STATEMENT AND CONCLUSIONS
'Conclusion' means a fact that can truly be inferred from the contents of a given sentence or passage'. You are required to approach the questions from a different angle. This approach emphasizes the need for being more systematic and logical in drawing inferences. It has become a regular trend in almost all competitive examinations to frame questions of these types.
A passage is given which is usually from a part of report or an economic essay or any other similar thought provoking subjects. The conclusions drawn may directly follow from the passage, can be inferred from the passage, can be inferred with the help of some key words. If an action is being undertaken and if such an action is always taken with a particular type of motive, then such a motive must exist. The use of word 'only' makes the conclusion weak. We are required to analyse the given statements, understand their direct/indirect implications and the decide which of the given conclusion follows logically
Types of Questions
There are two types of questions based on statement and conclusion which are generally asked in various competitive examinations
Type 1 One Statement and Two Conclusions
In this type of questions, we have one statement and two conclusions. We have to analyse which of the conclusions support the statement.
Directions (Illustration 1 -4) In each of the following questions, a statement is given followed by two conclusions numbered I and II.
Give answer
(1) If only conclusion I follows
(2) If only conclusion I follows
(3) If either conclusion I or II follows
(4) If neither conclusion I nor II follows
(5) If both conclusions I and II follow
Illustration 1 Statement
These apples are too expensive to be bad.
Conclusions
I. When apples are in short supply, the prices go up.
II. The higher the selling price, the superior is the quality of the commodity.
Solution (2) clearly, "Too expensive to be bad' means that it cannot be bad because it is expensive. But conclusion I, short supply favours price of rise is irrelevant to the statement.
Illustration 2 Statement
Cases of bride burning for dowry are not uncommon.
Conclusions
I. In-spite of anti-dorwy laws, the ill practice continues.
II. The punishment inflicted on the party concerned is not sufficient.
Solutions (1) these cases are not common as inspite of anti-dowry laws, the ill practice continues.
Illustration 3 Statement
This world is neither good nor bad. Everyone makes his world in his way.
Conclusions
I. Some people like this world very much.
II. Some people hate this world very much.
Solution (5) According to statement, both the conclusions are true as everyone makes his world in his own way
Illustration 4 Statement
Only good men die on time.
Conclusions
I. No good people live till being old.
II. Every person who live till being old is bad.
Solution (4) both conclusions have the same meaning. Means bad person live till they are old. But according to statement, only good men die in time viz. They live being old. Hence, neither I nor II follows.
Type 2 One Statement and Three/Four Conclusions
In this type of questions, we deal with questions, which have one statement and three/four conclusions. We have to analyse which of the conclusions supports the statement.
Illustration 5 Statement
All the students in my class are bright. Manish is not bright.
Conclusions
(i). Some students are not bright.
(ii) Manish must work hard.
(iii). Non-bright ones are not students.
(iv) Manish is not a student of my class.
Solution (4) As Manish is not bright. So it is clear that he does not belong to my class. As all bright students belong to my class.