Directions : Each question given below consists of a statement, followed by…
2021
Directions : Each question given below consists of a statement, followed by three or four arguments numbered I, II, III and IV. You have to decide which of the arguments is/are ‘strong’ argument(s) and which is/are ‘weak’ argument(s) and accordingly choose your answer from the alternatives given below each question.
Statements: Should trade unions be banned completely?
Arguments:
I. Yes. Workers can concentrate on production.
II. No. This is the only way through which employees can put their demands before the management.
III. Yes. Employees get their illegal demands fulfilled through these unions.
IV. No. Trade unions are not banned in other economically advanced countries.
Answer: B. Only II is strong — ConceptAn argument is strong only if it is directly relevant to the question and rests on a substantial, real consequence that a rational decision-maker would…
- A.
Only I is strong
- B.
Only II is strong
- C.
Only I and II are strong
- D.
Only I, II and III are strong
- E.
None of these
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept
An argument is strong only if it is directly relevant to the question and rests on a substantial, real consequence that a rational decision-maker would weigh. An argument is weak if it is superficial, raises only a minor or trivial point, makes an unsupported over-generalisation, restates the question, or appeals to an irrelevant comparison. Each argument must be judged on its own merit, independently of whether you personally agree with the conclusion.
Applying the test to each argument
Yes — workers can concentrate on production: Weak. It assumes, without support, that the mere absence of a union makes workers more productive. Banning a union does not by itself improve concentration on production, so this is a superficial, unsubstantiated claim.
No — this is the only way employees can put their demands before the management: Strong. It identifies a genuine and significant function of trade unions — collective representation that lets employees voice their demands to management. Removing that channel has a real, weighty consequence for workers, so the argument is directly relevant and substantial.
Yes — employees get their illegal demands fulfilled through these unions: Weak. It is a sweeping over-generalisation. It is not established that unions, in general, exist to fulfil illegal demands; an isolated misuse does not justify a complete ban.
No — trade unions are not banned in other economically advanced countries: Weak. A bare comparison with other countries is not, by itself, a strong reason. Economic and social conditions differ, so 'others do not ban them' carries little independent decision-making weight.
Cross-check
Exactly one argument — the point that unions are the channel through which employees place their demands before management — survives the strong-argument test. The other three are either superficial, an over-generalisation, or an irrelevant comparison. Hence only the second argument is strong, which matches the choice “Only II is strong”.