Page 1 of 13

Statement
and Argument
Argument is a sequence of two or more
phrases/clauses/sentences that include a claim or
conclusion. We arrive at such a conclusion with the
help of one or more than one statements which
may be called premises or propositions.
Arguments are generally based on certain premises,
assumptions
and
conclusions.
An
argument can be in favour or against the
statement. You have to check the strength
of the argument. You should not be
confused that only favourable arguments
are considerable. So, it is irrelevant that an
argument is favourable or against the statement.

Page 2 of 13

Questions based on statement and argument are the

common features of all the competitive examinations. 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
the positive and negative results of
the action as mentioned in the
statement. A strong argument is
that which touches the practical and real aspect of the
situation as described in the statement. A weak argument
is very simple, superfluous, ambiguous and long drawn
one.

Page 3 of 13

Argument
STRONG

WEAK

1. A strong argument should give 1. When the argument is copied

the realistic diagnosis of the from any other sources, then it
situation
described
in
the comes under weak argument.
statement.
2. The argument is weak and
2. A strong argument should give illogical when it cannot be
the deep analysis of the topic dealt connected with the statement.
3. When there is no sense of fact
with in the statement.
or authority behind the fact i.e.
3. A strong argument should relate
lack of objective reference, then it
with the statement and be
is a weak argument.
supported up by facts or
4. All, Each, and Every words,
established notions.
generally come under weak
Direction:Study
the
following
instructions
and then
4. A strong argument should not be arguments, carefully
because these
words
the questions
follow.come under generalization. So
aanswer
mere reiteration
of thethat
situation
given
the argument
statement.I is strong. argument is weak.
(a) Ifinonly

(b) If only argument II is strong.

Page 4 of 13

(a) if only I is strong

(b) if only II is strong
(c) If either I or II is strong.
(d) If neither I nor II is strong.
(e) If both I and II are strong.
Q.1. Statement: Should India encourage exports, when most
things are insufficient for internal use itself?
Arguments:
I. Yes, we have to earn foreign exchange to pay for our
imports.
II. No, even selective encouragement would lead to
shortages.
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Clearly, India can export only the surplus
and that which can be saved after fulfilling
its own needs, to pay for its imports.
Encouragement to export cannot lead to
shortages as it shall provide the resources
for imports. So, only argument I holds.
Page 5 of 13

Q.2. Statement: Should

compulsory in India?

family

planning

be

made

Arguments:
I. Yes, looking at the miserable conditions in India, there is
no other go.
II. No, In India, there are people of various religions and
family planning is against the tenets of some of the
religions.
Answer: Option E
Explanation:
Family planning is an essential step to curb population growth.
So, argument I holds strong. Also, family
planning being against the tenets of some
of the Indian religions, it is not necessary
to make it compulsory. Instead, it can be
enforced by creating public awareness of
the benefits of family planning. So,
argument II also holds.

Page 6 of 13

Q.3. Statement: Should there be complete ban on

manufacture of fire crackers in India?
Argument:
I. No, this will render thousands of workers jobless.
II. Yes, the fire cracker manufacturers use child labour to a
large extent.
Answer: Option E
Explanation:
Both the arguments refer to the
practical consequences of the action
mentioned in the statement and
hence, are strong. Thus, (e) is the
right answer.
Q.4. Statement: Should election expenses to central and
state legislatures be met by the government?
Argument:
I. Yes, it will put an end to political corruption.
II. No, it is not good in any country.

Page 7 of 13

Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Argument I is strong one as this
decision will help to eliminate political
corruption. Argument II does not give
any logic, hence, is a weak argument.
Therefore, (a) is the correct answer.
Q.5. Statement: Should there be a ban on
product advertisement?
Argument:
I. No, it is an age of advertising. Unless your advertisement
is better than that of your other competitors, the product
will not be sold.
II. Yes, the money spent on advertising is very huge and it
inflates the cost of the product.
Answer: Option E

Page 8 of 13

Explanation:
It is a known fact that unless you create
awareness through advertisement about
your product, you lag behind your
competitors. Contrary to this, heavy cost
on advertisements adds to your product.
Hence, both the arguments are strong.
Q.6. Statement: Should the government levy tax on
agricultural income also?
Argument:
I. Yes, that is the only way to fill governments coffer.
II. No, 80% of our population lives in rural areas.
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Both the arguments are weak. The
argument that governments coffer can
be filled only with the tax on
agriculture is totally irrelevant.
Secondly, it cant be said that the 80%
rural population is poor.
Page 9 of 13

Q.7. Statement: Should all the government owned

educational institutions be given to private sector?
Argument:
I. Yes, there will be upgradation of educational standard in
these institutions.
II. No, the educational standard of these institutions will
decrease.
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Private sector is supposed to be
more disciplined and efficient
than the government sector.
Hence, argument I is strong.
Q.8. Statement: Should small states be formed out of bigger
states in India?
Argument:
Page 10 of 13

I. Yes, there will be greater administrative convenience.

II. No, it will be jeopardize the national integrations.
Answer: Option E
Explanation:
Both the arguments are strong
because there will be greater
administrative
convenience
by
forming small states out of bigger
states in India. Secondly, it may also
lead to a danger to the national
integration.
Q.9. Statement: Should there be a ceiling on the salary of
top executives of multinationals in our country?
Arguments:
I. Yes, otherwise it would lead to unhealthy competition
and our own industry would not be able to withstand that.
II. No, with the accent on liberalization of economy, any
such move would be counter-productive. Once the
economy picks up, this disparity will be reduced.

Page 11 of 13

Answer: Option E
Explanation:
In the absence of such a ceiling, the companies would be
involved in a mutual competition of
salaries, in a bid to attract the most
competent
professionals.
So,
argument I holds. Also, the prospects
of increase in salary would encourage
the officials to perform better in the
interest of the company they serve,
which would otherwise not be so if a
ceiling is imposed. So, argument II
also holds strong.
Q.10. Statement: Should there be reservation in
government jobs for candidates from single child family?
Arguments:
I. No, this is not advisable as the jobs should be offered to
only deserving candidates without any reservation for a
particular group.

Page 12 of 13

II. Yes, this will help reduce the growing population in India
as the parents will be encouraged to adopt single child
norm.
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
The Government has already made provisions for
reservation of jobs for the economically
backward sections, which is a must. So,
abolishing the practice of reservation
altogether has no meaning. Thus,
argument I is vague. Also, more
reservations would lead to nonrecruitment of many more deserving
candidates. Besides, such a reservation,
if implemented, will cater to the job
requirements of only a small section of population and not
a major part of it. So, argument II also does not hold strong.

Page 13 of 13