Statement and Arguments

Lecture 4
Statement an Arguments
• An argument is a statement or series of statements in which a certain
point of view is put forth, expressing different opinions for or against
something.
• Arguments can be of two types
• Strong Argument An argument is called strong, if it touches the practical
and real aspect of the situation a described in the statement. It is backed
up by reasons and facts related to the situation.
• Weak Argument An argument is called weak, if it is not directly related
to the given statement and it does not address all the points put forward
in the given statement. A weak argument is of minor importance or may
be related to trival aspect of the statement.
Points to be Taken Into Consideration
while
Choosing a Strong Argument
• A strong argument should give the realistic diagnosis of the situation described in the
statement.
• A strong argument should give the deep analysis of the topic dealt within the statement.
• A strong argument should relate with the statement and be supported up by facts or
established notions.
• There should be consistency and conformity in arguments with the prevailing ideas and
truth.
• A strong argument should not be mere reiteration of the situation given in the statement.
• Arguments should not be based on assumption.
• The argument should be specific, not generalised.
• The argument should not be ambiguous.
TYPE 01
Two Arguments Based Questions
• In the following type of questions, a statement is followed by two arguments and a
candidate is asked to examine the strength of both the arguments. Examples given
below will give a better idea about the type of questions asked in exam.
• DIRECTIONS ~ (Example Nos. 1-3) Study the following instructions carefully and then
answer the questions that follow. In making decisions about important questions, it is
desirable to be able to distinguish between ‘strong’ and ‘weak’ arguments so far as they
relate to the questions. ‘Weak’ arguments may not be directly related to the question
and may be of minor importance or may be related to the trivial aspect of the question.
Each question below is followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to
decide which of the arguments is a ‘strong’ argument and which is a ‘weak’ argument?
• Give answer
• (a) If only Argument I is strong
• (b) If only Argument II is strong
• (c) If either I or II is strong
• (d) If both I and II are strong
Ex #1
• Statement Should computer knowledge be made compulsory for all
school students?
• Arguments
• I. Yes, Pakistan is aiming at digitalizing its villages and starting
computer education at school level will facilitate this.
• II. Yes, this will help the youth to be better equipped to seek jobs as
computer knowledge is considered as an essential skill.
Ex # 2
• Statement Should the provision to dissolve the assembly prematurely
be amended?
• Arguments
• I. Yes, on many occasions the provision has been used by ruling
governments to fulfil vested interests.
• II. No, to fulfil the constitutional obligations and norms, it sometimes
becomes the need of the hour to dissolve the assembly prematurely.
Ex # 3
• Statement Should a child from a not-so-affluent family in India be
allowed to follow his / her passion?
• Arguments
• I. Yes, these days if a child is allowed to pursue her / his interests,
she / he can excel in it, even financially.
• II. No, even today our country does not have a strong social security
system and establishing oneself in unconventional fields is time
consuming and can be financially taxing.
• DIRECTIONS ~ (Example Nos. 4-7) Study the following instructions carefully and
then answer the questions that follow. In making decisions about important
questions, it is desirable to be able to distinguish between ‘strong’ and ‘weak’
arguments so far as they relate to the questions. ‘Weak’ arguments may not be
directly related to the question and may be of minor importance or may be
related to the trivial aspect of the question. Each question below is followed by
two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments is
a ‘strong’ argument and which is a ‘weak’ argument?
• Give answer
• (a) If only Argument I is strong.
• (b) If only Argument II is strong.
• (c) If either I or II is strong.
• (d) If neither I nor II is strong.
• (e) If both I and II are strong.
Ex # 4
• Statement Should parents in India. In future be forced to opt for only
one child as against two or many at present?
• Arguments
• I. Yes, this is the only way to check the ever increasing population of
India.
• II. No, this type of pressure tactic is not adopted by any other country
in the world
Ex # 5
• Statement Should the sex determination test during pregnancy be
completely banned?
• Arguments
• I. Yes, this leads to indiscriminate female foeticide and eventually will
lead to social imbalance.
• II. No, people have a right to know about their unborn child
Ex # 6
• Statement Should all the slums in big cities be demolished and the
people living in such slums be relocated outside the city limits?
• Arguments
• I. No, all these people will lose their home and livelihood and hence,
they should not be relocated.
• II. Yes, the big cities need more and more spaces to carry out
development activities and hence, these slums should be removed.
Ex # 7
• Statement Should there be a complete ban on mining coal in
Pakistan?
• Arguments
• I. Yes, the present stock coal will not last long, if we continue mining
at the present rate.
• II. No, we do not have alternate energy source of sufficient quantity.
TYPE 02
Three or More Arguments Based Questions
• In this type, the questions consist of a statement followed by three or
more arguments. These arguments are based on some stated facts or
any other aspect to support the statement.
• A candidate is asked to check the strength of these arguments and
accordingly choose the answer. Examples given below will give a
better idea about such type of questions
• DIRECTIONS ~(Example Nos. 8-9) Each question below is followed by
three arguments numbered I, II and III. You have to decide which of
the arguments is a ‘strong’ argument and which is a ‘weak’ argument.
Ex # 8
• Statement Should there be a complete ban on celebration of various ‘days’ in
colleges’?
• Arguments
• I. No, there is nothing wrong in celebrating the days and enjoying once in a while.
• II. Yes, children are giving more importance to such celebrations than the studies.
• III. No, this type of celebration gives opportunity for children to express their feelings.
• (a) I and II are strong
• (b) II and III are strong
• (c) Only III is strong
• (d) Only II is strong
• (e) None of these
Ex 9
• Statement Should the minimum age of marriage for boys be brought down to 18
year?
• Arguments
• I. No, an 18 year old boy is not capable of taking responsibility to start a family.
• II. Yes, since the minimum age for marriage for girls is 18 year, the same should be
applicable for boys as well.
• III. No, the boys should be allowed to marry only after they become self-
dependent.
• (a) Only I is strong (b) Only II is strong
• (c) Only III is strong (d)Only either I or II is strong
• (e) None of these
Ex# 10
• DIRECTION ~(Example No. 10) In the question below, a statement is given followed by four
arguments. You have to decide which of the following Argument(s) is strong and which is
‘weak’.
• Ex 10 Statement Should the consumption of aerated drinks be banned in India?
• Arguments
• I. Yes, this is the only way to reduce the risk of exposing people to some diseases.
• II. No, each individual should have right to choose what he wants.
• III. No, there is no confirmed evidence that such products have adverse effects on human body.
• IV. Yes, it is banned in many other countries also.
• (a) Only I is strong (b) I and II are strong
• (c) Only III is strong (d) I and IV are strong
• (e) All are strong