REASONING
2
Chapter
INTRODUCTION
Arguments are sets of sentences that justify the claim
or conclusion of the statement.
Arguments are divided into two kinds.
1) Supportive Argument
2) Opposing Argument
Supportive argument supports the claim given in the
statement, hence it would strengthen the statement.
Opposing argument opposes the claim or idea given
in the statement, hence it would weaken the statement.
But there are some arguments which neither support
nor oppose the statement these arguments are con-
sidered as irrelevant or superfluous arguments.
Arguments are further classified into
1) Strong argument
2) Weak argument
1) Strong Argument is that which is important, and
touches the practical approach or the real aspect or it
can simply justify the situation as given in the state-
ment.
2) Weak argument is that which is of least importance
or is irrelevant to the topic given in the statement or
simply superfluous.
1. Strong argument should not be based on mere as
sumption.
2. Strong argument should enlighten the topic and
should be specified not the generalised.
Strong argument should be clear and to the point.
EXERCISE - 1
Directions(1-10): Each of the following questions
consists of a statement followed by two arguments I
and II.
Give answer
1) if only argument I is strong,
2) if only argument II is strong,
3) IF either I or II is strong,
3) If neither I nor II is strong
4) If the both I and II are strong.
Q.1. Statement : Should only one company be allowed to
run the transport system in any one bi city?
Arguments:
I. Yes. This will put an end to unhealthy competi-
tions among different companies.
II. No. The computer should be given a wider choice
of transport system.
ARGUMENTS
Q.2. Statement : Should all the foreign banks be asked t
close down their operations in India?
Arguments:
I. No. This will have an adverse effect on Indian
economy.
II. Yes. This is the only way to make the Indian banks
survive and purpose.
[Bank PO 2003]
Q.3. Statement : Should be the government open more
medical colleges in the country?
Arguments:
I. Yes. There is urgent need of qualified doctors and
the ratio between doctors and the citizens is the
lowest in India.
II. No. The Government should ensure quality edu
cation in the existing Medical Colleges as major
ity of the colleges lack necessary infrastructure.
[IBPS 2002]
Q.4. Statement : Should India change its course from the
economic reform process and look inwardfor all round
economic development?
Arguments:
I. No. There is no way to look backward after hav
ing started the process.
II. Yes. This will benefit India in the long run as the
reform process borrowed from western countries
will adversely affect out economy.
Q.5. Statement : Should the admission to professional
courses in India be given only on merit without any
concession to any particular group of students?
Arguments:
I. Yes. This will put an end to unhealthy competi
tions among different companies.
II. No. this will keep a large number of socially and
economically backward students out of the reach
of the professional courses.
Q.6. Statement : Should agriculture in rural India be
mechanized?
Arguments:
I. Yes. It would lead to higher productions.
II. No. Many villagers would be left unemployed.
[M.A.T. 2004]
Q.7. Statement : Should all the practicing doctors be
brought under Government control so that they get
salary from the Government and treat patients free of
cost?
Arguments:
I. No. How can any country do such an undemocratic
thing ?
II.Yes. Despite many problems, it will certainly help
the minimize, if not eradicate, unethical medical
practices.
191

[R.B.I. 2003]
Q.8. Statement : Should there be more than one High
courts in each state in India?
Arguments:
I. No. this will be a sheer wastage of taxpayers’
money.
II. Yes. This will help reduce the backlog of cases
pending for a very long time.
[IBPS 2002]
Q.9. Statement: Should students take part in politics?
Arguments:
I. Yes. It inculcates in them qualities of leadership .
II. No . they should study and build up their carrer.
Q.10. Statement: Should the parents in India in future be
forced to opt for only one child as against the two or
many at present?
Arguments:
I. Yes. This is the only way to check the ever-in
creasing population of India.
II. No. This type of pressure tactic is not adopted by
any other country in the world.
Answer :
1. (2) : Clearly , handing over the monopoly of the
transport system to one company will end up all
competition in the field, which may result in high
fares and poor services, thus adding to commut
ers’ woes. So only argument II holds strong while
I does not. Hence, the answer is (2).
2. (4) :Clearly, India has its on nationalized banks to
take care of the financial business. So, argument I
is vague. Moreover, Indian banks can survive well
with foreign banks also, by providing better fa
cilities services to their survive well with the for
eign bank also, by providing better facilities and
services to their clients. So, argument II also does
not hold strong. Thus, none of the arguments hold
strong. Hence, the answer is (4)
3. (2), Clearly, providing the existing medical col
leges with modern and more sophisticated infra
structure can help them produce more and much
learned doctors, as they can then cater to more
students and provide quality education. So, only
argument II holds strong while I does not. Hence,
the answer is (2).
4. (4), Clearly, any reform process may be changed,
diverted or reversed at any stage, if it is to benefit
the nation. Also, the idea of considering a process
to be non-fruitful just because it has been bor
rowed from western countries, seems. Thus, nei
ther I not II holds strong. Hence the answer is (d).
5. (5) Clearly, professional job require quality and
merit and so the students having the required tal
ent can turn out to be better professional than those
who join the course on concession. So, argument
I hold strong. However, it is these special conces
sions which makes the professional course afford
able for certain talented students, belonging to so
Arguments
cially and economically weaker sections, who
other wise would remain bereft of the same. So,
argument II also holds strong. Hence, the answer
is ( 5).
6. (1): Clearly, mechanization would speed up the
work and increase the production. So, argument I
is strong enough. Argument II is vague because
mechanization will only eliminate wasteful em
ployment, not create unemployment.
7. (2): Clearly, foreign films depict the alien culture
but this only helps in learning more. So argument
I does not hold. Also, the reason stated in argu
ment II is not strong enough in contradicting the
ban. So, it also does not hold.
8. (2): Clearly, an increase in the number of High
courts will surely speed up the work and help to
do away with the pending cases. So, argument II
holds strong. In light of this. The expenditure in
curred would be ‘utilization’. Not ‘wastage’ of
money. So, argument I does not hold.
9. (3): Clearly, indulgent in polities trains the stu-
dents for future leadership but it sways them from
the studies. So, either of the arguments I or II can
hold.
10. (1): clearly, adopting such a policy will definitely
help to regulate the population growth, which in
turn will facilitate proper growth of the economy
and optimum utilization of the country’s resources.
So, argument I hols strong. Also a comparison with
what the other countries have done is not strong a
criterion for taking a decision on the issue. So,
argument II does not hold. Hence, the answer is
(1).
**********
Q.1. Directions (1-49) :- In each question below is given
a statement followed by two arguments numbered I
and II. You have to consider the statement and the
following arguments and decide which of the argu-
ment is implicit in the statement. Give answer
(1) if only assumption I is implicit
(2) if only assumption II is implicit
(3) if either assumption I or assumption II is implicit
(4) if neither assumption I nor assumption II is im-
plicit
(5) if both assumption I and assumption II are im-
plicit
1. Statement:Should the girls of poor families be given
free education ?
Argument:
I. Yes, right to education is important.
II. Yes, many boys are given scholarship for free edu
cation.
2. Statement: Should India give the Kashmir to Paki-
stan?
Argument:
I. Yes, it will solve the conflict between the two
countries.
II. No, Kashmir is a beautiful state and pre owned by
192
 Arguments
the union of India. ished?
3. Statement: Should mobiles be banned in schools? Arguments:
Argument: I. No, certain circumstances may have compelled
I. yes, mobiles are causing radiation and not good them.
for health. II. Yes, they should do the job they are interested with
II. No, students can attend the calls of relatives honestly.
4. Statement:Should the students be given alternatives 11. Statement: Should India make efforts to harness so-
other than education? lar energy to fulfil its energy requirements?
Argument: Arguments:
I. yes, this will learn to develop more interest about I. Yes, most of the energy sources used at present or
education are exhaustible.
II. No, this will cause deviation of interest of stu II. No, harnessing solar energy requires a lot of capi
dents from studies. tal, which India lacks.
5. Statement:Should private airlines be given freedom 12. Statement: Should there be a complete ban on the
to decide their tarrifs? advertising of wine or other alcoholic products in all
Argument: forms of media?
I. yes, this will cause to develop more facilities and Arguments:
more number of flight I. No, This will adversely affects the sale of alco
II. No, students may not afford that increase in the holic products.
tarrif. II. Yes, This is the only way to save people from dis
6. Statement: Should 50% marks obtain student be eases caused by alcoholic products.
given to the chance to participate in high class en- 13. Statement: Should national
trance examination? highway in India be given to private companies for
Argument: maintenance?
I. Yes, It will beneficial for those students who have Arguments:
not participated many entrance examination due I. Yes, They will maintain it better than the governed
to low percentage. agencies.
II. No, It will decrease morale of the good student, II. No, Because they are meant for public.
who scores high marks. 14. Statement: Is it right to kill animals in the name of
7. Statement : Due to increased cases of kidnapping in medical experiments?
its vicinity, school M has made it compulsory for par- Arguments:
ents or legal guardians of the students to give a duly I. Yes, They are available in abundance.
signed authority letter to the person picking up the II. No, We favour non violence in every field of life.
students from school. 15. Statement: Should we impart sex education in
I. Most working parents rely on their domestic help, schools?
for picking up their children from school, who can Arguments:
easily coerced into forging or misusing the author I. Yes, all the developing nations are doing so.
ity letter for monetary plans. II. No, we cannot impart it in co-educational schools.
II. There is no photograph on the authority letter 16. Statement: Should new universities be established
making it difficult to identify the person who in India?
comes to pick up the child. Arguments:
[IBPS SO Marketing 1-02-2016] I. Yes, we have not yet achieved the target of lit
8. Statement : Many parents have written a plea to the eracy
administration department of school X to discontinue II. No, fresh graduates will only add to the already
the rule of wearing ties to school. grave situation of employment in India.
I. The school has kept different coloured as part of 17. Statement: Should the government levy tax on agri-
their uniform. Thus the low-scoring children of culture income also ?
school feel discriminated. Arguments:
II. The sports uniform of the school does not have a I. Yes, that is the only way to increase government’s
tie; it is to be worn only on Wednesdays. income.
9. Statement: Should entrepreneurs be encouraged? II. No, eighty percent of our population lives in rural
Arguments: areas.
I. Yes, they will help in industrial development of 18. Statement: Should 50% marks obtain student be
the country. given to the chance to participate in high class en-
II. Yes, they will reduce the burden on employment trance examination?
market. Argument:
10. Statement:Should officers accepting bribe be pun- I. Yes, It will beneficial for those students who have

193
 Arguments
not participated many examination due to low per I. Yes, it’s their fundamental right.
centage. II. No, this is not our culture.
II. No, It will decrease morale of the good student, 29. Statement: Should there be complete ban on tobacco
who scores high marks. products?
19. Statement: Should people will leave that city and Argument:
settle to an other city where naxalism has increased? I. Yes, the present stock of tobacco is enough for
Argument: sale throughout the year.
I. Yes, It will help to the government to stop II. No, we do not have alternate source of revenue
naxalism. other than tobacco products.
II. No, It will increase the morale of naxalists. 30. Statement:Should the uniform rate of income tax be
20. Statements: Is it right to run a separate train for applicable to all citizens?
women and senior citizen? Argument:
Argument: I. Yes, this will bring equality.
I. Yes, It may be decreased the corruption. II. No, it may cause over burden to some class of
II. No, It will be wastage of money of the govern society .
ment. 31. Statement: Should there be no examinations upto IX
21. Statement:Should the system of Lok Adalat and standard?
Mobile Courts be encouraged in India? Argument:
Argument: I. Yes, this will bring every one being educated upto
I. Yes, It helps to grant speedy justice. IX standard.
II. No, these courts are generally partial in granting II. No, this will result to fail most of the students in
decisions. X standard.
22. Statement:Should only state lotteries be stopped? 32. Statement:Should females are made more responsible
Argument: to take care of their parents in old age?
I. Yes, government should not promote gambling Argument:
habits. I. Yes, because boys are not much responsible to take
II. No, government will lose large amount of revenue. care.
23. Statement:Should income tax be evaded by people? II. No, because most of the girl child do not get equal
Argument: opportunity in property matters.
I. Yes, it is very high. 33. Statement: Should 50% marks obtain student be
II. No, it is anti national to do so. given to the chance to participate in high class en-
24. Statement: Should women be provided more job op- trance examination?
portunities? Argument:
Argument: I. Yes, It will beneficial for those students who have
I. Yes, at least they would be able to afford their not participated many examination due to low per
make up and grooming kits. centage.
II. No, they are better in house hold works than men. II. No, It will decrease morale of the good student,
25. Statement: Should there be complete ban on who scores high marks.
coal mining in India? 34. Statement: Should people will leave that city and
Argument: settle to an other city where naxalism has increased?
I. Yes, the present stock of coal will not last long if Argument:
we continue mining. I. Yes, It will help to the government to stop
II. No, we do not have alternate source of energy of naxalism.
sufficient quantity. II. No, It will increase the morale of naxalists.
26. Statement: Should the conscriptions of citizens for 35. Statements: Is it right to run a separate train for
defense services be made compulsory in India? women and senior citizen?
Argument: Argument:
I. Yes, this is the only way to tackle the shortage I. Yes, It may be decreased the corruption.
II. Yes many countries have made it compulsory. II. No, It will be wastage of money of the govern-
27. Statement: Should sale of human vital organs be ment.
made legal in India? 36. Statement: Should the system of Lok Sabha elections
Argument: be banned?
I. Yes, this will bring an end to illegal trading in Argument:
world. I. Yes, It consumes money in larger extent.
II. No, this will lead to develop unhealthy culture II. No, these elected members are more involved in
28. Statement: Should female commando be allowed to corruptions.
send for world wars from India? 37. Statement: Should women be provided more job op-
Argument:

194

portunities?
Argument:
I. Yes, at least they would be able to afford their
make up and grooming kits.
II. No, they are better in house hold works than men.
38. Statement: Should manufacturing of leather product
be prohibited
Argument:
I. Yes killing animal for any reason other than sur
vival is not good
II. No leather products are durable.
39. Statement: Should concrete roads to be built all over
the country instead of bitumen roads?
Argument:
I. Yes, as concrete roads lasts 10 times longer than
bitumen roads, saves 20 % in terms of fuel burnt
by vehicles and is cheaper to lay than bitumen
roads.
II. No bitumen is 3 times cheaper saves 15% of fuel
burnt by vehicles and is half costly.
40. Statement: Should there be dress code compulsory
for employees?
Argument:
I. Yes, dress code is important
II. No dress code make life monotonous.
41. Statement: Should internet shopping be encouraged
Argument:
I. No, regular markets will be affected badly
II. Yes, it provides wider range of products provid
ing a wider range of choice
42. Statement: Should government improves drainage
system in the city?
Argument:
I. No, improvement will take long time
II. Yes the existing drainage system was to serve 500
houses which increased to 1000.
43. Statement: Should religion be taught in our school?
Argument:
I. Yes, teaching religion helps to develop moral val
ues among children and make them aware.
II. No, India is a secular state.
44. Statement: Should India have no military force at
all?
Argument:
I. Yes, other countries in war do not believe in non
violence.
II. No, India believes in non violence.
45. Statement: Should PO be transferred after every three
years?
Argument:
I. Yes, this make them to learn culture of every city.
II. No, current circular does not imitate the transfer
after every three years.
46. Statement: Should cotton industries be encourages
in rural areas?
Argument:
I. Yes, rural people are more creative.
Arguments
II. Yes this would help to solve problem of unem
ployment up to some extent.
47. Statement: Should migration of people in larger ex-
tent from one state to another be banned?
Argument:
I. Yes, they don’t know the mother language of other
state.
II. No, constitution has given every person the right
to stay and earn in any state.
48. Statement: Should newspaper be compulsory for all
of the people of India?
Argument:
I. No, poor people can’t buy newspaper.
II. Yes, most of the people buy news paper.
49. Statement: Should the people of the India believe in
religion?
Argument:
I. yes, it is very important.
II. yes, many people believe in religion.
Directions (50-52) : Each questions given below
consists of a statement followed by 3 arguments
numbered I, II and III. You have to decide which of
the arguments is/are strong and which is/are weak
and accordingly choose your answers from the al-
ternatives given below each questions.
50. Statement: Should women be given equal opportu-
nity in the matter of employment in every field?
Arguments:
I. Yes, they are equally capable
II. No, they have to shoulder household responsibili
ties
III. Yes, why not?
1) Only III strong 2) Only I and III are strong
3) Only I is strong 4) Only I and II strong
5) All are strong.
51. Statement: Should there be compulsory military
training for each college student in India?
Arguments:
I. Yes, this is only way to build a strong and power
ful nation.
II. No compulsion leads to repulsion
III.No, this goes against the basic democratic right
of an individual to choose his/her own career path.
1) Only I is strong 2) Only I and II are strong
3) Only III is strong 4) Only II and III are strong
5) All are strong.
52. Statement: Should children be prevented completely
from watching television?
Arguments:
I. No, we get vital information regarding education
through television.
II. No, this is the only way to educate the masses.
III.Yes, it hampers the study of children.
1) Only III is strong 2) Only II and III are strong
3) Only II is strong 4) Only I is strong
5) Only I and II are strong.
195

EXERCISE - 2
Q.1. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
According to a recent government directive, all bank
branches in rural areas should be computerized.
Which of the following statements would weaken the
government’s argument?
1) Computerization of bank branches in urban areas
has helped in making their performance more
efficient and fast.
2) Lack of skilled and qualified manpower has been
suitably substituted by computers in banks.
3) Non-computerized bank branches in the rural
areas have been proved to be as efficient as their
computerized counter-parts.
4) The government has introduced a special test for
computer knowledge in all recruitment exams for
banks.
5) Unemployment in the rural areas could be con-
trolled by training more and more professionals
in computers.
[IBPS SO (IT Officer) 17-03-2013]
Q.2 Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
The Modi Government has decided tom build a road
network from west to east on the border area with the
name of Bharat Mala at an estimated cost of Rs. 14000
cr.
Which of the following substantially would weakens
the decision taken by the Modi Government?
1) Connectivity to the border areas will improve.
2) Problem in land acquisition and environmental
clearances.
3) Ports and coastal regions will be connected.
4) Supplies to India’s troops as well as military trans
port will improve.
5) Corruption in the project will take place.
Q.3. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Cocoa and chocolate products have been used as
medicine in many cultures for centuries. Chocolate is
made from plants. Which means it contains many of
the health benefits of leafy vegetables.
Which of the following statements weakens the above
statement?
1) Dark chocolate contains a large number of anti
oxidants which slow down the ageing process.
2) A small study revealed that regular intake of choco
late increases insulin sensivity, thus lowering the
chances of diabetes.
3) Green leafy vegetables have substances which pro
tect skin from UV rays.
4) Chocolates have three types of fats, one of which
increases the cholesterol level.
5) Cocoa increases blood flow to the retina, thus giv
Arguments
ing a boost to vision.
1) Only D 2) Only A and E 3) Only C
4) None of the given statements 5) Both C and D
Q.4. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Every Indian needs to work 16 hours a day if we are to
develop as a nation.
Which of the following substantially weakens the
argument given in the above statement?
1) It is the quality of work that counts in the growth
of the economy.
2) Developed countries put only eight hours a day.
3) Countries that have developed have burnt the mid
night oil.
4) Developed nations are in a race to work more and
more.
5) None of these
Q.5. Study the following information to answer the given
question.
Tenants’ associations have demanded a ‘vacancy tax’
on all vacant and unsold flats in Mumbai.
Which of the following would support the demand
made by the tenants ‘associations?
1) House owners too have demanded fro laws that
make it easier to evict tenants who default on rent
payment..
2) Such a tax law would be difficult to implement as
it would be difficult to record the number of va
cant flats in the city.
3) People with surplus money buy many houses and
rent these out while many consumers cannot af
ford even their first house.
4) The number of vacant flats in Mumbai is much
lower than other metros such as Delhi and Chennai
where vacancy tax already exists.
5) Such a tax would compel the house owners to sell/
rent properties which in turn would control hoard
ing and sky rocketing of property prices.
[IBPS PO/MT CWE-IV ( Main Exam) 11-10-2014]
Q.6. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
The ministry of aviation has ordered to procure 35
new aircrafts to be added to the existing fleet this
year.
Which of the following most appropriately proves that
the decision taken by the aviation minister is unreal-
istic and not based on scientific projections?
1) A recent survey showed that the existing aircrafts
in the fleet fail to match the international standered
and quality norms.
2) These new aircrafts have better technology and
greater number of seats as compared to ones al
ready existing in the fleet.
3) The neighbouring country which also procured
aircrafts lacked enough number of trained pilots.
196

4) As the number of passengers has declined signifi
cantly this year, the existing fleet is not being used
to its full potential.
5) As many as 12 pilots are not on flying duties for
two straight weeks due to lack of sufficient
aircrafts to play on the routes.
[IBPS PO/MT CWE-V ( Main Exam) 31-10-2015]
Q.7. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
India’s top listed real estate firms have reported a
sharp drop in sales recently.
Which of the following would weakens the finding in
the above statement?
1) The houses are too steeply priced..
2) There is an air of economic uncertainty engulfing
the country.
3) The real estate developers have been offering
heavy discounts.
4) There have not been too many launches of late.
5) None of these
Q.8. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
After the Leeds Test match defeat, the Indian captain
has categorically put the blame on the Indian batting.
Which of the following would weakens the above
statement of the Indian captain?
1) The captain himself occupies the No. 6 spot in
the batting line-up.
2) A great majority of the Indian and Pakistan bats
men seldom succeed in English conditions.
3) The Indian batsmen have become used to
tailormade batting wickets in India to suit the su
perstars and the sponsors who need a batsmen to
spend more time at the wicket.
4) Batsmen Virat Kohli has dropped 13 catches in
recent times.
5) None of these
Q.9. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
A juvenile above 16 years, if he is involved in a hei-
nous crime, should be tried in a regular court.
Which of the following substantially weakens the
argument given in the above statement?
1) Lodging them in corrective homes for a ‘good
behaviour’ cource prevents them from committing
further crimes.
2) There cannot be an umbrella age for juvenile
crimes; come crimes committed at 16 are in fact
adult in nature.
3) Corporal punishment can’t be advocated in any
case.
4) The birth – certificate age is often different from
the real age.
5) None of these
Arguments
Q.10. Study the following information to answer the given
question.
Although school Z has started providing a number of
facilities like free launch for students, independent
class report of each student and yearly picnics, for
some years now, parents still prefer to enroll their
children in school M over school Z.
Which of the following may not be a reason for the
parents preference for school M over school Z ?
1) School M is the only school in the city which has
student friendly classrooms so that even those
sitting at the last benches can clearly hear the
teacher and see the board.
2) School M provides door to door bus service for
students, while school Z provides bus service for
students, while school Z provides bus service up
to the nearest bus stop which may be within two
kilometer of the house of the child.
3) Unlike school Z, school M uses audio visual aids
for teaching which helps students to understand
concepts better and to retain them.
4) School M allows the students to give specific feed
back regarding the teaches, while school Z has
surprise inspection every month to assess the
effec tiveness of the teacher.
5) School M, unlike school Z, provides locker fa
cilities to students and gives notes and homework
on pen drive, to ensure that students do not have
to carry heavy bags to the school every day.
Q.11. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
As more and more NRIs invest in property in City A,
more than 1,00,000 flats are lying vacant as a large
number of people struggle to get good accommoda-
tion in the city.
Which of the following statements represents the been
possible course of action in order to deal with the
situation?
1) A vacancy tax should be introduced in order to
compel the owners to at least rent out the prop
erty.
2) Purchase of property should not be allowed un
less it is used for self-residential purpose.
3) No NRI should be allowed to invest in property
anywhere in India in order to protect the interest
of the residents.
4) Residents of City A should be advised to reside in
neighbouring cities where the population density
is comparatively lower.
5) Property prices should be decreased considerably
by the government in order to allow everyone to
buy as many properties as possible.
[IBPS RRB PO ( Scale – I,II,III) 06-09-2014 ]
Q.12. Study the following information to answer the given
questions .
In a recent performance approval done by Company
197

X, more than 70% of the employees were found to be
under-performing . ‘I think that the restructuring done
by the company in the previous year is responsible
for the under-performance of the employees’- HR
manager of company X.
Which of the following statements weakens the state-
ments of HR manager of company X?
1) The incentives linked to performance were abol
ished upon restructuring creating dissatisfaction
among employees.
2) After restructuring the decision making power was
taken away from employees thus delaying the work
by long hours.
3) The number of projects in Company X increased
by 60% this year there by increasing the Burdon
on the existing employees this year.
4) After restructuring the employees were required
to report to multiple bosses leading to ambiguity
at the work place.
5) Adequate training was not provided to the em-
ploy ees transferred to different depart-
ments and loca tions after restructuring.
[IBPS SO (Marketing) 01-02-2016]
Q.13. Study the following information to answer the given
questions .
The farmers of villages D have growing crop Y for
many years as there is hardly any rainfall in the area
and crop Y has minimum water requirements. How-
ever, this year many farmers of villages D have sown
crop X instead of crop Y despite the fact that crop Y
yielded a good produce last year.
Which of the following statements, if considered true,
may not be a reason for the action of the farmers of
village D?
1) In order of reduce the import of crop X, the gov
ernment of the state has declared certain incen
tives for farmers cultivation Crop X this year.
2) Crop X requires only a specific kind of fertilizer
which is not easily available as it is manufactured
only in village S, whereas any fertilizer with high
nitrogen component is suitable for crop Y.
3) The demand for crop X ahs risen considerable over
the past one year as a result farmers growing Crop
X in the neighbouring villages of village D have
made much more profit than expected.
4) The government had introduced a subsidy this year
for good quality seeds of Crop X whereas seeds
available in the market for crop Y were of sub
standard quality.
5) A research committee, set up this year by the gov
ernment has recommended that the soil and cli
mate condition of village D are the best for crop
X.
[IBPS RRB Officer ( Scale – I & II)13-09-2015]
Q.14. Study the following information to answer the given
questions .
For the past three years the Government of State X
Arguments
has been organizing awareness programs for the
Hoardings and banners have been put across the state
promoting women upliftment and gender equality.
Which of the following cannot be consequence of
the steps taken by the government of state?
1) The rate of female foeticide in the state has come
down from 280 cases per year to 30 cases per year.
2) Dowry and domestic violence cases in the state
dropped by 85% in the last couple of years.
3) Cases reported by women of the state regarding
chain snatching on the roads have come down by
40% in the last two years.
4) Two years ago minimum 15% fee exemption was
made mandatory for girl child in all public and
private schools of the state.
5) In all the public organizations of the state, a mini
mum of 10% female employees has been made
compulsory since the past two and a half years.
[IBPS RRB Officer (Scale – I & II)13-09-2015]
Q.15. Study the following information to answer the given
questions .
The government of state Y is promoting organic farm-
ing this year onwards. Thus, the raw material needed
for it is made available as a subsidised rate. Free regu-
lar classes are also arranged to train the farmers in
organic farming methods and to solve their problems.
The farmers of village B however are still continuing
with the industrial farming methods despite several
requests from the government.
Which of the following statements, if considered true,
may support the action of farmers of village B?
1) Industrial farming leads to more productivity in
the short term, however, in the long term, it di
minishes the soil life and production becomes
heavily dependent on chemicals.
2) Organic farming requires considerably more skill
as compare to industrial farming.
3) Although a few farmers across State Y have tried
their hand at organic farming earlier, none of the
farmers of village B have participated in it be
fore.
4) Organic food is expensive and not many people
in State Y may be able to afford it, however with
the subsidies, provided by the government, it will
become affordable.
5) Organic farming methods are very labour inten
sive as regular extensive observation is required
whereas finding labour at affordable cost is a chal
lenge for farmers of village B.
[IBPS Regional Rural Bank PO (Officer Scale – I, II, III]
Q.16. Study the following information to answer the given
questions .
Farmers should use hydroponics for farming. Hydro-
ponics is growing plants in liquid nutrient solution.
Since it does not require soil, farmers can save a large
amount of time by avoiding tilling and de-weeding of
198

their fields.
Which of the following statements does not weaken
the given statement?
1) Initial set up cost for hydroponics is very high as
the necessary equipment and inputs are three
times more expensive than that used in traditional
methods.
2) Disease causing micro-organisms that are water-
based can enter and subsist much more easily in
hydroponics based environment as compared to
traditional methods.
3) Rather than using only hydro-ponics or only tra
ditional farming, most of the farmers use both si
multaneously.
4) Without soil to serve as a buffer, if the hydropon-
ics system fails, plant death occurs very rapidly
leading to loss of 70-85% crop.
5) The production using hydroponics is very
limitedand is more efficient for house gardens
rather than large scale farming.
[IBPS RRB Officer ( Scale – I & II)13-09-2015]
Q.17. Study the following information to answer the given
questions .
Despite strong opposition from the social activists of
village X, pollution Control Board renewed the license
of a coal depot to operate coal handing barely one
kilometer away from the village.
Which of the following statements supports the de-
cision of Pollution Control Board to some extent?
1) Several crops were destroyed due to disposal of
waste from the coal depot in the previous year.
2) Maintenance cost of roads in village X has in
creased due to transportation of coal.
3) The depot provides employment for nearly 70|%
of people in the neighbouring area.
4) Several complaints have been filed against the
depot in the past for violating safety standards.
5) Nine out of ten residents of village X suffer from
respiratory problems.
[IBPS Regional Rural Bank PO (Officer Scale – I,
II, III]
Q.18. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Number of deaths due to ABN poisoning has risen in
village A form 23 two years ago, to 67 this year, since
the number of patients is the same, it can be con-
cluded that the new patients is the same, it can be
concluded that the new medication is the responsible
factor for the deaths.
Which of the following statements weakness the given
statements that the new medication is responsible for
increased number of fatalities?
1) While azethorin-1 was being used to treat ABN
poisoning since 5 years, azethorin -6 was intro
duced last year after it obtained necessary
clinical approvals.
Arguments
2) PB released from a new fertilizer being used by
the farmers of the village this year, when com
bined with ABN renders all types of medicines
ineffective to treat the diseases.
3) Due to low awareness regarding the disease, very,
low patients have been reporting this disease for
many years which proves that the actual numbers
could be much higher.
4) The new medicines introduced in village A for
TQW and RST poisoning has been successful in
significantly bringing down the fatality rate.
5) A cement factory set up 5 years ago in the village
was responsible for leaching ABN in the soil as
well as drinking water way above the danger limit.
[IBPS Regional Rural Bank PO (Officer Scale – I,
II, III]
Q.19. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Company X- one of the largest automobile manufac-
turing companies of the country has started its own
dedicated Colour Design Department which decided
which colour will be given to which model of car.
Which of the following statements weakness the given
statements that the new medication is responsible for
increased number of fatalities?
1) Although people usually come with a clear idea
about the basic feature in a car within a stipulated
budget, colour is the trial factor which influence
their decision prior to purchase.
2) It has been recently suggested by experts that the
depth and brightness of colour can be used to ac
celerate the shape and size of a car that it
appeals to prospective customers.
3) Two years ago a similar department was started
by company R, one of the biggest competitors of
company X.
4) As per market research done by the company many
customers have chosen cars of competitor com
panies only because the colour of the cars of com
pany X did not match their expectations.
5) As per recent research the colour of the car is an
important aspect in the customer is likely to choose
a car looking at its colour at first sight.
[IBPS CWE SO (IT Officer)14-02-2015]
Q.20. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
The agriculture experts of country X experimented
the usage of genetically-modified cotton plants to
manufacture clothes. After the post-manufacture
analysis, it was decided to discontinue the use of
such modified plants and grow only the natural ones.
Which of the following statements (if taken to be true)
best supports the decision of the agriculture exports?
1) The trend of polyester clothes has dominated the
markets of country X since the past two years but
now the demand for cotton clothes has gone up
199

again.
2) The weather conditions of country X is such that
the residents of the country have to resort to only
woolen clothes.
3) The high rate of pest attack in chemically grown
plants as compared to the natural plants makes it
unfeasible and uneconomic to grow.
4) Other few genetically grown plants have proved
to be successful in country X.
5) Growing of genetically modified plants does not
necessitate the use of humus-rich soil and hence
is easy to grow.
[IBPS CWE SO (IT Officer)14-02-2015]
Q.21. Study the following information to answer the given
question.
The following are two findings of an internal survey
of a catering company “ Mini Menu” based in City
X.
I. Each year, the profit earned from the orders hav
ing multi-cuisine menu as is much higher that that
earned from Indian Menu.
II. This year, ‘ Mini Menu’ had 45% more orders for
multi-cuisine menu as compared to any of the pre
vious years, though the other orders remained
more or less same.
Which of the following can be inferred from the given
information?
(Note : An inference is something by which you can
logically deduce something to be true based on known
premises.)
1) The ingredients used to cook Indian foods are cost
lier as compared to those used in other cuisines.
2) This year, ‘Mini Menu’ earned the highest profit
as compared to all the previous years of its ser
vice.
3) The numbers of multi-cuisine orders placed within
‘Mini Menu’ this year were double the number of
all other orders.
4) Indian cuisines require much more effort than any
other cuisine, thus becoming the costliest menu
for parties.
5) This year the numbers of parties/ functions held
in city X were much higher as compared to any
other years.
[IBPS SO (IT Officer) 14-02-2016]
Q.22.. Study the following information to answer the given
question.
The government of State D was recently criticized
for accepting a proposal as per which school in the
State will accepting a proposal as per which school
in the State will not conduct exams up to standard
nine. Rather, schools will promote all the students up
to standard nine and from standard nine onwards the
students would either be passed of failed depending
upon their marks in the exams.
Which of the following may not be a reason for the
Arguments
criticism of the government of State D for accepting
the proposal?
1) Several parents have raised concern that students
would not be willing to pay attention in class and
retain the information because they do not have
to write exams.
2) Students learn to write exam papers in a stipulated
period of time with practice of solving exam pa
pers over the years and many students may not be
able to grasp this directly in the standard nine.
3) Many teachers are of the opinion that students
have become very competitive and are mainly fo
cused on acquiring marks rather than gaining
knowledge.
4) Studies suggest that students become less prone
to exam anxiety and exam fear when they get used
to passing exams over the years as compared
to when they do not appear for an exam at all.
5) Experts suggest that the special needs of children
can be adequately assessed through education of
their exam papers and early assessment helps ini
tiate early intervention and major projects through
exams.
[IBPS (SO Marketing) 01-02-2016]
Q.23. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Company A has approached the government with a
proposal to build road and other infrastructure for pro-
viding transport facilities in area X.
Which of the following could possibly lead the gov-
ernment to turn down the proposal forwarded by Com-
pany A?
1) Residents of Area X and its adjoining areas have
to walk for several kilometres to seek transport
facilities.
2) Company B which had undertaken similar projects
earlier had failed to build good quality roads in
the area.
3) Althought, Area X is in dire need of road and in
frastructure facilities, any company which under
took it would not make huge profits in the long
run.
4) Area X is a land with very low economic produc
tivity and negligible residents.
5) Area X is the unofficial hub for transportation of
agriculture goods from State A to State B.
[IBPS PO/MT CWE-V ( Main Exam) 31-10-2015]
Q.24. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Supermarkets are growing at a fast pace than Kirana
Stores. Kirana Stores are such places where customer
go to purchase their necessities. In place of five Kirana
stores one or two supermarkets are being established.
It has been found that customers’ requirements are
looked after by trained staff. It has been found that
200

food products are low life products which are manu-
factured from local manufactures. These products are
typically purchased by the customer on the assur-
ance. The market is appealing to supermarkets and
retail outlet owners are sitting up their business in
other areas where there are less Kirana stores.
[IBPS SO(IT Officer) 17-03-2013]
Which of the following can be a good argument in
favour of shopping from Kirana stores instead of su-
permarkets?
1) People prefer supermarkets because they offer a
larger range of products, i.e., products other than
FMCG and they can buy everything under one
roof.
2) People end-up buying other irrelevant things along
with those on their shopping lists in Supermar
kets and then they have to stand in long queues at
the billing counters.
3) Most kirana stores are closed at least one day in a
week whereas supermarket are open 365 days a
year.
4) Kirana stores do not accept debit and credit cards.
5) Very few Kirana stores sell products at a bargained
price.
Q.25. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
The ministry of sports has been advised by a com-
mittee to take the highest award in the field of sports
back from two players who were allegedly involved
in match fixing.
Which of the following statements would weaken the
argument put forward by the committee to the sports
ministry?
1) A good conduct in the past and a lack of evidence
against the players make the case against them very
weak.
2) The ministry of sports has never declined the rec
ommendation made by the committee earlier.
3) Taking the award back from the players would set
a good example of other players for avoiding such
actions in the future.
4) There have been past cases where the award had
to be taken back from the players owing to some
misconduct later on.
5) The committee is constituted of some of the most
respected and esteemed members from the fields
of sports and politics.
[IBPS SO (IT Officer) 17-03-2013]
Q.26. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Many organizations have been resorting to recruit-
ment based upon performance at graduate/post-gradu-
ate level exams rather than conducting exams for the
same purpose.
Which of the following statements would strengthen
Arguments
the argument given in the above statement?
1) A recent study shows no link of past performance
with the performance in recruitment exams.
2) The graduate/post-graduate exams are considered
to be severely deficient in training in job related
environment.
3) Organization which had undertaken recruitment
on the basis of graduate/post-graduate exams re
port a significant drop in the quality of the re
cruited employees.
4) Such policies would add to unemployment among
students having below average performance in
graduation or post-graduation.
5) Such policies could save time, money and re
sources of the organization which are wasted in
the conduct of recruitment examinations.
[IBPS SO (IT Officer) 17-03-2013]
Q.27. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
A study of farmer college athletes revealed that as a
group, they are five times less likely tom die before
the age of fifty than the general population at large. It
is advised that colleges should vastly expand their
athletic departments so that a larger proportion of all
the students can participate in athletic. thereby in-
creasing the overall life expectancy of their students.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weak-
ens the above argument?
1) The students who voluntarily participate in col
lege athletics are more predisposed to good health
than those who do not.
2) People who become active after leading student
lives can remarkable decrease their chances of re
ducing heart disease.
3) Few colleges have the resources to increases
spending on athletics, a non-essential university
programme.
4) College athletes are better suited to succeed in so
ciety than the students who do not participate in
college athletics.
5) Either 3) or 4)
Q.28. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
It would not be proper for the government to bestow
the Bharat Ratna on Dhyan Chand nearly 34 years
after the passed away.
Which of the following substantially weakens the
argument given in the above statement?
1) Tendulkar was not considered for the Bharat Ratna
in 2011 or 2012 because he was still playing.
2) Sardar patel died in 1950 but he was given the
Bharat Ratna in 1991.
3) There is a complete lack of transparency in the
system of selecting the winners..
4) The Narasimha Rao-led Congress government in
1991 awarded the Bharat Ratna to the alte Rajiv
201

Gandhi, who had passed away a few months ear
lier.
5) None of these
Q.29. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Party X lost the election due to anti-incumbency.
Which of the following substantially weakens the
argument given in the above statement?
1) People were unhappy with the party in power.
2) There are instances of chief ministers enjoying
power for as long as 15 years.
3) The default setting for governance involved by
passing substantive resolution of people’s issue
in favour of calculated exercises in political ex
pediency aimed at securing another innings in
power.
4) It is difficult to honour everyone’s wishes once
you are in power.
5) None of these
Q.30. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Google is buying out Nest and there are concerns
among customers about Google having so much data
about people. But it has agreed that Nest’s privacy
policies are going to be well-respected.
Which of the following statements would most weak-
ens Nest’s beliefs??
1) History has shown that privacy policies change.
2) Google products can easily be integrated into
Nest.
3) The deal between the two companies has not yet
closed.
4) Unlike many of Silicon Valley’s most popular
companies that make software that costs very little
to build, Nest is capital-intensive because it builds
hardware.
5) None of these
Q.31. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
An exceptional Mansoon will raise food grain pro-
duction to a record 263.2 million this year.
Which of the following substantially weakens the
argument given in the above statement?
1) Farm sector growth would be 4.6 per cent com
pared to 1.9 per cent last year.
2) Most of the land of India has proper irrigation fa
cilities.
3) A rise in the production of pulses, whose global
supplies are limited, will help tame prices.
4) India mostly products cash crops.
5) None of these
Q.32. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
For the past two years, GDP has expanded by less
than 5 per cent annually, down from an average of
almost 9 per cent in the five years before 2008. That
means fewer jobs for the millions of young Indians
the workforce each year.
Arguments
Which of the following substantially weakens the
argument given in the above statement?
1) India has all but stopped building new factories
and machinery.
2) The unemployment scenario stares the youth in
the face.
3) A growth-oriented economy is primarily technol
ogy - based
4) GDP growth increases the per capita income of
the country.
5) None of these
Q.33. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
With social media emerging as one of the most popu-
lar hangouts for Indians, brand endorsement deals in
the country are getting hugely influenced by how ac-
tive celebrities are on Twitter, facebook, Instagram
and blogs.
Which of the following substantially weakens the
argument given in the above statement?
1) Many brands now go for exclusive social-media
endorsement deal.
2) Endorsement deals exclusive to social media are
being inked.
3) The online celebrity endorsement business is now
growing 25-30 per cent faster than the traditional
space.
4) The lion’s share of the advertising narket is occu
pied by traditional space.
5) None of these
Q.34. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Should the Personal Interview for all the class three
and C grade post under state and central level be
stopped in the country under recruitment of these
posts?
Which of the following argument is implicit in the
above statement?
1) Yes, the merit may change due to interview
2) No, the psychological analysis conducted the time
of interview is important for higher posts
3) Yes, this will eliminate the chances of corruption
occurring due to favoring particular candidate.
4) No, higher responsibility comes with great pow
ers.
5) None of these
Q.35. Study the following information to answer the given
questions.
Should road repair work in big cities be carried out on
weekends only ?
Arguments :
A) No, this way be work will never get finished
B) No, there will be unnecessary use of manpower.
C) Yes, the commuters will face lot of problems due to
repair work during the weekdays.
1) None is strong
2) Only A) is strong
3) Only C) is strong
202
 Arguments
4) Only B) and C) are strong companies.
5) Only A) and B) are strong 4) There is no need to deal with private hands.
Q.36. Statements: China has lifted the one–child policy in 5) Other than given options
the country as China’s young skilled labour force
shrank drastically during three decades. Which of the Directions (40-41): These questions are based on
following statements is/are weakening China’s this statement given below and the statement labeled (A),
step? (B), (C), (D) as given below :
1) Merely lifting the one– child policy is not suffi The cases of food poisoning due to consumption of
cient to solve this problem. liquor in rural areas are greater than such cases in
2) China’s sex ratio has reached to the alarming situ urban areas. Hence it can be concluded that the li-
ation. quor supplied in rural areas is of low quality than that
3) In spite of having large population in countries of supplied in urban areas.
the world, they are lacking with skilled work force. A) The prices of liquor are lower in rural areas than
4) Only 2) and 3) in urban areas.
5) All 1), 2) and 3) B) Percentage of people consuming liquor is more in
Q.37. Study the following information to answer the given rural areas than in urban areas.
questions. C) There are many unauthorized spurious liquor
The Economic Survey 2014–15, which Union Finance shops in rural areas.
Minister Arun Jaitely presented in Parliament and said D) Number of people suffering from food poisoning
India is currently in a sweet spot that could propel due to consumption of liquor as a percentage of
the economy to a double-digit growth. people who consume liquor is almost equal for
Which of the following statement would strengthen both urban and rural areas
the argument given in the above statement? Q.40. Which of the above statement numbered (A), (B), (C),
1) Improvement in the tax collection in the current (D) if true will most weaken the give statement?
financial year 1) Only D 2) Both B and D
2) Faster growth and rollout of Goods and Service 3) Only C 4) Only B
Tax 5) Other than given options
3) Implementing the stalled projects and giving boost Q.41. Which of the following above statement numbered
to infrastructure sector (A), (B), (C), and (D) if true will strengthen the given
4) Using PPP model to boost up the projects argument?
5) Other than given options 1) Only A 2) Only B
Q.38. Study the following information to answer the given 3) Only C 4) Both A and D
questions. 5) A, C and D
India will raise the import duty on steel supplies from
Russia and China by 5 percentage points form April Q.42. Study the following information to answer the given
1. questions.
Which of the following statements would weaken the Every young person before graduation in any univer-
steps taken by the Finance Ministry? sity or before being eligible for any employment in
1) Cheap supplies will be curbed from China and any service, must serve in the Army–Suggested by
Russia one minister.
2) Domestic industry will boost up. Which of the following statements will strengthen
3) Steel products prices will increase minister’s view?
4) China and Russia will ban the Indian products in 1) Country is facing a big challenge as it has no ad
their territory. equate number of soldiers to combat with differ
5) Other than given options ent menane.
Q.39. Study the following information to answer the given 2) In democratic country everyone must have free
questions. dom to choose one’s career.
Regular acute supply of electricity in rural village of 3) Size of Army does not matter but more advanced
India, made the state as well as the central Govt ask technology and sophisticated weapons in army
for increased supply of electricity. Which one of the do matter most.
following step strengthens the step taken by Gov- 4) All 1), 2) and 3)
ernment? 5) Other than given options
1) The governments need to instruct to all electric
ity companies to increase the supply of electric
ity to those villages of rural area. ***********
2) Government should change electricity supplying
companies.
3) All rights should be transferred to the hands of

203