Each question given below consists of a statement, 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 and
• (e) If both I and II are strong.

1. Statement: Should the health care service be nationalized?

Arguments: I. Yes. It has been done elsewhere also.

                II. No. The quality of health care service will deteriorate.

2. Statement: Should cottage industries be encouraged in rural areas?

Arguments:I. Yes. Rural people are creative.

               II. Yes. This would help to solve the problem of unemployment to some extent.

3.Statement: Should election expenses to Central and State Legislatures be met by the Government?

Arguments:I. Yes. It will put an end to political corruption.

                II. No. It is not good in any country.

4.Statement: Is ragging in colleges a good practice?

Arguments:I. Yes. A sensible ragging helps the schoolboys to step into manhood and teaches them to take trifles in good humour.

               II. No. The tortures inflicted in the name of ragging and the humiliation suffered by young boys and girls often go beyond limits.

5.Statement: Can pollution be controlled?

Arguments: I. Yes. If everyone realizes the hazard it may create and co-operates to get rid of it, pollution may be controlled.

                II. No. The crowded highways, factories and industries and an ever-growing population eager to acquire more and more land for constructing houses are beyond control.
 

Answer & Explanations

1. Ans:d

Clearly, going in for something just because others have done it, is not a strong argument. Also, on the other hand, nationalization of health care service will only promote the service and not deteriorate it. So none of the arguments holds strong.

2. Ans:b

Clearly, cottage industries need to be promoted to create more job opportunities for rural people in the villages themselves. The reason that rural people are creative is vague. So, only argument II holds.

3. Ans:a

Clearly, the policy will end political corruption that is unleashed to extract these amounts. The second argument is vague. So, only argument I holds.

4. Ans:e

Clearly, sensible ragging makes students broad-minded and well acquainted with each other. So, argument I is valid. However, sometimes, these young boys and girls are tortures and humiliated too much in the name of ragging, which makes it an unhealthy practice. So, argument II also holds strong.

5. Ans:c

The control of population, on one hand, seems to be impossible because of the ever growing needs and the disconcern of the people but, on the other hand, the control is possible by a joint effort. So, either of the arguments will hold strong.