Each question has a set of four sequentially ordered statements. Each statement can be classified as one of the following:

Facts, which deal with pieces of information that one has heard, seen or read and which are open to discovery or verification (the answer option indicates such a statement with an ‘F’).

Inferences, which are conclusions drawn about the unknown, on the basis of the known (the answer option indicates such a statement with an ‘I’).

Judgements, which are opinions that imply approval or disapproval of persons, objects, situations and occurrences in the past, the present or the future (the answer option indicates such a statement with a ‘J’).

 

Select the answer option that best describes the set of four statements.

1. Easy
A. The ideal solution will be to advertise aggressively.
B. One brand is already popular amongst the youth.
C. Reducing prices will mean trouble as our revenues are already dwindling.
D. The correct solution will be to consolidate by aggressive marketing.

 

a) JFIJ
b) FJJI
c) IJFF
d) JJIF

 

 

 

View Answer

Answer: Option a

Explanation:

Statement B is a fact as it is stated in a categorical and definite way.

Statements A & D are judgements because they are opinions in regard to what the correct solution should be.

According to Statement C, if prices are reduced, it will lead to trouble. This makes Statement C an inference.

2. Easy
A. Unless the banks agree to a deferment of the interest, we cannot show profits this year.
B. This would not have happened had we adopted a stricter credit scheme.
C. The revenues so far cover only the cost and salaries.
D. Let us learn a lesson: we cannot make profits without complete control over credit.

 

a) IIJF
b) IJFI
c) FJIF
d) FJFI

View Answer

Answer: Option d

Explanation:

Statements A & C are facts because the former appears to be a policy or a protocol and the latter states what has already transpired.

Statement B is clearly a speculation of what could have been avoided.

Statement D can be rightly called an inference which is drawn from the given facts.

3. Easy
A. If democracy is to survive, the people must develop a sense of consumerism.
B. Consumerism has helped improve the quality of goods in certain countries.
C. The protected environment in our country is helping the local manufacturers.
D. The quality of goods suffers if the manufacturers take undue advantage of this.

 

a) IJFJ
b) JFJI
c) IJJF
d) IFJJ

View Answer

Answer: Option b

Explanation:

Statements A & C are judgements because they state the opinions of the author. Besides, Statement A is hypothetical and cannot be verified and hence, is definitely not a fact.

Statement B is a fact because it can be established to be true through records and data.

Option D is an inference which is drawn from the given statements.

4. Easy
A. The minister definitely took the wrong step.
B. Under the circumstances, he had many other alternatives.
C. The prime minister is embarrassed due to the minister’s decision.
D. If he has put the government in jeopardy, the minister must resign

 

a) JFFI
b) IFJI
c) FFJI
d) IFIJ

View Answer

Answer: Option a

Explanation:

Statement A is a judgement because it is stated as an opinion of the author. Other people could feel differently about the matter.

Statements B & C are facts because the former can be verified i.e., it can be found out whether or not the alternatives existed. And, the latter is also a fact because it states the reaction of a particular person.

Statement D is an inference which can be driven from the given facts.

5. Easy
A. If India has embarked on the liberalisation route, she cannot afford to go back.
B. Under the circumstances, being an active supporter of WTO policies will be a good idea.
C. The WTO is a truly global organisation aiming at freer trade.
D. Many member countries have already drafted plans to simplify tariff structures.

 

a) FJFI
b) IFJF
c) IJFF
d) IFIF

View Answer

Answer: Option c

Explanation:

Statement B is a judgement because ‘it will be a good idea’ states the author’s opinion which might not be the opinion of other people.

Statements C & D are facts since they relate to a known matter of direct observation and can be easily verified.

Statement A is an inference which can be drawn from the given facts.

6. Medium
A. Given the poor quality of services in the public sector, the HIV/AIDS affected should be switching to private initiatives that supply antiretroviral (ARV) drugs at a low-cost.
B. The government has been supplying free drugs since 2004, and 35,000 have benefited up to now – though the size of the affected population is 150 times this number.
C. The recent initiatives of networks and companies like AIDS Care Network, Emcure, Reliance – Cipla-CII, would lead to availability of much-needed drugs to a large number of affected people.
D. But how ironic it is that we should face a perennial shortage of drugs when India is one of the world’s largest suppliers of generic drugs to the developing world.

 

a) JFIJ
b) JIIJ
c) IFIJ
d) IFFJ
e) JFII

View Answer

Answer: Option a

Explanation:

The words ‘poor quality’ and ‘should’ make Statement A a judgement. It is clearly the author’s personal opinion on the matter.

Statement D is also a judgement due to the same reason.

Statement B is a fact because the stated data can be corroborated.

Statement C is an inference which is drawn about the unknown.

7. Medium

A. Inequitable distribution of all kinds of resources is certainly one of the strongest and most sinister sources of conflict.

B. Even without war, we know that conflicts continue to trouble us – they only change in character.

C. Extensive disarmament is the only insurance for our future, imagine the amount of resources that can be released and redeployed.

D. The economics of the industrialised western world drive 20% of their income from the sale of all kinds of arms.

 

a) IJJI
b) JIJF
c) IIJF
d) JIIF
e) IJIF

View Answer

Answer: Option b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is clearly the author’s personal viewpoint and hence, a judgement. Besides, ‘sinister sources’ is not something that can be substantiated.

In Statement 3, the author mentions “is the only insurance” and negates the fact that there could possibly be other insurances as well. Hence, this statement is a judgement.

Statement 4 is a fact since it can be easily verified.

Statement 2 is clearly an inference.