Statement and Argument Questions

• Statement: Should an organisation like the United Nations (UN) be abolished? Arguments: I. Yes. The Cold War is over; such bodies have no role now. II. No. Without them the world will plunge into another world war. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should non-vegetarian food be totally banned in our country? Arguments: I. Yes. It is expensive and beyond the means of most people. II. No. In a democracy nothing should be banned. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should a public holiday be declared upon the demise of important national leaders? Arguments: I. No. Unscheduled holidays hamper national progress. II. Yes. People would like to pay their homage to the departed soul. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should graduation be the minimum educational qualification for entry-level jobs in public sector organisations? Arguments: I. Yes. Graduates always perform better than non-graduates due to higher education. II. No. Many cannot afford to wait for graduation yet can perform equally well at such jobs. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should India have only two political parties? Arguments: I. Yes. Many developed countries have only two parties. II. No. Indian voters are not mature enough to choose between only two parties. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should the sale of tobacco products be restricted to only a few licensed outlets in each city/town? Arguments: I. Yes. Concentrating sales points will substantially reduce tobacco consumption. II. No. Buyers should find tobacco products at convenient locations. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should sex education be imparted in schools? Arguments: I. Yes. All progressive nations provide sex education. II. No. It cannot be imparted in a coeducational school. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should there be a ceiling on the salaries of top executives of multinational companies operating in the country? Arguments: I. Yes. Otherwise unhealthy competition and comparison will arise and domestic industry may not withstand it. II. No. In a liberalised economy such ceilings are counter productive and disparities reduce as markets mature. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should knowledge of Hindi be made compulsory for all employees in public sector organisations? Arguments: I. Yes. It is necessary for interacting with people from educationally backward strata of society. II. No. It is not necessary for every employee to know Hindi. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should private sector organisations be compelled to reserve quotas for socially backward classes? Arguments: I. No. Private sector should not be governed by government rules. II. Yes. Private sector should also contribute to the upliftment of socially backward classes. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should women be advised not to travel alone at night given increasing incidents of sexual violence? Arguments: I. No. The state should strengthen prevention and protection rather than restricting women. II. Yes. It is difficult for policing to control such cases. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Are the high prices demanded by art dealers for original paintings of old masters justified? Arguments: I. Yes. These are unique antique works and collectors value rarity, hence high prices are justified. II. No. Modern painters can paint as well for much less price. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should the retirement age be brought down? Arguments: I. Yes. Lowering it opens job opportunities for younger candidates. II. No. People often marry late and their children settle late. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should India make efforts to harness solar energy to meet its energy needs? Arguments: I. Yes. Most current energy sources are exhaustible and solar is renewable. II. No. Harnessing solar requires high capital which India lacks. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should hunting be banned? Arguments: I. Yes. It is a clear environmental hazard leading to biodiversity loss. II. No. Hunters will be left without livelihood. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should children be prevented completely from watching television? Arguments: I. No. Television also carries useful educational content and information. II. Yes. It hampers the study of children. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument (Income Tax Structure): Statement: Should there be a single uniform rate of income tax irrespective of income level? Arguments: I) Yes, this will substantially reduce the workload of income-tax officials. II) No, this will reduce government tax collection to a large extent. Choose which argument is strong.
• Statement–Argument (Creation of Small States): Statement: Should smaller states be carved out of larger states in India? Arguments: I) Yes, smaller states enable greater administrative convenience and responsiveness. II) No, creating more states will jeopardise national integration. Choose which argument is strong.
• Statement–Argument (Single Medical Entrance): Statement: Should there be one common entrance test for all medical colleges (government and private) in India? Arguments: I) No, each college has unique requirements; admissions should be left to the concerned institutions. II) Yes, a single test brings uniform standards at entry and reduces multiplicity. Choose which argument is strong.
• Statement–Argument (Bank Term-Deposit Rates): Statement: Should banks offer only one rate of interest for term deposits of varying durations? Arguments: I) No, customers will refrain from longer lock-ins, reducing banks’ stable funding. II) Yes, a single rate is simpler for common people and may encourage deposits. Choose which argument is strong.