Critical Reasoning - Strong and Weak Arguments

In making decisions about important questions, it is desirable to be able to distinguish between “strong” arguments and “weak” arguments insofar as they relate to the question. “Strong” arguments are those which are both important and directly related to the question. “Weak” arguments are those which are of minor importance and also may not be directly related to the question or may be related to a trivial aspect of the question. The 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.

Statement: Should there be a cap on the maximum number of contestants for parliamentary elections in any constituency?
Arguments:
I. Yes, this will make the parliamentary elections more meaningful as the voters can make a Considered judgement for casting their vote.
II. No, in a democracy any person fulfilling the eligibility criteria can contest parliamentary elections and there should be no such restrictions.

Statement- Shop online? The government of India (GoI) wants to know the details. Starting next month, government surveys on expenditure will, for the first time, ask questions on ecommerce spending habits.

Which of the following can substantiates the given statement?

(I)The survey provides household level data on spending patterns across commodity and service categories in both urban and rural areas. (II)With mobile penetration in rural India, online shopping is also facilitated by various smartphone apps so that desktop PCs are not required. (III)The foray of the online companies in rural India is also fuelling the job market- it is providing employment to a large number of rural youth as delivery boys.

Alexey Smertin, Russia's anti-racism and discrimination inspector, has told CNN he is confident there will be no racist incidents at FIFA World Cup matches next year. Smertin, who made $55$international appearances for Russia, went on to guarantee the safety of fans during the FIFA World Cup and this month's Confederations Cup, saying: "The people who know me, they know how honest I was on the pitch. Why should I lie?"

Which of the following statements abrogates the media statement made by Alexey?

(i) In recent years, a number of black footballers playing in Russia's top flight have complained of repeated and persistent racism.

(ii) Data provided by researchers at Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) and Russia-based SOVA show that racist incidents continue to occur at football matches in the country, though progress has been made.

(iii) "Racism in Russia is like fashion," a spokesperson from Russian police department said. "It comes from abroad, from different countries.”

(iv)In recent years, Brazil striker Hulk, who now plays in China, said he had encountered racism "almost every game" while playing for Zenit St. Petersburg.

Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull’’s relationship with Mr Trump became a talking point after the US president was reported to have abruptly ended a phone call between the two in January.

Which of the following negates the above statement?

(i) Ties between Australia and the US were briefly strained after the leaders' famously difficult first phone call over a refugee resettlement agreement, which was initially made by former US President Barack Obama.

(ii) Earlier this month footage leaked to the media showed Mr Turnbull poking fun at Mr Trump at a dinner for the media.

(iii) Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull was only grin after receiving a cheeky gift of a pink tie emblazoned with the words "Donald J Trump".

The sleepy hills of India's northeast have erupted into violence, as calls for a separate state for the area's Nepali-speaking Gorkhas gain traction.

Which of the following could be the fallout of the above mentioned incident?

(i) The protest movement -- now entering into its ninth day and showing no signs of resolution -- is centered around the tea producing region of Darjeeling, in West Bengal, home to the country's largest concentration of ethnic Gorkhas.

(ii) Military troops might be drafted into the region in a bid to help quell tensions.

(iii) Tourists will flee and hesitate to come there.

Statement-Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all announced they would withdraw their diplomatic staff from Qatar, further deepening a rift between Gulf Arab nations over that country’s support for Islamist groups.

Which of the following could justify the above statement?

(I) Qatar, a gas-rich nation will host the $2022$FIFA World Cup.

(II) Qatar’s media incitement, support for armed terrorist activities and funding linked to Iranian groups to carry out sabotage and spreading chaos.

(III) Qatar is the single country which had the capacity to tackle the menace alone and can tackle terrorism.

Mr. Gupta's son discovered that $15\%$ of their regular customers were actually electricians who bought wires from them at a discount of $25\%$. This was higher than the regular discount of $10\%$ to $15\%$ offered to other customers. His son was not happy about the same and wants the father to change this practice. Mr. Gupta replied that since these people were long-term and loyal customers, they deserved the extra benefit.

Mr. Gupta's son can counter the above argument with the help of which statements:

I. These electricians, in terms of income, are some of the biggest contractors in the city.

II. These electricians also buy wires from other manufacturers in the city at market rates.

III. These electricians actually buy wires on the behalf of others and re-sell the same at higher rates.

Just after a football match, a fan broke into the field and ran towards his favourite player to click a picture. The security team was running after him but the fan fooled them and got away. The fan was now however facing a dilemma, if he uploaded the photo on social media, he would be caught but he desperately wanted to share his love for football and the player with all his friends and in general the public. He uploaded the photo nonetheless and got arrested but the football player he had clicked the picture with pulled some strings and got him released.

Which of the following argument favours the release of the fan?

The questions given consist of a statement, and two arguments I and II. Read carefully and decide whether the arguments are strong or weak.

Statement: Should big industries be started in capital city of Rajasthan?

Arguments:

I). Yes. It will create job opportunities.
II). No. It will further add to the pollution and expenses to the city.

The questions given consist of a statement, and two arguments I and II. Read carefully and decide whether the arguments are strong or weak.

Statement: The proposal of building more stadiums & complexes for all the sports that are played in our country is a good approach.

Arguments:

I). Yes. This will motivate our young generations to excel in their career in sports.
II). No. This proposal will lead to many expenditures of the country.

The questions given consist of a statement, and two arguments I and II. Read carefully and decide whether the arguments are strong or weak.

Statement: Should the public distribution system be encouraged in rural areas?

Arguments:

I). Yes. Getting the essential needs is right of rural people.
II). Yes. This would help to eradicate food problems to some extent.
 

The questions given consist of a statement, and two arguments I and II. Read carefully and decide whether the arguments are strong or weak.

Statement: Is introduction of technology in education a good approach?

Arguments:

I). No. This will create a digital distraction in the studies of students.
II). Yes, it is very necessary for students to increase their creativity and productivity.

Directions: Study the following statement carefully and choose the right answer.
Statement: ''BYJU'S learning app is the largest learning program. It is so easy for students as a group, many solution tricks and discusses the problems''- an advertisement.
Argument : 
$1$. Students are interested in this app.
$2$. Students want the best learning app to study.

Directions: Study the following statement carefully and choose the right answer.
Statement: The tourist guide said, ''Coming back from Nainital, you can come via Ranikhet, this is a romantic hill station for married couples''.
Arguments:
$1$. The couple wants to see that place for enjoyment.
$2$. The couple has not interested to go to another place.

Directions: Study the following statement carefully and choose the right answer.
Statement: Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi launched a social welfare scheme 'Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana', especially for women living below the poverty line with the slogan 'Clean fuel, Better life'.
Argument: 
$1$.  The aim of this scheme is for saving trees and making a pollution-free environment.
$2$.  More persons are getting the benefits of this scheme to use the LPG regularly.
 

Directions: Study the following statement carefully and choose the right answer.
Statement: India post office assured double the money in nine years and a few months ago from the date, you fixed your money.
Arguments:
$1$. This assurance is not true.
$2$. The people who want that the money will be double in the giving period.

Directions: Study the following statement carefully and choose the right answer:
Statement: COVID-$19$ is spreading in our community, stay safe by taking some precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, cleaning your hands, keeping at home, and getting vaccinated made by India, two ladies are talking about COVID-$19$.
Arguments :
$1.$ No need to take any precautions. It is a normal fever and cough. It is not dangerous to our health. 
$2.$ It is very harmful and so dangerous for our health so get vaccinated and take precautions.

Should the Government restrict the use of electricity for each household depending upon the requirement?

Arguments:

1) Yes, this will help the government tide over the problem of inadequate generation of electricity.
2) No, Every citizen has the right to consume electricity as per their requirement as they pay for using electricity.
3) No, the Government does not have the machinery to put such a restriction on the use of electricity.

The given question consists of a statement, followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments are strong and accordingly select the correct option. 

Statements:

Should HIV tests be made mandatory in India for brides and grooms before marriage?

Arguments: I. Yes, India is one of the countries where the number of HIV victims is the highest. It is essential for India to make efforts to restrict the number of victims.

II. No, it will be a humiliation of brides and grooms both.

The given question consists of a statement, followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments are strong and accordingly select the correct option. 

Statement:

Is winning more important than participation?

Arguments:

I. Yes, all sports person are now professionals who solely depend upon the prize money for their survival.

II. No, cricketers in India earn more from endorsements then from match fee.