In each of the questions below are given three statements followed by three…
20252023
In each of the questions below are given three statements followed by three conclusions numbered I, II & III. You have to take the given statements to be true even if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts. Read all the conclusions and then decide which of the given conclusions logically follows from the given statements disregarding commonly known facts.
Statements:
A- Some books are papers.
B- Some papers are desks.
C- Some desks are chairs.
Conclusions:
I. Some books are desks.
II. Some papers are chairs.
III. Some books are chairs.
- A.
Only I follows
- B.
Only II follows
- C.
Only III follows
- D.
None follows
Attempted by 4 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Answer: None of the conclusions follows.
Explanation: The three statements assert only that there are some overlaps between adjacent categories: some books are papers, some papers are desks, and some desks are chairs. 'Some' is not transitive, so these facts do not force overlaps between non-adjacent categories.
Conclusion I (Some books are desks): Does not follow. Counterexample: the books overlap papers in one small region, and a different part of papers overlaps desks; there may be no common element of books and desks.
Conclusion II (Some papers are chairs): Does not follow. Counterexample: papers overlap desks in one place and desks overlap chairs in another disjoint place, so papers and chairs need not overlap.
Conclusion III (Some books are chairs): Does not follow for the same reason — the overlaps can be arranged so books and chairs are disjoint.
Therefore, none of the conclusions is guaranteed by the statements; the correct choice is 'None follows.'