Statement and Assumption Questions

• Statement: The Union Government needs to give greater attention to, and provide larger resources for, primary education and primary health. Assumptions: I. Primary education and primary health are presently inadequate and need strengthening in our country. II. Primary education and primary health are essential levers for improving overall living standards. Choose the option that best identifies which assumption(s) is/are implicit.
• Statement: People are bound to reject changes in the basic structure of the Constitution and any interference in traditional communal harmony. Assumptions: I. This statement is being made by a leader of the opposition party. II. The government in power is making or considering moves to amend the Constitution or disturb the prevailing communal harmony. Choose the option that best identifies which assumption(s) is/are implicit.
• Statement: Over the years, successive railway ministers have used the Railways’ employment potential to boost their political careers. Assumptions: I. Over the years, the Railways has offered substantial employment opportunities (vacancies/positions). II. Political careers benefit when leaders deliver direct, tangible benefits like jobs to their constituents. Choose the option that best identifies which assumption(s) is/are implicit.
• Statement–Assumption (Rail Safety Outlays and Future Mishaps): Statement: “Safety will be the primary concern. I hope that these enhanced outlays will go a long way in ensuring a safe and sound journey for the millions of passengers.” — Railway Minister (in a speech). Assumptions: I) The Railways has failed to ensure adequate safety measures for its passengers in the past. II) Strengthened safety measures and higher outlays are likely to prevent railway mishaps in the future.
• Statement–Assumption (Educated vs. Computer-Literate in the Present Scenario): Statement: “Even educated people will be termed illiterates if they are not computer-literate in the present scenario.” Assumptions: I) Every educated person needs to be computer-literate now. II) A computer expert can be termed educated even without any other type of education.
• Statement–Assumption (Pollution, Lost Purity, and Healthy Living): Statement: “There was a time when rivers were pure, earth clean, and air clear. Those days have gone. But there are still ways for you to live healthy.” Assumptions: I) Environmental conditions affect human health. II) People themselves are responsible for making the environment polluted.
• 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.