SSC CGL Preparation – Day 15

Reasoning: Statement and Conclusion

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📘 What is a Statement and Conclusion?

• A statement is a given piece of information or assertion.
• A conclusion is a decision or judgment drawn from the statement.
• You must decide whether the given conclusion logically follows from the statement.

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🎯 Types of Questions in SSC CGL:

1. Single Statement – Two Conclusions
2. Two Statements – One or Two Conclusions
3. Cause and Effect-based Conclusions
4. Inference and Assumption Blending (Less frequent)

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🧠 How to Approach the Question

• Read the statement carefully.
• Evaluate each conclusion independently.
• Avoid assumptions not given in the statement.
• Conclusions must be logically derived and must follow beyond doubt.

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📌 Common Phrases & Their Logical Impact

Statement Phrase	Implication
All X are Y	Universal Affirmative
Some X are Y	Partial Affirmative
No X is Y	Universal Negative
Only X are Y	Exclusive
None but X is Y	Same as Only

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💡 Golden Rules

• True conclusion = Directly follows or can be logically inferred
• False conclusion = Contradicts or can’t be logically inferred
• Avoid “maybe, probably, possibly” in conclusions

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🧪 Example Questions & Solutions

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Q1.

Statement: All cats are animals.
Conclusion I: Some animals are cats.
Conclusion II: All animals are cats.

Solution:

• I follows (Some animals being cats is logically valid).
• II does not follow (Not all animals are cats).

✅ Answer: Only Conclusion I follows

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Q2.

Statement: Some pens are pencils.
Conclusion I: Some pencils are pens.
Conclusion II: All pencils are pens.

Solution:

• I follows (Reversal of “some” is logically valid).
• II does not follow (Overgeneralization).

✅ Answer: Only Conclusion I follows

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Q3.

Statement: Only students can enter the library.
Conclusion I: Ram, being a student, can enter the library.
Conclusion II: If a person is not a student, he cannot enter the library.

Solution:

• I may follow, but Ram is not mentioned.
• II follows because of “Only students”

✅ Answer: Only Conclusion II follows

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Q4.

Statement: Pollution is increasing due to industries.
Conclusion I: Industries should be banned.
Conclusion II: Measures should be taken to control pollution.

Solution:

• I is extreme.
• II is logical and follows.

✅ Answer: Only Conclusion II follows

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Q5.

Statement: Government has decided to increase tax on petrol.
Conclusion I: Government wants to earn more revenue.
Conclusion II: People will now use public transport more.

Solution:

• I is a possible reason and follows.
• II is speculative.

✅ Answer: Only Conclusion I follows

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🔍 Important Tips for SSC CGL:

• Avoid emotional or subjective judgments.
• Stick to what’s explicitly stated or logically inferred.
• Practice Venn diagrams for syllogism-type cases.
• Recognize extreme conclusions (e.g., always, never) – usually do not follow.

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🧭 Common Traps

Trap	Tip to Avoid
Assuming general truths	Stick to statement-only logic
Emotion-based answer	SSC logic is strictly factual
Overthinking implied meanings	SSC tests direct reasoning