Upstream and Downstream Arguments

Ankur Jain

The instructions
Given below is a main statement followed by questions. Each question itself is a statement. Read the main statement and the questions that follow and mark your answer as If the main statement can be derived from the question-statement (Upstream Argument) If the question-statement can be derived from the main statement (Downstream Argument) If the question-statement supports the main statement (Lateral Argument) If the question statement is not relevant to the main statement (Irrelevant Statement)

Too much hot air, we know all this! An example please!

Sure, coming right up!

The Wilted Flowers

Main Statement There is a small bunch of wilted flowers in the vase by the window. The dusty leaves, the almost-dry petals, and the drooping stalks have their own story to tell. The flowers were put in the vase a few days ago. The local market has many florists. The flowers were once fragrant. The window was open. The flowers are going to be thrown away. The vase has not been replenished with water recently. Flowers remain an evergreen way of expressing ones emotions. Buying short-lived real flowers is environmentunfriendly; instead paper, plastic or cloth flowers should be gifted. Buying real flower is more classy.

The Wilted Flowers - Solved

Main Statement There is a small bunch of wilted flowers in the vase by the window. The dusty leaves, the almost-dry petals, and the drooping stalks have their own story to tell. The flowers were put in the vase a few days ago. (U) The local market has many florists. (I) The flowers were once fragrant. (I) The window was open. (L) The flowers are going to be thrown away. (D) The vase has not been replenished with water recently. (U) Flowers remain an evergreen way of expressing ones emotions. (I) Buying short-lived real flowers is environmentunfriendly; instead paper, plastic or cloth flowers should be gifted. (I) Buying real flower is more classy. (I)