Dear all ,

Here is a post that can help you with one of the most important area in various entrance
tests particularly CAT…wherein from the last 4-5 years the questions on Critical
Reasoning(CR) has been a regular feature.

So, let us begin…

Before starting on with what is CR , we should understand that why these questions are
asked . See , the purpose of these questions is to test your decision making ability in other
words it is the lowest possible level on which your decision making approach can be
tested because you’ll be the future managers , you’ll face many problems , can you
identify the problems? Can you analyse the main problem from the given situation? Can
you evaluate and reach to the solution ? This is on what CR tests you on…

So , let us start now by understanding what is the structure of CR type question-

A typical CR question has three parts-

A small paragraph(4-5 lines) , which is ARGUMENT according to the terminology used
in CR.
Question that is asked
Answer options most 4 or 5

We’ll describe the-first part-first of all i.e. ARGUMENT

Now, why do we argue…I believe the most obvious answer to this question is that we
argue to prove our point i.e. we want to prove our point of view and want the other
person to agree to what ever we are saying… So likewise in the argument presented to us
in CR question the author wants us to believe in whatever he is saying i.e. the point he
wants to prove- this is called Conclusion .

Now I want you to believe in whatever I am trying to prove, so what would I do? Won’t I
provide you with relevant facts or information so as to make you believe. These facts or
reasons in CR are called PREMISES.

So, in a given argument ,Premise(s)(facts) have to be given so as to form a logical path

that’ll lead me to the Conclusion(the point made by the author).But, at times the premises
given to me are not sufficient to reach to the conclusion in that case we have to consider
another factor that is ASSUMPTION in order to reach to the conclusion . Assumption is
thus an unstated premise or a fact that along with the premise leads me to the conclusion.
So, there are three parts in an argument which follows the relation :
Premise(s) + Assumption = Conclusion
Note: it’s not that in every argument the assumption exists but if after reading the
argument one feels that the premises given are not sufficient to reach to the conclusion
only then there could be an assumption but if after reading the argument you feel that the
premises given to me are sufficient to reach the conclusion then NO assumption exists.
Happy learning....i'll continue the post soon.......

regrds

jakhar...

P.S. i would want all my fellow puys to start posting questions and explanantion on CR
questions

hi friends......yet another post on critical reasoning...

we'll continue from where we left....

By now you all must be quite familiar with the terms like...Argument ? Premise ?
Conclusion ?

Understanding and finding ASSUMPTION is something you must be really very good
at..and if you are able to figure out the assumtion the hidden fact -in that case you have a
good eye to understand the argument and thereby understanding the CR question.

But before we go on exploring and locating Assumption ...you need to do one more
thing...

Whenever you come across a CR question enlist all the things given to you in an
Argument- i.e locate premise , conclusion ...etc. As this would help you understand a
question in a better way.

for eg. take this question- Forbear to judge ,for we are all sinners(a quote from
shakespears play)

We are given a Premise:We are all sinners.

Conclusion: Forbear to judge.

So, make it a habit to locate all the elements given in an Argument.

Now we move on to exploring assumption :

for eg. Q. a >b & a>c and so, b=c.
So, enlisting what all things are given to you: P1- a>b and P2- a>c and a conclusion is
b=c

Now, how to find the assumption; Ask a Q that whether the given facts are sufficient to
reach to the conclusion , if the ans comes out to be Yes in that case no assumption
exists ;and if the ans is No then there exists an assumption... so asking the same Q in the
above question - what is the ans Yes/ No. If the ans is No then in that case you are right
there exists an assumption and the assumption is A: a-b=a-c ; i.e. a is greater than b by
the same value as a is greater than c. So, providing this hidden fact we are able to
understand and form a logical link that'll lead to conclusion with a much better
understanding.

Try another Q. The question is - Liquid Ammonia is lighter than water. So, liquid
Ammonia will float on water.

Yes the first step is to enlist what all things are given to you-
P-Liquid Ammonia is lighter than water.&C- Liquid Ammonia will float on water.

Note:- At time you are given conclusion indicators in the form of words like- so, thus,
hence,as a result etc. these words will help me to locate a conclusion (if given)
easily.Likewise we have premise indicators like - and(connecting 2 premises), whereas ,
but(showing contrast) etc.

So, now comes the second thing that is to ask a question -that whether the given
premise(s) sufficient to reach to the conclusion if Yes then there is no assumption , if No
there exists an assumption.

So... does assumption exists or not.If the ans is Yes to the question above then you are
wrong as there exists an assumption...

If your Answer is Yes these facts are sufficient then tell me ...did you use your common
sense that anything that is lighter than water will float on water....if so you are breaking
the Rule#1 which is- Never use your common sense.

Is it mentioned somewhere that -Anything lighter than water will float on water...No, it's
not mentioned...So, we cannot take it for granted.

The Assumption : Anything lighter than water will float on water.

So, by providing this additional fact we 'll be able to understand the argument.

Other way of finding the assumtion is challenge the conclusion that...if in place of liq.
ammonia there is some substance X which is lighter than water then is the conclusion
valid for the substance X as well.

If you had some clarity on the issue...then try this Question

Q. India's time Zone is 5-1/2 hrs ahead of G.M.T.(Greenvich Mean Time) Hence, India
lies East of U.K.

So, does the assumption exist????? to be contd

Dear All ,
Here are the three rules I always apply and get result(most of the times)...

Rule# 1 : Never use your common sense while doing CR questions.

Rule# 2 : Do not forget Rule#1 ( So that tells what is the importance of Rule#1)
Rule# 3 : exhaust your logic at each and every Answer option , you'll definitely come to
the correct ans option. Keep a fresh and and a clear mind while doing CR question.

Keep these rules in mind and you'll definitely crack the questions- the timely application
of these rules will be told to you when we come across the questions where these rules
play an important role.

Logic : Plain , Simple , Lucid.

Happy learning