Statement and Conclusion Questions

• Statement — Government seeks active involvement of traffic police to impound erring autorickshaws and act against drivers who fleece passengers or fail to install required legal equipment. Conclusions: I. Erring autorickshaws cause inconvenience to the public. II. Impounding vehicles and legal action will caution other drivers/owners.
• Statement — Mr X and Mr Y have almost equal academic records, but in dishonesty one lags behind the other. Conclusions: I. Mr X is more dishonest than Mr Y. II. Mr Y is more dishonest than Mr X.
• Statement — Residues of highly harmful pesticides have been found in popular bottled-water brands, a major jolt to a Rs 1,000-crore industry growing at 40% as more Indians seek safe drinking water. Conclusions: I. The presence of pesticides in bottled water has huge public-health implications. II. Drinking water is harmful for human beings.
• Statement — CSO advance estimates: India’s GDP will grow 4.4% in 2002–03 versus 5.6% last year; the economy has been dragged down by agriculture. Conclusions: I. Agriculture showed negative growth that failed to match last year’s robust growth. II. The news is bad for those hoping for an economic recovery.
• Statement — India has resources, favorable agro-climatic conditions, and a supportive policy environment, yet constraints prevent converting opportunities into high growth in agri-business. Conclusions: I. India lacks adequate cold-storage and transport systems. II. There is poor linkage between farmers and industry.
• Statement — A five-year BCCI ban on Mr X was quashed by an arbitrator appointed by a city court. Conclusions: I. Mr X is now free to play international cricket. II. Mr X will be inducted into the 15-member Indian team.
• Statement — “Only shortlisted candidates will be called for interview; those who do not receive call letters need not correspond,” says the recruitment cell. Conclusions: I. If a candidate possesses required qualities conducive to the role, he/she must be sent a call letter. II. The recruitment cell will not respond to candidates who do not receive call letters.
• Statement — “Large AC rooms are found to contain ~700 ppm CO₂ compared to open areas with ~320 ppm,” reports a survey. Conclusions: I. Indoor plants can help reduce CO₂ levels in AC rooms. II. Over time at workplaces, oxygen percentage drops because ~85% of the same air is recirculated inside the room.
• Statement — “While the entire opposition walked out of the Lok Sabha today, the government’s allies (TDP, DMK, Samata Party) supported the demand to roll back fertilizer prices.” — News report. Conclusions: I. The government’s decision is likely to put farmers into greater difficulty. II. The government is under intense pressure from both allies and opposition.
• Statement: Both teams X and Y have a history of very close, neck-and-neck matches, and they are scheduled to face each other in the Super Six round of the World Cup. Conclusions: I. If X and Y face each other in the Super Six, X will be the winner and Y will be the loser. II. If X and Y face each other in the Super Six, X will be the loser and Y will be the winner.
• Statement: “If I had my way, I would ban poll surveys and exit polls as they appear to be planted. Note that these polls had given fewer seats to Party X and had left Party Y way behind in the fray.” — Chief Minister of state Z Conclusions: I. Party X got more seats than poll surveys predicted. II. Party Y suffered a defeat in forming the government.
• Statement: The Government has decided to ban all naxalite organisations operating in various parts of the country. Conclusions: I. The Government is concerned about the nation’s internal security. II. Naxalite groups have been found indulging in disruptive activities.
• Statement: Britain has formalised plans to recruit Asian and Black police officers from abroad—especially from India—to fill a growing manpower shortage. Conclusions: I. Britain lacks efficient domestic manpower to meet policing demand. II. Indian police service conditions and legal framework are almost akin to Britain’s.
• Statement: “In rural areas people generally lack computer skills—some are even unaware of the word ‘computer’—but that is not the case in my native place.” — Mr. X Conclusions: I. X’s native place is a rural area. II. Most people in X’s native place are aware of computer skills.
• Statement: “India will not withdraw its troops from the border until it is satisfied that cross-border infiltration has ended.” — US Defence Secretary (reporting India’s stance) Conclusions: I. India has an optimum number of troops to sustain internal peace. II. Infiltration is a serious problem.
• Statement: “The good news is the shows have been postponed, not cancelled. The bad news is the disappointment of fans and the thousands of pounds lost.” — Mr. X on two mega Bollywood shows being postponed Conclusions: I. Thousands of viewers were preparing to watch the shows. II. The shows were to be organised in the UK.
• Statement: “If you are attacked, it is legitimate under international law to exercise the right of hot pursuit. At this moment we are not considering it.” — Union Home Minister of country X Conclusions: I. Hot pursuit is the ultimate step. II. Country X has been attacked by another country.
• Statement: “The CBSE has simplified Class X Science and Class XII Mathematics and Physics examination papers,” says the CBSE Director. Conclusions: I. This initiative will greatly improve students’ efficiency. II. Simplification is likely to reduce psychological pressure on students.
• Statement: Under a new strategy in State X, articles made of non-reusable plastic (forks, spoons, cords/strings, sheets, mats) and distribution of newspapers/periodicals in plastic wrappers have been banned as an environment-cleaning initiative. Conclusions: I. Most people of State X will be satisfied with the initiative. II. Most people of State X will not be satisfied with the initiative.
• Statement: “The government has taken every possible step to deal effectively with the drought. Our godowns are brimming with foodgrains.” — Prime Minister of country X Conclusions: I. The government of country X will not let anyone die of hunger. II. Effective and concentrated effort is likely to lessen the people’s miseries caused by drought.