2001 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 149: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability
Anand must be a vegetarian because he is a Buddhist. The argument assumes that
amost Buddhists are vegetarians
ball Buddhists are vegetarians
conly Buddhists are vegetarians
dmost vegetarians are Buddhists
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The argument runs: Anand is a Buddhist, so he must be a vegetarian. For this to hold for Anand, being a Buddhist must guarantee being a vegetarian, so the hidden assumption is that all Buddhists are vegetarians. 'Most' would not make it certain for Anand, and the other two options run in the wrong direction.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) If only most Buddhists were vegetarians, Anand might not be one.
- (b) Right: all Buddhists are vegetarians.
- (c) 'Only Buddhists are vegetarians' reverses the logic.
- (d) 'Most vegetarians are Buddhists' reverses the logic.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.