Upstream and

Downstream
Arguments

Ankur Jain
The instructions
Given below is a main statement followed by
questions. Each question itself is a statement.
Read the main statement and the questions that
follow and mark your answer as
 If the main statement can be derived from
the question-statement (Upstream
Argument)
 If the question-statement can be derived
from the main statement (Downstream
Argument)
 If the question-statement supports the main
statement (Lateral Argument)
 If the question statement is not relevant to
the main statement (Irrelevant Statement)
Too much hot air,
we know all this!
An example
please!

Sure, coming right up!

The Wilted Flowers
 Main Statement – There is a small bunch of wilted
flowers in the vase by the window. The dusty leaves,
the almost-dry petals, and the drooping stalks have
their own story to tell.
 The flowers were put in the vase a few days ago.
 The local market has many florists.
 The flowers were once fragrant.
 The window was open.
 The flowers are going to be thrown away.
 The vase has not been replenished with water
recently.
 Flowers remain an evergreen way of expressing
one’s emotions.
 Buying short-lived real flowers is environment-
unfriendly; instead paper, plastic or cloth flowers
should be gifted.
 Buying real flower is more classy.
The Wilted Flowers - Solved
 Main Statement – There is a small bunch of wilted
flowers in the vase by the window. The dusty leaves, the
almost-dry petals, and the drooping stalks have their own
story to tell.
 The flowers were put in the vase a few days ago. (U)
 The local market has many florists. (I)
 The flowers were once fragrant. (I)
 The window was open. (L)
 The flowers are going to be thrown away. (D)
 The vase has not been replenished with water
recently. (U)
 Flowers remain an evergreen way of expressing
one’s emotions. (I)
 Buying short-lived real flowers is environment-
unfriendly; instead paper, plastic or cloth flowers
should be gifted. (I)
 Buying real flower is more classy. (I)