UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies
Question 133: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability
Examine the following statements: I watch TV only if I am bored. I am never bored when I have my brother’s company. Whenever I go to the theatre, I take my brother along. Which one of the following conclusions is valid in the context of the above statements?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
From 'I watch TV only if I am bored', watching TV requires boredom: if I watch TV, I am bored. The contrapositive follows: if I am not bored, I do not watch TV. Option (a) reverses the statement, which does not follow, since being bored does not oblige me to watch TV. Options (b) and (c) need links that are not given.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Reverses the 'only if' statement; being bored does not oblige me to watch TV.
- (b) Being bored means not being with my brother, the opposite of this.
- (c) Not being with my brother does not force me to watch TV.
- (d) Right: the contrapositive of 'TV only if bored'.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.