Statement: Should taxes on colour television be further increased?
Arguments:
Yes, Colour television is a luxury item and only rich people buy them.
No, Televisions are bought by the poor too.
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
E. Both I and II are strong
Correct Answer
Neither I nor II is strong
Explanation
Clearly, taxes on an item cannot be increased or decreased on the basis of the financial position of the people who buy it. So, both arguments I and II do not hold strong.
Statement and Argument problems
Search Results
1. Statement: Should all news be controlled by Government in a democracy?
Clearly, the variety of news helps people to develop their own views. So, argument I is vague. Also, controlled news shall be a partial produce. So, it loses credibility Thus, argument II holds.
2. Statement: Should there be only one rate of interest for term deposits of varying durations in banks?
Arguments:
No. People will refrain from keeping money for longer duration resulting into reduction of liquidity level of banks.
Yes. This will be much simple for the common people and they may be encouraged to keep more money in banks.
Clearly, the proposed scheme would discourage people from keeping deposits for longer durations (the rate of interest being the same for short durations) and not draw in more funds. So, only argument I holds.
3. Statement: Should the education at all levels be offered only in vernacular medium?
Arguments:
Yes. This is the only way to enhance performance of the students.
No. This will severely affect acquiring knowledge for want of good text books in vernacular medium.
Teaching in vernacular medium would surely make it easy for students to grasp. But the use of 'only' in argument I makes if invalid. Also, teaching in international language would open up more avenues for students - in procuring books and study material, in going abroad for studies as well as taking up jobs which require interaction with people of different nationalities. So, argument II holds strong,
4. Statement: Should the oil companies be allowed to fix the price of petroleum products depending on market conditions?
Arguments:
Yes. This is the only way to make the oil companies commercially viable.
No. This will put additional burden on the retail prices of essential commodities and will cause a lot of hardships to the masses.
Clearly, oil is an essential commodity and its prices govern the prices of other essential commodities. As such, the interest of the common people must be taken care of, rather than the profitability of some oil companies. So, only argument II holds strong.
5. Statement: Should there be concentration of foreign investment in only few states?
Arguments:
No. It is against the policy of overall development of the country.
Yes. A large number of states lack infrastructure to attract foreign investment.
An equitable distribution of foreign investment is a must for uniform development all over the country. So, argument I holds. Also, no backward state ought to be neglected, rather such states should be prepared and shaped up to attract. Foreign investment as well. So, II does not hold.
6. Statement: Should the educated unemployed youth be paid "unemployment allowance" by the Government?
Arguments:
Yes. It will provide them some monetary help to either seek employment or to kick-start some 'self-employment' venture.
No. It will dampen their urge to do something to earn their livelihood and thus promote idleness among the unemployed youth.
Young people, who do not get employment due to the large number of applicants in all fields, must surely be given allowance so that they can support themselves. So, argument I is valid. However, such allowances would mar the spirit to work, in them and make them idle. So, argument II also holds.
7. Statement: Should higher education be restricted to only those who can bear the expenditure?
Arguments:
Yes. Higher education is very costly; hence it should not be given free.
No. There are a large number of brilliant students who cannot afford to pay and they should be given higher education.
For the all-round progress of the nation, all the students, especially the talented and intelligent ones, must avail of higher education, even if the government has to pay for it. So, only argument II holds.
8. Statement: Should those who receive dowry, despite the law prohibiting it, be punished?
Arguments:
Yes. Those who violate the law must be punished.
No. Dowry system is firmly rooted in the society since time immemorial.
Clearly, laws are made to ensure that no person pursues the practice. So, persons who violate the laws need to be punished. Thus, argument I holds. A wrong practice, no matter how firmly rooted, needs to be ended. So, argument II is vague.
9. Statement: Is the Government justified in spending so much on defence?
Arguments:
Yes. Safety of the country is of prime importance.
No. During peace, this money could be used for the development of the country.
Clearly, defence is necessary for the safety of the country, which is of prime importance. So, argument I holds. Also, a country can concentrate on internal progress and development only when it is safe from external aggressions. So, argument II does not hold.
10. Statement: Should girls learn arts like judo and karate?
Arguments:
Yes. It will enable them to defend themselves from rogues and ruffians.
Learning martial arts is necessary for girls for self-defence. So, argument I holds. However, argument II is vague since a training in these arts has nothing to do with their feminine grace.