease, but not proportionately.

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.

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

I is too sweeping or wide to be correct as an assumption.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a statement is followed by two assumptions I and II. You have to consider each statement and assumption that follows, and decide which of the assumptions 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.

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

I can be directly inferred. II is irrelevant.

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.

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

No reference is made regarding the growth of the plants in the statement. So, only the second assumption is implicit.

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.

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

Both assumptions are implicit in the statement. Wars rise in the minds of men, so they are responsible. Moreover the violence in the mind is responsible for the thoughts of war. War is outward expression of the violence in the mind.

Multiple choice

Directions: Given statement is followed by two assumptions (I) and (II). An assumption is something supposed or taken for granted. You have to consider the statement and the following assumptions and decide which of the assumptions is/are implicit in the statement.

Statement: We should use detergent to clean objects. Assumptions: (I) Detergents help to dislodge grease and dirt. (II) Detergent form more lather.

  1. Neither I nor II is implicit.

  2. Both I and II are implicit.

  3. Only I is implicit.

  4. Only II is implicit.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In the statement the main focus is based on the purpose of using detergent which is to clean objects.  The first assumption is implicit because this is based on the main purpose of above statement. The second statement doesnt based on the cleaning puspose of detergent. Hence option 3 is correct.