Introduction

This guide covers the Statement & Conclusions topic for CHSL aspirants. Master the concept, understand the tricks, and then test yourself with 10 practice MCQs.

Statement & Conclusions — Concept Guide

In these questions, you are given a statement (or passage) followed by two conclusions. You must decide whether each conclusion logically follows from the given statement.

Key Rules

  • Follow directly: The conclusion must be implied by the statement — not just possible.
  • Avoid over-generalization: "Many" or "some" does not mean "all."
  • Avoid under-reading: If "all A are B," then any specific A is definitely B.
  • No outside assumptions: Judge only from the given statement.

Common Traps

  • Affirming the consequent (If A→B, then B→A is NOT valid)
  • Using word "always" or "never" when statement uses "usually" or "often"
  • Making the conclusion broader than the statement

⚡ Shortcuts & Tricks

  • Rephrase the statement as a logical formula: A → B.
  • Strong conclusion from weak statement = WRONG.
  • If conclusion is a direct restatement of the statement = CORRECT.
  • Look for qualifying words: "always, never, all, some, many, usually" — they change validity.
  • When both conclusions are wrong separately, check "Either I or II follows."

Practice MCQs — Statement & Conclusions (10 Questions)

Now test your understanding with these 10 questions:

Q1. Statement: All students who study hard pass. Conclusion: Those who pass studied hard.

  • A. Conclusion follows
  • B. Conclusion does not follow
  • C. Uncertain
  • D. Data inadequate
Answer: B — This is the fallacy of affirming the consequent. Not all who pass must have studied hard.

Q2. Statement: Many accidents are caused by drunk driving. Conclusion: All drunk drivers cause accidents.

  • A. Follows
  • B. Does not follow
  • C. Uncertain
  • D. None
Answer: B — 'Many' does not imply 'all'. The conclusion is too strong.

Q3. Statement: Reading improves vocabulary. Reading requires time. Conclusion: Improving vocabulary requires time.

  • A. Follows
  • B. Does not follow
  • C. Uncertain
  • D. None
Answer: A — Logical chain: reading → vocabulary; reading → time; so vocabulary requires time.

Q4. Statement: No pain, no gain. Conclusion: All gains involve pain.

  • A. Follows
  • B. Does not follow
  • C. Uncertain
  • D. None
Answer: A — The statement 'No pain, no gain' means gain implies pain. Conclusion correctly follows.

Q5. Statement: Every cloud has a silver lining. Conclusion: All bad situations have something positive.

  • A. Follows
  • B. Does not follow
  • C. Uncertain
  • D. None
Answer: A — The idiom means exactly this — it follows logically from the metaphorical statement.

Q6. Statement: Most politicians are educated. Conclusion: All educated people are politicians.

  • A. Follows
  • B. Does not follow
  • C. Uncertain
  • D. None
Answer: B — Converse of 'most' is invalid. Being educated does not make one a politician.

Q7. Statement: Sales increased after the new ad campaign. Conclusion: Ad campaigns always increase sales.

  • A. Follows
  • B. Does not follow
  • C. Uncertain
  • D. None
Answer: B — One instance of sales increase doesn't justify a universal claim.

Q8. Statement: Dogs that are well-trained obey commands. Rex obeys commands. Conclusion: Rex is well-trained.

  • A. Follows
  • B. Does not follow
  • C. Uncertain
  • D. None
Answer: C — Cannot be certain — Rex may obey for other reasons.

Q9. Statement: Exercise is essential for good health. Conclusion: Without exercise, good health is impossible.

  • A. Follows
  • B. Does not follow
  • C. Uncertain
  • D. None
Answer: B — 'Essential' means necessary but the conclusion is too absolute; some may have good health without intense exercise.

Q10. Statement: All high-calorie food is tasty. Pizza is tasty. Conclusion: Pizza is high-calorie.

  • A. Follows
  • B. Does not follow
  • C. Uncertain
  • D. None
Answer: B — Affirming the consequent fallacy. Not all tasty food is high-calorie.

Summary

Statement & Conclusions is a scoring topic in CHSL if you practise consistently. Focus on understanding the concept, apply the shortcut tricks, and practice regularly. Aim for 100% accuracy in this topic through regular revision.