Statement: Most Indians are aware that they have a great heritage, but only a few would include science as part of that heritage. Conclusions: I. Many Indians consider science to have made Indian heritage great. II. Many Indians are not aware that India has a great scientific heritage. Which option is correct?
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AIf only Conclusion I follows
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BIf only Conclusion II follows
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CIf both Conclusions I and II follow
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DIf neither Conclusion I nor II follows
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EIf either Conclusion I or II follows
Answer
Correct Answer: If only Conclusion II follows
Explanation
Introduction / Context:The statement contrasts wide awareness of “great heritage” with a narrow recognition of science within that heritage. We must determine which conclusion is compelled by this contrast.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- “Most Indians are aware they have a great heritage.”
- “Few include science in it.” In ordinary reasoning, “few” implies a small minority.
Concept / Approach:If only a small minority includes science within heritage, then many people do not recognise a strong scientific heritage. That supports Conclusion II. However, Conclusion I claims many consider science to have made heritage great, which conflicts with “few.”
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Map “few include science” ⇒ “many do not include science.”2) Therefore, it follows that many are not aware of (or do not acknowledge) a scientific heritage (II).3) Conclusion I asserts “many do include science,” which contradicts the premise and so does not follow.Verification / Alternative check:Check edge cases: Even if “few” were, say, 10%, “many” usually denotes a significantly larger fraction; thus I is inconsistent with the stated “few.”
Why Other Options Are Wrong:Any option including I is incompatible with the premise; “neither” overlooks the clear implication supporting II.
Common Pitfalls:Misreading “few” as “some significant number,” or equating “few” with “many.”
Final Answer:If only Conclusion II follows.