Statement and Argument – Logical Reasoning – MBA CUET PG – Notes & Practice Questions

An argument is a statement or series of statements in which a certain point of view is put up, expressing different opinions for or against something.

In this type of question, certain statements are given which are concerned with an issue followed by certain arguments in favour or against that statement. Out of the followed statements we have to identify the correct arguments. Generally, both the arguments are contrary to each other and those refer to positive and negative results of the action as mentioned in the statement.

Arguments can be of two types:

• Strong Argument: An argument is strong when it follows the exact theme as the statement given. The strong argument gives the practical or real aspect of the argument. It is backed up by the facts and reason depending upon the situation.
• Weak Argument: An argument is called weak if it does not follow the theme of the given statement and it does not address all the given points in the given statements. A weak argument is not related to the real aspects and may be related to a trivial aspect of the statement.

Solved Examples

Direction (1-4): Each question given below consists of a statement, followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments is a ‘strong’ argument and which is a ‘weak’ argument.

1. Statement:

Should Government close down loss-making public sector enterprises?

Arguments:

I. No. All employees will lose their jobs, security and earning, what would they do?

II. Yes. In a competitive world the rule is ‘survival of the fittest’.

Options:

(a) Only argument I is strong

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

Sol. (a); Closing down public-sector enterprises will definitely throw the engaged persons out of employment. So, argument I holds. Also, closing down is no solution for a loss-making enterprise. Rather, its causes of failure should be studied, analyzed and the essential reforms implemented. Even if this does not work out, the enterprise may be privatized. So, argument II is vague.

2. Statement:

Should government jobs in rural areas have more incentives?

Arguments:

I. Yes. Incentives are essential for attracting government servants there.

II. No. Rural areas are already cheaper, healthier and less complex than big cities. So, why offer extra incentives.

Options:

(a) Only argument I is strong

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

Sol. (a); Clearly, government jobs in rural areas are underlined with several difficulties. In lieu of these, extra incentives are needed. So, only argument I holds strong.

3. Statement:

Should there be a cap on maximum number of contestants for parliamentary elections in any constituency?

Arguments:

I. Yes. This will make the parliamentary elections more meaningful as the voters can make a considered judgement for casting their vote.

II. No. In a democracy any person fulfilling the eligibility criteria can contest parliamentary elections and there should be no restrictions.

Options:

(a) Only argument I is strong

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Neither I nor II is strong

(d) Both I and II are strong

Sol. (d); Clearly, if there were less candidates, the voters would find it easy to make a choice. So, argument I holds. Also, every person satisfying the conditions laid down by the Constitution must be given an opportunity and should not be denied the same just to cut down the number of candidates. So, argument II also holds strong.

4. Statement:

Should so much money be spent on advertisements?

Arguments:

I. Yes. It is an essential concomitant in a capitalist economy.

II. No. It leads to wastage of resources.

Options:

(a) Only argument I is strong

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

Sol. (a); Clearly, the advertisements are/the means to introduce people with the product and its advantages. So, argument I holds strong. But argument II is vague because advertisements are an investment for better gain and not a, wastage.

Practice Questions

Direction (1-30): Each question given below consists of statement, followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments is a strong’ argument and which is a ‘weak’ argument.

1. Statement: (CUET PG 2024)

Should there be a complete ban on strike by government employees in India?

Arguments:

I. Yes, this is the only way to teach discipline to the employees.

II. No, this deprives the citizens of their democratic rights.

Options:

(a) if only argument I is strong

(b) if only argument II is strong

(c) if either I or II is strong

(d) if both I & II are strong

2. Statement:

Should government stop spending huge amounts of money on international sports?

Arguments:

I. Yes. This money can be utilized for upliftment of the poor.

II. No. Sports persons will be frustrated and will not get international exposure.

Options:

(a) Only argument I is strong

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

3. Statement:

Should the railways immediately stop issuing free passes to all its employees?

Arguments:

I. No. The employees have the right to travel free.

II. Yes. This will help railways to provide better facility.

Options:

(a) Only argument I is strong

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong

(d) Neither I nor II is strong

4. Statement:

Should there be compulsory medical examination of both the man and the woman before they marry each other?

Arguments:

I. No. This is an intrusion to the privacy of an individual and hence cannot be tolerated.

II. Yes. This will substantially reduce the risk of giving birth to children with serious ailments.

Options:

(a) Only argument I is strong

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong

(d) Neither 1 nor Il is strong

5. Statement:

Should there be a ban on product advertising?

Arguments:

I. No. It is an age of advertising. Unless your advertisement is better than 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.

Options:

(a) Only argument I is strong

(b) Only argument II is strong

(c) Either I or II is strong

(d) Both I and II are strong