Strong & Weak Arguments Set 15

Q1. Statement: Should all the students graduating in any discipline desirous of pursuing post-graduation of the subjects of their choice be allowed to enrol in the post-graduate courses?

Arguments:

Yes. The students are the best judge of their capabilities and there should not be restrictions for joining post-graduate courses.
No. The students need to study relevant subjects in graduate courses to enrol in post-graduate courses and the students must fulfil such conditions.
No. There are not enough institutes offering post-graduate courses which can accommodate all the graduates desirous of seeking post-graduate education of their own choice.
A. None is strong
B. Only I and II are strong
C. All are strong
D. Only I and III are strong
E. None of these

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option E

Explanation:

Only argument II is strong. The students cannot be enrolled in the courses just on the basis of their interests, but their compatibility with the same also matters. So, I does not hold. Besides, lack of institutes is no criteria to deny post-graduate courses to students. So, argument III also does not hold. II provides a genuine reason and thus holds strong.

Q2. Statement: Should we impart sex education in schools?

Arguments:

Yes. All the progressive nations do so.
No. We cannot impart it in co-educational schools.
Yes. It would certainly help in eradicating the existing misunderstanding and make the younger generation physically and mentally healthier.
It will destroy the moral fibre and the highly esteemed value system which we have inherited from our forefathers.
A. None is strong
B. Only I, III and IV are strong
C. Only II, III and IV are strong
D. Only II and IV are strong
E. None of these

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option E

Explanation:

Only II and III are strong. Clearly, the pursuance of a policy in India cannot be based on the pretext that it is followed in other countries because every country has its own environment and situations. So, argument I is vague. Also, imparting sex education in co-educational schools where boys and girls study together, could spoil the atmosphere there and hinder the studies. So, argument II is strong. However, sex education in schools can help students remove their misconceptions and doubts at a stage, when they would otherwise hesitate to discuss the same with others. Also, sex forms an integral part of the future life of the students and knowledge regarding the same, is nothing degenerative and shameful. So, argument III holds strong, while IV does not.

Q3. Statement: Should coal engines be replaced by electric engines in trains?

Arguments:

Yes. Coal engines cause a lot of pollution.
Yes. Electric engines are good on performance, easy to operate and low on maintenance.
No. India does not produce enough electricity to fulfil its domestic needs also.
A. All are strong
B. Only I and II are strong
C. Only II and III are strong
D. Only I and III are strong
E. Only I is strong

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option B

Explanation:

Clearly, electric engines shall be smoke-free and thus not cause pollution as the coal engines. They also run at higher speeds and perform better. Thus, both I and II hold strong. Argument III does not provide a convincing reason and hence does not hold strong.

Q4. Statement: Should all those who are convicted for heinous crimes like murder or rape, beyond all reasonable doubts be given capital punishment or death penalty?

Arguments:

No. The death penalty should be given only in very rare and exceptional cases.
Yes. This is the only way to punish such people who take others’ lives or indulge in inhuman activities.
Yes. Such severe punishments only will make people refrain from such heinous acts and the society will be safer.
No. Those who are repentant for the crime they committed should be given a chance to improve and lead a normal life.
A. Only II and IV are strong
B. All are strong
C. Only III is strong
D. Only II and III are strong
E. Only I, II and III are strong

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Clearly, a person committing a heinous crime like murder or rape should be so punished as to set an example for others not to attempt such acts in future. So, argument III holds strong. Argument I is vague while the use of the word ‘only’ in argument II makes it weak. Also, it cannot be assured whether a criminal is really repentant of his acts or not, he may also exhibit so just to get rid of punishment. So, argument IV also does not hold.

Q5. Statement: Should all the profit making public sector units be sold to private companies?

Arguments:

Yes. This will help the government to augment its resources for implementing the development programmes.
No. The private companies will not be able to run these units effectively.
Yes. There will be a significant improvement in the quality of services.
No. There would not be job security for the employees at all the levels.
A. Only II and III are strong
B. All are strong
C. Only III and IV are strong
D. Only I, II and III are strong
E. Only II, III and IV are strong

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

The government cannot sell off public sector units just to pool up funds for development. Besides, if it does so, these units shall be handed over to private companies which are fully equipped to run these units effectively. So, neither I nor II holds strong. Privatization shall surely ensure better services, but private companies adopt hire and fire policy and they are free to terminate the services of any employee as and when they wish to. Thus, both III and IV hold strong.

Q6. Statement: Should all the youngsters below 21 years of age be disallowed from going to a beer bar?

Arguments:

No. It is not correct to prevent matured youngsters above 18 years of age who can vote, from having fun.
Yes. The entry fee to such pubs should also be hiked.
No. There is no such curb in western countries.
Yes. This will help in preventing youngsters from getting into bad company and imbibing bad habits.
A. Only I is strong
B. Only I and III are strong
C. Only III and IV are strong
D. Only I and IV are strong
E. None is strong

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option D

Explanation:

Clearly, our Constitution considers youngsters above 18 years of age, mature enough to exercise their decisive power in Government by voting. This implies that such individuals can also judge what is good or bad for them. Thus, argument I holds strong. However, at such places, youngsters may be lead astray by certain indecent guys and swayed from the right path into bad indulgences. So, IV also holds strong. Hiking the entry fees is no way to disallow them, and also the idea of imitating the western countries holds no relevance. So, neither II nor III holds strong.

Q7. Statement: Should the government ban all forms of protests including strikes and processions?

Arguments:

Yes. This is the only way to teach discipline to the employees.
No. Government cannot deprive its citizens of their basic rights.
Yes. This is the only way to ensure maximum productivity without disruption of work.
A. None is strong
B. Only I and II are strong
C. Only II and III are strong
D. Only I and III are strong
E. All are strong

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

Clearly, strike is not a means of indiscipline but only a practice in which the workers exercise their fundamental right to voice their protest against the atrocities of the management. So, argument I is vague while II holds. Also, the option of resorting to strikes often aggravates petty issues and disrupts work for long periods, thus affecting productivity. So, III also holds strong.

Q8. Statement: Should children be prevented completely from watching television?

Arguments:

No. We get vital information regarding education through television.
Yes. It hampers the study of children.
Yes. Young children are misguided by certain programmes featuring sex and violence.
No. This is the only way to educate the masses.
A. Only I, II and III are strong
B. Only I is strong
C. Only I, II and IV are strong
D. Only I and II are strong
E. Only I, III and IV are strong

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option B

Explanation:

Clearly, television offers various educational programmes which are of great practical value to the students. So, it serves as a means (but it is not the ‘only’ means) to educate the masses. Thus, I holds strong while IV does not. Besides, the demerits of watching television, mentioned in II and III, may be done away with by allowing children to watch selected programmes on television, according to a set schedule. So, neither II nor III holds strong.

Q9. Statement: Should mercy death be legalized, i.e., all those who are suffering from terminal diseases be allowed to end their lives if they so desire?

Arguments:

No. Nobody should be allowed to end his/her life at his/her will as this goes against the basic tenets of humanity.
Yes. Patients undergoing terrible suffering and having absolutely no chance of recovery should be liberated from suffering through mercy death.
No. Even mercy death is a sort of killing and killing can never be legalized.
A. None is strong
B. Only I and II are strong
C. Only II and III are strong
D. Only I and III are strong
E. All are strong

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option E

Explanation:

Clearly, mercy death will serve as a liberation to those to whom living is more difficult and painful. But then, it is an inhuman act and does not appeal. So, both arguments II and III hold strong. Besides, it becomes our moral duty to encourage such people to live their lives to the fullest and support them through the crisis/and not demoralize them by allowing them to die if they wish to. Hence, argument I also holds strong.

Q10. Statement: Should seniority be the only criterion for the promotion?

Arguments:

No. It would be an injustice to those juniors who are more deserving and suitable for higher positions than their senior counterparts.
Yes. Otherwise senior employees do feel humiliated.
Yes. Senior employees are more experienced and must be rewarded for the same.
A. None is strong
B. Only I is strong
C. Only I and III are strong
D. Only I and II are strong
E. All are strong

Answer & Explanation

Answer: Option B

Explanation:

In an organization, what matters most is productivity and to ensure productivity, the organization needs to have effective managers and innovative, devoted and hard-working employees. Thus, the capability of the individual should be the only criterion for promotion. So, only argument I holds strong, while II and III do not.

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