Statements – Arguments and Assumptions

Strong vs weak arguments and implicit assumptions.

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Statements – Arguments and Assumptions

Overview

In RRB Group D reasoning questions, **Statements – Arguments and Assumptions** tests your ability to evaluate logical reasoning chains. You'll be given a statement or course of action, followed by 2–3 arguments or assumptions. Your task is to decide whether each argument is **strong or weak**, or whether each assumption is **implicit or not implicit** in the statement.

This topic appears regularly (typically 1–3 questions per paper). It evaluates critical thinking rather than factual recall—you must distinguish between emotional appeals, logical reasoning, practical considerations, and hidden premises. Master this by understanding what makes an argument strong (relevant, directly supports/opposes, significant impact) versus weak (vague, emotional, unrelated, trivial). For assumptions, learn to identify what must be taken for granted for the statement to make logical sense.

Unlike other reasoning topics with fixed patterns, this requires careful reading and judgment. Practice identifying flawed reasoning quickly, because exam time is limited and these questions can consume precious minutes if you overthink.

Key Concepts

**Statement**: A declaration, proposal, or course of action about which arguments/assumptions are evaluated. The statement is always assumed to be true for the purpose of the question.

**Strong Argument**: An argument that is (a) directly related to the statement, (b) important and significant enough to influence decision, and (c) logically sound without fallacies or emotional appeals. It must be both relevant and substantial.

**Weak Argument**: An argument that is vague, unrelated to the statement, trivial, based purely on emotion, assumes unproven facts, or uses circular reasoning. Common weak patterns include appeals to pity, tradition for tradition's sake, or exaggerated fears.

**Implicit Assumption**: An unstated premise that must be true for the statement or argument to hold. It's what the speaker takes for granted without saying. If the assumption were false, the statement would not logically follow.

**Not Implicit Assumption**: A statement that is either explicitly mentioned, irrelevant, or not necessary for the conclusion to follow. It may be true, but it's not a hidden prerequisite of the reasoning.

**Relevance Test**: Does the argument/assumption directly relate to the core issue in the statement? Reject anything tangential or off-topic, no matter how true it sounds.

**Significance Test**: Even if related, is the point important enough to sway a decision? Trivial benefits or harms make weak arguments.

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Q1 · Statements – Arguments and Assumptions · EASY
Statement: The government should ban all plastic bags to reduce environmental pollution. Argument I: Yes, plastic bags are non-biodegradable and cause harm to the environment. Argument II: No, plastic bags are convenient and banning them will create inconvenience to shoppers. Which of the following is correct?
Q2 · Statements – Arguments and Assumptions · MEDIUM
Statement: Should India invest more in nuclear energy to meet its growing power demands? Argument I: Yes, nuclear energy is a clean source of energy and produces large amounts of electricity. Argument II: No, nuclear power plants pose serious safety risks as seen in accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima. Which of the following is correct?
Q3 · Statements – Arguments and Assumptions · MEDIUM
Statement: All public transport buses should be fitted with GPS tracking systems. Assumption I: GPS tracking will help in monitoring the movement and location of buses. Assumption II: Passengers are concerned about the safety and timely arrival of buses. Which assumption(s) is/are implicit in the statement?
Q4 · Statements – Arguments and Assumptions · HARD
Statement: The railway should introduce more AC coaches in all long-distance trains. Argument I: Yes, passengers prefer comfort during long journeys and are willing to pay extra. Argument II: Yes, it will increase revenue for the railways. Argument III: No, many passengers cannot afford AC coaches and need affordable options. Which of the arguments is/are strong?
Q5 · Statements – Arguments and Assumptions · MEDIUM
Statement: Children below 14 years should not be allowed to use smartphones. Assumption I: Smartphone usage has negative effects on children below 14 years. Assumption II: Parents cannot monitor their children's smartphone usage effectively. Which assumption(s) is/are implicit in the statement?

Notes generated on 10 May 2026

Statements – Arguments and Assumptions

Statements – Arguments and Assumptions

Overview

Key Concepts

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