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: 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: Every year doctors, scientists and engineers migrate from India to greener pastures. Assumptions: (I) Brain drain has affected India adversely. (II) Better scales and better standards of living act as a bait to lure them.

  1. Neither I or 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
D Correct answer
Explanation

Assumption (II) is implicit because the statement mentions migration to 'greener pastures', which implies that the migrants are motivated by better conditions elsewhere. Assumption (I) is not necessarily implicit because the statement describes a phenomenon without explicitly judging its impact as adverse.

Multiple choice

What is the relationship between the two boldface sentences?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

Over the past few years, the mushrooming of torrent download sites has dealt a severe blow to the revenues of the entertainment industry. Internet has become ubiquitous, and the torrent download sites have everything from books to magazines to TV shows to movies available for just the cost of a broadband connection. It stands to reason that the entertainment industry is under threat due to the advancement of the Information Technology industry.

  1. The first boldface sentence draws a conclusion which is supported by the evidence provided in the second boldface sentence.

  2. For the second boldface sentence to be true, the first has to be true.

  3. Both provide evidence that supports the conclusion drawn in the remaining part of the argument.

  4. If the first sentence is taken to be true, the second sentence can be reasonably inferred from it.

  5. Both the statements are mutually inter-dependent. If one of them is negated, the other statement automatically gets negated.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Incorrect; it is the other way around. The second statement is the conclusion and the first statement is evidence from which the conclusion can be drawn. (2) Incorrect; a rather extreme option. The entertainment industry can be under threat from I.T. because people are spending more and more time online, not necessarily because the people are downloading a lot of stuff. (3) Incorrect; the first statement provides a suitable conclusion that can be inferred from the evidence given in the first statement. (4) Correct; if the first statement is taken to be true, the second statement can be the conclusion drawn from it. Because entertainment industry is losing revenue to illegal downloading of movies, books, TV shows etcetera, it can be reasonably inferred that the entertainment industry is under threat from the I.T. industry. (5) Incorrect; even if statement two is negated, it does not necessarily negate that torrent download sites have mushroomed.

Multiple choice

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

A recent report in an animal health magazine stated that the big breeds of domestic dogs suffer from an unusually high incidence of hip dysplasia, a disease in which the animal loses cartilage around the bones fitting into the hip joint, and which can result in arthritis and painful osteoporosis. The study also pointed out that wild wolves rarely, if ever, suffer from hip dysplasia. Hence, it is in the interest of dog lovers to replicate, as far as possible, the living conditions that the dogs would face in the wild.

  1. Smaller breeds of dogs, having almost non-existent instances of falling prey to hip dysplasia, are more genetically similar to wolves than are the bigger breeds of dogs.

  2. Dogs trained to protect livestock on big ranches reportedly have very low incidence of hip dysplasia.

  3. The incidence of hip dysplasia in wolves living in enclosures in zoos is quite high.

  4. Hunting dogs have relatively lower incidence of hip dysplasia.

  5. Wolves eat raw, unprocessed meat while domestic dogs eat processed dog food.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Incorrect; the conclusion of the argument is that replicating living conditions of wolves would help reduce incidence of hip dysplasia in large breeds of dogs. Whether or not smaller dogs are genetically similar to wolves is beside the point. (2) Incorrect; wolves are hunters while these dogs are protectors. Hence, it cannot be said that they have similar lifestyles. Also, it is not mentioned whether these dogs are big dogs or not. (3) Correct; because the wolves living in zoos live in closed enclosures, it would imply that their lifestyle is very similar to those of big domesticated dogs. If they are getting hip dysplasia, it can be inferred that the similarity in lifestyle, to big dogs, is causing it. (4) Incorrect but very close; it is not mentioned whether the hunting dogs belong to large breeds or small breeds. (5) Incorrect; limits the argument about lifestyle to only food, which is but one component of lifestyle.

Multiple choice

What is a necessary assumption in the argument above?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

A recent report in an animal health magazine stated that the big breeds of domestic dogs suffer from an unusually high incidence of hip dysplasia, a disease in which the animal loses cartilage around the bones fitting into the hip joint, and which can result in arthritis and painful osteoporosis. The study also pointed out that wild wolves rarely, if ever, suffer from hip dysplasia. Hence, it is in the interest of dog lovers to replicate, as far as possible, the living conditions that the dogs would face in the wild.

  1. The uneven ground encountered in the wild, as against the smooth floors of human homes, help in regeneration of cartilage.

  2. The lifestyle of the wolves in the wild is the overriding factor behind their healthier bones and joints.

  3. Living in conditions replicating those found in the wild helps dogs to be as strong as wolves.

  4. Hunting for food helps the wolves stay limber and gives them stronger bones and joints.

  5. The small breeds of dogs do not get hip dysplasia because they get adequate exercise even in small urban homes.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Incorrect; the smoothness of the floors in human habitats, as against the wild terrain, would be just one of the factors contributing to the lifestyle of dogs and wolves. (2) Correct; if we negate this assumption, the conclusion of the argument is also negated. If the lifestyle of the wolves in the wild is not responsible for the low incidence of hip dysplasia in them, it would not make any sense to replicate the same living conditions for domesticated dogs. (3) Incorrect; the focus of the argument is not on making dogs stronger, but on making them less susceptible to hip dysplasia. (4) Incorrect; hunting for food would be only one of the components of the lifestyle of wolves in the wild. (5) Incorrect; the crux of the argument is on the comparison between large breeds of dogs and wolves.

Multiple choice

Directions: The question has a set of four sequentially ordered statements; each statement can be classified as one of the following: Facts, which deal with pieces of information that one has heard, seen or read, and which are pen the discovery or verification (the answer option indicates such a statements with an 'F') Inferences, which are conclusions drawn about the unknown, on the basis of the known (the answer option indicates such a statement with an 'I'). Judgments, which are opinions that imply approval or disapproval of persons, objects, situations, and occurrences in the past, the present, or the future (the answer option indicates such as statement with a 'J') Select the answer option that best describes the set of four statements.

  1. Banks are maintaining a strict scrutiny over loans to hazardous material industries with pollution potential such as power plants, oil refineries, paper mills and mineral extraction that impact environment adversely.
  2. Banks ought to follow the guidelines that use environment sensitive parameters, apart from financial, so as to fund projects that will not have negative social effects.
  3. Having fixed the criteria to projects that are green considering longevity and recyclables of the raw material, it is but natural to monitor the ecological impact of a loan.
  4. Some banks might even support water-harvesting projects, education, microfinance, forestry, and tree-plantations.

  1. FJIJ

  2. FJII

  3. FJJI

  4. FJJJ

  5. IIFJ
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 refers to a fact. Statement 2 is an advice and hence a judgment. Statement 3 again is advisory and is judgment based and so is the case of statement 4. Hence, FJJJ

Multiple choice

Directions: The question has a set of four sequentially ordered statements; each statement can be classified as one of the following: Facts, which deal with pieces of information that one has heard, seen or read, and which are pen the discovery or verification (the answer option indicates such a statements with an 'F') Inferences, which are conclusions drawn about the unknown, on the basis of the known (the answer option indicates such a statement with an 'I'). Judgments, which are opinions that imply approval or disapproval of persons, objects, situations, and occurrences in the past, the present, or the future (the answer option indicates such as statement with a 'J') Select the answer option that best describes the set of four statements.

  1. Economic partnership between nations is the only way to address and resolve the risks and challenges of an economically intertwined world today, though the conflicts between the competitive countries persist and world trade is sharing of risks and rewards equitably.
  2. India has sharpened its focus on promoting a rules based international trading environment and in Doha summit, the primary motive of India is promoting globalization of world trade correcting the imbalances of multilateral trade agreements.
  3. In 2006, the developing countries achieved 7% growth as against 3.1% of developed countries and if this trend continues, it is possible to see a situation where Asia would be at the centre of international economic activity.
  4. With global economies having realized the benefits of integration, it becomes necessary that the impediments to innovation in the form of protectionism, counterfeiting and poor intellectual property regime should be tackled on priority basis.

  1. JJII

  2. IJIJ

  3. JFIJ

  4. JFII

  5. JIIJ
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 refers to economic partnership based on judgment. Statement 2 refers to motives of India based on its emphasis, making it an inference. Statement 3 refers to inference based on past results and statement 4 is judgment based. Hence, JIJI

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a statement is followed by two inferences. Which of the inferences can be logically drawn from the statement?

Statement: The mutual dependence of men is so great in all societies that scarcely any human action is entirely complete in itself, or is performed without some reference to the actions of others, which are requisite to make it answer fully the intention of the agent. Inference: (A) The poorest farmer, who labours alone, and for self consumption, may still not be an exception to the rule. (B) The farmer, if he carries his goods to market, and offers them at a reasonable price, shall definitely find purchasers, and shall be able, by the money he acquires, to engage others to supply him with those commodities which are requisite for his subsistence.

  1. if inference (A) alone can be drawn from the statement

  2. if inference (B) alone can be drawn from the statement

  3. if both (A) and (B) can be drawn from the statement

  4. if neither (A) nor (B) can be drawn from the statement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Inference (A) is probabilistic (may) and hence, not necessarily covered by 'scarcely'. Inference (B) is rendered incorrect by the definitive 'shall definitely'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, a statement is followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. An assumption is something supposed or taken for granted. Consider the statement and the following assumptions and choose the correct option.

Statement: From a macro-economic standpoint, any trouble in realty would stem more from housing than commercial realty. Assumptions: I. Residential housing makes up 75% of the realty market in India. II. The residential prices have shot through the roof across the country in the last few years.

  1. Only assumption I is implicit.

  2. Only assumption II is implicit.

  3. Both assumptions I and II are implicit.

  4. Neither assumption I nor II is implicit.

  5. Either assumption I or II is implicit.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

"I" is the assumption from which the statement can be derived and "II" is not.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a statement is followed by two assumptions. Which of the following assumptions is/are implicit in the statement?

Statement: If you are aiming for the moon, shoot for the stars. Assumptions: I. Nothing is impossible in life. II. Planning to fail is better than failing to plan.

  1. If assumption I alone is implicit

  2. If assumption II alone is implicit`

  3. If both I and II are implicit

  4. If neither I nor II is implicit
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Neither of these are implicitly the assumptions for the statement.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, a statement is followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. An assumption is something supposed or taken for granted. Consider the statement and the following assumptions and choose the correct option.

Statement: Many business schools are run by politicians. Assumptions: I. Due to political pressure, the government has granted recognition to many colleges that don’t meet the standards. II. The approval process is non-transparent.

  1. If only assumption I is implicit

  2. If only assumption II is implicit`

  3. If both assumptions I and II are implicit

  4. If neither assumption I nor II is implicit

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

The statement itself is an assumption for I and not vice-versa. II is also not implicit.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, an argument is followed by two assumptions. Which of the given assumptions is/are implicit in the argument?

Argument: Why should we not find some representative men who may stand for the virtuous mean of the human society? Such men must clearly not be men of genius.

Assumptions:

(A) A man of genius tends to take himself out of the general category altogether.

(B) Only the mean can represent the whole.

  1. If assumption (A) alone is implicit.

  2. If assumption (B) alone is implicit.

  3. If either (A) or (B) is implicit.

  4. If neither (A) nor (B) is implicit.

  5. If both (A) and (B) are implicit.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Neither of the assumptions is implicit. Men of genius are an undesirable choice, not because they take themselves out, but because they do not represent the mean. Possibly the focus of the argument is that the mean ‘should’ represent the whole. There is no assumption that nothing else 'can'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, an argument is followed by two assumptions. Which of the assumptions is/are implicit in the argument?

Argument: In mathematics, the principles are palpable, but removed from ordinary use so that for want of habit, it is difficult to turn one's mind in that direction. But if one turns it thither ever so little, one sees the principles fully. Assumptions: (A) One must have a quite inaccurate mind to reason wrongly from principles of mathematics. (B) It is almost impossible that principles of mathematics should escape notice.

  1. Assumption (A) alone is implicit.

  2. Assumption (B) alone is implicit.

  3. Both (A) and (B) are implicit.

  4. Neither (A) nor (B) is implicit.

  5. Either (A) or (B) is implicit.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Only assumption (A) is implicit. If one turns one’s mind to the principles, one sees them fully, so that one will not reason wrongly from them. Assumption (B) is not implicit as ‘it is difficult to turn one’s mind in that direction’.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, an argument is followed by two assumptions. Which of the assumptions is/are implicit in the argument?

Argument: The most incisive comment on politics today is indifference. When men and women begin to feel that elections and legislatures do not matter very much, that politics is a rather distant and unimportant exercise, the leader might as well put to himself a few searching doubts. Assumptions: (A) Indifference calls the political method itself into question. (B) Leaders in public affairs know that no attack is as disastrous as silence; that no invective is so blasting as the wise and indulgent smile of the people who do not care.

  1. Assumption (A) alone is implicit.

  2. Assumption (B) alone is implicit.

  3. Both (A) and (B) are implicit.

  4. Neither (A) nor (B) is implicit.

  5. Either (A) or (B) is implicit

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

Indifference is not to persons, but to institutions, so (A) is implicit. But the argument that the indifference should impel the leader to introspection doesn’t assume that indifference is the leader’s worst (mark the superlative) enemy (B).

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, an argument is followed by two assumptions. Which of the assumptions is/are implicit in the argument?

Argument: Puritanism, with its emphasis on abstinence, cannot pass from one generation to another without losing much of what grace it has, and acquiring most odious and mischievous elements. Entailed puritanism, being an actual impossibility, all attempts to realise it have the worst features of sham and hypocrisy. Assumptions: (A) Puritanism and procreation are antithetical by nature. (B) Procreation means surrender of abstinence.

  1. Only (A)

  2. Only (B)

  3. Both (A) and (B)

  4. Neither (A) nor (B)

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

The argument obviously assumes that abstinence will discount possibility of procreation and that there are no other means of procreation (A). (B) cannot be the assumption as this has been expressly stated. An assertion cannot be the assumption.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, a statement is followed by two assumptions. Which of the given assumptions is/are implicit in the statement?

Statement: Consumption per se is growing. Assumptions: I. Inflationary trends will be observed in consumer goods in the long run. II. Strong economy is creating a wider affluence.

  1. Only assumption l is implicit.

  2. Only assumption ll is implicit.

  3. Either l or ll is implicit.

  4. Neither l nor ll is implicit.

  5. Both l and ll are implicit.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Assumption II is strong because it talks of affluence, which usually leads to increased consumption.