Statement Arguments
Directions : Each question given below consists of a statement, followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments is a ‘strong’ argument and which is a ‘weak’ argument.
1. Statements : Should agriculture in rural India be mechanized?
Arguments : I. Yes. It would lead to higher production.
II. No. Many villagers would be left unemployed.
Arguments : I. Yes. It would lead to higher production.
II. No. Many villagers would be left unemployed.
2. Statements : Should girls learn arts like judo and karate?
Arguments : I. Yes. It will enable them to defend themselves from rogues and ruffians.
II. No. They will lose their feminine grace.
Arguments : I. Yes. It will enable them to defend themselves from rogues and ruffians.
II. No. They will lose their feminine grace.
3. Statements : Should be political parties be banned?
Arguments : I. Yes. It is necessary to teach a lesson to the politicians.
II. No. It will lead to an end of democracy.
Arguments : I. Yes. It is necessary to teach a lesson to the politicians.
II. No. It will lead to an end of democracy.
4. Statements : Should the educated unemployed youth be paid “unemployment allowance” by
the Government?
Arguments : I. Yes. It will provide them some monetary help to either seek employment or
to kickstart some ‘self-employment’ venture.
II. No. It will dampen their urge to do something to earn their livelihood and thus
promote idleness among the unemployed youth.
the Government?
Arguments : I. Yes. It will provide them some monetary help to either seek employment or
to kickstart some ‘self-employment’ venture.
II. No. It will dampen their urge to do something to earn their livelihood and thus
promote idleness among the unemployed youth.
5. Statements : Should foreign films be banned in India?
Arguments : I. Yes. They depict an alien culture which adversely affects our values.
II. No. Foreign films are of a high artistic standard.
Arguments : I. Yes. They depict an alien culture which adversely affects our values.
II. No. Foreign films are of a high artistic standard.
6. Statements : Should all the practising doctors be brought under Government control so that they get salary from the Government and treat patients free of cost?
Arguments : I. No. How can any country do such an undemocratic thing?
II. Yes. Despite many problems, it will certainly help minimize, if not
eradicate, unethical medical practices.
Arguments : I. No. How can any country do such an undemocratic thing?
II. Yes. Despite many problems, it will certainly help minimize, if not
eradicate, unethical medical practices.
7. Statements : Should higher education be completely stopped for sometime?
Arguments : I. No. It will hamper the country’s future progress.
II. Yes. It will reduce the educated unemployment.
Arguments : I. No. It will hamper the country’s future progress.
II. Yes. It will reduce the educated unemployment.
8. Statements : Should there be more than one High Courts in each state in India?
Arguments : I. No. This will be a sheer wastage of taxpayers’ money.
II. Yes. This will help reduce the backlog of cases pending for a very long time.
Arguments : I. No. This will be a sheer wastage of taxpayers’ money.
II. Yes. This will help reduce the backlog of cases pending for a very long time.
9. Statements : Are nuclear families better than joint families?
Arguments : I. No. Joint families ensure security and also reduce the burden of work.
II. Yes. Nuclear families ensure greater freedom.
Arguments : I. No. Joint families ensure security and also reduce the burden of work.
II. Yes. Nuclear families ensure greater freedom.
10. Statements : Should India give away Kashmir to Pakistan?
Arguments : I. No. Kashmir is a beautiful state. It earns a lot of foreign exchange for India.
II. Yes. This would help settle conflicts.
Arguments : I. No. Kashmir is a beautiful state. It earns a lot of foreign exchange for India.
II. Yes. This would help settle conflicts.
11. Statements : Should students take part in politics?
Arguments : I. Yes. It inculcates in them qualities of leadership.
II. No. They should study and build up their career.
Arguments : I. Yes. It inculcates in them qualities of leadership.
II. No. They should study and build up their career.
12. Statements : Should there be concentration of foreign investment in only few states?
Arguments : I. No. It is against the policy of overall development of the country.
II. Yes. A large number of states lack infrastructure to attract foreign
investment.
Arguments : I. No. It is against the policy of overall development of the country.
II. Yes. A large number of states lack infrastructure to attract foreign
investment.
13. Statements : Should luxury hotels be banned in India?
Arguments : I. Yes. They are places from where international criminals operate.
II. No. Affluent foreign tourists will have no place to stay.
Arguments : I. Yes. They are places from where international criminals operate.
II. No. Affluent foreign tourists will have no place to stay.
14. Statements : Should India engage into a dialogue with neighbouring countries to stop cross order tension?
Arguments : I. Yes. This is the only way to reduce the cross border terrorism and stop loss of
innocent lives.
II. No. Neighbouring countries cannot be relied upon in such matters, they may still
engage in subversive activities.
Arguments : I. Yes. This is the only way to reduce the cross border terrorism and stop loss of
innocent lives.
II. No. Neighbouring countries cannot be relied upon in such matters, they may still
engage in subversive activities.
15. Statements : Should a total ban be put on trapping wild animals?
Arguments : I. Yes. Trappers are making a lot of money.
II. No. Bans on hunting and trapping are not effective.
Arguments : I. Yes. Trappers are making a lot of money.
II. No. Bans on hunting and trapping are not effective.
16. Statements : Should system of offering jobs only to the wards of government employees be introduced in all government may stand to lose in the long run.
Arguments : I. No. It denies opportunity to many deserving individuals and government
may stand to lose in the long run.
II. No. It is against the principle of equality. Does not government owe its
responsibility to all its citizens?
Arguments : I. No. It denies opportunity to many deserving individuals and government
may stand to lose in the long run.
II. No. It is against the principle of equality. Does not government owe its
responsibility to all its citizens?
17. Statements : Should young entrepreneurs be encouraged?
Arguments : I. Yes. They will help in industrial development of the country.
II. Yes. They will reduce the burden on employment market.
Arguments : I. Yes. They will help in industrial development of the country.
II. Yes. They will reduce the burden on employment market.
18. Statements : Should the sex determination test during pregnancy be completely banned?
Arguments : I. Yes. This leads to indiscriminate female feticide and eventually will lead to
social imbalance.
II. No. People have a right to know about their unborn child.
Arguments : I. Yes. This leads to indiscriminate female feticide and eventually will lead to
social imbalance.
II. No. People have a right to know about their unborn child.
19. Statements : Should government jobs in rural areas have more incentives?
Arguments : I. Yes. Incentives are essential for attracting government servants there.
II. No. Rural areas are already cheaper, healthier and less complex than big
cities. So, why offer extra incentives!
Arguments : I. Yes. Incentives are essential for attracting government servants there.
II. No. Rural areas are already cheaper, healthier and less complex than big
cities. So, why offer extra incentives!
20. Statements : Should there be only one rate of interest for term deposits of varying durations in banks?
Arguments : I. No. People will refrain from keeping money for longer duration resulting
into reduction of liquidity level of banks.
II. Yes. This will be much simple for the common people and they may be
encouraged to keep more money in banks.
Arguments : I. No. People will refrain from keeping money for longer duration resulting
into reduction of liquidity level of banks.
II. Yes. This will be much simple for the common people and they may be
encouraged to keep more money in banks.
21. Statements : Should all refugees, who make unauthorized entry into a country, be forced to go back to their homeland?
Arguments : I. Yes. They make their colonies and occupy a lot of land.
II. No. They leave their homes because of hunger or some terror and on human
grounds, should not be forced to go back.
Arguments : I. Yes. They make their colonies and occupy a lot of land.
II. No. They leave their homes because of hunger or some terror and on human
grounds, should not be forced to go back.
22. Statements : Should new big industries be started in Mumbai?
Arguments : I. Yes. It will create job opportunities.
II. No. It will further add to the pollution of the city.
Arguments : I. Yes. It will create job opportunities.
II. No. It will further add to the pollution of the city.
23. Statements : Should government stop spending huge amounts of money on international sports?
Arguments : I. Yes. This money can be utilized for upliftment of the poor.
II. No. Sports persons will be frustrated and will not get international exposure.
Arguments : I. Yes. This money can be utilized for upliftment of the poor.
II. No. Sports persons will be frustrated and will not get international exposure.
24. Statements : Should the oil companies be allowed to fix the price of petroleum products
depending on market conditions?
Arguments : I. Yes. This is the only way to make the oil companies commercially viable.
II. No. This will put additional burden on the retail prices of essential
commodities and will cause a lot of hardships to the masses.
depending on market conditions?
Arguments : I. Yes. This is the only way to make the oil companies commercially viable.
II. No. This will put additional burden on the retail prices of essential
commodities and will cause a lot of hardships to the masses.
25. Statements : Should there be a maximum limit for the number of ministers in the Central
Government?
Arguments : I. No. The political party in power should have the freedom to decide the
number of ministers to be appointed.
II. Yes. The number of ministers should be restricted to a certain percentage of
the total number of seats in the parliament to avoid unnecessary
expenditure.
Government?
Arguments : I. No. The political party in power should have the freedom to decide the
number of ministers to be appointed.
II. Yes. The number of ministers should be restricted to a certain percentage of
the total number of seats in the parliament to avoid unnecessary
expenditure.
26. Statements : Should non-vegetarian food be totally banned in our country?
Arguments : I. Yes. It is expensive and therefore it is beyond the means of most people in our country.
Arguments : I. Yes. It is expensive and therefore it is beyond the means of most people in our country.
27. Statements : Should officers accepting bribe be punished?
Arguments : I. No. Certain circumstances may have compelled them to take bribe.
II. Yes. They should do the job they are entrusted with, honestly.
Arguments : I. No. Certain circumstances may have compelled them to take bribe.
II. Yes. They should do the job they are entrusted with, honestly.
28. Statements : Should India become a permanent member of UN’s Security Council?
Arguments : I. Yes. India has emerged as a country which loves peace and amity.
II. Let us first solve problems of our own people like poverty, malnutrition.
Arguments : I. Yes. India has emerged as a country which loves peace and amity.
II. Let us first solve problems of our own people like poverty, malnutrition.
29. Statements : Should the persons below the age of 18 years be allowed to join armed forces?
Arguments : I. No. Persons below the age of 18 do not attain both physical and mental
maturity to shoulder such burden.
II. Yes. This will help the country develop its armed forces which will serve
the country for a longer time.
Arguments : I. No. Persons below the age of 18 do not attain both physical and mental
maturity to shoulder such burden.
II. Yes. This will help the country develop its armed forces which will serve
the country for a longer time.
30. Statements : Should there be a ban on product advertising?
Arguments : I. No. It is an age of advertising. Unless your advertisement is better than your
other competitors, the product will not be sold.
II. Yes. The money spent on advertising is very huge and it inflates the cost of the
product.
Arguments : I. No. It is an age of advertising. Unless your advertisement is better than your
other competitors, the product will not be sold.
II. Yes. The money spent on advertising is very huge and it inflates the cost of the
product.
31. Statements : Should income tax be abolished in India?
Arguments : I. Yes. It is an unnecessary burden on the wage earners.
II. No. It is a good source of revenue.
Arguments : I. Yes. It is an unnecessary burden on the wage earners.
II. No. It is a good source of revenue.
32. Statements : Does India need so many plans for development?
Arguments : I. Yes. Nothing can be achieved without proper planning.
II. No. Too much time, money and energy is wasted on planning.
Arguments : I. Yes. Nothing can be achieved without proper planning.
II. No. Too much time, money and energy is wasted on planning.
33. Statements : Should those who receive dowry, despite the law prohibiting it, be punished?
Arguments : I. Yes. Those who violate the law, must be punished.
II. No. Dowry system is firmly rooted in the society since time immemorial.
Arguments : I. Yes. Those who violate the law, must be punished.
II. No. Dowry system is firmly rooted in the society since time immemorial.
34. Statements : Should fashionable dresses be banned?
Arguments : I. Yes. Fashions keep changing and hence consumption of cloth increases.
II. No. Fashionable clothes are a person’s self expression and therefore his/her
fundamental right.
Arguments : I. Yes. Fashions keep changing and hence consumption of cloth increases.
II. No. Fashionable clothes are a person’s self expression and therefore his/her
fundamental right.
35. Statements : Should all the infrastructural development projects in India be handed over to
the private sector?
Arguments : I. No. The private sector entities are not equipped to handle such projects.
II. Yes. Such projects are handled by private sector in the developed countries.
the private sector?
Arguments : I. No. The private sector entities are not equipped to handle such projects.
II. Yes. Such projects are handled by private sector in the developed countries.
36. Statements : Should colleges be given the status of a university in India?
Arguments : I. Yes. Colleges are in a better position to assess the students’ performance
and therefore the degrees will be more valid.
II. No. It is utopian to think that there will not be nepotism and corruption in
awarding degrees by colleges.
37. Statements : Should our country extend generous behaviour and goodwill to our erring and nagging neighbours?
Arguments : I. Yes. Goodwill always pays dividend.
II. No. Our generous behaviour and goodwill will be considered as our weakness.
Arguments : I. Yes. Colleges are in a better position to assess the students’ performance
and therefore the degrees will be more valid.
II. No. It is utopian to think that there will not be nepotism and corruption in
awarding degrees by colleges.
37. Statements : Should our country extend generous behaviour and goodwill to our erring and nagging neighbours?
Arguments : I. Yes. Goodwill always pays dividend.
II. No. Our generous behaviour and goodwill will be considered as our weakness.
38. Statements : Should cottage industries be encouraged in rural areas?
Arguments : I. Yes. Rural people are creative.
II. Yes. This would help to solve the problem of unemployment to some extent.
Arguments : I. Yes. Rural people are creative.
II. Yes. This would help to solve the problem of unemployment to some extent.
39. Statements : Should Indian scientists working abroad be called back to India?
Arguments : I. Yes. They must serve the motherland first and forget about discoveries,
honours, facilities and all.
II. No. We have enough talent, let them stay where they want.
Arguments : I. Yes. They must serve the motherland first and forget about discoveries,
honours, facilities and all.
II. No. We have enough talent, let them stay where they want.
40. Statements : Should judiciary be independent of the executive?
Arguments : I. Yes. This would help curb the unlawful activities of the executive.
II. No. The executive would not be able to take bold measures.
Arguments : I. Yes. This would help curb the unlawful activities of the executive.
II. No. The executive would not be able to take bold measures.
41. Statements : Should the opinion polls predicting outcome of elections before the elections
be banned in India?
Arguments : I. Yes. This may affect the voters’ mind and may affect the outcome.
II. No. Such polls are conducted all over the world.
be banned in India?
Arguments : I. Yes. This may affect the voters’ mind and may affect the outcome.
II. No. Such polls are conducted all over the world.
42. Statements : Should words like ‘Smoking is injurious to health’ essentially appear on cigarette packs?
Arguments : I. Yes. It is a sort of brainwash to make the smokers realize that they are
inhaling poisonous stuff.
II. No. It hampers the enjoyment of smoking.
Arguments : I. Yes. It is a sort of brainwash to make the smokers realize that they are
inhaling poisonous stuff.
II. No. It hampers the enjoyment of smoking.
43. Statements : Is paying ransom or agreeing to the conditions of kidnappers of political
figures, a proper course of action ?
Arguments : I. Yes. The victims must be saved at all cost.
II. No. It encourages the kidnappers to continue their sinister activities.
figures, a proper course of action ?
Arguments : I. Yes. The victims must be saved at all cost.
II. No. It encourages the kidnappers to continue their sinister activities.
44. Statements : Should shifting agriculture be practised?
Arguments : I. No. It is a wasteful practice.
II. Yes. Modern methods of farming are too expensive.
Arguments : I. No. It is a wasteful practice.
II. Yes. Modern methods of farming are too expensive.
45. Statements : Should higher education be restricted to only those who can bear the expenditure?
Arguments : I. Yes. Higher education is very costly, hence it should not be given free.
II. No. There are a large number of brilliant students who cannot afford to pay
and they should be given higher education.
Arguments : I. Yes. Higher education is very costly, hence it should not be given free.
II. No. There are a large number of brilliant students who cannot afford to pay
and they should be given higher education.
46. Statements : Should the vehicles older than 15 years be rejected in metros in India?
Arguments : I. Yes. This is a significant step to lower down the pollution level in metros.
II. No. It will be very difficult for vehicle owners to shift to other parts in
country because they will not get suitable job for their very existence.
Arguments : I. Yes. This is a significant step to lower down the pollution level in metros.
II. No. It will be very difficult for vehicle owners to shift to other parts in
country because they will not get suitable job for their very existence.
47. Statements : Should there be a restriction on the migration of people from one state to
another state in India?
Arguments : I. No. Any Indian citizen has a basic right to stay at any place of his/her
choice and hence they cannot be stopped.
another state in India?
Arguments : I. No. Any Indian citizen has a basic right to stay at any place of his/her
choice and hence they cannot be stopped.
48. Statements : Should the tuition fees in all post-graduate courses be hiked considerably?
Arguments : I. Yes. This will bring in some sense of seriousness among the students and
will improve the quality.
II. No. This will force the meritorious poor students to stay away from post
graduate courses.
Arguments : I. Yes. This will bring in some sense of seriousness among the students and
will improve the quality.
II. No. This will force the meritorious poor students to stay away from post
graduate courses.
49. Statements : Should high chimneys be installed in industries?
Arguments : I.Yes. It reduces pollution at ground level.
II.No. It increases pollution in upper atmosphere.
Arguments : I.Yes. It reduces pollution at ground level.
II.No. It increases pollution in upper atmosphere.
50. Statements : Should persons convicted of criminal offences in the past be allowed to
contest elections in India?
Arguments : I. No. Such persons convicted of criminal offences in the past be allowed to
contest elections in India?
II. Yes. It is democracy let people decide whom to vote.
contest elections in India?
Arguments : I. No. Such persons convicted of criminal offences in the past be allowed to
contest elections in India?
II. Yes. It is democracy let people decide whom to vote.
Answers:-
1. a 2. a 3. d 4. e 5. d 6. b 7. a 8. b 9. e 10. a 11. c 12. a 13. b 14. a 15. d 16. e 17. e 18. a 19. a 20. a 21. b 22. c 23. b 24. b 25. b 26. b 27. b 28. a 29. a 30. e 31. b 32. a 33. a 34. b 35. d 36. d 37. e 38. b 39. d 40. a 41. a 42. a 43. e 44. a 45. b 46. a 47. a 48. b 49. a 50. a
