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 India encourage exports, when most things are insufficient for internal use itself?
Arguments:
Answer: A
Clearly, India can export only the surplus and that which can be saved after fulfilling its own needs, to pay for its imports. Encouragement to export cannot lead to shortages as it shall provide the resources for imports. So, only argument I holds.
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Statement: Should all the annual examinations up to Std. V be abolished?
Arguments:
1. Yes. The young students should not be burdened with such examinations which hampers their natural growth.
2. No. The students will not study seriously as they will get automatic promotion to the next class and this will affect them in future.
Answer: E
Clearly, neither the students can be burdened with studies at such a tender age, nor can they be left free to take studies casually, as this shall weaken their basic foundation. So, both the arguments follow.
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Statement: Should colleges be given the status of a university in India?
Arguments:
1. Yes. Colleges are in a better position to assess the student's performance and therefore the degrees will be more valid.
2. No. It is Utopian to think that there will not be nepotism and corruption in awarding degrees by colleges.
Answer: D
Clearly, at the college level, all the students are assessed according to their performance in the University Exams and not on the basis of any criteria of a more intimate dealings with the students. So, argument I is vague. Also, at this level the awarding of degrees is impartial and simply based on his performance. So, argument II also does not hold.
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Statement: Is buying things on instalments profitable to the customer?
Arguments:
1. Yes. He has to pay less.
2. No, paying instalments upsets the family budget
Answer: D
In buying things on instalments, a customer has to pay more as the interest is also included. So, argument I does not hold. Moreover, one who buys an item on instalments maintains his future budget accordingly as he is well acquainted with when and how much he has to pay, beforehand. So, argument II is also not valid
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Statement: Should there be a cap on maximum number of contestants for parliamentary elections in any constituency?
Arguments:
1. Yes. This will make the parliamentary elections more meaningful as the voters can make a considered judgement for casting their vote.
2. No. In a democracy any person fulfilling the eligibility criteria can contest parliamentary elections and there should be no restrictions
Answer: E
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
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Statement: Is paying ransom or agreeing to the conditions of kidnappers of political figures, a proper course of action?
Arguments:
1. Yes. The victims must be saved at all cost.
2. No. It encourages the kidnappers to continue their sinister activities
Answer: E
Both the arguments are strong enough. The conditions have to be agreed to, in order to save the life of the victims, though actually they ought not to be agreed to, as they encourage the sinister activities of the kidnappers
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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: 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: 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 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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