Statement and Conclusion Concepts

Understanding the Concepts of Statement and Conclusion

Statement and conclusion is a logical reasoning concept used to evaluate the validity of a given statement based on a set of conclusions.

In this concept, a statement is provided, followed by a series of conclusions. The task is to determine whether the conclusions logically follow from the given statement or not.

1. Statement

The statement presents a premise or a fact that serves as the basis for the reasoning process. It provides the context or background information for evaluating the conclusions. The statement can be a general statement, a specific fact, or a combination of both.

2. Conclusion

The conclusions are logical inferences drawn from the given statement. They represent possible outcomes or deductions that can be made based on the information provided in the statement. The conclusions may vary in terms of their relevance, accuracy, or logical connection to the statement.

To evaluate the statement and conclusions, one must carefully analyze the logical relationship between the given statement and each conclusion.

There are three possibilities:

1. If a conclusion can be logically derived from the statement, it is considered to be a valid conclusion.
2. If a conclusion cannot be logically derived from the statement, it is considered to be an invalid conclusion.
3. In some cases, the given statement may not provide enough information to determine the validity of a conclusion. In such cases, the conclusion is considered to be inconclusive or uncertain.

Here are some of the important statement and conclusion concepts:

Types of Statement and Conclusion Questions Asked in Placement Exams

Let's examine the different types of statement and conclusion questions that can be asked in the exams:

1. Action Intention

In this type of question, the reasoning is centered around an action being taken, and the focus is on the intention behind that action. The question may ask about the specific purpose or incentive behind consistently taking a particular action.

For Example:

Statement: John always volunteers at the local animal shelter.

Conclusion: John genuinely cares about animal welfare. Is the conclusion true or false?

2. Cause and Effect

These questions revolve around identifying the cause and its potential effects. The reasoning involves determining whether a given action consistently leads to a specific outcome. The question may ask about the validity of the relationship between the cause and effect.

For Example:

Statement: Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly contribute to overall health.

Conclusion: People who follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly are generally healthier. Is the conclusion true or false?

3. Keywords

Keywords play a crucial role in statement and conclusion reasoning. They help distinguish between claims that are definitely true, probably true, and absolutely false. Keywords such as adjectives, conjunctions, verbs, and adverbs provide insights into the degree and quality of the statement. Candidates should pay attention to these keywords when assessing the validity of the conclusion.

For Example:

Statement: Some athletes use performance-enhancing drugs.

Conclusion: All athletes use performance-enhancing drugs. Is the conclusion definitely true, probably true, or definitely false?

Tips & Tricks for Answering Statement and Conclusion Questions

The following are the tips for answering statement and conclusion questions:

1. Analyzing Keywords

Candidates should carefully analyze the passage and draw conclusions based on the usage of specific keywords. Understanding the keywords in the statement can help in evaluating the conclusion more accurately.

2. Distinguishing Between True and False Statements

To avoid confusion between choices like "definitely true" and "probably true," candidates should determine whether the additional assumption required to draw an inference or conclusion is universally true.

This helps in distinguishing between statements that are definitely true and those that are probably true. Similarly, the same approach can be used for statements that are definitely false and probably false.