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Logical Reasoning
&
Analytical Ability

Topic
Statement & Arguments

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Statement and Arguments

Such type of questions consist of a Statement followed by certain arguments in
favour of or against the Statement. Candidates would be required to distinguish
between the strong and weak arguments.
Strong arguments are those which are both important and directly related to the
question. Weak arguments are those which are of minor importance and also may
not be directly related to the question or may be related to a trivial aspect of the
question. A weak argument is very simple, superfluous, ambiguous and long drawn
one.
Following points should be taken into consideration while choosing a strong
argument
1.
A strong argument should give the realistic diagnosis of the
situation described in the Statement.

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2. A strong argument should give the deep analysis of the topic deal within
the Statement.
3. A strong argument should relate with the Statement and be supported
up by facts or established notions.
4. A strong argument should not be mere reiteration of the situation given
in the Statement.
Following examples will help the students to have an understanding of the logic
used to solve these questions.
Types of Questions that could be Asked in CSAT
There are two types of questions which may be asked.

Type 1 Two Arguments Based

In these questions a Statement is followed by two arguments. Candidates are
required to distinguish between the strong and weak arguments. Generally both
the arguments are contrary to each other and refer to positive and negative
results.
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Directions (Q. Nos. 1 to 2) Study the instructions carefully and answer the
questions that follows.
In making decisions about important question it is desirable to be able to
distinguish between strong and weak argument so far as they relate to the
questions. Weak arguments may not be directly related to the question and may
be of minor importance or may be related to the trivial aspect of the question.
Each question below is followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have
to decide which of the arguments is a `strong argument and which is a `weak
argument. Give answer (a) if only argument I is strong, (b) if only argument II is
strong, (c) if neither I nor II is strong and (d) if both I and II are strong.

Example I Statement: Will the newly elected members fulfil their promises?
Arguments
I.
Yes, otherwise their very existence will be in danger.
II.
No, elected members never seem to remember their promises
and commitments.

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Solution.
(d) Both the arguments are strong. Elected members have to face the electorates
after each completion of their terms as their existence as members is decided by
people. Secondly, at the time of elections, so many commitments are made which
are hardly fulfilled.
Example 2
Statement: Should parent play with their children?
Arguments
I.
Yes, it helps in building up a healthy and much needed
companionship between children and parents.
II.
No, children treat their parent like equals and there is no
distance left.
Solution.
(a) Argument I is strong because a close companionship bridges the gap between
parents and children. Argument II is not supported by a positive logical aspect of
the Statement: and hence, is a weak argument.

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Type 2 More than Two Arguments Based

Here we are given more than two (basically three or four arguments) are given
we have to study them then find which is/are true.
Directions Question given below consists of a Statements, followed by three
arguments numbered I, II, and III. You have to decide which of the arguments
is/are strong argument (s) and which is/are weak arguments (s) and
accordingly choose your answer from the alternatives given below each
question.
Example 3 Statement Should all the students graduating in any disciplines
desirous of pursuing post-graduation of the subjects of their choice be
allowed to enroll in the post-graduate courses ?
Arguments
I. Yes, the students are the best judge of their capabilities and there should not
be restrictions for joining post-graduation courses.
II. No, the students need to study relevant subjects in graduate courses to enroll
in post-graduate courses and the students must fulfil such conditions.

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III. No, there are not enough institutes offering post-graduate courses which can
accommodate all the graduates desirous of seeking post-graduation
education of their own choice.
(a)
None is strong
(b)
Only I is strong
(c)
Only II is strong (d)
Only I and III are strong
Solution.
(c) The students cannot be enrolled in the courses just on the basis of their
interests but their compatibility with the same also matters. So, argument I does
not hold. Besides, lack of Institutions is no criteria to deny post graduate courses
to students. Hence, argument III does not hold. But argument (II) holds as it is
genuine reason.

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