Statement and Assumption Questions

• Statement–Assumption (Feeling Unsafe in the Hands of the Police): Statement: “It may sound harsh, but it is true that people no longer feel safe in the hands of the police.” Assumptions: I) The police are unable to protect citizens adequately. II) There is no certainty of one’s life in police custody.
• Statement–Assumption (Health Awareness Ads by Governments/NGOs): Statement: “Governments, NGOs, and social organisations routinely issue announcements and informative advertising to create public awareness about health threats and lifestyle-related diseases.” Assumptions: I) These advertisements will help minimise health-related problems. II) Such advertisements create awareness among people.
• Statement–Assumption (Ideas vs. Protagonists in Determining Impact): Statement: “Ideas have always been more potent than the actual protagonists who act them out.” Assumptions: I) Famous protagonists can make any idea famous despite the lesser importance of the idea itself. II) Ideas and protagonists have exactly the same importance in any play or public action.
• Statement–Assumption (NDMC Property-Return Ads and Waste of Money): Statement: “NDMC is wasting money and valuable resources by issuing big advertisements asking people to file their property returns.” Assumptions: I) Nowadays people are not interested in filing their property taxes. II) Smaller-scale advertisements or lower-cost channels could achieve the same objective effectively.
• Statement–Assumption (What Makes Winners Different?): Statement: “Winners don’t do different things; they do things differently.” Assumptions: I) The manner or method of execution (doing things differently) is crucial to success. II) The proverb “Slow and steady wins the race” is universally true and relevant here.
• Statement–Assumption (Thomas Cup Prospects for India): Statement: “If the Indian men play to potential, they have a good chance to make the grade this time in the Thomas Cup,” says the coach. Assumptions: I) The Indian men’s team possesses the potential required to qualify/win. II) The team has potential but lacks the will to perform well.
• Statement–Assumption (Police–Community Relationship Worsening): Statement: “Police–Community relationship has been going downhill over the years, and the gap between public expectation and police performance has been constantly widening.” Assumptions: I) The police are a part of the community in a literal, structural sense. II) The police–community relationship ought to be healthy (narrow gap between expectations and performance).
• Statement–Assumption (Roots of Indifference and Social Attitudes): Statement: “Our indifference is due to our selfishness. Jealousy, fatalistic attitude, and indifferent behaviour—all of them stem from an inferiority complex.” Assumptions: I) Indifference can be minimised with love and brotherhood. II) National integration cannot be enhanced without first minimising indifference among citizens.
• Statement–Assumption (Politics as Mudslinging and Revenge): Statement: “Politics has become mudslinging at your opponents when out of power and taking revenge while in power.” Assumptions: I) Politicians have deviated from their true/ideal path of public service. II) Politicians have become habituated to misusing their power.
• Statement–Assumption (Coimbatore Bypass and Road Standards): Statement: “The new 28-km Coimbatore Bypass surpasses conventional standards in road-building. An example of advanced highway engineering, it brings destinations closer, cuts travelling time, and reduces fatigue.” Assumptions: I) The new Coimbatore Bypass is comparable to European highways. II) Conventional standards in road-building should be replaced by advanced highway engineering.
• Statement–Assumption (Institutions as Engines of Development): Statement: “If a region is crying for development, establish a new university, an advanced medical institute, and a centre for agricultural research there—and wait for the results.” Assumptions: I) Creating new states alone would not speed up development. II) Development can be accelerated by spreading education and research capacity through such institutions.
• Statement–Assumption (Raising IIC Membership Bar to High Achievers): Statement: “For members at IIC, seek out those who have topped the services exams, distinguished themselves in graduate studies, or made a mark early in arts or media.” Assumptions: I) The current selection process for membership lacks transparency. II) The present mix/standard of IIC members is below the expectations of the institution, warranting higher entry benchmarks.
• Statement–Assumption (Leadership: Young vs. Retired at the Helm): Statement: “Get rid of the practice of appointing retirees as directors. The days of half-hearted leadership are long past. We need someone young, dynamic, and enthusiastic at the helm.” Assumptions: I) Retirees cannot be dynamic and enthusiastic enough for present needs. II) Youthful dynamism is preferable to mere seniority/experience when selecting top leadership.
• Statement–Assumption (Religious Attendance vs. Television Viewing): Statement: “Disconnect your TV cable connections,” a maulana issues a fatwa, citing thin attendance during prayers at the mosque. Assumptions: I) Television programs are competing with (and more attractive than) attending prayers. II) Prayer is more important than watching television.
• Statement–Assumption (Long-Term Policy vs. Short-Term Remedies): Statement: “The long-term health of the nation and its democratic polity should be the primary concern of all political parties—short-term remedies are, at best, pain-killers.” Assumptions: I) Short-term policy helps political parties win elections. II) Only long-term democratic policy serves the nation’s best interests.
• Statement–Assumption (Civilised States and Minority Protections): Statement: “No civilised state today can deliberately violate international declarations, conventions, and covenants relating to minorities.” Assumptions: I) All civilised states enforce such international instruments equally. II) Minorities everywhere ought to receive protection from their governments.
• Statement–Assumption (Recognising Realities vs. Artificial Policies): Statement: “A statesman dealing with public affairs cannot ignore realities; non-recognition of realities leads to artificial policies and programmes.” — J. L. Nehru Assumptions: I) Artificial policies and programmes do not genuinely advantage the people. II) Those at the helm generally ignore realities and prefer populist measures.
• Statement & Assumption — In the present globalised scenario, it is time for a total overhaul of the system. Which assumptions are implicit? I. The prevailing system is not suitable for the necessities of a globalised economy. II. “Globalisation” is merely a buzzword of the new world order.
• Statement & Assumption — “The consumer is the focal point of liberalisation, globalisation, and reforms. Any manufacturing activity or service must satisfy the consumer to succeed.” Which assumptions are implicit? I. Very few companies care about consumer satisfaction. II. Consumer satisfaction is the best investment in a competitive economy.
• Statement & Assumption — “Develop a strategic plan for Internet adoption. Do not treat the Internet differently from any other crucial business decision,” says a manager at IBM India. Which assumptions are implicit? I. All crucial business decisions require a strategic plan to succeed. II. The Internet is the need of the hour.