Statement — Residues of highly harmful pesticides have been found in popular bottled-water brands, a major jolt to a Rs 1,000-crore industry growing at 40% as more Indians seek safe drinking water.\nConclusions:\nI. The presence of pesticides in bottled water has huge public-health implications.\nII. Drinking water is harmful for human beings.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Only conclusion I follows

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The statement flags contamination in bottled water—precisely the segment marketed as “safe.” We test which conclusion is warranted.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Contamination: harmful pesticide residues.
  • Market: popular brands, large and fast-growing industry.


Concept / Approach:
Finding harmful residues in widely consumed products has serious public-health implications (I). But to generalize that “drinking water is harmful” (II) commits a sweeping overgeneralization; the issue is with contaminated bottled water samples, not the act of drinking water per se.


Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Identify scope: “popular brands” → potentially large exposure → public-health risk.2) Reject II: not all water is harmful; treatment standards vary.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Only II/Either/Both: overgeneralize beyond the stated context. Neither: ignores the obvious health implication.


Common Pitfalls:
From “some X are contaminated” to “all water is dangerous” is a logic leap.


Final Answer:
Only conclusion I follows.

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