Monday, December 7, 2009

Critical Reasoning

These are the list of useful tips that apply specifically to Critical Reasoning questions :
  1. Always read the question stem first (before reading the passage). It will contain useful clues about what to look for and think about as you read the passage.
  2. Questions that ask you to identify an assumption behind the argument are similar to those that ask you to select the answer choice the most seriously weakens the argument. In both types of questions, your task is to determine what must be assumed in order for the argument's conclusion to be reasonably inferable. In the latter type of question, your second task is to find the statement among the answer choices that refutes that assumption.
  3. If the passage confuses you, try identifying the argument's conclusion (often signaled by terms such as "as a result," "consequently," and "therefore") and its premises — evidence that is given as factual (often signaled by terms such as "because," "since," and "given that.") The passages do not always present the components of an argument in the most coherent sequence. Reasoning linearly from premises to conclusion can help you make sense of it all.
  4. In any question that asks which answer choice most effectively either weakens or strengthens the argument, you can be certain that one or two of the answer choices will go the wrong way — by accomplishing just the opposite of what the question asks for. Be on the lookout for them; it's remarkably easy to become confused and go for this type of answer choice under time pressure and during a momentary lapse of concentration.
  5. Many passages contain superfluous statements which are irrelevant to the argument and shouldn't come into play at all in responding to the question at hand. Don't be thrown by these red herrings; separate them out from the important logical features of the argument.

Format of critical reasoning questions: Multiple-choice You'll be given a one-paragraph passage (an argument), along with a question relating to that passage

Skills tested:Ability to understand, criticize, and draw reasonable conclusions from arguments

Critical reasoning strategies:

->Recognizing how to undermine (seriously weaken) an argument("Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the argument above?")

->Recognizing how to support (strengthen) an argument("Which of the following, if true, would provide most support for the conclusion of the argument above?")

->Identifying unstated assumptions("The foregoing argument depends on which of the following assumptions?")

->Drawing an inference from a series of stated premises("If all of the statements above are true, which of the following is most strongly supported by them?")

->Making valid deductions based on a series of premises and/or a conclusion("If all of the statements above are true, which of the following must also be true?")

->Recognizing patterns of reasoning("Which of the following demonstrates a pattern of reasoning most similar to the reasoning contained in the argument above?")

->Recognizing the main point, or final conclusion, of an argument("Which of the following best expresses the main point of the passage above?")

Types of questions:

  • Unstated-assumption questions
  • Undermining-evidence questions
  • Supporting-evidence questions

Unstated-assumption question:
As you read the argument ask yourself, "In addition to the stated premises, what must be assumed true here in order for the argument to leap to its conclusion?" Then look for that missing link among the answer choices; that choice will be the best one.

Undermining-evidence question:
As you read the argument ask yourself, "In addition to the stated premises, what must be assumed true here in order for the argument to leap to its conclusion?" Then scan the answer choices, looking for one that refutes, contradicts, or rules out that unstated assumption. That choice will be the best response to the question.

Supporting-evidence question:
As you read the argument ask yourself, "In addition to the stated premises, what must be assumed true here in order for the argument to leap to its conclusion?" Then look for the answer choice that provides, or affirms, the missing link; that choice will be the best response to the question.

Questions asked in TCS:

1)If AGRA=1310 km, DELHI=1680 km, JAIPUR=2310 km, then PURI =?

The solution is 2680(solve it yourself)

2)The purpose of the proposed law requiring a doctor's prescription.

The purpose of the proposed law requiring a doctor's prescription for obtaining hypodermic needles is to lower the incidence of drug-related deaths, both accidental and intentional, involving hypodermic needles. But even knitting needles can be lethal if they fall into the wrong hands; yet everyone would agree that imposing legal restrictions on obtaining knitting needles would be preposterous. Hence the proposed law involving hypodermic makes no sense and should not be enacted.

Which of the following, it true, would provide most support for the argument above?

(A) Knitting needles have been known to cause injury and death.
(B) The benefits of hypodermic needles outweigh those of knitting needles.
(C) The proposed law would not deter the sort of activity known to result in drug-related deaths.
(D) The proposed law could not be effectively enforced.
(E) Knitting needles are not readily available to anybody who wants to obtain them.

Solution :(C) The proposed law would not deter the sort of activity known to result in drug-related deaths(post your solutions n proper explanations).

3)Aweed killer to kill the weeds has been developed. the weed killer solution has to be applied to the growing tips. it need not to be applied to all the tips. the solution has to be prepared in a can in one hand and the plants are taken in the other hand with a glove and are immersed in the solution if we cannot immerse them in the solution the solution can be applied to the roots with a brush. it used without care it can pose danger to other plants.

->The solutions has to applied to growing leaves (True/False/Can't say)

->To use the weed killer first take the plants in the can as then pour the solution into it. ( True / False /Can't say)

->It is sufficient to apply it only to some roots (True/False/Can't say)

->It effects to the other plants. (True/False/Can't say)


Post your solutions:


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