Statement and Argument Reasoning, Concepts & Download PDF

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Statement and Argument is a fundamental topic in reasoning that frequently appears in SSC, Banking, and RRB exams. In this blog, we have provided all the details about what Statement and Argument reasoning is, its importance, types of questions, key concepts, formulas, tricks, solved examples, and more. This blog covers the definition, importance, short notes, rules, useful tricks, solved examples and practice questions based on the common exam patterns of SSC, Railways, Banking and other competitive exams.

What are Statement and Argument Questions?

In these questions, a statement or issue is followed by one or more arguments. You need to determine whether each argument is strong or weak. A strong argument is logical, relevant and directly connected to the issue, while a weak argument is vague, emotional, impractical or based on unnecessary assumptions.

Download Statement and Argument Questions PDF

You can download the complete set of Statement and Argument questions with detailed solutions for SSCRailwaysBanking, Insurance, Insurance, Defence and other competitive exams from the link given below:

Attempt Statement and Argument Questions Live Quiz

Solve the Statement and Argument questions given below and test your logical reasoning skills. The live quiz includes exam-relevant questions for SSC, Railways, Banking, Insurance and other competitive exams.

Practice Statement and Argument Questions Live Score: 0.00

Q1. Statement:
Should financial literacy be made a compulsory part of the secondary-school curriculum?

Arguments:
I. Yes. Basic knowledge of saving, borrowing and fraud prevention can help students make safer financial decisions later.
II. Yes. All parents are incapable of teaching children anything about money.

Q2. Statement:
Should a city reserve some seats in public libraries for competitive-exam candidates during peak months?

Arguments:
I. No. Competitive-exam candidates usually carry more books than other readers.
II. Yes. A limited reservation during predictable peak demand can improve access without closing the library to others.

Q3. Statement:
Should government colleges charge a small refundable deposit for laboratory equipment issued to students?

Arguments:
I. Yes. A refundable deposit can encourage careful handling while returning the money when the equipment is safely returned.
II. No. Students from low-income families may face difficulty paying even a refundable amount unless exemptions are provided.

Q4. Statement:
Should every school replace textbooks entirely with tablets?

Arguments:
I. Yes. Electronic devices never malfunction and therefore are always superior to books.
II. No. Printed books look more serious in photographs of classrooms.

Q5. Statement:
Should schools conduct periodic fire-safety drills?

Arguments:
I. Yes. Practice can help students and staff respond more calmly and follow evacuation routes during an emergency.
II. No. A drill should not be held because it may interrupt one class period.

Q6. Statement:
Should universities record and publish all classroom lectures online?

Arguments:
I. Yes. Every student prefers recorded lectures to live teaching.
II. No. Mandatory publication may create privacy, copyright and participation concerns, so institutions should use a selective policy.

Q7. Statement:
Should vocational training be offered alongside regular subjects in senior secondary schools?

Arguments:
I. Yes. It can provide practical skills and expose students to additional career paths.
II. No. Schools may need trained instructors, equipment and time, which can strain resources if the programme is poorly planned.

Q8. Statement:
Should school uniforms be abolished nationwide?

Arguments:
I. Yes. Uniforms are the only reason students dislike school.
II. No. Every student who wears a uniform automatically becomes disciplined.

Q9. Statement:
Should answer sheets in major public examinations be digitised for evaluation?

Arguments:
I. Yes. Digitisation can improve tracking, reduce physical handling and support audit trails.
II. No. Evaluators will refuse to use computers because they dislike change.

Q10. Statement:
Should colleges make attendance optional for all courses?

Arguments:
I. Yes. College students are adults, so attendance can never affect learning outcomes.
II. No. Some courses require laboratories, supervised practice or continuous participation that cannot be replaced by self-study alone.

Q11. Statement:
Should a city introduce dedicated bus lanes on heavily congested roads?

Arguments:
I. Yes. Dedicated lanes can improve bus reliability and move more passengers efficiently.
II. No. Removing general-traffic space may worsen congestion unless road design and enforcement are suitable.

Q12. Statement:
Should all speed breakers be removed from urban roads?

Arguments:
I. Yes. Some drivers complain that speed breakers are uncomfortable.
II. No. Yellow paint is more attractive than white paint on roads.

Q13. Statement:
Should helmets be compulsory for both riders and pillion passengers on two-wheelers?

Arguments:
I. Yes. Both riders and pillion passengers are exposed to head injury in a crash.
II. No. Helmet rules should be rejected because some people find helmets unfashionable.

Q14. Statement:
Should private vehicles be restricted around major markets on festival evenings?

Arguments:
I. No. Some shop owners personally prefer to park beside their shops.
II. Yes. Time-bound restrictions can reduce gridlock and improve emergency access in crowded areas.

Q15. Statement:
Should railway stations introduce platform tickets through mobile applications as well as counters?

Arguments:
I. Yes. An additional digital channel can reduce queues for users who can access it.
II. No. A mobile-only system could exclude people without smartphones, so counters should continue.

Quiz Summary

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What Is Statement and Argument in Reasoning?

Statement and Argument questions give you a statement and two arguments. You are required to judge which argument is strong, weak, or both.

  • Purpose in exams: Tests your logical thinking and decision-making skills.
  • Skills required: Logic, analytical thinking, evaluation of arguments, and ability to differentiate assumptions from conclusions.

Why is Statement and Argument Important in Competitive Exams?

Statement and Argument questions are important as they assess logical reasoning and judgment skills, which are essential for professional decision-making. Below is an overview of how frequently it appears and difficulty level:

ExamNo. of QuestionsDifficulty
SSC CGL / SSC CHSL1-2Easy
IBPS PO / SBI PO1-2Moderate
RRB NTPC / RRB Group D1Easy
State PSC / Police1–2Moderate

Statement and Argument Reasoning Short Notes

Statement and Argument questions often follow logical patterns and standard formats. Here is a mini-glossary for quick revision:

ConceptDetails
StatementA sentence presenting a situation or fact
ArgumentReasoning for or against the statement
Strong ArgumentLogically valid and relevant to the statement
Weak ArgumentIrrelevant or invalid reasoning
AssumptionImplicit idea needed to accept the statement
NotationSymbols for arguments (e.g., A, B)

Quick Revision Summary on Statement and Argument

Some of the important concepts of reasoning for the topic statement and argument are as follows:

ConceptExplanation
Strong ArgumentDirectly supports the statement
Weak ArgumentContradicts or is irrelevant to the statement
Evaluate LogicCheck relevance and truthfulness
Discard ExtremesAvoid arguments based on extreme views
Focus on FactsOnly consider verifiable facts
Eliminate BiasDo not let personal opinion affect choice

Types of Statement and Argument Questions

In competitive exams, Statement and Argument questions are asked to test your ability to evaluate reasoning logically. These questions are generally classified into Weak Arguments and Strong Arguments, each having separate characteristics:

1. Weak Arguments

Weak arguments fail to effectively support the statement. They are often irrelevant, unclear, or illogical. Common types include:

  • Ambiguous Arguments: Arguments that are vague or unclear, making it difficult to determine their connection to the statement.
  • Irrelevant Arguments (Superfluous): Arguments that do not contribute meaningfully to the discussion or lack depth.
  • Question-back Arguments: Arguments that respond with a question instead of providing a logical support to the statement.

2. Strong Arguments

Strong arguments provide solid support to the statement and are logical, factual, or widely accepted. Key types include:

  • Fact-based Arguments: Arguments grounded in verified facts or established truths.
  • Experience-based Arguments: Arguments supported by past experiences or observed outcomes.
  • Universally Accepted Arguments: Arguments that are considered generally true or widely acknowledged as valid.

Statement and Argument Formulas for Reasoning

Use these mental templates for faster solving:

  1. Argument Strength Check: If it directly supports statement – Strong, else Weak.
  2. Fact vs Opinion: Facts can be proven, opinions cannot.
  3. Elimination Method: Remove clearly irrelevant or extreme arguments first.
  4. Logical Flow: Check whether argument logically follows cause – effect.

Statement and Argument Tricks for SSC CGL and Other Exams

Below are the tricks to solve Statement and Argument Questions for SSC CGL Exam

  1. Read the statement carefully before looking at arguments.
  2. Start evaluation from the first argument.
  3. Ignore personal opinion; focus on logic.
  4. Use elimination method to remove weak options.
  5. Identify keywords in statement that hint at strong argument.

FAQs

Q1. What strategy should I follow for tricky or ambiguous arguments?

Break down the statement and arguments, check for clarity and relevance, and discard any argument that is vague, opinion-based, or indirect.

Q2. How to solve Statement and Argument questions fast?

Focus on evaluating relevance and direct support to the statement and eliminate irrelevant options.

Q3. Are Statement and Argument questions asked in SBI PO Mains?

Yes, 1–2 questions are generally included in reasoning sections.

Q4. What is the difference between ambiguous and superfluous arguments?

Ambiguous arguments are unclear or vague, while superfluous arguments are irrelevant or unnecessary without logical contribution.

Q5. How to handle tricky words like “always,” “never,” or “all” in arguments?

These words often indicate weak arguments. Carefully check if the argument is universally acceptable or just an opinion.