chapter 18 verbal reasoning

7/29/2019 Chapter 18 Verbal Reasoning

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Chapter 18 Verbal Reasoning

Learning Objective

The objective of this chapter is to expose the student to different kinds of questions that are

asked in exams. Care has been taken to include questions from CAT and other exams. Studentsshould not get surprised to see a new type of question and this chapter covers different types of

questions.

Through this chapter a student should:

Understand what is Verbal Reasoning

Learn to attempt different kinds of questions

Do exercises that have different kinds of questions.

Verbal Reasoning is usually asked in management entrance tests. It used to be asked earlier in

CAT but in recent years it has decreased. However, it is quite possible that some of the questions

may make a come-back in the coming years. In all other exams, such as FMS, XAT, IIFT, JMET,IRMA, MAT and others, Verbal Reasoning is an integral part. Students must be aware of the

different types of questions and also how to attempt them.

In this chapter, we cover the commonly asked types of questions, such as:

1. Analogies

2. Classifying statements into Fact, Inference, Judgement

3. Logical Inference from given statements

4. Analyzing strengths of weakness of given arguments

5. Identifying implicit arguments

6. Analysing which courses of action follow from given premises

7. Judging whether inferences are true or false

8. Cause and effect relationships

For each of the above, we have given strategies for attempting the questions. Adequate numbers

of questions have also been provided for each category so that the student can practice and

develop confidence in this crucial area. In the first section, all the different types of questions

have been explained and in the second part, exercises are provided.

Description of different types of questions

Type 1. Analogies

In this type of question, two words are given. The student has to find out the relationship between

the two words, and then tick from the answer choices the pair of words having the same

relationship. Clearly, the student should have a good vocabulary to do these questions.

Sometimes, as in FMS and XAT, the words are quite difficult.

Sometimes analogies may consist of three words, which make the questions more difficult. Such

questions have been asked in IIT-JMET exam, and have been included in the exercise.

The strategy for both types of questions is that the student should try to make sentences between

the words given. Then substitute the given answer choices to see if the same sentence holds. The

following examples will make the strategy clear.

Example 18.1

DIRECTIONS:Write the letter of the pair of words related to each other in the same way as the

word in tile capitalized pair. [IIFT 2005]

1. POLE VAULTING : DECATHLON

1. goalpost : football 2. arena : bullfight 3. bull pen : baseball


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4. calf-roping : rodeo 5. rink : ice hockey

2. NONAGENARIAN : LONGEVITY

1. truant : attendance 2. zealot: enthusiasm 3. spendthrift : foresight

4. chatterbox : silence 5. child : experience

3. HYPOSENSITIZE : SENSITIVE

1. enlighten : knowledgeable 2. congratulate : proud 3. liberate : free

4. demote : important 5. educate : independent

4. ARSON : FELONY

1. treason : misdemeanor 2. white lie : perjury 3. contraband : arrest

4. spy : espionage 5. hydrogen : element

How to attempt: Look at the given words. What is the relationship between them?

In the first question, we see that Pole-vaulting is an event in decathlon. Now apply the same logic

to the answer choices. We see that none of the choices match the logic of event except the

fourth choice: calf roping in an event in rodeo.In the second question, we see that nonagenarian is a symbol or extreme example of longevity.

Applying the same logic to the answer choices, we can get the answer that zealot is an extreme

form of enthusiasm.

In the third question, the two words are equivalent words. Our job is to see equivalent pairs of

words in the answer choices. We see that enlighten and knowledgeable mean the same thing, so

this should be the answer.

In the fourth question, we can form the sentence: Arson is a kind of felony. Can we get the

same sentence from the choices? We see that we can make the same sentence in the fifth choice:

Hydrogen is a type of element.

What we have learnt:

For attempting analogies, develop a very good vocabulary. In the above questions, we comeacross some difficult words: rodeo, nonagenarian, felony, and so on. Then start looking for

relationships between the words given. Look for the same relationship in the answer choices.

Type 2. Classifying statements into Fact, Inference, Judgement

In this type of question, some statements are given, and the student has to figure out which of

them is fact, inference or judgement. Though the questions are not difficult, an exposure to

statements and their analysis is required. This kind of question staged a come-back in CAT after

many years, but is commonly asked in other management entrance exams.

DIRECTIONS:Each question has a set of four sequentially ordered statements. Each statement

can be classified as one of the following: [CAT 2006]

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, the 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.

Example 18.2


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1. So much of our day-to-day focus seems to be on getting things done, trudging our way through

the tasks of living -- it can feel like a treadmill that gets you nowhere; where is the childlike

joy?

2. We are not doing the things that make us happy; that which brings us joy; the things that we

cannot wait to do because we enjoy them so much.

3. This is the stuff that joyful living is made of -- identifying your calling and committing

yourself wholeheartedly to it.

4. When this happens, each moment becomes a celebration of you; there is a rush of energy that

comes with feeling completely immersed in doing what you love most.

1. IIIJ 2. IFIJ 3..JFJJ 4. JJJJ 5. JFII

Example 18.3

1. Inequitable distribution of all kinds of resources is certainly one of the strongest and most

sinister sources of conflict.

2. Even without war, we know that conflicts continue to trouble us - they only change in

character.

3. Extensive disarmament is the only insurance for our future; imagine the amount of resources

that can be released and redeployed.4. The economies of the industrialized western world derive 20% of their income from the sale of

all kinds of arms.

1. IJJI 2. JIJF 3. IIJF 4. JIIF 5. IJIF

How to attempt:

18.2: Note that each of the given statements are personal opinions. The author is lamenting the

fact that we have lost our childhood joys. This, of course, can vary from person to person.

Further, the authors value judgements seem to be included in the statements. We can thus see

that all the statements mention some element of judgment, hence (4).

18.3: Statement I mentions strongest and most sinister which implies judgment. Statement II is

an inference as it draws conclusion from war. Statement III is a judgment as it mentions

insurance for our future.

Type 3. Logical Inference from given statements or assumptions on which they are based

A. IDENTIFYING ASSUMPTIONS

Example 18.4

DIRECTIONS:Each question has a statement followed by two assumptions. Find the implicit

assumptions.

Statement: Agood system of education in a country is the flower of economic

development; it is also its seed.

Assumptions:

I. Economic development leads to educational development in a country.

II. Educational development leads to economic development in a country.

1. Both I and II are implicit 2. Only II is implicit

3. Only I is implicit 4. Neither I nor II is implicit

How to attempt: Analyse the statement and the given assumptions. Ask yourself the question,

why is the statement being made? In this case, why doe we say that: Agood system of education

in a country is the flower of economic development? The answer is that the author has tried to

link two variables, education and economic development. Now look at the given assumptions.We find that in both the statements the variables are linked. So we can say that both I and II are

implicit.


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B. VENN DIAGRAMS

In this type of logical inference, some statements will be given which have to be solved by using

Set Theory or by making Venn Diagrams.

Example 18.5

DIRECTIONS: In each of these questions a few statements are followed by four conclusions

numbered I, II, III and IV. Consider the given statements to be true even if they seem to be at

variance with commonly known facts. Read all the conclusion(s) and then decide which of the

given conclusion(s) logically follow(s) from the given statements.

Statements:

A. All mirrors are phones.

B. Some phones are gadgets.

C. All gadgets are mirrors.

Conclusions:

I.Some gadgets are phones.II. Some gadgets are mirrors.

III. Some gadgets are not mirrors.

IV. Some mirrors are phones.

1. Only I and II follow 2. Only I, II & IV follow

3. Only II and III follow 4. Either II or IV follow

How to attempt: From the given statements we make a Venn diagram that helps us visualize the

problem:

A. All mirrors are phones.

B. Some phones are gadgets.

C. All gadgets are mirrors.

Mirrors Phones

Gadgets

From (A) we see that Mirrors should be a subset of Phones, while Gadgets should intersect

Phones. But from C we see that all gadgets should be a subset of Mirrors as well. So the only way

to place them is inside the set for mirrors.

Now read the conclusions. We see that Gadgets are part of Phones, so I is correct. Similarly,

Gadgets are part of mirrors so we can definitely say that some gadgets are mirrors. However, III

is wrong, since no gadgets are outside mirrors. IV is also correct. So the answer is (2). Note thatwithout making the diagram, it would not be possible to do the sum correctly.

C. LOGICALLY CONSISTENT STATEMENTS

In this type of question, several statements are given and the student has to pick out two or

more statements which are logically consistent.

Example 18.6:

DIRECTIONS: Each question has a main statement, followed by four statements labelled A, B,

C and D. Choose the ordered pair of statements where the first statement implies the second, and

the two statements are logically consistent with the main statement.

Statement: Every player will become a champ.

A. Rajesh is a player. B. Rajesh will become a champ.


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C. Rajesh is not a player. D. Rajesh will not become a champ.

1. DA 2. AD 3. CD 4. DC

How to attempt: The statement pairs given in the answer choices must be read. Reading AD, can

we come to the conclusion of the main statement? Since every player will become a champ, it

follows that if one is not a champ, one is not a player. Note the difference between CD and DC.

CD implies that if one is not a player, one cannot become a champ. But there could be other ways

of becoming one. Since player is a subset of champ, the reverse is not true. Hence the answer is

DC.

Type 4. Analyzing strengths or weakness of given arguments

Questions on analyzing strengths or weakness of arguments may take various forms. A common

form of the question is given below:

Example 18.7

DIRECTIONS: The question is followed by two arguments numbered I and II. Mark answer as

1. if only argument I is strong2. if either I or II is strong

3. if only argument II is strong

4. if neither I nor II is strong

Statement: Should the fees of all the private professional colleges be made equal to

those of the government professional colleges?

Arguments

:

I. No, the private colleges need additional funds to maintain quality of education.

II. Yes, otherwise a large number of meritorious students will not be able to study in

these colleges as they charge exorbitantly high fees.

How to attempt: Reading the statements we have to see whether the question is logically

answered by the arguments. We see that the first argument is not strong, as the same argument

can be made for government colleges. The second argument, however, is strong as it says that

students may not be able to study there.

Type 5. Identifying implicit arguments

This type of question is similar to one above, except that here we have to see which statement is

implicit in the argument.

Example 18.8DIRECTIONS:A statement is followed by two assumptions numbered I and II. An assumption is

something supposed or taken for granted. Consider the statement and the following assumptions.

Mark answer as

1. if only assumption I is implicit

2. if either assumption I or II is implicit

3. if only assumption II is implicit

4. if neither assumption I nor II is implicit

Statement: The Mohan Cooperative Housing Society has put up a notice at its gate

that sales persons are not allowed inside the society.

Assumptions:

I. All the sales persons will stay away from the Mohan Cooperative Housing Society.


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II. The security guard posted at the gate may be able to stop the sales persons entering

the society.

How to attempt: Reading the statement we have to find out why such a board has been placed. I

is not implicit, because sales people will still keep coming. But II is a reason, since such persons

can be stopped by the guard.

Type 6. Analysing which courses of action follow from given premises

In this type of question, the student has to see which course of action can be logically taken to

tackle a given situation.

Example 18.9

DIRECTIONS: A statement is followed by two courses of action numbered I and II. Assume

everything in the statement to be true, and decide which of the suggested course(s) of action

logically follow(s) for pursuing. Mark answer as

1. if only I follows

2. if either I or II follows3. if only II follows

4. if neither I nor II follows

Statement: There has been significant drop in the water level of all the lakes

supplying water to the city.

Course of

action:

I. The water supply authority should impose a partial cut in supply to tackle the

situation.

II. The government should appeal to all the residents through mass media for

minimal use of water.

How to attempt: Since the water levels is low, clearly, we must conserve water. Reading the

statements we can see that both are aiming to conserve water. Hence both courses of action

would follow.

Type 7. Cause and effect relationships

A. CAUSE AND EFFECT

In this type of question, two events are given and the student has to identify which one is a cause

and which one is the effect.

Examples

DIRECTIONS: Given below are pairs of events I and II. Read both the events and decide the

relationship. Assume that the information given is true in deciding the answer. Mark answer as

1. if I is an effect but II is not its immediate and principal cause.

2. if I is the immediate and principal cause and II is its effect.

3. if I is an effect and II is its immediate and principal cause.

4. if II is an effect but I is not its immediate and principal cause.

Example 18.10.

Event (I): The price of gold has gone up in the local market.

Event (II): Indians have won several prizes in designing gold ornaments.

Example 18.11.


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Event (I): Today, the prime ministers of countries P and Q have decided to take steps to

improve bilateral relations.

Event (II): Next week a committee of foreign ministers and senior officers of country P

and Q will work out further steps to improve the relationship.

How to attempt: Read the statements in example 18.15 carefully. The fact that price of gold has

gone up in the local market is an effect of some causes, which are not stated. It is certainly not a

cause. But on reading the second statement we find that the events are not related. So we say that

I is an effect but II is not its immediate and principal cause.

In Example 18.16, we see that (II) is an action contemplated for the future. Is (I) the cause? We

find that the events are related, and that II is a result of I. Hence we can say that I is the

immediate and principal cause and II is its effect.

B. SITUATION AND OUTCOME

In this type of question, a situation is given and several questions are framed on it to assess

whether the outcome follows or not.

Example 18.12:DIRECTIONS: A situation and the outcome are presented. Four statements follow thereafter.

Each statement is to be separately evaluated in relation to the situation and outcome. Mark

answer as

1. if the statement is deducible from the situation, the outcome or both together.

2. if the statement presents a possible adequate explanation of the outcome.

3. if the statement is inconsistent with, or contradicts, the situation, the outcome, or both

together.

4. if the statement does not support a possible explanation of the outcome.

Situation: Abhijit Roy is training for a national swimming meet. His event is 800 m freestyle. In

winning the last five races, his time has never exceeded 8 minutes. His practice performances, in

which he studiously attempts to duplicate all actual racing conditions, have been better. He is astrong favourite among local sportswriters to win the meet, and his coach Prabhu Dayal predicts

that he will win in record time. Speed Swimming Gear, in the hope of capitalising on his

upcoming victory, has persuaded Roy to be photographed with their goggles, which he always

wears in competition.

Outcome: Roy clocks his worst time ever and finishes fourth.

1. The Speed Swimming Gear company was confident that Roy would win the race.

2. Roy's coach had cautioned him not to expect to do as well as he had in past races.

How to attempt: First read the situation and understand it. We see that though the photographsare taken, he does not win. Why were the photographs taken? The company was confident of his

win, so in the first question, the statement is quite correct. So we can say that the statement is

deducible from the situation.

The second statement contradicts the facts given, because we see that his coach Prabhu Dayal

predicts that he will win in record time. So we can say that for the second statement, the

statement is inconsistent with, or contradicts, the situation, the outcome.

What we have learnt:

Argumentative questions can take many forms. The logic of attempting the questions remains

same. The student should do all kinds of questions but also keep in mind that if a new question

is included in the exam, it is not a cause of distress. Argumentative questions can ususllay bedone quite easily.


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LOD Exercises

These exercises are based on different types of questions

LOD-1

Exercise 18.1 (Classifying statements into fact, inference, judgement)

Directions: From the alternatives, choose the one which correctly classifies the four sentences as

F: Fact: if it relates to a known matter of direct observation, or an existing reality or

something known to be true.

J: Judgment: if it is an opinion or an estimate or anticipation of common sense or intention,

I: Inference: if it is a logical conclusion or deduction of something, based on the knowledge

of facts.

1. A. The final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal has come 16 years after the

Tribunal was set up.B. Now a protracted and acrimonious river water dispute is at a qualitatively new stage with a

water-sharing formula awaiting implementation.

C. It has been a long wait for the verdict, and not all the claimants are happy with what they have

got.

D. Yet, the award is a step in the right direction.

1. FIIJ 2. FJJI 3. JFFJ 4. FIJJ 5. IFFI

2. A. The Nithari serial killings confirm that we have ceased to be a nation that cares for the

physically weak and socially underprivileged.

B. Many of them came from the usually neglected sections of the community such as Dalits.

C. The police were hardly stirred by the loss that these hapless villagers had suffered and did

nothing to locate the children who had vanished over a period of time until the media made anoise about it.

D. This showed how callous the police is.

1. IFFI 2. FIIJ 3. JJJI 4. FIJJ 5. IJJI

3. A. The government's efforts to alter the rural environment is too well known to recount.

B. Some amount of rebuilding was done, and one sees evidence of this in the flyovers, the new

buildings, malls, and residential complexes.

C. A showpiece is the information technology complex in Salt Lake City, as every resident of

Kolkata will proudly tell you.

D. There are other showpieces as well.

1. IFIJ 2. JIIF 3. FIIJ 4. JIFF 5. IFJF

4. A. In the late 18th century, Bihar came under the notorious Permanent Settlement Act, which

by introducing an intermediary layer of parasitic elite in the countryside, imposed a heavy burden

on the peasantry.

B. Although Bihar was one of the first States to undertake land reforms, the landed gentry

thwarted any meaningful reform.

C. Alakh Sharma observes that "gross violations" of land ceiling laws in the State thwarted

progress in agriculture.

D. Because of this, naxalism is raising its head in the state.

1. IJFI 2. IFJI 3. JIII 4. JIFI 5. FIJI


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5. A. Known to his friends as `tanker', after the kind of truck he drove for the Jammu and

Kashmir Police (JKP), Paddar is thought to hold the clues to a horrific series of cold-blooded

murders carried out by counter-terrorism forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

B. Acting on behalf of a group of rogue police and Army officers, Paddar is alleged to have

kidnapped residents of the Kokernag area of southern Kashmir.

C. He then, investigators believe, handed them over to the military and police units who

murdered the villagers and passed off their bodies as those of unidentified terrorists.

D. The police are in a fix because of the revelations.

1. IFII 2. JIFI 3. FFII 4. IIFI 5. IFIF

6. A. Indian public sector majors Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar

Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) have promised to deliver a New Year gift to those

subscribing to their Internet services.

B. Bandwidth on entry-level ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) broadband connections

provided through telephone lines are to be raised from 256 kbps to 2 mbps and will be a boon to

the customer.

C. If implemented successfully, the scheme would enhance connectivity in thousands of homes

and offices to levels where users can access text, data, voice and video with ease.D. This trend is bound to accelerate, as private Internet service providers (ISPs) would be forced

to match the public sector offer.

1. IFIJ 2. JIIF 3. FIIJ 4. JIFI 5. FJIJ

7. A. A survey conducted jointly by the Internet and Mobile Association of India and IMRB

International put the number of Internet users in urban India in September 2006 at 37 million.

B. That is indeed large when compared to the circulation of English language newspapers in the

country, placed at 27 million.

C. And the figure could increase rapidly if moves such as the one initiated by BSNL and MTNL

expand broadband connectivity in the Year of Broadband.

D. Perhaps it is time newspapers in India began reworking their strategies for the Web.

1. IFIJ 2. JIII 3. FIIJ 4. FJIJ 5. IFJI

8. A. We have things like the Planning Commission, which I suppose, spends its day planning

things.

B. But then there is nothing much to plan either, because everything is being done by the private

companies these days.

C. We also have a ministry to look after children and women welfare but none of the women or

children are any better for it.

D. As a result, we have thousands of bureaucrats who have not much to do except become what

may be termed as the jerk police.

1. IIJI 2. JIIJ 3. FIIF 4. JIIF 5. IJJI

9. A. When it first became part of the English vocabulary in the early 1990s, `globalisation' wassupposed to be the wave of the future.

B. Fifteen years ago, the writings of globalist thinkers such as Kenichi Ohmae and Robert Reich

celebrated the emergence of the so-called borderless world.

C. The process by which relatively autonomous national economies become functionally

integrated into one global economy was touted as "irreversible".

D. A fresh thinking is emerging about the issue now.

1. IFJI 2. FFJI 3. FIIJ 4. JIFJ 5. IJFF

10. A. Before The God Delusion was published, Dawkins wrote about something called Gerin oil

that was poisoning human society.

B. Gerin oil (or Geriniol, to give it its scientific name) is a powerful drug that acts directly on

the central nervous system to produce a range of characteristic symptoms, often of an antisocial

or self-damaging nature.


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C. If administered chronically in childhood, Gerin oil can permanently modify the brain to

produce adult disorders, including dangerous delusions that have proved very hard to treat.

D. The four doomed flights of September 11 were, in a very real sense, Gerin oil trips: all 19 of

the hijackers were high on the drug at the time.

1. JIFI 2. FJII 3. FFIJ 4. FFII 5. JFII

11. A. The capacity to absorb investment is not a stand-alone intrinsic factor of the scientific

community; it is actually a function of several factors that depend on the systems and

mechanisms that are in (or not in) place for the administration of S&T in the country.

B. Investing 2 per cent of the GDP in S&T is indeed a desirable objective if we wish to become a

developed nation.

C. The President urged that there be a focussed action plan to realise this progressively and

suggested the constitution of a joint team comprising members from all the scientific departments

of the government to work out the growth plan in an integrated way.

D. Significantly, he recommended allocating 0.5 per cent of the GDP for basic research as against

the present level of around 0.2 per cent.

1. FFFI 2. FIIJ 3. FJFF 4. FIFF 5. IJFF

12. A. The passage of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition

of Forest Rights) Bill, 2006, is an important step in the struggle to reverse the historical

marginalisation of the tribal people of India.

B. The Scheduled Tribes, constituting about 8.4 per cent of the population, have been denied

access to benefits from land and forests by both the medieval and the modern state.

C. Thus, the displacement of tribal people into forests was not a colonial phenomenon alone, but

British imperialism accentuated it by setting up state monopoly over forests.

D. As a consequence, a centralised and often autocratic forest management came into force in

India.

1. JIFI 2. JIIF 3. FIIJ 4. FIII 5. JIII

13. A. In their ongoing study of wild balsams, researchers of the Edhkwehlynawd BotanicalRefuge of Udhagamandalam noticed that some of the native species had become rare.

B. It took them three years to locate Impatiens denisonii; they made three annual field trips

during August-September, when the balsams are in bloom, and reported the sighting of the

species on the third such visit.

C. It is likely that this was the first scientific collection of the species since British naturalist

Richard Henry Beddome first documented it in 1862.

D. The study was the most authoritative text on the subject and was prescribed in universities.

1. IFIJ 2. IJIF 3. IIJF 4. JIIJ 5. IFJI

14. A. Watching Tony Blair's awkward demeanour alongside George Bush at the White House, it

was striking just how American a country Britain has become.

B. It has long been a cliche that the UK is the 51st state of the union, but it has never seemed amore appropriate description.

C. Indeed, there is a case for saying that after effectively living in sin for so long, it's time to

make the "special relationship" legitimate.

D. Britain is never going to join the USA, but if it did the prime minister would probably have a

lot more clout on the other side of the Atlantic than he does now.

1. FIJJ 2. JIIJ 3. IJJJ 4. JIFJ 5. IJJF

15. A. The problem is that in exercising one precious right, we often extinguish that right in

others -- those who constitute what is called the unorganised sector of society.

B. When a political party or a trade union, or a group of trade unions, decides to call a bandh and

shut down a State for a day, lakhs of people who are in the unorganised sector, lose their earnings

for that day.


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C. Most of them depend on their daily earnings to manage their households and have to do

without the means to feed their families.

D. More often than not, bandhs have no effect on public awareness of the reasons they were

organised for, except in a vague way.

1. IIIJ 2. JIII 3. IIIF 4. JIIF 5. IIFF

16. A. A hard landing for the Indian economy is quite apparent from the super-charged property

market.

B. Property prices are rising at an awesome rate of 10-30% each quarter and are beyond the reach

of most prospective buyers.

C. In the suburbs of Mumbai one can see block after block of empty buildings amid the new

construction projects, yet private banks enthusiastically lend money on the premise that the

economy will continue to grow at a high rate.

D. With the derivatives market in a nascent stage there is little that they can do to offload these

risks from their balance sheets.

1. IFII 2. IFJI 3. FIIJ 4. IJFI 5. IIFI

17. A. The peace process reflects the acceptance by General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's leader,of what has long been obvious: big India will never concede an inch of Kashmir, whatever little

Pakistan does.

B. General Musharraf has therefore accepted something very close to what India demands.

C. That General Musharraf could contemplate such an agreement is humiliating to many

Pakistanis.

D. Yet he believes that, for the benefits of peace, they will swallow this humiliationas long as

India accepts the small compromises he has suggested and provided peace comes quickly.

1. IIFI 2. IIJF 3. FIJI 4. FJIF 5. JIFF

18. A. Both India and China have large populations, low incomes and rapidly rising GDP, yet the

composition of their growth has been quite different.

B. A recent paper by Barry Bosworth and Susan Collins, of the Brookings Institution inWashington, DC, explores the sources of expansion in both countries

C. They break down total GDP growth into increases in inputs of labour and capital, and gains in

TFP.

D. Employment increased faster in India than in China, but this was more than offset by a much

slower rise in output per worker: only 4.6% a year, compared with 8.5% in China.

1. JIFF 2. JFFJ 3. FJII 4. IFFI 5. IIFF

19. A. The late Srila Prabhupada, of the Hare Krishna movement, explained that God created "the

8,400,000 species of life from the very beginning," in order to establish multiple tiers of

reincarnation for rising souls.

B. Although souls ascend, the species themselves don't change, he insisted.

C. He dismissed "Darwin's nonsensical theory."D. Other people too, not just scriptural literalists, remain unpersuaded about evolution.

1. IFIJ 2. JIIF 3. JJJI 4. JIII 5. FFFI

20. A. The workers took eggs containing Drosophila embryos in various stages of early

development, and soaked them in a solution of DNA.

B. This material (deoxyribonucleic acid) occurs in the genes of the chromosomes, and is now

thought to contain, in the famous genetic code.

C. In these experiments, the DNA was obtained from other flies differing in several ways from

those providing the eggs.

D. The differences involved ten or eleven genes at various places on the chromosomes, and

affected such characteristics as the structure and colour of bristles, wing veins, wing structure,

and eye colour.

1. FIFF 2. JIJJ 3. FIIF 4. JIFF 5. IFFF


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21. A. Post the Attari Express blast, senior government officials say "the entire context of the

joint mechanism has changed.

B. India has been put in the predicament of now having to explain to Pakistan how its citizens

lost their lives in India.

C. In the public battle for hearts and minds, India would now have to provide a progress report on

the blast investigations, thereby allowing Pakistan to exploit a huge window of unexpected

opportunity.

D. The Pakistan National Assembly in a unanimously adopted government-sponsored resolution

called for the formation of a joint Pakistan-India investigation team for the probe.

1. FIII 2. FJIJ 3. FJIF 4. FFII 5. JFIF

22. A. Given this mindset among policymakers, big-ticket reforms may be out in the Budget.

B. For example, the FM could have hinted at allowing FDI in retail.

C. But after the letter Congress president Sonia Gandhi wrote to the PM voicing her concerns on

the subject, this is a no-mover.

D. Although Chidambaram has taken a few steps to dilute government stake in PSUs, he is

unlikely to use the word 'disinvestment' this year.1. IFIJ 2. IJIJ 3. JJJI 4. JIII 5. IJFI

23. A. If our security forces are doing a stellar job, as some experts believe, then there is no

reason for them to be so secretive about their successes.

B. If it is true that for every hideous act that succeeds there are ten that fail because our men in

khaki have destroyed terrorist modules before they commit their evil deeds, then let us have

names, faces, interviews on television and details of how the police caught who they did.

C. We need to learn from the West.

D. Within days of 9/11 the whole world knew how many hijackers there were, where their money

came from, which flying schools they were attending and what their nationalities were.

1. IIJF 2. JIIF 3. IIIF 4. JIFF 5. IIFJ

24. A. Mr Quattrocchi was detained at an airport in Argentina following a red corner alert issued

by Interpol.

B. Later its spokesmen explained away the silence by informing media that they wanted to make

sure about the identity of the person detained!

C. They admitted that the detention was a complete surprise and attributed it to chance. D. It is

clear that the CBI wanted to oblige Mrs Sonia Gandhi and to save her from the embarrassment.

1. FIJF 2. JFFJ 3. JIIF 4. IFFI 5. JIFJ

25. A. What do you expect of ordinary people if MLAs of a national political party like the

Trinamul Congress, think nothing of breaking tables and chairs in the legislative assembly?

B. They did this because their leader, Mamata Bannerji, was allegedly denied permission to

protest in the streets.C. If this is not primitive politics what is?

D. Mobs are faceless, so the Dalit vandals who burned buses and the Deccan Queen will probably

get away with what they did, but Ms Bannerji must be made to pay for the damage her MLAs

did.

1. FIFF 2. JIIF 3. JIJJ 4. JIFF 5. FIJJ

26. A. The prime need is to create an instrument for governance.

B. That implies a cohesive and stable government.

C. The era of coalitions has made it painfully clear that makeshift alliances are unsuited for

purposive governance.

D. Some years ago Narasimha Rao was unhappy with the state of affairs.

1. JIIF 2. FIIF 3. FIIJ 4. JIFF 5. IIFJ


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27. A. The I&B ministry, in its endless efforts to be the real Big Brother, reminds us that it is a

leftover of bad times.

B. It had a role in the days when Doordarshan was our only television channel, when film-makers

were so poor they needed government help to make dreary, un-entertaining art films that no sane

financier would pay for and, when it was possible, to pass government propaganda as news.

C. The ministry is now obsolete and the quicker it is abolished the better.

D. I also believe that its time we abolished the union ministry of human resource development

and used this change to put Arjun Singh out to pasture.

1. IIJF 2. JIIF 3. FFJJ 4. JJFF 5. IIJJ

28. A. Indian farmers cannot have big farms (except illegally) because of land ceiling laws that

should have been abolished years ago.

B. They benefit nobody and keep the prices of farm land artificially low.

C. Then, along comes some state government with a big industrial project in its bag and acquires

the land at this artificially low price.

D. The value of the land shoots up when a Ratan Tata puts in the roads, power and other

infrastructure that comes with industrialisation, and the farmer feels cheated.

1. FIJF 2. IJFI 3. JIIF 4. JJFF 5. IIFI

29. A. Incredible India! is our slogan to woo foreign visitors to our old and decrepit land. B.

And, India is truly incredible but not always in the best sense of that word.

C. Just as the word incredible has an ambiguity so does our approach to tourism.

D. So, on the one hand the Government of India enthusiastically promotes its Incredible India!

campaign to lure visitors from far and wide, and on the other hand once they get here we harass

them in varied, very Indian ways.

1. IIIJ 2. JJJJ 3. IIJJ 4. JJFF 5. JJJI

30. A. A campaign to play down the culpability of minority communities and to direct the attack

against the administration and the majority community is nothing new in our history since 1947.

B. This has always happened after every communal riot.C. Whenever some Muslims take the law into their own hands, it is always the police which is

criticised for acting against them.

D. The secular elite rarely criticises the Muslims, who violated the law in the first place, and

rarely calls for action against them.

1. JJJJ 2. JIIF 3. IIIF 4. JIFF 5. IIFJ

Exercise 18.2

Directions Q 1 to 5: Select the pair of sentences that relate logically with the given

statement. [CAT 1997]

1. Either Sam is ill; or he is drunk.A. Sam is ill. B. Sam is not ill. C. Sam is drunk. D. Sam is not drunk.

a) AB b) DA c) AC d) CD

2. Whenever Ram hears of a tragedy, he loses sleep.

A. Ram heard of a tragedy. B. Ram did not hear of a tragedy. C. Ram lost sleep.

D. Ram did not lose sleep.

a) CA b) BD c) DB d) AD

3. Either the train is late; or it has derailed.

a. The train is late. b. The train is not late. c. The train is derailed. d. The train is

not derailed.

a) AB b) DB c) CA d) BC


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4. When I read a horror story I have a nightmare.

a. I read a story. b. I did not hear a horror story. c. I did not have a nightmare d. I had

a nightmare.

a) CB b) AD c) BC d) AC

5. When I eat berries I get rashes.

a. I ate berries. b. I did not get rashes. c. I did not eat berries. d. I got rashes.

a) DA b) BC c) CB d) AD

DIRECTIONSfor questions 6 to 10:In each question below are three statements followed by

three conclusions numbered I, Hand III. You have to take the three given statements to be true

even if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts and then decide which of the

given conclusions logically follows from the three given statements disregarding commonly

known facts. Then decide which of the answers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 is the correct answer and indicate

it on the answer sheet. [CET 2006]

6. Statements: Some chairs are tables. Some tables are drawers. All drawers are shelves.

Conclusions: I. Some shelves are tables.II. Some drawers are chairs.

III. Some shelves are drawers.

1. Only I and III follow 2. Only I and either II or III follow

3. Only II and either I or III follow 4. All I, II & III follow

5. None of these

7. Statements: All trees are flowers. Some flowers are leaves. No leaf is bud.

Conclusions: I. No bud is a flower.

II. Some buds are flowers.

III. Some leaves are trees.

1. Only II & III follow 2. Only III follows

3. Only either I or II follows 4. Either I or II and III follow5. None of these

8. Statements: All stones are rocks. Some rocks are bricks. Some bricks are cement.

Conclusions: I. Some cements are rocks.

II. Some cements are stones.

III. No cement is stone.

1. Only I and either II or III follow 2. Only either II or III follows

3. Only I & II follow 4. All follow

5. None of these

9. Statements: All flats are buildings. All buildings are bungalows. All bungalows are

apartments.Conclusions: I. Some apartments are flats.

II. All flats are bungalows.

III. Some bungalows are flats.

1. None follows 2. Only I & II follow

3. Only II & III follow 4. Only I & III follow

5. All I, II & III follow

10. Statements: Some spectacles are lenses. Some lenses are frames. All frames are metals.

Conclusions: I. Some lenses are metals.

II. Some metals are spectacles.

III. Some frames are spectacles.

1. None follows 2. Only I follows

3. Only I and either II or III follow 4. Only I and II follow


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5. None of these

DIRECTIONSfor questions 11 to 15: In making decisions about important questions, it is

desirable to be able to distinguish between 'strong' arguments 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. [IRMA 2007]

Each question below is followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which

of the argument is a 'strong' argument and which is a 'weak' argument.

Give answer 1 if only argument I is strong.

Give answer 2 if only argument II is strong.

Give answer 3 if either I or II is strong.

Give answer 4 if neither I nor II is strong.

Give answer 5 if both I and II are strong.

11. Should the Govt. allow management of all the educational institutions in the country to frame

their own policies and make them completely free from Government interference?Arguments: I. No, the management of all the educational institutions are not capable of

framing their own policies and this may lead to biased decision.

II. Yes, Govt. interference has ruined the very essence of academic freedom the

institutions need to enjoy to provide better education.

12. Should there be only one command for all the armed forces in our country?

Arguments: I. Yes, this will help effectively coordinating activities of all the armed forces

and also will effectively increase the strike capability.

II. No, this is not practicable as each navy, air force and army have different

strategies and workforce procedures so they need to be under different command.

13. Should all the housing societies in big cities be forced to put water harvesting system inplace?

Arguments: I. Yes, this is the only way to solve perennial water shortage problem in the big

cities.

II. No, this is difficult to implement.

14. Should the Govt. allow development of SEZs on the agricultural land?

Arguments: I. Yes, this will immensely boost the economy of the rural areas as the returns

will be much higher than the agricultural products.

II. No, more and more farmers will be dislocated and will lose their livelihood

leading to many social imbalances.

15. Should the cultivation of genetically modified cotton varieties be completely banned in India?Arguments: I. Yes, many farmers in the country have suffered immensely and had to abandon

their fields after cultivating genetically modified cotton variety.

II. No, the farmers can get bumper crop by cultivating genetically modified

cotton variety which will significantly improve their financial condition.

DIRECTIONSfor questions 16 to 20: Below in each question are given two statements A and

B. These statements may be either independent causes or may be effects of independent causes or

a common cause. One of these statements may be the effect of the other statement. Read both the

statements and decide which of the following answer choices correctly depicts the relationship

between these two statements. [NMAT 2007]

Mark answer 1, if statement A is the cause and statement B is its effect.

Mark answer 2, if statement B is the cause and statement A is its effect.


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Mark answer 3, if both the statements A and B are independent causes.

Mark answer 4, if both the statements A and B are effects of independent causes.

Mark answer 5, if both the statements A and B are effects of some common cause.

16. Statements: A. Rise in petrol prices was announced recently.

B. Number of cars on the road is increasing constantly.

17. Statements: A. A bandh was called on Monday in protest against land acquisition to

set up SEZs.

B. Violence and arson totally disrupted normal life on Monday.

18. Statements: A. The health department of the Government of State 'X' ordered all the

hospitals to store sufficient stock of medicines to handle the epidemics

generally breaking out at the onset of monsoon.

B. The health department of the Government of state 'X' campaigned the

need for maintaining cleanliness among public particularly those residing

in slum areas.

19. Statements: A. Rupee has been consistently strengthening for past few months.

B. Reserve Bank of India has recently reduced the interest rates.

20. Statements: A. An increase in number of cases of depression is being observed these

days among the young students.

B. Young students have to tackle with more competition than their

counterparts faced in the past.

DIRECTIONS for question 21 to 25: Certain Assertions (A) and respective Reasons (R)

are given. Choose the correct alternative from the following: [FMS 2005]

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A3. A is true but R is false

4. Both A and R are false

21. Assertion (A) : Inside the earth metals are present in molten state.

Reason (R) : Earth absorbs the sun's rays.

22. Assertion (A) : There is no vaccine for AIDS.

Reason (R) : The AIDS virus changes its genetic code.

23. Assertion (A) : Carbohydrates provide energy to the body.

Reason (R) : Obesity is caused by excessive intake of carbohydrates.

24. Assertion (A) : In India, the judiciary is independent of the executive.

Reason (R) : Judiciary favors the government and helps in

implementation of its plans.

25. Assertion (A) : India is facing the problem of inflation.

Reason (R) : We have failed to check the growth of black money.

DIRECTIONS for questions 26 to 30: A statement is given and which is followed by

two conclusions I and II. Give the answer on the basis of given statement only:

1. If only conclusion I follows

2. If only conclusion II follows3. If either I or II follows

4. If neither I nor II follows


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26. Statement : A neurotic is a non-stupid person who behaves stupidly.

Conclusion I : Neuroticism and stupidity go hand in hand.

Conclusion II : Normal persons behave intelligently.

27. Statement : Until our country achieves economic equality, political

freedom and democracy would be meaningless.Conclusion I : Political freedom and democracy go hand in hand.

Conclusion II : Economic equality leads to real political freedom and

Democracy.

28. Statement : A corporate general manager asked four managers to either

submit their resignations by the next day or face

termination of serv ices. Three of them submitted their

resignation by that evening.

Conclusion I : The next day the remaining manager would also resign.

Conclusion II : The General Manager would terminate his service the next

day.

29. Statement : The percentage of the national income shared by the top

ten percent of household in India is about 35.

Conclusion I : When an economy grows, concentration of wealth in

certain pockets takes place.

Conclusion II : The national income is unevenly distributed in India.

30. Statement : America's defence secretary reiterated that they would

continue to supply arms to Pakistan.

Conclusion I : Pakistan is incapable of manufacturing arms.

Conclusion II : It would ensure peace in the region.

LOD-2

Exercise 18.3 (Analogies)

DIRECTIONSfor questions 1 to 4:In each ofthe questions four pairs of numbered words

follow a pair of words printed in capital letters. Choose the numbered pair of word that

expresses the same relationship as the given pair in capital letters. [FMS 2005]

1. INTERLUDE : REST

1. Vacation : Work 2. Retirement : Retreat

3. Sabbatical : Freedom 4. Intermission : Respite

2. RACISM : APARTHEID

1. Sexism : Chauvinism 2. Parochialism : Linguism

3. Nationalism : Identity 4. Communalism : Religion

3. SECULAR : SPIRITUAL

1. Amoral : moral 2. Wet : dank

3. Noisome : Hostile 4. Praise : Embarrassment

4. SINISTER : HARM

1. Malignant : Humor 2. Horrifying : Trepidation

3. Ominous : News 4. Benevolent : Bountiful


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DIRECTIONSfor questions 5 and 6: Select the set of words from the given options that BEST

expresses a relationship SIMILAR to the set in CAPITALS: [JMET 2007]

5. LIONS : PRIDE : FOREST

1. geese : gaggle : sky 2. houses : colony : city

3. fish : shoal : ocean 4. paper : ream : press

6. POET : VISION : PROPHET

1. politician : constituency : voter 2. killer : violence : terrorist

3. student : school : principal 4. plant : herbivore : food-chain

DIRECTIONS for questions 7 to 15: In each of the following questions, a related pair of words

is linked by a colon, followed by four pair of words. Choose the pair, which is most like the

relationship expressed in the original pair in capital letters. [FMS 2006]

7. ERROR : INFALLIBLE : :

1. Emotion : Invulnerable 2. Defect : Intolerable

3. Flaw : Impeccable 4. Cure : Irreversible

8. TEARS : LACHRYMOSE : :

1. Words : Verbose 2. Speeches : Morose

3. Jests : Ironic 4. Requests : Effusive

9. AUTHENTICITY : APOCRYPHAL : :

1. Wickedness : Nefarious 2. Artifice : Deceptive

3. Assertiveness : Dogmatic 4. Integrity : Hypocritical

10. SERVILITY : GROVEL : :

1. Arrogance : Titter 2. Modesty : Preen

3. Hypocrisy : Snivel 4. Anger : Fume

11. POET : DOGGEREL : :

1. Composer : Symphony 2. Painter : Easel

3. Playwright : Soliloquy 4. Novelist : Potboiler

12. LIGHT : GLINT : :

1. Colour : Shade 2. Scent : Whiff

3. Sound : Blare 4. Tide : Wave

13. VAINGLORIOUS : SELF-RESPECTING : :

1. Cantankerous : Querulous 2. Lascivious : Modest

3. Punctilious : Careful 4. Perfidious : Loyal

14. TOCSIN : DANGER : :

1. Knell : Death 2. Clarion : Battle

3. Augury : Warning 4. Antitoxin : Cure

15. HERO : ACCOLADE : :

1. Defendant : Indictment 2. Laughingstock : Ridicule

3. Mentor : Advice 4. Clodhopper : Grace

DIRECTIONS for questions 16 to 19: Each question has 4 pairs of words in a set. A set may

consist of synonyms or antonyms. [FMS 2006]

16. Mark the pair that does not go with other pairs in the set:


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1. Bawdiness : Persiflage 2. Platitudinous : Original

3. Vicarious : Secondhand 4. Ephemeral : Evanescent

17. Mark the pair that does not go with other airs in the set:

1. Enervated : Exhilarated 2. Extravagant : Parsimonious

3. Clich : Bromide 4. Indigent : Opulent

18. Mark the pair that does not go with other pairs in the set:

1. Cadaverous : Gaunt 2. Dolorous : Delightful

3. Obstreperous : Noisy 4. Obsequious : Servile

19. Mark the pair that does not go with other pairs in the set :

1. Catlike : Feline 2. Bearlike : Ursine

3. Horselike : Equine 4. Vulturelike : Vulpine

20. Given below are the names of some phobias (fears). Match the correct group of words with

the phobias given in capital letters:

CALLOPHOBIA; SCELEROPHOBIA; OCHLOPHOBIA; COPROPHOBIA.1. Colours; Celebrity; Ocean; Company

2. Company; Burglars; Crowds; Celebrity

3. Beauty; Burglars; Crowds; Faces

4. Beauty; Scenery; Orchestra; Faces

Directions Q 21-30: Fill in the blanks by forming analogies. Then tick the appropriate choice

from the given answer choices. [SNAP 2006]

21. _____________ is to constitution as prologue is to ______________.

1. Independence 2. Law 3. Preamble 4. Amendment

A. Eulogy B. Write C. Play D. Epilogue

1. 3C 2. 1D 3. 4A 4. 4D

22. ____________ is to horse as bray is to_______________.

1. Drive 2. Hoof 3. Neigh 4. Saddle

A. Relay B. Pony C. Wagon D. Donkey

1. 1D 2. 1A 3. 3C 4.3D

23. ___________ is to distance as kilogram is to _____________.

1. Far 2. Meter 3. Europe 4. Travel

A. heavy B. ounce C. weight D. noise

1. 2A 2. 2B 3. 2C 4. 1A

24. ____________ is to never as all is to ___________.

1. Always 2. Usually 3. Seldom 4. Often

A. none B. whole C. every D. total

1. 1A 2. 4D 3. 2B 4. 4A

25. ____________ is to rain as dam is to ____________.

1. Cloud 2. Fog 3. Water 4.

Umbrella

A. electricity B. flood C. high D. spillway

1. 3B 2. 1B 3. 4B 4. 1A

26. ____________ is to pacifist as religion is to _____________.

1. War 2. Atlantis 3. Object 4. Conscience


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A. devout B. sacred C. atheist D. minister

1. 4C 2. 4B 3. 1C 4. 4A

27. ____________ is to bird as shedding is to ______________.

1. Calling 2. Flying 3. Migrating 4. Moulting

A. barn B. dog C. hay D. farm

1. 4A 2. 4B 3. 2C 4. 2A

28. ____________ is to England as lira is to ______________.

1. London 2. Pound 3. King 4. Colony

A. Italy B. mexico C. mandolin D. Money

1. 1A 2. 1B 3. 1D 4. 2A

29. ____________ is to Canada as Rangoon is to ____________.

1. Detroit 2. Florida 3. Toronto 4. Alberta

A. Indonesia B. Burma C. East Pakistan D. Ceylon

1. 2B 2. 3B 3. 3D 4. 3A

30. ____________ is to all as part is to _____________.

1. Each 2. Right 3. None 4. Full

A. whole B. Separate C. role D. many

1. 1A 2. 4B 3. 1D 4. 4D

Exercise 18.4 (Argumentative Questions)

DIRECTIONS for questions 1 to 4: Each question given below isfollowed by two arguments

numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments is a 'strong' argument andwhich

is a 'weak' argument. Give answer as

1. if only argument I is strong

2. if only argument II is strong3. if either I or II is strong

4. if neither I nor II is strong

1. Statement : Should India go in for computerisation in industry?

Argument

s

:

I. No. Computerisation demands a lot of money. We should not waste money on it.

II. Yes. When advanced countries are introducing computers in various areas, how can

we afford to lag behind ?

2. Statement : Should personal tax be abolished in India?Argument

s

:

I. Yes. It will motivate people to earn more.

II. No. Individuals must learn to share their wealth with other people.

3. Statement : Should high chimneys be installed in industries?

Argument

s

:

I. Yes. It reduces pollution at ground level.

II. No. It increases pollution in upper atmosphere.

4. Statement : Should judiciary be independent of the executive?


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Argument

s

:

I. Yes. This would help curb the unlawful activities of the executive.

II. No. The executive would not be able to take bold measures.

DIRECTIONS for questions 5 to 8: In each question below there is an inference, which isbased on the given passage. Examine each inference separately in the context of the passage and

decide upon its degree of truth or falsity. Mark answer as

1. if you think the inference is 'definitely true'

2. if you think the inference is 'probably true' though not definitely true in the light of the facts

given

3. if you think the 'data are inadequate' i.e., from the facts given you cannot say whether the

inference is likely to be true or false

4. if you think the inference is 'definitely false'

PASSAGE

The reforms are aimed at having an impact over a wide cross-section of the economy.With improvements and greater efficiency in mobilising and allocating resources, the basis will

become stronger for promoting economic growth and development. The reforms aim at

increasing efficiency of the financial sector and the range of financial services available within

the economy. The introduction of bank capital adequacy and accounting standards, together with

improvement in the regulation and supervision of financial institutions and capital market, is

aimed at installing greater public confidence, ensuring safety and soundness of the financial

system, bringing about greater transparency and accountability in operations and encouraging

overall increased resources mobilisation within the economy.

5. Prior to reforms, the banking sector was running inefficiently although resource

allocation was efficient.

6. Bank capital adequacy was not in operation before reforms.

7. Public confidence has some connection with resource mobilisation.

8. The economic reforms have aimed only at the financial sector.

DIRECTIONSfor questions 9 and 10:

In each question below are given two statements, followed by four conclusions numbered I, II, III

and IV. You have to take everything given in the statements to be true although it may seem at

variance with commonly accepted facts. Then decide which of the conclusions follows from the

statements. Mark the right answer from (a), (b), (c) and (d). [FMS 2008]

9. Statements: 1. All children are adults. 2. All adults are fat.

Conclusions: I. All fat persons are children. II. All children are fat.

III. Only some children are fat. IV. Some fat persons are adults.

(a) Only I and II follow (b) Only III and IV follow

(c) Only II and IV follow (d) Only I and III follow

1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (b)

10. Statements: 1. All stones are marbles. 2. Some marbles are diamonds.

Conclusions: I. Some diamonds are stones. II. Some diamonds are not

marbles.

III. Every diamond is either a marble or a stone. IV. No stone is a diamond(a) Only I and II follow (b) Only II and III follow


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(c) Either II or III follows (d) Either I or IV follow?

1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (b)

DIRECTIONSfor questions 11 and 12:

In each of the following questions, there is a statement followed by two assumptions I and II. You

are to consider each statement and the assumptions thatfollow and decide which of the

assumptions is implicit in the statement. Indicate, your answer as (a) if only I is implicit, (b) if

only II is implicit, (c) if neither I nor II is implicit and (d) if both I and II are implicit.

[FMS 2008]

11. Statement: We should use detergent to clean objects.

Assumptions: (I) Detergents help to dislodge grease and dirt

(II) Detergents form more lather.

1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (b)

12. Statement: Every year doctors, scientists and engineers migrate from India to greener

pastures.

Assumptions: (I) Brain drain has affected India adversely.(II) Better scales and better standards of living act as a bait to lure them.

1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (b)

DIRECTIONS for questions 13 to 15:In each question given below there are two statements

labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R). Of these statements which one of

the following is correct? [FMS 2007]

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

(c) A is true but R is false

(d) A is false but R is true.

13. Assertion (A): Transformer is useful for stepping up or stepping down voltages.

Reason (R): Transformer is a device used in DC circuits.

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d)

14. Assertion (A): A beaker filled with water at 4C overflows if the temperature is increased or

decreased.

Reason (R): Density of water is maximum at 4C.

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d)

15. Assertion (A): The emergence of economic globalism does not imply the decline of socialideology.

Reason (R): The ideology of socialism believes in universalism and globalism.

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d)

DIRECTIONSfor question 16 to 20:In each question below are given two statements followed

by two conclusions numbered I and II. You have to take the two given statements to be true even

if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts and then decide which of the given

conclusions logically follows from the two given statements, disregarding commonly known facts.

Read both the statements and give answer

(a) if only conclusion I follows. (b) if only conclusion II follows.

(c) if either I or II follows. (d) if neither I nor II follows.


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16. Statements: I: Some artworks are paintings. II: All paintings are master pieces.

Conclusions: I: All masterpieces are paintings.II: Some masterpieces are artworks.

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d)

17. Statements: I: Some men are genius. II: No brother is genius.

Conclusions: I: Some brothers are men. II: Some brothers are not men.

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d)

18. Statements: I: All pants are skirts. II: No shirt is a skirt.

Conclusions: I: Some skirts are pants. II: All shirts are pants.

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d)

19. Statements: I: All planes are tyres. II: All tyres are engines.

Conclusions: I: No engine is a plane. II: No tyre is a plane.

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d)

20. Statements: I: Some cartoons are funny. II: Some cartoons are silly.

Conclusions: I: All funny are cartoons. II: Some silly are cartoons

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d)

DIRECTIONSfor questions 21 to 23:These questions are presented with three true statements:

Fact 1, Fact 2, and Fact 3. Then, you are given three more statements (labeled I, II, and III), and

you must determine which of these, if any, is also a fact. [JMET 2007]

21. Fact 1: Manoj said, "Anush and I both went to a movie last night."

Fact 2: Anush said. "I was only studying last night."

Fact 3: Manoj always tells the truth, but Anush sometimes lies.

If the first three" statements are facts, which of the following statements must also be a fact?

I. Anush went to a movie last night.

II. Manoj went to a movie last night.

III. Anush was studying last night.

1. II only 2. I only 3. I and II only 4. I, II, and III

22. Fact 1: Chairs cost between Rs. 200 to Rs. 2000.

Fact 2: Some chairs are made of aluminum.Fact 3: Some chairs are made of plastic.

If the first three statements are facts, which of the following statements must also be a fact?

I. Aluminum chairs cost more than plastic chairs.

II. Expensive chairs last longer than cheap chairs.

III. Plastic chairs costs around Rs. 200 and aluminum chairs costs around Rs

2000.

1. I only 2. II only 3. I and III only 4. None

23. Fact 1: All metros have ring roads.

Fact 2: Delhi is a metro.

Fact 3: Delhi has a population of more than 5 million.


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If the first three statements are facts, which of the following statements must also be a fact?

I. Delhi has a ring road.

II. All metros have a population more than 5 million.

III. All cities with a ring road are metros.

1. I only 2. I and II only 3. I and III only 4. I, II, and II

DIRECTIONSfor questions 24 to 25: On the basis of the given two facts, determine which of

the conclusions marked A, B, C, or D can be most logically drawn.

24. Fact I: Some musicians play Tabla.

Fact 2: All the Tabla players need to be trained for at least 10 years.

1. Children of Tabla players may require less than 10 years of training.

2. All the musicians who have trained for at least 10 years are Tabla players.

3. Some of the musicians may have been trained for at least 10 years.

4. All the musicians are Tabla players.

25. Fact 1: At a parking lot acar is parked to the right of a truck and to the left of a van.

Fact 2: A jeep is parked to the right of the truck.1. The car is to the left of the jeep.

2. The jeep is to the right of the van.

3. The jeep is parked between the car and the truck.

4. The truck is to the left of the jeep.

Q 26-30: Below is given a passage followed several possible inferences numbered from 66 to 70

which can be drawn from the facts stated in the passage. You have to examine each inference

separately in the context of the passage and decide upon- its degree of truth or falsity.

[CET 2007]

Mark answer (1) if you think the inference is definitely true i:e. it properly fallows from thestatement offacts given.

Mark answer (2) if you think the inference is probably true though not definitely true in the

light of the facts given.

Mark answer (3) if you think the data are inadequate i.e. from the facts given you Cannot say

whether the inference is likely to be true or false

Mark answer (4) if you think the inference is probably false though not definitely false in the

light of the facts given and

Mark answer (5) if you think the inference is definitely false ie. it cannot possibly be drawn

from the facts given or it contradicts the give facts.

Now, read, the following passage and the inferences given below them and mark your answers in

the answer sheet.

The serious accident in which person was run dawn by a car yesterday has again focused

attention on the most unsatisfactory state of street lighting. No one expects side roads to be

provided with the same standard of lighting, as a man road, but unless the council is prepared to

make good its promise as regards road lighting, it will only be a question of time before there

are further and perhaps fatal accidents.

26. It seems that the council has promised to improve the state of lighting on side roads.

27. Several accidents have so far taken place because of unsatisfactory lighting

28. The accident that occurred was fatal

29. The accident occurred at night30. There will not be a single accident on road if they are satisfactorily illuminated.


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LOD-3

Exercise 18.5 (Examination Questions)

DIRECTIONS for questions 1 to 5:Below is given a passage followed by several possible

inferences which can be drawn from the facts stated in the passage. You have to examine each

inference separately in the context of the passage and decide upon its degree of truth or falsity.

[IIFT 2005]

1. if the inference is "definitely true", i.e. it properly follows from the statement of facts

given

2. if the inference is "probably true" though not "definitely true" in the light of the facts

given

3. if the "data is inadequate", i.e. from the facts given you cannot say whether the

inference is likely to be true or false.4. if the inference is "probably false"' though not "definitely false" in the light of the facts

given

5. if the inference is "definitely false", i.e. it cannot possibly be drawn from the facts

given or its contradicts the given facts.

It has been estimated that if current trends continue, by 2025, about ten million people the world

over will die each year due to tobacco consumption, doubling the number tobacco-related deaths

at present. As of now, half the smoking population of the world will eventually lose their lives to

tobacco. Today, tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for disease and causes the death of

one in ten adults worldwide. These statistics are not only a cause for concern in the health sector,

but also for the economy of nations. The consumption of tobacco is the highest among the most

productive population of a country. Not only does tobacco lead to high public health costs, it alsobrings down the productivity of users. Whether rich or poor, a tobacco addict spends as much as

ten per cent of income on his addiction. The cost of the tobacco habit is devastating for poor

families as it cuts into other household expenditures. Despite the statutory warning on cigarette

and tobacco pouches, the trend of taking up smoking is continuing. The reasons for this may be

many-ranging from peer pressure to persistent advertising to idol imitation, etc.

1. Economies of nations lose much more than what they receive from the tobacco industry.

2. In India, cigarettes are only one form of consumption of tobacco.

3. Smokeless tobacco use is as harmful as smoking.

4. The most susceptible to tobacco advertising is the youth.

5. With the steps already taken for effective tobacco control, Indian tobacco users will find their

dreams of easy access to tobacco going up in smoke.

Directions Q 6 to 10: Choose that set of statements in which the third statement logically follows

from the first two. [CAT 1998]

6. A. No bird is viviparous. B. All mammals are viviparous. C. Bats are viviparous.

D. No bat is a bird. E. No bird is a mammal. F. All bats are mammals.

a) ADC b) ABE c) FBA d) AFC


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7. A. No mother is a nurse. B. Some nurses like to work. C. No woman is a prude.

D. Some prude are nurses. E. Some nurses are women. F. All women like to work.

a) ABE b) CED c) FEB d) BEF

8. A. Oranges are fruit. B. Some fruits are sour. C. Oranges are sour.

D. Some oranges are sour. E. Some oranges are not sour. F. Some apples are sour.

a) ADB b) ACE c) BFD d) BAC

9. A. Zens are Marutis. B. Zens are fragile. C. Marutis are fragile.

D. All stable are weak. E. Marutis can beat Opels. F. Opels are stable.

a) ACB b) EFD c) CEA d) ABC

10. A. Aardvarks need sleep. B. All animals need sleep. C. Dogs are animals

D. Some dogs need sleep. E. Aardvarks are animals. F. Some Aardvarks are dogs.

a) BCD b) CEF c) BEA d) BAE

DIRECTIONSfor questions 11 to 15:Below in each question are given two statements A andB. These statements may be either independent causes or may be effects of independent causes or

a common cause. One of these statements may be the effect of the other statement. Read both the

statements and decide which of the following answer choices correctly depicts the relationship

between these two statements. [IRMA 2005]

Mark answer 1, if statement A is the cause and statement B is its effect.

Mark answer 2, if statement B is the cause and statement A is its effect.

Mark answer 3, if both the statements A and B are independent causes.

Mark answer 4, if both the statements A and B are effects of independent causes.

Mark answer 5, if both the statements A and B are effects of some common cause.

11. A. The local co-operative credit society has decided to stop giving loans to farmers with

immediate effect.

B. A large number of credit society members have withdrawn major part of their deposits

from the credit society.

12. A. There is sharp decline in the production of oil seeds this year.

B. The Govt. has decided to increase the import quantum of edible oil.

13. A. The local farmers approached the NGO seeking advice to protest against the proposed

steel plant in the locality.

B. The drought situation has worsened for the third consecutive year in the area forcing

the local farmers to resort to huge borrowings.

14. A. The local Self Help Group has done a commendable job in improving the quality of

life of the poor.

B. The rich people in the area have come together and started negative campaign against

the Self Help Group.

15. A. All those farmers who are affected by the construction of the thermal power project

have decided not to allow the plant to function.

B. Majority stakeholders in the thermal power project have decided to go ahead and run

the plant.

DIRECTIONSfor questions 16 to 20:In each of the questions below one statement is followed

by blank spaces which are followed by a conclusion which can be drawn from either thestatement given in the question or from the statement given in the question and an additional


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statement which may fit in the blank space. You have to study the question and the alternatives

which provide a statement and decide which of the answers best fits between the given statement

and conclusion.

16. Statement I : Heavy unseasonal rains have lashed most parts of the city causing flood like

situation.

Blank Space : ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Conclusion : Govt. has decided to launch a massive food for work program to come out of

the crisis.

A Statement

II

: Almost the entire ripe kharif crop was washed away by the flood water.

B Statement

II

: Many villages remained marooned for over a week.

C Statement

II

: Many big cities were inundated and people rambled for food in the tiny

shops in the locality.

1. Only A2. Only B

3. Only C

4. Any one of the above statements will fit.

5. No additional statement is required to draw the conclusion.

17. Statement I : A severe cyclonic storm is likely to hit the western coast by the next forty-

eight hours.

Blank Space : ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Conclusion : There was no casualty of human beings and caused considerably less distress

to the people living in the western coastline.A Statement

II

: The weather department failed to forecast severity of the cyclonic storm.

B Statement

II

: Most of the people living in the western coast were shifted to safe shelters

with food and water.

C Statement

II

: The Govt. machinery was inadequate to move people out of the coastal area

in time.

1. Only A

2. Only B

3. Only C



18. Statement I : The citizen's awareness forum has agreed to support the Govt. in all the issues

related to decreasing environmental pollution.

Blank Space : ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Conclusion : There will be no further violation of norms set up by the environmental

pollution control board while setting up industrial units.

A Statement

II

: In the past, most of the time citizen's awareness group consented setting up

industrial units.

B Statement

II

: Citizen's awareness forum does not have enough resources to monitor all

the proposed industrial units.

C Statement

II

: Citizen's awareness forum has enough influence in the Govt. machinery

which sanctions setting up of industrial units.


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1. Only A

2. Only B

3. Only C



19. Statement I : A very large number of people were forced to wade through knee-deep water

for long distances as the transport system failed due to waterlogging.

Blank Space : ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Conclusion : The Govt. has instructed all the leading drug manufacturers in the country to

release additional quantities of antibiotics in the retail market.

A Statement

II

: A negligible number of people were found to be suffering from disease

caused due to contact of contaminated water.

B Statement

II

: People having cuts or wounds and travelled through contaminated water are

very likely to fall sick immediately after the exposure.

C Statement

II

: Local doctors have advised their patients to refrain from taking antibiotics

without checking with qualified medical practitioners.1. Only A

2. Only B

3. Only C



20. Statement I : The Govt. has asked all the private telephone service providers to immediately

slash down the STD call charges made from the villages with immediate

effect.

Blank Space : ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Conclusion : There will be a significant increase in the subscriber base of telephone services

in the rural areas.

A Statement

II

: The private telephone service providers have protested against the

government's decision.

B Statement

II

: People living in the urban areas have also demanded reduction in STD call

charges made by them.

C Statement

II

: People living in the rural areas so far were reluctant to use telephone

services.

1. Only A

2. Only B

3. Only C

4. Any one of the above statements will fit.5. No additional statement is required to draw the conclusion.

DIRECTIONSfor questions 21 to 25:In each question below is given a statement followed by

two courses of action numbered I and II. A course of action is a step or administrative decision to

be taken for improvement, follow-up or further action in regard to the problem, policy, etc. On

the basis of the information given in the statement, you have to assume everything in the

statement to be true, then decide which of the suggested courses of action logically follow(s) for

pursuing.

Give answer 1, if only I follows.

Give answer 2, if only II follows.

Give answer 3, if either I or II follows.

Give answer 4, if neither I nor II follows.Give answer 5, if both I and II follow.


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21. Statement : Many dilapidated buildings in the city collapsed during monsoon in the city

killing many residents.

Courses of

action

: I. The residents of all the remaining dilapidated buildings should be

immediately shifted to other buildings located nearby.

II. The residents of all the buildings in bad condition should be served

notices to vacate these buildings immediately.

22. Statement : Even after more than fifty eight years of independence, people living below

poverty line is still a cause for concern in India.

Courses of

action

: I. The Government should revamp the public distribution system for

providing adequate food to all its citizens.

II. The Government should make sincere efforts to generate employment

in the rural areas to improve the economic condition of the poor.

23. Statement : People residing in the locality have complained against the highhandedness

of the police officers of the local police station in dealing with people

approaching the police station with grievances.Courses of

action

: I. All the officers of the local police station should immediately be

transferred to another police station.

II. The administration should immediately investigate into the complaint

and take action against erring officers.

24. Statement : Majority of students of class IX of the vernacular medium schools have

scored very less marks in Mathematics in the final examination.

Courses of

action

: I. The school authority should immediately suspend all the Mathematics

teachers of the school.

II. All these students should be transferred to other English medium

schools.

25. Statement : It has been observed that rate of divorce is higher in the cases when both

husband and wife are having regular jobs.

Courses of

action

: I. The working couples should regularly consult the counsellors to save

their marriage.

II. One member of the couple should be discouraged to take up a regular

job.

DIRECTIONSfor questions 26 to 30: Below is given a passage followed by several possible

inferences which can be drawn from the facts stated in the passage. You have to examine each

inference separately in the context of the passage and decide upon its degree of truth or falsity.

Mark answer 1, if the inference is 'definitely true', i.e. it properly follows from thestatement of facts given.

Mark answer 2, if the inference is 'probably true' though not 'definitely true' in the light

of the facts given.

Mark answer 3, if the 'data are inadequate', i.e. from the facts given you cannot say

whether the inference is likely to be true or false.

Mark answer 4, if the inference is 'probably false', though not 'definitely false' in the

light of the facts given.

Mark answer 5, if the inference is 'definitely false', i.e. it cannot possibly be drawn from

the facts given or it contradicts the given facts.

The cotton textile industry is facing a major shortage of good quality cotton with verylittle contamination. At present, the weakest link in cotton production was the lack of homegrown


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Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton. This has been the traditional problem with the Indian industry

since independence, which has been partially overcome but growing demand is setting the

industry back. India produces about 5.3 lakh bales of ELS cotton as against the requirement of 8

lakh bales, so the need of the hour is to see that India's dependence on imported cotton is reduced

by improving the quality of domestic ELS cotton. The demand of ELS cotton is likely to increase

to 10 lakh bales due to rise in spinning capacity and also due to underpinning of ELS cotton due

to its shortage.

26. India regularly imports ELS cotton to meet its requirement.

27. India at present does not have extra spinning capacity.

28. The quality of ELS cotton produced in India is superior than that of other countries.

29. India produces about two-third of its requirement of ELS cotton.

30. There may be more than thirty per cent increase in the demand of ELS cotton in future.

Exercise 18.6 (Supporting and Concluding arguments)

DIRECTIONS: An argument is a statement meant to convince other person about your point of

view. An assertion is a point of view. A counter argument contains logic opposed to your

assertion. All the four statements given under each question contains all the four types of

arguments given under a, b, c, d b

chapter 18 verbal reasoning

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