Study Notes – Statement & Conclusion
(Reasoning Ability – Odisha Forest Guard Exam)
1. Simple Explanation
In reasoning‑ability tests, Statements are facts or observations presented in a paragraph. Conclusions are logical inferences that can be drawn from those statements.
- Statement → Given information
- Conclusion → What must be true (or false) if the statements are true
The task is to decide whether a conclusion follows (is necessarily true), does not follow (cannot be determined), or is ambiguous (may be true or false).
2. Key Points to Remember
| # | Concept | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Logical linkage | Does the conclusion directly depend on the statements? | Only direct logical relations are accepted. |
| 2 | Necessity vs. possibility | If the conclusion can be true in all cases that satisfy the statements → True. If it can be false in some case → Cannot be concluded. | Determines correctness. |
| 3 | Contradiction | Does the conclusion contradict any statement? | Contradictions are automatically invalid. |
| 4 | Extra information | Are there facts not mentioned that could change the conclusion? | If missing facts can alter the outcome → the conclusion is not certain. |
| 5 | Multiple statements | Combine all statements before drawing a conclusion. | Overlooking a statement can lead to wrong inference. |
| 6 | Type of conclusion | • Necessary (must be true) • Sufficient (if true, then something else) • Both |
Understanding the kind of inference helps decide validity. |
| 7 | Common traps | • Assuming “if A then B” means “A is necessary for B”. • Neglecting “not” or “none” in statements. |
Avoids logical errors. |
| 8 | Answer key format | Usually options: A) Conclusion follows, B) Conclusion does not follow, C) Both A & B, D) None of the above. | Know how to choose the right option. |
3. Worked Example
Statements
- All jaguars are wild cats.
- No wild cat is a domestic animal.
- All domestic animals are mammals.
Conclusion (C): No jaguar is a mammal.
Step‑by‑Step Analysis
| Step | What We Know | Logical Deduction |
|---|---|---|
| S1 | “All jaguars are wild cats.” | Every jaguar ∈ WildCats |
| S2 | “No wild cat is a domestic animal.” | WildCats ∩ DomesticAnimals = Ø |
| S3 | “All domestic animals are mammals.” | DomesticAnimals ⊆ Mammals |
| C | “No jaguar is a mammal.” | To prove this, we’d need: Jagurs ∩ Mammals = Ø |
Do we have enough evidence?
- From S1, we only know that jaguars are wild cats.
- S2 tells us wild cats are not domestic animals.
- S3 tells us domestic animals are mammals.
But nothing says that wild cats themselves cannot be mammals!
In fact, we know all cats (wild or domestic) are mammals, but this fact is not stated in the statements. Since the statements do not exclude the possibility that jaguars are mammals, the conclusion “No jaguar is a mammal” cannot be drawn.
Answer: The conclusion does not follow.
Quick Check
- Contradiction? No.
- Missing link? Yes – we need a statement that wild cats are non‑mammals, which is absent.
- Conclusion type? The conclusion is a necessary statement (if true, then all jaguars are not mammals) but the premises do not guarantee it.
4. Quick Revision Summary
- Identify all statements – list them clearly.
- Look for direct logical links – is the conclusion a logical consequence?
- Check for necessity – does the conclusion hold in every scenario the statements allow?
- Spot contradictions – any statement that directly opposes the conclusion?
- Watch for missing information – if an extra fact could change the outcome, the conclusion is uncertain.
- Use the “must be true / may be false” rule – only “must be true” conclusions are acceptable.
- Avoid common traps – e.g., assuming “if A then B” implies “A is necessary for B.”
- Choose the right answer option – A) follows, B) does not follow, etc.
Quick Practice Question
Statements
- Every evergreen tree is a conifer.
- No conifer is a deciduous tree.
- Some deciduous trees are fruit trees.
Conclusion: No evergreen tree is a deciduous tree.
Answer: A – The conclusion follows.
Reason: From (1) every evergreen is a conifer. From (2) no conifer is a deciduous. Therefore, no evergreen can be deciduous.
Happy studying!
Review these steps, practice with past exam questions, and you’ll master the “Statement & Conclusion” section with confidence.