SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
CAT 2002/GMAT/OTHER MBA EXAMS
CRITICAL REASONING
(Equally useful for other Competitions)
A DETAILED discussion with KEY-WORDS and Examples
In the management examinations, the two basic themes on
which questions are generally asked are:
(i) Assumptions—which assumption is valid/holds
good.
(ii) Strengthening and weakening arguments.
After reading this article, you will be able to
(1) Have a look at the various kinds of problems asked
in the critical reasoning section.
(2) Learn the meaning of assumption and argument.
(3) Learn the basics and the “most-wanted” key-words.
(4) Develop the right strategy to solve such problems.
(5) Do very-well at your CAT/GMAT/other MBA exams.
General Discussion
HOW DO YOU PUT FORWARD YOUR VIEW POINT
IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE?
OR ELSE,
How do you “argue” ?
Whenever we speak things before others, we say
something based on available evidences at present or on
experience from the past. We also do assume a few things.
Our short phrases, sentences or paragraphs constitute the
whole process of “putting forward our viewpoints” or simply
“arguing”.
Thus, our arguments are based on assumptions or rules
and they finally end with some conclusion. Further, depending
on the nature of facts provided, the arguments may be weak
or strong.
Commonly used terms
The following terms are commonly used in critical
reasoning section:
(a) Hypothesis, premises, proposition, viewpoint, point,
information.
(b) Argument, weaken the argument, strong support for
policy, most helpful to resolve, add credence.
(c) Basic idea, inference, weaken the conclusion,
prediction, assumption, theme, etc.
A step-wise discussion on the frequently used terms:
(a) Hypothesis/Proposition/Premises/Viewpoint: It is
that basic part of the sentence or paragraph, on the basis of
which you begin to assume or directly arrive at a conclusion.
Example: When I reached the school on Monday morning,
I found that the school was suddenly closed for the day. There
must have been a condolence.
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The above information can be broken into 3 major parts
as per our reasoning needs:
→ hypothesis/proposition/premises: The school was
suddenly closed.
→ conclusion: There must have been a condolence.
→ assumption: The school gets closed suddenly whenever
there is a condolence on somebody’s death.
(b) Argument: The whole process discussed above is
actually an “argument”. The argument consists of drawing
out viewpoints or putting one’s viewpoints based on certain
events, propositions or assumptions.
(c) Assumption: Consider the following example:
“Let my bhaiya come. He’ll give you a nice lesson for
your misbehaviour.”
What do you assume in the above information?
→ My bhaiya is stronger than you and he can easily teach
you a lesson.
So, what is an assumption?
An assumption is something we assume or take to be
pre-existing or already true. Thus, we take it for granted. It is
actually left unexpressed or unstated.
General picture of an argumentative passage:
.........................................
.........................................
Passage............................
Hypothesis/proposition/ Assumption Conclusion
Premises or
Some rule
2. Special Cases
→ Absence of the premises
Example: Good riders never fall like this!
This indirectly provides us 2 things (Assumptions):
—There is existence of good riders.
—Some riders do fall.
→ Absence of the assumption
Example: Ram is Shyam’s elder brother and Shyam is
Radha’s elder brother.
Direct Conclusion: Ram is Radha’s elder brother.
Here, the arguments are based on direct mathematical
inference. There is no assumption.
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Look at another example:
There are 3 persons in a round table. Two of them are
men and one is woman.
Conclusion: The 2 men are always next to each other.
Again, our conclusion is based on direct inference from
the given information. There are no assumptions made here.
Thus, an argumentative passage proceeds like this:
ASSUMPTIONS gives us
HYPOTHESIS/ CONCLUSIONS
PREMISES/DATA + OR
RULES
KEY WORDS:
Conclusion: The conclusion can be easily seen from the
following words: (Hence, so, therefore, concluding thus, thus,
obviously, this means that, etc.)
Whenever you find them in the passage, you can think of
that part of the passage as your conclusion.
Examples:
(1) The condition of higher education in our country still
needs improvement. So the government is trying hard to open
more colleges and upgrade the existing ones. At present there are
only 11 top colleges in our country that can match with the
world standards.
Key word used: So.
(2) The children in class XI (Commerce) were very
naughty. The teachers as well as the parents were unable to
find a solution to their naughty activities and to put them to
task. Thus, they organised a proper meeting to discuss all the
relevant aspects.
Key-word used: Thus.
Assumptions: Consider this example:
“Of all the friends you have, I like only Champa.”
What is the valid assumption here? → All your friends are
known.
Key words used to identify assumptions: They are
mostly adjectives which bring out the quality or adverbs that
tell more about the work done. A few examples are: sweetest,
worst, best, the only, except, fairest, most dull, obviously, surely,
etc. Never assume too much.
The following examples will clarify the various cases of
assumptions to you:
1. Paragraph—The export-import gap has inclined this
year, following the failure of monsoons.
Possible assumptions:
(a) Only monsoons are responsible for the gap.
(b) Monsoons do have some effect on the gap.
(c) Monsoons are not related to the gap.
(d) If monsoons fail, gap has to widen.
(e) If monsoons are good, gap has to curtail.
Out of the above 5 assumptions, only (b) is valid. The
others are too-long drawn conclusions or are assumed too
much.
2. Paragraph: All the students of the class managed to
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pass the ICSE examination. However, Amit failed inspite of
the hard work he put and the intelligence he possesses.
Possible assumptions:
(a) Only non-hardworking students pass in an
examination.
(b) Only hardworking students pass the exams.
(c) There is no criteria for passing.
(d) Hard work is all that is required to pass.
(e) Hard work and intelligence generally lead to passing
the exam.
Only (e) is a valid assumption from the above given choices.
3. (Analogy) Para: Your grandfather was a scientist. Your
father is an engineer. Your elder brother is a doctor. Therefore
you must achieve some distinctions in your life too.
Assumption choices:
(a) All great men produce great sons.
(b) The best citizens come from great families.
(c) It would be correct to say that you will become a
great man.
(d) You will definitely become distinguished.
(e) Generally those who achieve good position in society
lead their offsprings to a better tomorrow.
Only (e) is the valid assumption in this case.
Assumptions—A detailed “case-study”
The various types or categories of assumptions are:
(a) Cause and Effect Relationship: (for more detailed
study on this topic, refer our previous special issues of THE
COMPETITION MASTER).
The cause and its effect may be in 2 forms.
clearly stated vaguely hinted at
Examples:
(1) The summer training camp for sea-navigators starts
on monday. There was a small swimming test prior to selecting
the navigators. Since Ankur did not know how to swim, he
was rejected.
This is a clearly stated cause-effect relationship. The valid
assumption is:
Knowing how to swim is regarded necessary for sea-
navigators camp.
(2) All the students in the class are quite disciplined.
Ramesh, however, does not fall into this category. His elders
have tried using all means to make him disciplined, yet, there
is no effect on him.
The valid assumption here is—
Usually when elders try all means on children, the
children become disciplined.
Key-words for cause and effect relationship are:
As, hence, thus, therefore, despite of, etc.
(b) Absence of premises/subject: (already discussed).
(c) The case of advertisements/office and public
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notices/advise, etc.
Why do you think
—even big companies put advertisements,
—offices have notices for employees,
—one person advises another?
—a father scolds a child?
Probably because—(Assumptions) →
(1) The business organisations and companies believe
that (assume that)—people look forward to new products
revealed through advertisements.
(2) The notice issuing officer believes that (assume that)—
It is his right or duty to put the notice. It is expected that the
notice will be read by the people and even followed to some
extent.
(3) The person advising the other thinks that (assumes
that)—The other person will listen to his advise and even try
to follow it.
(4) The father assumes that there is reason for scolding
and scolding will improve his child.
Thus, such phenomenon are based on the above
mentioned assumptions.
Examples:
(1): “Turf Pexcel Hai Na” ... a popular advertisement on
T.V.
Which of the following assumptions is valid?
(a) Public will not pay attention to the advertisement.
(b) It is the duty of companies to give advertisements for
new products.
(c) Not using Turf Pexcel is injurious.
(d) This advertisement will affect the public.
(e) Public wants new kind of stuff in daily lives.
(Answer) → Only (d), (b) and (e) are valid assumptions.
(2): “Why don’t you talk to the boss and take leave
immediately.” ... an advice by a person to his colleague.
Which of these is a valid assumption?
(a) The person advised will listen to his colleague’s
advice.
(b) The person being advised will immediately follow it.
(c) The person being advised will never follow it.
(d) The advice will be beneficial to the colleague.
(e) Not listening to the advice can be harmful.
(Answer) → (a), (d) and (e) are the valid assumptions.
(3) “Use chain to stop the train in case of emergency.
Penalty for pulling chain without solid reason is Rs 500 fine
or imprisonment upto 6 months or both.” . . . a warning in a
railway coach.
In the above warning, which assumptions hold good?
(a) The chain is the only method to stop the train.
(b) The warning will effect the readers.
(c) People will think before playing with the chain.
(d) People do not like such warnings.
(e) People stop the train by pulling chain, without urgent
need to do so.
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(Answer) → (b), (c) and (e) are the valid assumptions.
(d) Passages—Reports/Discussions/Data Analysis
cases:
In your actual questions, there will usually be a case under
study. It can be based on science and technology, economy or
any other aspect. Usually, it highlights the positive or negative
aspects of a thing/phenomenon/person, etc. It may be a mixed
passage too, having both positive and negative aspects in it.
Some suggestions may also come up as conclusions from
within the passage. The praise or mention of positive aspects
(or vice-versa) reveals the following assumptions:
(1) The “discussed” has a sound/poor performance.
(2) The “discussed” has performed well/needs
improvement.
(3) The “discussed” properties (or qualities, attributes)
are required or esteemed/hated.
(4) Things “discussed” must be encouraged/
discouraged; i.e. should be avoided/repeated.
(5) The concluding suggestions or ideas will be beneficial
to the readers.
(e) Experimental Hypothesis or Theories or Laws:
Consider the following cases:
Example 1: A piece of paper was dropped from the top of
Sears Tower. It came down in 16 seconds. However, if the
paper will be folded and dropped in the form of a solid ball,
it will now take only 13 seconds.
→ The valid assumption here is:
The time taken to fall through air, depends on the shape
of the object.
Example 2: It is observed that people living in Kashmir
have a long, thin nose. People in Canada too have a thin, long
nose. Thus, people in Russia are likely to have a similar nose.
→ Here, the valid assumption is:
The shape of nose is affected by the cold climate.
(f) Cases of Rejection of assumptions/cases to be careful
at:
(i) Confusing the assumption with an inference/
conclusion:
You must be careful while reading the choices, so as not
to take a conclusion as an assumption.
(ii) Long chains/missing chains:
The assumption must not be based on data that is
insufficient. Do not assume too deeply.
(iii) Reproduction of original statement:
Look at the following examples:
(1) → Shyamsundar is a very active person.
Rejection case → Shyamsundar is not a lazy person.
(This is just a reproduction of the given data).
(2) → Some of you attended yesterday’s classes.
Rejection case → Those who attended yesterday’s classes
included some of you.
(This again is just a reproduction of data).
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(3) → Monu is Ramu’s younger sister.
Rejection case → Ramu is Monu’s elder brother/sister.
FORCEFULNESS OF ARGUMENTS
Shape of the problems asked—
Sentence
OR
Short Paragraph/Argument
.... followed by questions of the form:
Question—Which of the following, if true, would most
weaken the above argument?
OR—Which of the following provides the strongest support
to the country’s policy?
OR—Which of the following, if most true, seriously weakens
the above conclusion? etc.
How to solve such kind of problems?
The data provided in the given passage/argument
constitutes the preliminary/primary information, which has
to be accepted to be true.
The data provided in the answer choices are your
supplementary/additional data. You have to consider each of
these data separately.
Consider the usual ways of arguing. You have learnt that
arguments are based on—cause and effect relationship,
similarity, exemplification, scientific rules, etc.
An additional data supports or weakens the argument
if it supports or weakens any part of the argument (i.e.
Proposition/Assumption or Rule/Conclusion).
Short PRACTICE SET
(1) “Yesterday, the U.P. government transferred 13
additional superintendents of police ...” a newspaper
statement.
Which of the following, if true, is a valid assumption?
(a) This transfer will benefit the people.
(b) There must have been some charges against them.
(c) The government has the right to take such type of
decisions.
(d) This was a routine practice.
(e) The government is corrupt.
(2) The selection procedure for NDA and CDS
comprises a very different interview technique—the SSB
interview, in which, the candidates who do not suit the job
are eventually rejected from selection at one stage or the
other.
The above statement is based on which of the following
assumptions?
(a) The main purpose of the SSB is to find the persons
who suit the job.
(b) The selection process is incomplete without the SSB
interview.
(c) All those who are unsuited are rejected.
148 ■ SEPTEMBER 2002 ■ THE COMPETITION MASTER
(d) The interviewers are the best judges for the
candidates.
(e) The SSB interviewers are able to identify the suitable
candidates.
(3) The fact that India has had its President from among
the Muslim, Sikh and backward communities and that one of
its most famous prime ministers has been a woman is a living
testimony that India is indeed a very liberal and secular
country.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the
argument above?
(a) Other countries are not as liberal as India is.
(b) Muslims and Sikhs have played an important role in
the development of the country.
(c) The backward classes have been provided reservation
in jobs.
(d) The percentage of minority groups comprising 70%
population in top posts is nearly 13%.
(e) Most Muslims are very loyal to the motherland.
(4) The use of petroleum products in the manufacture of
polythene, plastics, should be controlled and regulated by
law. India’s need for petroleum for energy is more necessary
than our need for plastics. Our growing dependence on foreign
sources of petroleum can create serious problems. By reducing
the use of plastics and polythene, we can make our country
independent in energy and thus increase the country’s security.
Which of the following will greatly reduce the credence of the
above argument?
(a) Plastic products play an important role in our nation's
defence.
(b) Our environment will be free from pollutants if there
is reduction in use of polythene.
(c) Only a small part of petroleum products are used in
this country in manufacturing polythene and plastics.
(d) During a war, the petroleum exports can be seized.
(e) Use of petroleum for plastics can be reduced by using
the latest methods.
(5) Since no teacher or staff wants to be linked with bad
news in front of the management, any serious problem with
the students and teachers’ level is slowly and ultimately
smoothened and misfigured as it goes up to the management.
The manager is thus less well-informed about problems at the
lower level than are his subordinates. The above is based on
the assumption that—
(a) Problems should be solved at the level at which they
occur.
(b) The manager obtains information from his
subordinates.
(c) Teachers should be rewarded for accurate reports to
their superiors.
(d) The ability to solve problems is more important at
top level than at the lower level.
(e) Some teachers are very much concerned about the
truth.