Premises — I) Cloudy days tend to be less windy than sunny days. II) Foggy days tend to be less windy than cloudy days. Question — Which combined comparative conclusion follows?
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ASunny days tend to be less windy than foggy days
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BSunny days tend to be windier than foggy days
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CFoggy days and cloudy days tend to be less windy than sunny days
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DFoggy days and sunny days tend to be less windy than cloudy days
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ENone of the above
Answer
Correct Answer: Foggy days and cloudy days tend to be less windy than sunny days
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Two comparative statements establish an order of typical windiness among sunny, cloudy, and foggy days. We must derive a valid combined conclusion.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Cloudy < Sunny (less windy).
- Foggy < Cloudy (less windy).
Concept / Approach:Chain inequalities: if Foggy is less windy than Cloudy and Cloudy is less windy than Sunny, then Foggy is less windy than Sunny. Also, Cloudy is less windy than Sunny. Hence both Foggy and Cloudy are less windy than Sunny.
Step-by-Step Solution:
From II and I: Foggy < Cloudy < Sunny (in windiness).Therefore, both Foggy and Cloudy are less windy than Sunny.Verification / Alternative check:Option B (“Sunny windier than foggy”) is true but incomplete; the better combined conclusion that uses both premises is that both foggy and cloudy are less windy than sunny.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A reverses the relation. D contradicts the chain (sunny is windiest). “None” is wrong because C is valid.Common Pitfalls:Stopping at a partial inference (e.g., comparing only sunny vs foggy) instead of leveraging both premises.
Final Answer:Foggy days and cloudy days tend to be less windy than sunny days