Statements & Conclusions

Subject: Reasoning | Frequency: 1-2 questions per APPSC paper | Time: 45-60 sec/question

Introduction

A real-world statement is given, followed by conclusions. You must determine which conclusions logically follow from the statement — strictly based on what is stated, not general knowledge. The key skill is identifying overgeneralization traps where "some" becomes "all" or "most" becomes "every."

Core Method

1. Read the statement carefully — understand the complete meaning
2. Identify keywords — qualifiers: "all", "some", "most", "few", "none", "always", "never", "may"
3. Assess each conclusion independently
4. Apply the "follows directly" test — must be a DIRECT logical consequence
5. Do NOT add outside information — only use what the statement provides
6. Check for overgeneralization — "some" cannot become "all"; "most" cannot become "all"

Decision Framework

Keyword Strength

Worked Examples — Easy

Q1: Statement: "All roses are flowers." Conclusions: I. Some flowers are roses. II. All flowers are roses.

• I: If all roses are flowers, at least some flowers must be roses → valid
• II: There could be flowers that are not roses → invalid
• Answer: Only I follows

Q2: Statement: "Most students passed the exam." Conclusions: I. All students passed. II. Some students failed.

• I: "Most" does not mean "all" → invalid
• II: If most passed, the rest (some) failed → valid
• Answer: Only II follows

Q3: Statement: "The government has increased penalties for speeding." Conclusions: I. Fines for speeding are now higher. II. All speeding incidents will stop immediately.

• I: Increased penalties = higher fines (direct restatement) → valid
• II: "All" and "immediately" are overgeneralizations → invalid
• Answer: Only I follows

Worked Examples — Medium

Q4: Statement: "Reading books improves vocabulary and critical thinking." Conclusions: I. People who read books have better vocabulary. II. Reading books is the only way to improve vocabulary.

• I: Follows from the statement → valid
• II: "Only way" — statement doesn't say exclusive → invalid
• Answer: Only I follows

Q5: Statement: "Some employees are satisfied with their salaries." Conclusions: I. All employees are happy. II. Not all employees are satisfied.

• I: "Some" → "all" = overgeneralization → invalid
• II: "Some" implies "not all" → valid
• Answer: Only II follows

Q6: Statement: "No student who failed the test can participate in the tournament." Conclusions: I. All tournament participants passed the test. II. Some students who passed can participate.

• I: If no failed student participates, all participants must have passed → valid
• II: Passing is necessary; "can" suggests possibility → valid
• Answer: Both follow

Worked Examples — Hard

Q7: Statement: "In a recent survey, 60% of respondents preferred online shopping over in-store shopping." Conclusions: I. Online shopping is more popular. II. 40% preferred in-store shopping.

• I: 60% preferred online → more popular among respondents → valid
• II: Remaining 40% could prefer in-store OR have no preference → "40% preferred in-store" not necessarily true → invalid
• Answer: Only I follows

Q8: Statement: "All employees must take a lunch break." Conclusions: I. No one works during lunch. II. Every employee takes a break during the day.

• I: "Must take a break" does not mean "no one works during lunch" → invalid
• II: Directly follows from the statement → valid
• Answer: Only II follows

Q9: Statement: "Some cats are black, and all black animals are feared by mice." Conclusions: I. Some cats are feared by mice. II. All cats are feared by mice.

• I: Some cats are black → black feared by mice → some cats feared → valid
• II: Only SOME cats are black; non-black cats may not be feared → invalid
• Answer: Only I follows

Shortcuts & Tricks

Common Mistakes

1. Adding real-world knowledge — judging based on what you know, not what's stated
2. "Some" to "All" leap — the most common error
3. Confusing correlation with causation — two things together does not mean one caused the other
4. Ignoring qualifiers — missing "most", "some", "few" changes everything
5. Emotional bias — agreeing with a conclusion because it "sounds right"

Exam Strategy

• Focus on keywords and the overgeneralization trap — these two skills solve 90% of questions
• APPSC keeps difficulty at medium
• Time: 45-60 seconds per question
• When in doubt, check: does the conclusion use a STRONGER qualifier than the statement? If yes, it probably does not follow.
• Negative marking: -0.333 — keyword analysis makes you confident

Practice Questions

1. "The company offers free training to all employees." Conclusion: Some employees receive free training? → Follows ("all" implies "some")
2. "Most children enjoy playing outdoors." Conclusion: All children enjoy playing outdoors? → Does not follow ("most" does not mean "all")
3. "No one under 18 is allowed entry." Conclusion: All entrants are 18 or older? → Follows (logical equivalent)
4. "Some roads are damaged after the storm." Conclusion: Not all roads are damaged? → Follows
5. "Exercise may reduce stress." Conclusion: Exercise always reduces stress? → Does not follow ("may" does not mean "always")

Key Terms / Formulas