Statement and Argument Questions

• Statement: Should smaller states be carved out of bigger states in India? Arguments: I. Yes. It will enhance administrative convenience. II. No. It will jeopardize national integration. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should there be a ban on product advertisements? Arguments: I. No. In a competitive era, informative advertising helps products reach consumers; better ads improve discovery. II. Yes. Advertising spends are huge and inflate product cost. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should university examination bodies permit calculators in all exams? Arguments: I. No. Students must practice manual calculation to cement core concepts. II. Yes. With computers everywhere, manual calculation is unnecessary. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should sale and purchase of human organs be made legal in India? Arguments: I. Yes. In many countries it is not considered illegal. II. No. Legalizing it would open floodgates for organ sales. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should India immediately stop digging coal from its mines? Arguments: I. Yes. The present stock will not last long at current mining rates. II. No. We do not yet have sufficient alternate energy resources. III. No. Stopping abruptly will hurt millions of livelihoods and related industries. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should there be a total ban on tobacco products and smoking in India? Arguments: I. Yes. It is wrong to “smoke away” millions of rupees. II. No. Thousands of workers in the tobacco industry will be out of employment. III. No. The government will lose substantial tax revenue. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should mercy death (euthanasia) be legalised for terminally ill patients who desire it? Arguments: I. No. Ending one’s life violates basic tenets of humanity. II. Yes. Patients undergoing terrible, untreatable suffering with no chance of recovery should be allowed mercy death. III. No. Even mercy death is killing, and killing can never be legalised. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should women be given equal opportunities for employment in every field? Arguments: I. Yes. They are equally capable. II. No. They must shoulder household responsibilities. III. Yes. They too should participate in the outside world. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Argument Evaluation (Strengthen): Consider the claim: “Employees who use the gymnasium facilities are fit.” Which of the following statements, if true, most strengthens the claim?
• Argument Evaluation (Weaken): Consider the claim: “All employees who use the gymnasium facilities are fit.” Which of the following statements, if true, most weakens the claim?
• Argument Evaluation: “Nations do not compete with each other in the way corporations do.” Which of the following, if true, most weakens the statement?
• Argument Evaluation: “Major diseases afflict the elderly disproportionately, and they are generally very expensive to treat.” Which option, if true, most strengthens this statement?
• Statement: Should sale of vital human organs be made legal in India? Arguments: I. No. It goes against our culture. II. No. It will lead to unhealthy practices. III. Yes. It will end illegal trading of organs. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should conscription (compulsory defence service) be introduced in India? Arguments: I. Yes. It is the only way to tackle serious manpower shortages in defence services. II. No. Improve compensation to attract volunteers comparable to other sectors. III. Yes. Many other countries have made this compulsory. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should all deemed universities be de-recognised and attached to a Central or State university? Arguments: I. Yes. Many do not meet the standards of a full-fledged university, compromising education quality. II. No. Their autonomy allows innovative, industry-relevant courses free from strict controls. III. Yes. Many operate as money-making enterprises where education takes a back seat. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement: Should all management institutes in the country be brought under government control? Arguments: I. No. The government lacks adequate resources to run all such institutes effectively. II. No. Each institute should have freedom to function autonomously. III. Yes. This will standardize education across all students. IV. Yes. Only then will the quality of education improve. Choose the option that best identifies the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument (Mandatory Rural Service for Medical Graduates): Statement: Should government service in rural areas for at least two years after completing graduation be made compulsory for students of medicine? Arguments: I) Yes, every qualified doctor has a social duty to serve rural populations and contribute to their upliftment. II) No, such a rule unfairly targets only medical graduates, who already contribute during internship; compulsion should not single out one profession. Select the strongest evaluation.
• Statement–Argument (Journalist Access to Sensitive Information): Statement: Should the government restrict journalists’ access to sensitive information to avoid hype and potential harm? Arguments: I) Yes, sensational coverage can distort facts and escalate crises. II) No, robust access enables the media to expose malfunctions and support accountability. III) Yes, premature disclosure can harass or endanger people involved. Choose the strongest evaluation.
• Statement–Argument (Education Loans with Service Bonds): Statement: Before sanctioning education loans for higher studies, should the Government require students to sign a bond to work in India for a period? Arguments: I) No, such bonds are unworkable and could obstruct the development of young talent. II) Yes, this is the only way to ensure the nation benefits from its talent rather than just the individual. III) No, the step is too harsh. Choose the strongest evaluation.
• Statement–Argument (Fewer, Larger Banks vs Many Smaller Banks): Statement: Should India have a few large banks instead of numerous smaller ones? Arguments: I) Yes, larger banks are better able to absorb intermittent market shocks and protect depositors. II) No, mergers will render many employees redundant and cause job losses. III) Yes, consolidation will strengthen the sector and foster healthier competition. Choose the strongest evaluation.