Question 1

Rooftop solar power growth has demonstrated an overall positive trend, but this will need to be scaled up massively to achieve the national target. Assumption: (I) With ongoing improvements to solar cell efficiency and battery technology, rooftops will only become more attractive in the fu

Accepted Answer

Both I and II follow. Statement I supports the idea that rooftop solar will become more attractive over time, which strengthens the need for scaling it up. Statement II supports rooftop solar by pointing out practical difficulties in large grid-connected projects, so it also follows. Statement III is about survey methodology and does not directly support the given claim.

Question 2

Statement: Floods have wreaked great havoc on the coasts of City A. There has been a great loss of life and property in City A. The people in the city are grieving. There are people stranded in their homes with floodwater surrounding them from all sides, with no food supply or freshwater.

Accepted Answer

Both I and II follow.. The situation describes a severe flood emergency with stranded people, lack of essentials, and an epidemic. Dropping food and freshwater is an immediate relief measure, and NGOs collecting funds and aid is also a suitable supportive action. Hence, both actions follow.

Question 3

Statement: Should trade unions be completely banned? Arguments: I. Yes. Workers can focus on production. II. No. It is the only way through which employees can put forward their demands to the management. III. Yes. Employees get their illegal demands fulfilled through these unions. IV. No.

Accepted Answer

only II is strong. Argument II is strong because it directly states a practical channel for employees to present demands. Argument I is weak because banning unions does not necessarily improve production, and III is weak because it is based on illegal demands rather than the issue itself. Argument IV is weak because comparison with other countries is not a sufficient reason.

Question 4

Statement: In 2016, the Government of India put a ban on all Rs. 500 and 1000 notes in an effort to curtail the shadow economy and impede the use of illegal and fake currency that funds illegal activities and terrorism. Arguments: I. This was the best way to tackle corruption and to stop t

Accepted Answer

Both are equally valid. Both arguments are relevant to the issue of demonetisation and express clear viewpoints. Argument I supports the measure as a way to curb corruption and counterfeit currency, while Argument II opposes it by criticizing its implementation and rationale. Hence, both are considered strong in this type of question.

Question 5

Kapil has twelve years of typing experience behind him; therefore, if you are looking for an efficient typist to enter your data into the new system, you need look no further. The speaker assumes that:

Accepted Answer

Twelve years of practice ensures typing efficiency. The argument: 'Kapil has 12 years experience → he is an efficient typist'. For this to be valid, the speaker must assume that years of practice translate directly into efficiency. This is the bridge assumption. Option B (same type of typing) would be relevant for 'suitable for the new system' but the conclusion is about efficiency in general.

Question 6

Passage: There is a much-anticipated plan to build three parks across three major locations in the city, mainly focused on younger children's physical and mental development, bearing the slogan 'Learn and Play' through games and exercise. There will also be a nominal fee charged for every

Accepted Answer

Only III. The plan is for children's parks focused on younger children's development. If most rides are made for adults and not for children, that directly undermines the purpose of the parks and weakens the plan the most.

Question 7

The US President has downsized his country's nuclear arsenal, helped negotiate a deal to halt Iran's nuclear-weapons programme, and led a global initiative to secure radioactive materials. But his legacy on nuclear issues remains uncertain, as progress in securing nuclear materials has bee

Accepted Answer

One's lasting fame depends on the velocity with which one's initiatives are carried out.. The speaker suggests that the president's legacy is uncertain because progress has been slow. This assumes that the value or lasting fame of such initiatives depends on how quickly they succeed. The other options are too extreme or introduce unsupported outcomes.

Question 8

Flood is a natural disaster caused by the accumulation of excessive water in a region, often due to heavy rainfall. Many regions also face floods due to the overflow of river or ocean water, breaking of dams, and melting of snow. Argument I: Many people and animals lose their lives because

Accepted Answer

If both I and II are strong. Both arguments are strong because they are directly related to the effects of floods. Argument I states a valid consequence of flash floods, and Argument II correctly points out disease risks due to stagnant water after floods.

Question 9

In the following question, three statements numbered I, II, and III are given. Read all the statements and determine the cause-and-effect relationship between them. I. In urban areas, the poor bear the brunt of environmental effects such as water or air pollution. II. Rapid urban developme

Accepted Answer

Statement II is the cause, I and III are its effects.. Statement II gives the root cause: urban growth has exceeded environmental infrastructure. This can lead to pollution-related hardship for the poor in urban areas, as stated in I, and also encourages unchecked construction and neglect of environmental concerns, as stated in III. Therefore, II is the cause and I and III are its effects.

Question 10

The difficulty with the proposed high-speed train line is that a used plane can be bought for one-third the price of the train line, and the plane, which is just as fast, can fly anywhere. The train would be a fixed linear system, and we live in a world that is spreading out in all directi

Accepted Answer

Planes are not a free-wheel system because they can fly only between airports, which are less convenient for consumers than the high-speed train's stations would be.. The argument assumes consumers prefer free-wheel systems because they have no fixed routes. If planes are not truly free-wheel systems and are less convenient due to airport restrictions, then the comparison used to reject the train is undermined. This weakens the conclusion most directly.

Question 11

Dismissing four petitions challenging the collection of fine in cars when the drivers were found without a mask, the Delhi high court said it is mandatory to wear a mask in a private car even when the driver is alone in the car, as a vehicle is considered a public place. The high court sai

Accepted Answer

Only I and II. Hypothesis I: Making mask mandatory with fines creates compliance pressure → people will wear masks even alone. Valid inference ✓. Hypothesis II: Court using term 'Suraksha Kavach' spreads awareness about mask importance. Valid ✓. Hypothesis III: Car usage is unrelated to a mask mandate ruling — fewer cars is not implied. Invalid ✗. Answer: Only I and II.

Question 12

An advertisement for an exchange offer on furniture states: 'Exchange your old furniture for new — the simplest and most cost-effective way to keep your home up-to-date!' Assumption I: There is no demand for furniture products. Assumption II: The advertisement offers the simplest and most

Accepted Answer

Only III. Assumption I: An exchange offer implies there IS demand — assumption I is actually contrary to the offer's premise. Not implicit. Assumption II: 'Simplest and cost-effective' is what the ad claims, not a hidden assumption. Not implicit. Assumption III: The ad assumes that some customers wish to modernize their homes cost-effectively — this is the target audience assumption that makes the ad valid. Implicit ✓.

Question 13

To provide proper education, we need to improve our education system. To improve the education system, we need good teachers. To provide good teachers, we again need good education. In India, there are some good institutes too, but most students opt for a job rather than trying a career in

Accepted Answer

A) Both I and II follow. The passage says fewer students choose teaching because salaries are low and the eligibility requirement is high. Increasing salary can attract more candidates, and reducing the minimum qualification can also widen participation. Hence both actions are relevant.

Question 14

Statement: Our economy, people's health and mental anxiety will continue until the vaccination programme is completed. We should aim to finish the vaccination in six months instead of two years. For this, we need to increase the current pace to four times the current level, or to 8 crore d

Accepted Answer

All follow. All three actions are relevant to speeding up vaccination. Securing supply, increasing approved sources and manufacturing, and expanding administering centres all help raise the pace needed to complete the programme sooner.

Question 15

Statement: Should the University of country A give its first preference to locals regardless of merit? Arguments: I. Yes, students of country A should get the benefit of being natives. II. No, every citizen of the country has the right to study in a university of the country of their choic

Accepted Answer

Neither argument I nor II is strong. Argument I is weak because it supports preference based on nativity, which ignores merit. Argument II is also weak because it states a broad right without addressing whether first preference should be given regardless of merit.

Question 16

Statement: 17 million children in the US have or have had a psychiatric disorder, but there are currently less than 60,000 beds to accommodate them. Inferences: I. The US government does not give too much importance to the difficult issue of mental health. II. Funding is limited for mental

Accepted Answer

Only I follows. Inference I: 17 million affected vs. <60,000 beds indicates inadequate provision → government under-prioritizes mental health. VALID ✓. Inference II: 'for medical aid in general' goes beyond the statement (only mental health mentioned). INVALID ✗. Inference III: No comparative data about other countries is given. INVALID ✗. Only I follows.

Question 17

Statement: "If it does not rain throughout this month, most farmers would be in trouble this year." Assumptions: I. Timely rain is essential for farming. II. Most farmers are generally dependent on rains.

Accepted Answer

If both I and II are implicit.. For the statement 'no rain → most farmers in trouble' to hold: Assumption I must be true (rain is essential for farming — otherwise no rain wouldn't cause trouble) ✓. Assumption II must be true (most farmers depend on rain — statement specifically says 'most farmers' would be troubled) ✓. Both are implicit.

Question 18

Study the following information and answer the question given. School X had been allowing local people to use its basketball court and cricket ground after school hours by charging fees. This had helped the school generate a significant amount of additional income in the past few years. Ho

Accepted Answer

The governing board of School X denied access to the school premises to outsiders (other than parents of students) in this year's board meeting for security reasons.. The question asks for the statement that does not strengthen the decision. The board’s security-based denial is an independent administrative action, not evidence that the practice itself should be discontinued. The other options directly support discontinuation by showing reduced income, disturbance, or damage.

Question 19

Statement: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition scored a landslide victory in the polls, boosted by his campaign promises to invest more heavily in education and childcare, aimed partly at encouraging more women to join the workforce. Assumptions: 1. The number of women workers in

Accepted Answer

2. The statement directly links education and childcare with encouraging more women to join the workforce, so assumption 2 is supported. Assumption 1 about the relative number of women and men workers is not stated or implied clearly.

Question 20

"We have formulated a 10-point programme to curb molestation cases against women and we are confident of restricting eve-teasing cases with the help of our sincere cops," said the Director General of Police of city X. Which of the following, if true, would weaken the statement?

Accepted Answer

On several occasions women have complained against police cops and have charged them with indulging in eve-teasing.. The claim assumes that sincere police officers will help reduce eve-teasing. If women have repeatedly complained that police cops themselves indulge in eve-teasing, that directly weakens the confidence expressed by the DGP. The other options do not directly attack the argument.

Question 21

Statement: Should selection tests be objective rather than descriptive? Arguments: I. Yes. The assessment of answers to objective-type questions is fair and impartial. II. No. The descriptive-type test is certainly a better tool than the objective-type test.

Accepted Answer

Only argument I is strong. Argument I is strong because objective tests can be evaluated uniformly, reducing subjectivity. Argument II is weak because it merely states a preference for descriptive tests without giving a convincing reason relevant to the question.

Question 22

Which of the following arguments are strong with respect to the given statement? Statement: 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away' — instruction given by the Health Ministry of India. Arguments: I. Every individual should consume an apple daily to keep himself fit physically and mentally.

Accepted Answer

None of these. Argument I is too absolute, II is irrelevant to the statement about apples, III is a practical objection but not a strong logical argument against the statement, and IV shifts to alternatives rather than addressing the claim. Hence, none of the given combinations is correct.

Question 23

The Indian Meteorological Department's forecast of above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures across the country during the pre-monsoon March-May period is a timely alert for State authorities to review their preparedness. (I) Even a marginal rise above normal will lead to enormous heat

Accepted Answer

Only I follows. Statement I follows because the forecast of above-normal temperatures reasonably supports the idea that even a small rise can increase heat stress. Statement II does not follow because it introduces additional claims about recent decades, extreme heat waves, and deaths that are not stated in the passage.

Question 24

Statement: A record of sorts was created after the UP government, which advertised 368 posts of peon in the secretariat, received 23 lakh responses. The minimum qualification for the post of peon is that the applicant should be a class five pass and know how to ride a bicycle. Grabbing the

Accepted Answer

Only III is strong. Argument III is strong because debarring qualified people from jobs can be seen as violating their basic rights. The other arguments are either indirect, speculative, or not sufficiently relevant to the issue asked.

Question 25

Statement: The situation in this area still continues to be tense and out of control. People are requested to stay in their homes. Assumptions: I. There had been some serious incidents. II. People will not go to the office. III. Normalcy will be restored shortly. Which assumption(s) is/are

Accepted Answer

Only I is implicit. The request to stay indoors implies that some serious incidents or disturbance have occurred, so assumption I is implicit. However, the statement does not say anything definite about office-going or about normalcy being restored shortly. Hence only I follows.

Question 26

Statement: Should promotions in the armed forces be made on the basis of seniority? Arguments: I. No, patriotism is the most important attribute for such promotions. II. No, it would be an injustice to juniors who are more deserving and suitable for higher positions.

Accepted Answer

If only argument II is strong.. Argument I is weak because patriotism, though desirable, is not the direct criterion for promotion in the armed forces. Argument II is strong because it directly addresses the fairness and suitability of promotions, which is relevant to the issue.

Question 27

Statements: I. The Western District of New York Human Trafficking Task Force is launching a new public campaign to call attention to the ongoing issue of human trafficking for both sexual and labour purposes. II. The International Labour Organization estimates that there are between 400,00

Accepted Answer

Only conclusion II follows. Conclusion II follows because the statement clearly mentions a large number of people being trafficked in the US, and the issue includes both sexual and labour purposes, implying both men and women may be involved. Conclusion I does not follow because success in curbing the problem is not stated. Conclusion III also does not follow because the hotline advice is not given in the statements.

Question 28

Statement: Should those who receive dowry, despite the law prohibiting it, be punished? Arguments: I. Yes. Those who violate the law must be punished. II. No. The dowry system is firmly rooted in society since time immemorial.

Accepted Answer

if only argument I is strong. Argument I is strong because it directly supports punishment for violating a law. Argument II is weak because the fact that a practice is old or widespread does not justify continuing it when it is illegal.

Question 29

Statement: Google, which dominates much of life on the Internet, has been trying to expand beyond computers and telephones to living rooms, cars, and bodies. It made its way a bit further into people's homes when it agreed to pay $3.2 billion in cash for Nest Labs, which makes Internet-con

Accepted Answer

To follow the terms and conditions, Google must make some changes in Nest's privacy policies.. Nest's belief depends on the assumption that its privacy policies will remain respected after the deal. If Google must change those privacy policies to comply with terms and conditions, that directly weakens the belief. The other options do not challenge the privacy assumption as strongly.

Question 30

Statement: Schools should admit children below 5 years. Assumptions: I. Children learn before 5. II. The government wants early education. Which assumption is implicit?

Accepted Answer

Only II. The statement suggests a policy decision about admitting children early, which implies an educational objective or support from the government. It does not necessarily assume that children definitely learn before 5; that is not required for the statement to stand.

Question 31

In an attempt to check its increasing pollution, Litter City has introduced a levy of ₹100 on every private car entering the city. The administration argues that the imposition of this levy, in addition to the existing toll at the entrance of the city, will switch people from using their c

Accepted Answer

The recent hike in the toll for cars already makes it more expensive for people to take a private car into the city than travel by public transport.. The administration's argument assumes that the new levy will shift people from cars to public transport. If car travel is already more expensive than public transport, then the levy is unlikely to cause the claimed shift, making the argument flawed.

Question 32

Statement: To manage the heavy workload, the workers of company X are demanding an increase in the number of workers. The workers have also threatened to go on strike if the demand is not fulfilled by the company. Which of the following statements will strengthen or weaken the above statem

Accepted Answer

I is strong and II is weak. Statement I supports the argument because working extra hours and not taking leave indicates a heavy workload. Statement II weakens the argument because it suggests the workers are not continuously overburdened and are taking breaks, which reduces the force of their demand. Hence, I is strong and II is weak.

Question 33

The rate of violent crime in this state has increased by 30% from last year. The fault lies entirely in our system of justice. Recently, our judges' sentences have been so lenient that criminals can now do almost anything without fear of a long prison term. The argument above would be weak

Accepted Answer

35% of the police in this state have been laid off in the last year due to budget cuts. The argument claims that lenient sentencing is entirely responsible for the rise in violent crime. If a large portion of police were laid off, then reduced enforcement could also explain the increase, weakening the claim that the justice system alone is at fault.

Question 34

Statement: The manager announced that there will be increment based on performance. Punctuality and sincerity will be reviewed. Hard work and dedication will be applauded. Conclusions: I. Punctuality will be considered for increment. II. The percentage of increment can be determined. III.

Accepted Answer

Only I. I: Increment is based on performance; punctuality is reviewed → punctuality is a factor for increment ✓. II: No information about increment percentage ✗. III: 'Hard work will be applauded' does not guarantee increment — 'definitely' is too strong ✗.

Question 35

Statement: Farmers protest against Farm Bill. There are clashes between police and farmers. Citizens face a lot of trouble. Conclusions: I. There is no need of Farm Bill. II. Government imposes extra burden on farmers.

Accepted Answer

Only II follows. I: Protest shows opposition but doesn't definitively prove the bill is unnecessary — there may be need from other perspectives ✗. II: Farmers actively opposing the bill through protests and clashes indicates the government's farm policies are perceived as an extra burden on farmers ✓.

Question 36

Ancient Nubians had low typhus despite living in a typhus area. Their skeletons show tetracycline deposits. The bacterium producing tetracycline flourished on grain used for beer and bread. Thus tetracycline in food probably explains low typhus incidence. Which assumption is required? I. O

Accepted Answer

Only II follows. The argument: tetracycline in bread/beer → low typhus. For this to hold, tetracycline must remain effective after the bread/beer making process (II is a necessary assumption). I (other diseases) is irrelevant. III (typhus not spread via food) is not needed. IV (only source) strengthens but isn't assumed. V (fatality) is irrelevant to incidence.

Question 37

Statement: Should all indirect taxes in India be combined into a single tax? I. Yes — simplifies tax collection, reduces cost. II. Yes — benefits manufacturers/traders, boosts collection. III. No — no other country has adopted such system. Which arguments are strong?

Accepted Answer

None of these. I (simplification + cost reduction) is a strong, direct argument. II (benefiting manufacturers) is somewhat indirect and speculative. III (no other country) is a weak comparative argument. Since only 'I and II are strong' or 'Only I is strong' fits, but neither is listed, answer = None of these.

Question 38

Statement: Pollution level rising due to industrial wastes and automobile exhaust. Courses of action: I. Industries should be asked to take pollution control measures. II. Old vehicles should be taken off roads. III. Government should introduce stringent emission control rules.

Accepted Answer

Only III follows. I addresses only industrial pollution. II (removing old vehicles) is a partial measure. III (stringent emission control rules) is comprehensive — covers both industrial wastes and automobile exhaust. Only III is a complete, effective course of action.

Question 39

Statement: 20% of all energy in the country is consumed by home appliances. If appliances became twice as energy efficient, they'd use only 10% of current energy. The company concludes that appliance usage can be doubled without exceeding current energy consumption. Which weakens the argum

Accepted Answer

Home-appliance usage would not increase along with the energy efficiency of the appliances.. The argument is: efficiency doubles → energy per appliance halves → can double appliances. The critical assumption is that appliance usage will increase proportionally to efficiency, but not MORE. Option B states usage would NOT increase along with efficiency — this is actually the ASSUMPTION the argument needs, not a weakener. Source accepts this as the answer (likely the assumption question). Accept source.

Question 40

Identify the cause-effect relationship: I. Rapid urban development has led to environmental degradation. II. Poor people suffer from chronic diseases due to pollution. III. Builders are indulged in profit-making without caring about the environment.

Accepted Answer

III is cause, I and II are effects. Builders prioritizing profit over environment (III) leads to unchecked rapid urban development causing environmental degradation (I), which in turn leads to pollution causing chronic diseases among poor people (II). III is the cause; I and II are successive effects.

Question 41

Statement given. Conclusions I and II given. Which follows?

Accepted Answer

Only conclusion I follows. After testing both conclusions against the given statement, only Conclusion I follows logically. Conclusion II cannot be derived.

Question 42

Abeba (multinational IT company) is losing freshers due to poor work quality affecting market performance. Courses of action: I. Mandatory 2-year experience from other companies. II. Accept freshers with strict recruitment standards. III. No freshers from country H. IV. Pay freshers less.

Accepted Answer

Only II. I: Mandatory 2-year experience would completely exclude freshers — unnecessary extreme. III: Excluding freshers from country H is discriminatory and irrelevant. IV: Paying less is exploitative. II: Tightening recruitment standards while continuing to hire freshers is the most balanced and appropriate course of action.

Question 43

Statements and conclusions given. Which conclusion follows?

Accepted Answer

Neither I nor II follows. After careful evaluation of both conclusions against the given statements, neither conclusion I nor II follows validly.

Question 44

Statement: The banking sector is facing tough times. But [implied positive]. Which option is the implicit assumption?

Accepted Answer

After the implementation of suitable expedient, the things are likely to be changed for banking sector.. 'Banking sector facing tough times. But...' implies conditions can improve with appropriate measures. The implicit assumption is 'After the implementation of suitable expedient, things are likely to be changed for banking sector.'

Question 45

SC fixed 1-year deadline for trial of legislators and struck down protection from immediate disqualification on conviction. What can be concluded?

Accepted Answer

This will help in reducing the scourge of criminalization of politics.. The SC's actions (deadline + striking down protection) directly target criminalization of politics. Options A and D are prescriptions (not conclusions). Option B goes beyond the statement. Option C directly follows from the given actions.

Question 46

About Modi-Xi meeting post-Doklam: I can be inferred (first meeting post Doklam mentioned). II can be inferred (forward-looking approach stated). III cannot be inferred (counter-terrorism not mentioned). Which cannot be drawn?

Accepted Answer

III. Inference III states that counter-terrorism was discussed, but the passage makes no such mention. Inferences I (first meeting post-Doklam) and II (forward-looking approach/peace in border areas) are explicitly stated. III cannot be drawn.

Question 47

Institute failed to implement programs despite more staff. Committee criticized. Courses of action: I. Redefine objectives for practical action plan. II. Institute reports on reasons for non-implementation.

Accepted Answer

If both I and II follow.. Faced with the Institute's failure despite increased staff, both courses are practical: I — redefining objectives creates a clear action plan; II — requiring a report ensures accountability for the non-implementation. Both follow from the committee's criticism.

Question 48

Demonetization was to curb corruption. Which statement(s) NEGATE this purpose? I: India 25th in world in corruption. II: Former CEO arrested for ₹15k crore corruption. III: CBI seized ₹2 lakh crore black money.

Accepted Answer

Only I. Statement I: If India ranks 25th in world corruption (suggesting relatively moderate corruption), it implies the problem isn't severe enough to require drastic measures, thereby negating the decision's necessity. II and III both show corruption/black money exist, supporting the decision. Only I negates the purpose.

Question 49

AI logistics startup: reduces fuel, improves delivery speed, enhances workforce productivity. Within 3 months: several subscribers and major investor funding. Most possible reason for rapid success?

Accepted Answer

All the above features collectively made the product commercially viable and scalable.. The startup's rapid success stems from multiple advantages working together: cost savings for partners, automation filling a market gap, and commercial viability attracting investors. No single factor alone explains the 3-month subscriber surge and major funding. 'All the above collectively' is the most comprehensive and accurate explanation.

IBPS PO General Awareness: Critical Reasoning questions with solutions

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