L-5

Critical Reasoning

Types of question asked in RCs

1) Main Idea questions: these require overall understanding of the context of
passage/question
a. What is main idea of the author?
b. What is primary purpose of the passage?
c. The author is primarily concerned with ……?

2) Inference questions: requires us to derive additional/unstated logical understanding

of the given context
a. It can be inferred from the passage ……
b. The passage suggests that………
c. The passage implies that ……

3) Supporting idea questions: requires understanding specific context

a. Following is mentioned in the passage …….
b. The passage describes which of the following …….

4) Application questions: requires analysis of external situations (not mentioned in the

passage) to the passage
a. The author will most likely agree with ……
b. Which of the following would be authors recommendation ….

5) Assumption question: requires us to choose amongst the option which assumption

leads to possible conclusion given in question/para

Basic Components of Critical Reasoning

1. Argument
It is part of a passage or whole passage by which author tries to convince
the reader about an idea/opinion by supporting reasons

2. Conclusion
Main idea that the author is trying to convince the reader about is called
conclusion of the argument.

3. Premise
The supporting reasons that the author provides to support his conclusion
are called premises
 4. Assumption
• Supporting argument/premise which is not mentioned in the passage is
called an Assumption
• E.g. – Arjun is a member of Fren Academy; hence he must be an aspirant
of UPSC CSE

5. Inference
• Based on given information in the argument, we can logically draw an
idea (which is not mentioned in passage), that idea is called inference
• E.g. – The new traffic rules guideline will not stop drinking and driving. A
penalty of ₹500 is not sufficient.

To understand a passage fully for CR we need to identify Conclusion and Premises

correctly.
• To find conclusion:
o Indicator words – thus, hence, in conclusion, finally, for this
reason, then etc.
o To ask “what is the author trying to tell finally”
• To find premises:
o Indicator words – because, since, due to, on the basis of etc.
o After knowing the conclusion ask “what basis is author drawing
this conclusion”

Few Examples:
1. Many countries stockpile nuclear weapons in their armoury. These weapons are built
to serve more as deterrents to enemy nuclear nations than as potential weapons to
be used in case of a war erupting between two nations possessing nuclear weapons.
It is clear that no country possessing nuclear weapons would risk using them against
an enemy nation having nuclear weapons for fear of retaliation.
Which of the following is an assumption in the conclusion that no nuclear country would use
nuclear weapons in a war against its enemy country for fear of reprisal?
(A) In a war between two nuclear nations, third nations possessing nuclear weapons will
not interfere.
(B) Nuclear weapons can cause more havoc than traditional weapons.
(C) No nation possesses a nuclear device which, when deployed, can destroy all the
nuclear weapons of another country at one stroke.
(D) (D)World opinion is always against the use of nuclear weapons in a war.

2. Clive is a great fan of P.G. Wodehouse, a great writer of humorous novels, and he has
read all the novels written by the author. It shows that Clive is a jovial person and
does not take things very seriously in his personal life.
Which of the following must be the most important assumption in drawing the above
conclusion?
(A) P.G. Wodehouse does not write serious novels.
(B) Literary choices reflect the personal attitude of a person.
(C) Clive has not met with any major adversities in his personal life.
(D) The society in which Clive lives likes his jovial nature.

3. The number of surgeons in the country has registered a two-fold increase in the past
three years. However due to the advent of non-invasive medical treatments, the total
number of surgeries performed has also come down drastically. This is bound to lead
to significant decline in surgical skills of surgeons.
Which of the following is an assumption in the above argument?
(A) Of late people prefer non-invasive medical treatments to surgeries.
(B) Surgeons by and large are reluctant to use methods other than surgery, for treating
the patients
(C) The general health condition of people has improved so much that diseases or
physical disabilities warranting surgical operations have come down in number
(D) Constantly performing surgeries alone can keep the surgical skills of surgeons intact.

4. Energy consumption involves release of greenhouse gases resulting in global-

warming. Hence, it is the contention of the under-developed nations that the
economically developed countries must make a higher contribution to funds
constituted towards taking measures to fight global warming.
Which of the following is an assumption in the above argument?
(A) Developed nations are rich and hence can contribute more liberally to funds required
for fighting global warming.
(B) Energy consumption varies directly as the economic status of a nation.
(C) Fighting global warming needs huge funds which can be contributed only by the
developed nations.
(D) Global warming is an issue of concern to all especially the economically developed
nations.

5. It has been made mandatory by law for auditoriums where people assemble to be
provided with an emergency exit, apart from the usual exit gates, if the capacity of
the hall is a hundred or more.
Which of the following must be an assumption by the law makers while enacting the above
mandate?
(A) No accidents can occur in auditoriums with capacities less than hundred resulting in
human causalities.
(B) In case of an emergency, such as a fire, people become unruly which leads to a
stampede and unnecessary causality.
(C) When the number of people assembled in a hall is less than hundred, they can easily
communicate with one another and avoid stampedes.
(D) If the number of people assembled in a hall is less than hundred, it should be
possible for them to make safe exits through available gates.