Critical Reasoning 1 With Answers

7/27/2019 Critical Reasoning 1 With Answers

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Critical Reasoning

CR has always remained a predominant area of all the aptitude tests across the globe. There

are seven main question stems under this domain.

You might be asked to

Find the Assumption

Infer

Conclude

Strengthen the Argument

Weaken the Argument

Summarise

Complete the Paragraph

Starting with this article, we shall try and take these stems piecemeal, beginning with

assumptions.

But, before we begin handling the question stems, it is important to turn a few pages

backwards, and understand some basic terms in logic.

The entire realm of logic thrives on the word Argument. An argument is NOT a verbal scuffle

between persons. The normal, day-to-day connotation that we have come to attach with the

term grossly misleads us into thinking that if two persons are fighting, with a heated

exchange of words, they are arguing. This is sheer sacrilege!!

For example:

X: Avatar is a good film.

Y: No, it is not!

X: Yes, it is!

Y: No, it is not!

is NOT an argument. It is a small exemplary piece of communication between fools. (Ah!! And

one sees so MANY of such arguments everywhere!!)

Now, compare the following with the previous:

X: Avatar is a good film.

Y: No, it is not!

X: Yes, it is! It grossed the maximum revenue ever in the history of all films.

Y: No, it is not! Revenue cannot be the single criterion to decide a films goodness. (Yes, there

IS such a word, in case you are wondering.)

Now, THIS is classic argumentation. You see, the difference between the two exchanges is that,

while the previous exchange merely lobs opinions (read conclusions, in logic), the latter

supports the conclusions with reasons (read premises). Hence, for an argument to exist, we

require a conclusion which is based upon at least one premise. Mere exchange of continual

opinions CANNOT be termed argumentation.

Therefore,

Argument= Premise/s + Conclusion.

Having understood the structure of an argument, let us examine some more examples.


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Argument 1.

Ravi is a good boy because he helps others.

Argument 2.

India is the best countryfor it is the largest democracy of the world.

Argument 3.aaraib is the best educational website available because its sole focus is the welfare of students.

Understand that the non-italicised parts are conclusions, and the italicised ones are the

premises.

(Exercise - Can you think of ways to undermine/strengthen the aforementioned arguments?)

These are examples of one-lined arguments. While solving questions, you will come across

longer arguments.

It is easy to figure out how to separate the conclusion from the premises. When you read the

statements of the argument, try to ask why do you say so, to the statements. For example, in

A1, if we ask why do you say so to the statement Ravi is a good boy, the latter part answers

satisfactorily. Hence the statement that answers the why is the reason or premise. Whereas,

the statement to which we posed the question, becomes the conclusion. If, on the other hand,

you ask the why do you say so to he helps others, the former part cannot answer.

You can do this as an exercise with longer questions. And, it is important to get this first step

correct if you want to solve questions at a fast pace. I am attaching some long questions here.

Try to figure out which statements are the premises, and which the conclusion. I shall help

you with the first two.

Ex. 1

Mr. Janeck:I dont believe Stevenson will win the election for governor. Few voters are

willing to elect a businessman with no political experience to such a responsible public office.

Ms. Siuzdak: Youre wrong. The experience of running a major corporation is a valuable

preparation for the task of running a state government.

In this conversation, Mr Janecks conclusion is that Stevenson will not win the election. When

asked why do you say so, the latter part of her conversation provides the basis for the former

opinion.

Similarly, in Ms. Siuzdaks argument, the conclusion is that Mr. Janecks opinion is wrong.

Her premise is stated immediately afterwards.

Ex. 2

At one time, European and Japanese companies tried to imitate their American rivals. Today,

American appliance manufacturers import European scientists to lead their research staffs;

American automakers design cars that mimic the styling of German, Italian, and French

imports; and American electronics firms boast in their advertising of Japanese-style devotion

to quality and reliability. In the world of high technology, America has lost the battle for

international prestige.

Here, the conclusion is - In the world of high technology, America has lost the battle for

international prestige. The premises stated are examples from the appliance, electronics and

the automakers sectors.

Your turn now!!


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1.

Studies of fatal auto-mobile accidents reveal that, in the majority of cases in which one

occupant of an auto-mobile is killed while another survives, it is the passenger, not the driver,

who is killed. It is ironic that the innocent passenger should suffer for the drivers carelessness,

while the driver often suffers only minor injuries or none at all.

2.

The earths resources are being depleted much too fast. To correct this, the United States must

keep its resource consumption at present levels for many years to come.

3.

At an enormous research cost, a leading chemical company has developed a manufacturing

process for converting wood fibres into a plastic. According to the company, this new plastic can

be used for, among other things, the hulls of small sail-boats. But what does the company think

sail-boat hulls used to be made of? Surely the mania for high technology can scarcely go further

than this.

4.

In the years since the city of Londonimposed strict air-pollution regulations on local industry,

the number of bird species seen in and around London has increased dramatically. Similar air-

pollution rules should be imposed in other major cities.

5.

Reva: Using extraneous incentives to get teenagers to change their attitude toward school and

schoolwork wont work. Take the program in West Virginia, for instance, where they tried to

reduce their dropout rate by revoking the driving licenses of kids who left school. The program

failed miserably.

Anne: Its true that the West Virginiaprogram failed, but many schools have devised incentive

programs that have been very successful in improving attendance and reducing discipline

problems.

(Provide premises and conclusions from both Revas and Annes statements.)

6.

The burden of maintaining the U.S. highway system falls disproportionately on the trucking

industry. Trucks represent only about 10 percent of the vehicles on U.S. roads. Yet road use

taxes assessed on trucks amount to almost half the taxes paid for highway upkeep and repair .

Although I started with the idea of tackling assumption based questions, I shall get back to

them in upcoming lectures.

1. Conclusion:It is ironic that the innocent passenger suffers for the drivers carelessness

Premise : As per the study , it is the passengers , who face the fatalities and not the driver.

2. Conclusion : the United States must keep its resource consumption at present levels for many

years to come.

Premise : The earths resources are being depleted much too fast

3. Comclusion: the mania for high technology

Premise : at an enormous research cost,manufacturing process for converting wood fibers into a


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plastic, that can also make smal boat hulls

4. ( easy one )Conclusion : Increase in the the number of bird species in London.

Premise : Strict air-pollution regulations on local industry

5Reva's Conclusion: Extraneous incentives to teenagers wont change thier attitude towards

school and school work

Reva's Premise : E.g of The program involving revoking of the driving licenses of kids who left

school in west virgina to reduce the school dropouts

Anne's Conclusion : Incentive programs are effective in changing the attitude of teens towards

school work

Anne's Premise : incentive programs that have been very successful in improving

attendance and reducing discipline problems

6 . Conclusion : The burden of maintaining the U.S. highway system falls disproportionately

on the trucking industry

Premise : Though Trucks represent only about 10 percent of the vehicles on U.S. roads.they end

up paying more Taxes

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Critical Reasoning 1 With Answers