Facts, Inferences and Judgements

DIRECTIONS: Each 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 open to discovery or verification (the answer option indicates such a statement 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). Judgements, which are opinions that imply approval or disapproval of persons, objects, situations and occurrences in the past, present or the future (the answer option indicates such a statement with a J). Select the answer option that best describes the set of four statements.

Q.1
1. In the present International business scenario, English has become the lingua franca of the world. 2. This is because the two of the most powerful economies, America and Britain, are English speaking. 3. English is being taught in schools, in India for over two hundred years, the reason why the outsourcing business is doing exceedingly well. 4. The extensive literature in English coupled with the fact that there are more English teachers then any other language, makes it the second most spoken language in the world. (1) IJII (2) FIJI (3) FIIF (4) FJIJ (5) IJFJ

Q.2
1. We go about our quotidian lives understanding almost nothing of the world. 2. In Vedic literature, Sun to man is the omnipresent celestial manifestation of god, making him give little thought to the mechanisms which generate sunlight. 3. There are forces of nature such as gravity, which glues us to Earth, without which there would be no life on this planet. 4. Understanding these not so convoluted mechanisms can lead to phenomenal discoveries. (1) FIFJ (2) JIFJ (3) FIJJ (4) IIFJ (5) IFFJ

Q.3
1. The nocturnal croaking of frogs and the mesmerizing dancing of peacocks made Raju announce that the monsoon rains were imminent. 2. The mighty Himalayas prevent the monsoon clouds from flying away saving India from becoming a desert. 3. The Meteorological Department has established a special cell to track monsoon winds. 4. The monsoon clouds inspired Kalidas to write the poem Meghdoot. (1) JIFJ (2) JFFJ (3) IIFJ (4) IIFF (5) IFFJ

Q.4
1. Chess, which originated from Chaturanga, in India, is one game where nothing is left to chance, giving rise to the theory that Indians leave nothing to chance. 2. Chess is also game of strategic skills, patience, memory and analytical ability which makes it a great tool for students of Military Science. 3. Vishwanathan Anand, in an interview said that, swimming and workouts, helped him to keep match fit, and improved his powers of concentration. 4. Because of the growing popularity of chess, the prize money has been raised to 1.3 million dollars this year for the World Championships. (1) FFIJ (2) JFIJ (3) FJIF (4) JIFI (5) IJFJ

Q.5
1. When man first saw some primates use a stick to break open a nut, he got the idea of making implements. 2. According to anthropologists and archaeologists, antediluvian man first started making tools 40,000 years ago. 3. He started covering his body, with animal skins around ten thousand years ago, resulting in the gradual loss of body hair. 4. The 30,000 year old cave paintings in Bhimbetka suggest that the location of the first human settlements in the sub-continent was here. (1) IFIJ (2) JFII (3) JFJI (4) JFIF (5) FFIJ

Q.6
1. Shortly after Japan votes to determine the balance of power in its upper house, American lawmakers are set to pass a resolution calling for the country to apologise officially for forcing thousands of comfort women into sexual slavery during the second world war. 2. Shinzo Abeassuming he will remain as Japans prime ministerfaces diplomatic embarrassment. 3. The resolution before the House of Representatives will bring further international scrutiny onto Japans wartime activities. 4. Mr. Abe recently insisted that there was no evidence that some 200,000 mainly Korean and Chinese women were abducted and forced to work in military brothels. (1) JIIJ (2) FJIF (3) JIJI (4) FIIJ (5) FJJJ

Q.7
1. It is a race of punishing extremes. 2. For three weeks men on bikes cover some 3,500km of French countryside at speeds that would test a Citron 2CV. 3. From the high passes of the Alps and Pyrenees to long, hot days on the straight, seemingly endless lanes of rural France, it is unsurprising that not all 200 riders make it to the finish line of the Tour de France on the Champs Elyse in Paris. 4. This year the race has had some notable casualties. (1) FFFF (2) JFIJ (3) JFII (4) JFJF (5) FFIJ

Q.8
1. Although the chance of an impact may be small in any given year, the consequences could be enormous. 2. The effect of an impact depends on an objects size and speed. A meteorite a few metres wide could level a city. 3. The largest (a kilometre or more in diameter) could wreak ecological havoc across the entire globe. 4. David Morrison, a NASA scientist, argued at a recent conference that a large meteorite strike is the only known disaster (except perhaps global nuclear war) that could put civilisation at risk. (1) JIIF (2) IJJF (3) JFJF (4) JIJJ (5) IJFF

Q.9
1. Perhaps Mr. Murdoch will make a mess of the Wall Street Journal by undermining its editorial independencethough surely he is too shrewd a businessman to mess with so valuable a brand. 2. His next big challenge will be to make a success of the business-news channel he is launching in October. 3. Given the consistent excellence of the incumbent market leader, CNBC, that will not be easy. 4. On the other hand, if Mr. Murdoch really wants to prove he is not too old, what could be better than to sweet talk CNBCs greatest asset, Maria Bartiromo, the Money Honey, into switching sides? (1) JJJJ (2) IIII (3) JFFJ (4) JIFI (5) JIFJ

Q.10
1. Certainly the evidence so far is that stretching democratic principles to accommodate undemocratic countries does not spread freedom, but merely dents those principles. 2. Admitting Russia to the Council of Europe, another talking-shop with a grand human-rights mandate, now looks premature to say the least. 3. The same applies to the G8, supposedly a grouping of big advanced democracies. 4. Official harassment of pro-democracy protesters made Russias G8 summit in St Petersburg last year a shameful farce. (1) IFFI (2) IIJI (3) IJJJ (4) JJII (5) JJJI

Q.11
1. Rich countries have much to gain from an EU single market that strives for free movement of people, goods and capital. 2. And there are sound economic and political arguments for investing in backward parts of such an open economic zone. 3. EU projects in poor neighbourhoods are notoriously prone to corruption and waste, but the risks are matched by high rates of return. 4. Invest the right funds in new members, and you can create new consumers and new markets, stabilise fragile democracies and limit the risk of massive, uncontrolled migration within the EU. (1) JJJJ (2) FIIJ (3) JIFJ (4) JFIJ (5) IJJI

Q.12
1. There will be a Potter annuity for decades to come - a boxed set of the seven titles is out in October - but the company must prove that its successive Potter windfalls have been invested wisely. 2. The stock markets ambivalent view on Bloomsburys preparations frustrates Newton, who has seen the companys shares drift down to 166p, far from the 374p they reached when the sixth Potter was published two years ago. 3. The real question is what is going to happen in 2008 and 2009 and why should shareholders feel reassured about their holdings. Well you aint seen nothing yet, he says. 4. If you look at the list we have put together and the strategic decisions we have made for the business, you will see a very strong publishing group in action. (1) FIFF (2) FIIJ (3) JIFJ (4) JFFJ (5) JIFF

Q.13
1. Most intriguingly, the thought of a news collection and distribution organisation without print or paper raises the prospect of a quite different future for journalists: 2. One where few of the old skills and few of the new convergences are particularly relevant. 3. One where a start-up news gathering operation on the net would train and hire web people, not converts from print with ink on their hands. 4. And if you can start from scratch without going through the toils and costs of transition, why not start a paperless paper of your own? (1) FFFI (2) IJJF (3) IFFI (4) JIIF (5) IJJJ

Q.14
1. It might look a bit childish when you see it in a twominute highlight package at the close of play, but there is a lot at stake. 2. That is not to say there wasnt many years ago but there is more sledging now. 3. As long as the players are getting on as they walk off the pitch and the animosity does not carry on, then the gamesmanship is being conducted in the right spirit. 4. Gamesmanship takes place in every sport. At Test level, cricket is all about your mental strength. (1) JJJJ (2) FIIJ (3) IIIJ (4) JFIJ (5) IJJI

Q.15
1. The problem of the terrain and tribalism, of a dissonant, dislocated medieval society armed with hitech weaponry, is also the problem of Pakistan. 2. And the reason, now, that NATO generals and Washington planners grow visibly alarmed, is also Pakistan. 3. Take any relevant war you like. If your enemy can flit back and forth across a porous border, reinforcing or withdrawing at will, eventual failure comes guaranteed. It was how the west humiliated the Red Army years ago. 4. The Russians couldnt find Bin Laden then; his erstwhile bankrollers cant find him now. (1) JIIF (2) IJIJ (3) JJIF (4) JIII (5) FFIF

Q.16

1. Said to be a brainchild of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the concept of mobile court is based on the pressing need to take the administration of civil and criminal justice closer to the people so that those living in remote areas are able to benefit without incurring the expenses of travelling to courts at distant places. 2. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hooda said, We chose Mewat for inaugurating the first mobile court because of its abysmal literacy rate and as it is the most backward district of Haryana. We need further innovations such as these in the judiciary to take our country forward. 3. The mobile court would be staffed like a regular court and transact serious judicial business in both civil and criminal cases through a full-fledged trial. 4. It would be presided over by an Additional Civil Judge-cumSub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate. (1) FIIF (2) FIIJ (3) JFJF (4) FFFF (5) IFJF

Q.17
1. The convergence between Irans oil resources and the political conditions created by the U.S. boycott of Iran are undermining American power in three distinct ways. 2. First, it is putting increasing strain on Washingtons relations with its allies like the European Union, Japan and even Pakistan, all of whom would like to pursue a closer energy relationship with Tehran. 3. Second, Iran is building stronger political and economic links with Russia and China and even India, which further reduces Americas room for manoeuvre. 4. Third, Iranian oil undermines U.S. power directly by serving as a source of revenue for the Islamic regime in Tehran. (1) FJIJ (2) FIIJ (3) JIIJ (4) JFIJ (5) IJJJ

Q.18
1. He is at once detached and passionate when arguing against the injustice that Wisden did in ignoring Tendulkar while picking the hundred best centuries in Test history: To grade a single batting performance... in the light of victory and defeat, is to place on it a burden that it shouldnt have to bear. 2. Worse, such a judgement is untrue to the moment and to the experience of contemporary spectators. 3. Innings that subsequently seem decisive more often than not begin and end with the issue unresolved and the match in the balance. 4. Subsequent performances by others in the team, bowlers, batsmen and fielders, build on the promise of the innings or betray it. (1) FJFI (2) JJJJ (3) FJJI (4) JFIJ (5) IJJJ

Q.19
1. The knowledge that he can thwart Western designs, allied to the self-confidence engendered by Russias economic revival and his strangulation of domestic opposition, has allowed Mr Putin to indulge his sense of grievance at Russias diminished status. 2. When the Kremlin intimidates foreign diplomats, meddles in its neighbours affairs or threatens to withdraw, as Mr Putin has done from arms-control agreements, it is committing a sort of blackmail with menaces: put up with this, is the implication, or worse will follow. 3. The West has mostly tolerated these anticsuntil this week. 4. The British government has evidently decided that Russian insouciance over what was, in effect, a miniature act of nuclear terrorism on the streets of London, was a provocation too far. (1) IIFI (2) FIJJ (3) IJJJ (4) JFIJ (5) IFJI

Q.20
1. Even as EU makes a strong case against Indias protectionism, the government should lower tariffs to rope in the unorganised sector and give the consumer a better deal in terms of prices and variety. 2. Indias experience in opening up its markets to manufactured products has, in fact, helped it attain global standards and penetrate other markets. 3. There is no reason for liquor to be treated as an exception to this rule. 4. By lowering import levies, India can make out a case against barriers on its spirits in overseas markets and seek to secure greater market share with its molasses-based products. (1) JIFJ (2) FJIJ (3) JIJI (4) JIFI (5) IIFI

Q.21
1. The SCs recommendation that the institution of learning where offensive ragging has taken place must file an FIR in the event of a complaint, is an important step in recognising the problem and opening a way to resolve it. 2. Accountability of the perpetrator and the institution to maintain discipline and order can only be possible if reporting and filing of complaints is made mandatory. 3. Expulsion of student offenders and economic sanctions against institutions that refuse to take action as per the SCs injunctions should go a long way in curbing the heinous practice of indecent ragging. 4. Indecent ragging leads to mental disturbance of the victims in the long run. (1) JJJJ (2) JJJI (3) FIJI (4) IFJJ (5) JFIJ

Q.22

1. In 1991, the central governments fast-track policy of opening up power generation to private investment saw many government officials go around the world on road shows to attract investment. 2. Two companies came Cogentrix and Enron. 3. Cogentrix fled and Enron bent rules for making big profits at high electricity tariffs. 4. After Enron collapsed in the US, India paid lavishly to pay lenders and equity holders and now generates power at Dabhol that the customer finds too expensive. (1) FFII (2) IFFJ (3) FJIJ (4) JFFF (5) FFJI

Q.23

1. A vendor who sells unpalatable, dirty or unhygienic food would get edged out of business by market forces. 2. It is the job of health and food inspectors to carry out regular checks to ensure cleanliness. 3. But to attempt to standardise the food would be tantamount to replacing vibrant street food with cookie cutter predictable fare that will neither entertain nor entice. 4. When a food chain store in Chennai experimented with roll-out dosas via a vending machine, the enterprise failed miserably after the initial curiosity to try something new. (1) JIIF (2) JJIF (3) FJIF (4) JIII (5) IJIF

Solutions
1. Ans.(3). Statement 1 a fact acknowledged statement 2 judgment as it is an opinion statement 3. inference as the first part is a fact second a conclusion drawn. Statement 4 the second part is a fact the first does not necessarily lead to it. 2. Ans.(2). Statement 1 an opinion not based on anything. statement 2 the first part is a fact second a inference drawn from it statement 3, fact statement 4. Opinion hence judgment 3. Ans.(3). Statement 1 the first part is when Raju saw and heard the second he assumes statement 2 the first is a fact the second assumption. Statement 3 is a verifiable fact. Statement 4 tricky! Clouds did inspire need not be monsoon.

4. Ans.(4). Statement 1 the first part is fact the second opinion based on it statement 2. the second is a surmise based on the first part. Statement 3. quotes makes it a fact. Statement 4. the prize money could be raised for other reasons too. 5. Ans.(2). Statement 1 cannot be proven; an assumption statement 2. established fact. Statement 3 the first has been established the second an educated guess. Statement.4. Inference, based on what the paintings seem to suggest. 6. Ans.(2). Statement 2 is an opinion held by the author. Hence, it can be taken as judgement. This rules out options 1, 3 and 4 as the answer. In statement 4, the author is not passing a judgement; rather he is merely citing facts. Therefore, option 5 cannot be the answer.

7. Ans.(4). The usage of the phrases a race of punishing extremes in statement 1 and it is unsurprising that in statement 3 proves that these are opinions of a person and hence judgements. Statements 2 and 4 are pieces of information and so are facts. 8. Ans.(1). In this question, statements 2 and 3 are inferences. Statement 2 consists of two sentences. The second one is a conclusion drawn on the basis of the first. Whereas, in statement 3 the phrase could wreak denotes that it is an inference. Statement 1 is an opinion and so a judgement, while statement 4 just cites what the scientist has said and therefore a fact. 9. Ans.(1). All the statements in this question are personal opinions held by the author as to what Mr. Murdoch should do (approval) and what he should not (disapproval). Consequently, all of them are judgements.

10. Ans. (3). Statements 2 and 3 denote the views of a person. Hence, judgements. In statement 1, a conclusion but merely dents those principles has been drawn on the basis of previous phrase. In statement 4 a shameful farce has been stated, making it a judgement of the author. 11. Ans. (1). All the statements in this question are personal opinions held by the author regarding EUs trade policies. As a result, all of them are judgements. 12. Ans. (5). The phrase in statement 1 but the company must prove that indicates that it is a judgement. Statement 2 is an inference as a conclusion has been drawn about frustration of Newton on the basis of fall in the price. Statements 3 and 4 are mere facts as they denote statements made by another person.

13. Ans.(5). Statement 1 is an inference as a conclusion has been drawn about the future of journalists. Statements 2, 3 and 4 explicitly bring out personal views, hence judgements. 14. Ans.(1). All of the given statements here are personal viewpoints of an individual and therefore can be treated as judgements. 15. Ans.(3). Statements 1 and 2 are judgements as the author here opines what the problems are. In statement 3, an inference eventual failure comes guaranteed has been drawn on the basis of previous phrase of this statement. Statement 4 is a kind of information, therefore a fact.

16. Ans.(4). All of the statements in this question are simply stating events that have happened recently. No judgements are being made or any inferences been drawn. Hence, option 4 is the most appropriate choice. 17. Ans.(5). In statement 1, an inference has been drawn that American power is being undermined on some basis. And the next three statements give us opinions of the author as to why does he think so. Therefore, it can be inferred that these statements are judgements. 18. Ans.(2). All of the given statements here are personal standpoints of an individual and therefore can be treated as judgements. No fact has been mentioned as a piece of information. Also, no inference has been drawn on the basis of something known.

19 Ans.(3). In statement 1, an inference about what has allowed Mr. Putin to indulge . has been drawn on the basis of given information. Statement 2 states: it is committing a sort of..hence a judgement. Statement 3 is an opinion, therefore a judgement. In statement 4, the usage of word evidently proves that it is a judgement (opinion) and not a fact. 20. Ans.(3). The first statement is a judgement as it gives the opinion of the author as to what the government should do. Words has helped it gain in statement 2 tell us that a conclusion has been drawn. The third statement again expresses the opinion of the author. Words can make out a case in statement 4 justify it as an inference. 21. Ans.(1). In the first statement, words is an important step to resolve, in second statement can only be possible and in third statement should go a long way suggest that the author approves of it, hence, a judgement. The fourth statement is again an opinion of the author.

22. Ans.(5). The first two statements are simply citing facts. In the third statement, the author is expressing his opinion about Cogentrix and Enron. The fourth statement infers about customer finding power too expensive from the known fact that India paid lavishly. 23.Ans. (2). In the first two statement, words would get edged out of and it is the job of clearly tell us that these are the opinions of the author, hence, they are judgements. In the third statement, words would be tantamount to clearly indicate that an inference is being drawn. The last statement is citing an incident that has happened in the past, so it should be a fact.