In each question below is given a statement followed by two conclusions…
2024
In each question below is given a statement followed by two conclusions numbered I and II. You have to assume everything in the statement to be true, then consider the two conclusions together and decide which of them logically follows beyond a reasonable doubt from the information given in the statement.
Statements: America's defence secretary reiterated that they would continue to supply arms to Pakistan.
Conclusions:
i. Pakistan is incapable of manufacturing arms.
ii. It would ensure peace in the region.
- A.
Only conclusion I follows
- B.
Only conclusion II follows
- C.
Either I or II follows
- D.
Neither I nor II follows
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept: In 'Statement and Conclusions' questions, a conclusion is said to 'follow' only when it can be deduced directly from the statement, without relying on outside assumptions or general knowledge. The 'Either/Or' pattern applies only when the two conclusions are complementary — they concern the same subject and together cover all possibilities, so that at least one of them must hold. When neither conclusion is a valid deduction and the two conclusions are not complementary, the correct classification is 'Neither'.
Application: The statement here states only that America will continue supplying arms to Pakistan. It makes no claim about Pakistan's own manufacturing capacity, so no inference can be drawn about domestic production either way. It also makes no claim about the effect on regional peace, so no inference can be drawn about that either.
Only conclusion I follows — wrongly assumes that receiving supplied arms means an inability to manufacture them; a country can import arms for reasons unrelated to capability, such as diversifying suppliers or upgrading technology.
Only conclusion II follows — wrongly assumes continued arms supply automatically secures a peaceful outcome; the statement is silent on security or diplomatic consequences.
Either conclusion I or II follows — the either/or form applies only when two conclusions are complementary statements about the same subject; manufacturing capacity and regional peace are unrelated subjects, so this pairing can never take the either/or form here.
Cross-check: Since neither conclusion is independently a valid deduction, and the two conclusions are not complementary (so the either/or form cannot apply either), the only consistent classification left is that neither conclusion follows.
Answer: Neither I nor II follows.