Statement and Argument Questions

• Statement–Argument — Should the government levy tax on agricultural income in India? Arguments: I. Yes, that is the only way to fill the government's coffers. II. No, because around 80% of the population lives in rural areas.
• Statement–Argument — Should computers be used in all possible sectors in India? Arguments: I. Yes, computers increase efficiency and accuracy in work. II. No, it would be an injustice to the large human resource that is currently underutilized.
• Statement–Argument — Should young entrepreneurs be encouraged by policy and institutions? Arguments: I. Yes, this will contribute to industrial development and innovation. II. Yes, it will reduce pressure on the employment market by creating jobs.
• Statement–Argument — Should state governments retain a major share of central taxes collected in their respective states? Arguments: I. No. The Central Government funds most nationwide development programmes and therefore should receive the major share. II. Yes. Most State Governments face fund shortages and need larger shares to meet their obligations.
• Statement–Argument — Should the officer in charge of every police station be transferred every two years? Arguments: I. No. It creates administrative hassles and causes inconvenience to officers and their families. II. Yes. Frequent transfers are an effective way to break nexus between officers and anti-social elements.
• Statement–Argument — Should a major part of school examinations be made objective type? Arguments: I. No. Objective tests do not assess a student's ability to express and reason in extended form. II. Yes. This is the best method to assess ability and knowledge.
• Statement–Argument — Should all factories located in cities be shifted to far outskirts? Arguments: I. Yes. This is an essential step to control urban pollution. II. No. Such relocation will cause considerable inconvenience to employees and their families.
• Statement–Argument — Should the practice of rewarding high exam scores be stopped to reduce frustration among moderate scorers? Arguments: I. No. Rewards motivate high performers; recognition is a key incentive. II. Yes. Excessive praise for toppers can demotivate average students and sometimes trigger extreme reactions.
• Statement–Argument — Should there be a total ban on the use of plastic bags? Arguments: I. No. Specify a minimum thickness/standard so that limited, safer use is possible with lower environmental damage. II. Yes. Plastic bags cause pollution, clog drains, and aggravate waterlogging; hence a ban is necessary.
• Statement–Argument — Should English be the medium of instruction for higher education in India? Arguments: I. Yes. Even in countries like the UK and USA, higher education is in English. II. Yes. English is a widely used international language today.
• Statement–Argument — Should religion be taught in schools? Arguments: I) No; ours is a secular state. II) Yes; teaching religion helps inculcate moral values among children. Choose which argument(s) are strong.
• Statement–Argument — Will the Cauvery River water dispute finally be settled? Arguments: I) Yes; politicians of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will reach a satisfactory political settlement. II) No; each state prioritizes its own interests, so the dispute will be prolonged. Identify the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument — Does President’s Rule in a state improve law and order in disturbed areas? Arguments: I) Yes; the Chief Minister does not know how to cope with deteriorating law and order. II) President’s Rule is better than rule by the State Government. Select the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument — Can the young enjoy old movies? Arguments: I) Yes; many modern movies lack a proper story. II) No; old movies lack the glamour and pace of modern films. Choose the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument — Should adulteration in foodstuff be treated as a serious crime? Arguments: I) Yes; adulteration harms health and can even cause death. II) No; substances mixed with food are not really poisonous. Identify the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument — Should the private sector be permitted to operate telephone services? Arguments: I) Yes; private providers already operate successfully in many advanced countries. II) No; it is risky to place such services in private hands. Choose the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument — Should political parties be banned? Arguments: I) Yes; it is necessary to teach a lesson to politicians. II) No; banning parties would end democracy. Identify the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument — Should coal engines be replaced by electric engines in trains? Arguments: I) Yes; coal engines cause a lot of pollution. II) No; India does not produce enough electricity even for domestic needs. Choose the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument — Do discussions lead to solutions of disputes? Arguments: I) Yes; weighing pros and cons in proper perspective leads to the right solution. II) No; no one is really convinced. Identify the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument — Is the verdict of a judge always just and right? Arguments: I) Yes; judges are very learned and intelligent. II) No; tricky lawyers and false evidence can mislead the judge. Choose the strong argument(s).