Statement:\n“The Government will review the present policy of diesel pricing in view of further spurts in international oil prices.”\n\nConclusions:\nI. The Government will increase the price of diesel after the imminent spurt in international oil prices.\nII. The Government will not increase the price of diesel to maintain a proper balance between expenditure and growth rate.\n\nWhich conclusion logically follows?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: If neither Conclusion I nor II follows

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The statement merely says the Government will review the current diesel price policy due to possible further spikes in international crude prices. “Review” means reassess or reconsider; it does not, by itself, state the outcome (increase, decrease, freeze, subsidy reallocation, tax tweaking, or formula change).


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Input: An intention to review policy under changing global conditions.
  • No declared decision regarding the direction of price change.
  • No mention of fiscal balance targets or growth trade-offs in the statement.


Concept / Approach:
In statement–conclusion questions, a conclusion “follows” only if it is a necessary logical consequence of the statement. A plan to review does not imply a predetermined outcome. Either raising, holding, or altering the pricing mechanism is still open.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Test Conclusion I (certain price hike): The statement does not commit to an increase; hence not necessary.2) Test Conclusion II (certain no increase): Likewise, not stated; could be false.3) Therefore, neither Conclusion I nor II necessarily follows from a mere review announcement.


Verification / Alternative check:
Policy reviews can result in multiple directions (indexation, bands, subsidies, duties). Without explicit direction, asserting a specific outcome is speculative.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Only I / Only II: Assert a fixed direction not present in the premise.• Either I or II: “Either” suggests exactly one must be true based on the statement, which is not established.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “review” with “increase.”


Final Answer:
If neither Conclusion I nor II follows.

More Questions from Statement and Conclusion

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