NLS – 2004
Part B – Logical Reasoning
126. In the fifties, under the influence of socialism people believed that state can never be wrong. But in the nineties, there was a total change in the public perception, i.e. the general opinion nowadays is: “state can never be right”.
Which of the following if true would support the present public perception?
Solution: The question lists out two different public perceptions and asks which would support the current public perception. So, you should be looking for something that would prove that the state is wrong; an option that points out an instance where the state’s policy has resulted in disaster. (BRICK)
a. The track record of profitability of private units is much better than public sector units.
b. Competition between different categories of economic units is the best way to promote prosperity.
c. Nationalisation has always deepened the economic crisis.
Ans – c. Although b seems likely, it doesn’t directly relate to the policies of state. Option c on the other hand is bang on target.
127. In ancient times, the dead were generally buried along with their tools and clothing. This practice is the evidence of the belief in life after death.
Which of the following, if true, would contradict the above conclusion?
Solution: Applying BRICK – Evidence leads to conclusion question. All we have to do here is spot the assumption and find the option that negates the assumption or establish a different evidence-conclusion link. Now, the assumption here is that the tools will help the dead in their second-life and since they were buried alongside the dead, the people must have believed in life after death.
a. Belief in life after death is the central tenet of all religious faiths.
b. The burial sites were indicative of the social status of the people buried therein.
c. It was generally believed that the dead people have the same kind of requirements as the living.
Ans – c. ‘a’ and ‘b’ do not establish any link between evidence and conclusion and hence are irrelevant. C on the other hand gives an alternate reason for burying tools with dead people and hence questions the assumption that the tools were buried because the people believed in life after death.
128. The increasing reliance on computers represents a serious threat to socio-economic system. We have been witnessing numerous examples of hackers breaking the security codes of stores and banks, and obtaining sensitive financial information.
Which of the following assumptions would support the above argument?
Solution: Identifying the question-type is very important here. Although the question is worded to indicate that it is a strengthening the argument question, in reality it is an assumption-based question. So, all you have to do here is identify the assumption. As, we have seen earlier through application of BRICK, an assumption if stated expressly will strengthen the argument structure. Now, the conclusion in the above passage is that the increasing reliance on computers represents a threat to socio-economic system and the evidence relates to sensitive financial information falling into the hands of the hackers. The assumption here will relate to the missing link between the evidence and the conclusion.
a. The people obtaining such sensitive information are bound to abuse them.
b. It is not possible to develop an impregnable security system for computers.
c. Computers are not really more efficient than other system of record keeping.
Ans – a. Before you cry out aloud, why not b, think again. B only states that it is impossible to build a security system that will keep hackers out but it doesn’t lead to the conclusion that using computers poses a threat. What ‘a’, does is state that once information is obtained it will be misused and hence using computers is a bad idea. B merely states that information can be obtained.
129. Philosophy must be made a compulsory subject from fairly early stage. It will instill in students a healthy skepticism towards values that they might otherwise accept without question.
Which of the following assumptions underlies the above argument?
Solution: Fairly straightforward and should be easy with BRICK. The conclusion is stated in the first line of the passage and the reason is stated in the second line of the passage.
a. Students will turn out to be bigots in the absence of philosophical approach.
b. It is good if students questioned traditional values.
c. Students are likely to accept any idea in the absence of study of philosophy.
Ans – b. A is completely irrelevant. C is stated in the passage as conclusion. Only b provides a reason for the desirability of introduction of philosophy and leads the reason to the conclusion.
130. New problems arise with new populations and technologies. The solutions to these new problems requite new institutions as well as new political, economic and social mechanisms. Yet institutions and political and economic arrangements grow slowly and die slowly. Because old institutions die slowly, new institutions should be given every chance to succeed.
What according to the writer is the most difficult problem in socio-economic transformation of the society?
Solution: This is more of a comprehension passage question. The answer is given in the third and fourth line of the passage.
a. Devising of new institutions to solve new problems.
b. Implanting new institutions.
c. Slow growth of institutions.
Ans. B. Slow growth of institutions is a problem but even a bigger problem is replacing old institutions with new institutions.
Enlightening stuff, as usual. :D
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