Statement: “If I had my way, I would ban poll surveys and exit polls as they appear to be planted. Note that these polls had given fewer seats to Party X and had left Party Y way behind in the fray.” — Chief Minister of state Z Conclusions: I. Party X got more seats than poll surveys predicted. II. Party Y suffered a defeat in forming the government.
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Aif only conclusion I follows
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Bif only conclusion II follows
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Cif either I or II follows
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Dif neither I nor II follows
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ENone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: if only conclusion I follows
Explanation
Introduction / Context:The speaker alleges bias in polls, saying they underpredicted X and showed Y “way behind.” We must decide which conclusions must follow solely from this content, not from political context or results we may know.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Polls gave Party X “lesser” seats than actual (as implied complaint).
- Polls showed Party Y “way behind in the fray.”
- No explicit final government formation outcome is stated.
Concept / Approach:When a speaker contrasts poll predictions with subsequent reality, a minimal, necessary inference is that reality diverged from the poll direction indicated. For X, the statement directly claims underprediction, implying X actually secured more seats than predicted.
Step-by-Step Solution:1) For Conclusion I: “Polls gave fewer to X” → the intended meaning is that X actually got more than those polls suggested. Hence I follows.2) For Conclusion II: “Y way behind” in polls does not necessarily prove Y ultimately “got defeated in forming the government.” Being “behind” in polls could still be overcome post-poll, via alliances, or error margins.
Verification / Alternative check:If the statement had explicitly said “Y lost the government formation,” II would follow. It does not; it only critiques poll portrayals.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:Only II: not supported. Either I or II: too weak; II is not compelled. Neither: incorrect because I is compelled by the speaker’s own words.
Common Pitfalls:Reading real-world election results into the logical task; equating poor polling with certain defeat.
Final Answer:if only conclusion I follows