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.
Give answer:
Statement: Should there be a ceiling on the salary of top executives of multinationals in our country?
Arguments:
1. Yes. Otherwise it would lead to unhealthy competition and our own industry would not be able to withstand that.
2. 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
Answer: E
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.
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Statement: Should school education be made free in India?
Arguments:
1. Yes. This is the only way to improve the level of literacy.
2. No. It would add to the already heavy burden on the exchequer
Answer: B
Making education free for all is not the only means to ensure literacy. An awareness needs to be aroused for this. So, argument I is vague. Also, such a step would require immense funds and lead to financial drain. So, argument II holds
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Statement: Are nuclear families better than joint families?
Arguments:
1. No. Joint families ensure security and also reduce the burden of work.
2. Yes. Nuclear families ensure greater freedom.
Answer: E
Clearly, with so many people around in a joint family, there is more security. Also, work is shared. So, argument I holds. In nuclear families, there are lesser number of people and so lesser responsibilities and more freedom. Thus, II also holds.
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Statement: Should government stop spending huge amounts of money on international sports?
Arguments:
1. Yes. This money can be utilized for upliftment of the poor.
2. No. Sports persons will be frustrated and will not get international exposure
Answer: B
Clearly, spending money on sports cannot be avoided merely because it can be spent on socio-economic problems. So, argument I does not hold. Also, if the expenses on sports are curtailed, the sports persons would face lack of facilities and training and our country will lag behind in the international sports competitions. So, II holds
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Statement: Is pen mightier than a sword?
Arguments:
1. Yes. Writers influence the thinking of the people.
2. No. With the help of physical force one can conquer all.
Answer: A
Physical force can accomplish a task by compulsion, while the influential writings can mould the thinking of an individual and change his discretion into accomplishing the task wilfully. So, only argument I holds strong
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Statement: Should the sex determination test during pregnancy be completely banned?
Arguments:
1. Yes. This leads to indiscriminate female foeticide and eventually will lead to social imbalance.
2. No. People have a right to know about their unborn child
Answer: A
Parents indulging in sex determination of their unborn child generally do so as they want to only a boy child and do away with a girl child. So, argument I holds. Also, people have a right to know only about the health, development and general well-being of the child before its birth, and not the sex. So, argument II does not hold strong
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Statement: Should India create a huge oil reserve like some Western countries to face difficult situations in future?
Arguments:
1. No. There is no need to block huge amount of foreign exchange and keep the money idle.
2. Yes. This will help India withstand shocks of sudden rise in oil prices due to unforeseen circumstances
Answer: B
Oil, being an essential commodity, our country must keep it in reserve. So, argument I is vague, while argument II holds as it provides a substantial reason for the same
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Statement: Should there be more than one High Court in each state in India?
Arguments:
1. No. This will be a sheer wastage of taxpayers' money.
2. Yes. This will help reduce the backlog of cases pending for a very long time
Answer: B
Clearly, an increase in the number of High Courts will surely speed up the work and help to do away with the pending cases. So, argument II holds strong. In light of this, the expenditure incurred would be 'utilization', not 'wastage' of money. So, argument I does not hold
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Statement: Should the vehicles older than 15 years be rejected in metros in India?
Arguments:
1. Yes. This is a significant step to lower down the pollution level in metros.
2. No. It will be very difficult for vehicle owners to shift to other parts in country because they will not get suitable job for their very existence.
Answer: A
Clearly, 15 year old vehicles are not Euro-compliant and hence cause much more pollution than the recent ones. So, argument I holds. Argument II is vague since owners of these vehicles need not shift themselves. They might sell off their vehicles and buy new ones - a small price which every citizen can afford for a healthy environment
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Statement: Should the tuition fees in all post-graduate courses be hiked considerably?
Arguments:
1. Yes. This will bring in some sense of seriousness among the students and will improve the quality.
2. No. This will force the meritorious poor students to stay away from post-graduate courses.
Answer: B
A hike in fees is no means to make the students more serious in studies. So, argument I is vague. However, with the increase in fees, poor meritorious students would not be able to afford post-graduate studies. So, argument II holds.
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