Consider the following : Statement : Good voice is a natural gift but one has to keep practising to improve and excel well in the field of music. Conclusions : I. Natural gifts need nurturing and care. II. Even though one's voice is not good, one can keep practising. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statement and conclusions?
- (a) Only conclusion I follows from the statement. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Only conclusion II follows from the statement.
- (c) Either conclusion I or conclusion II follows from the statement.
- (d) Neither conclusion I nor conclusion II follows from the statement.
Why the answer is (a)
• The statement asserts that a good voice is a natural gift, but improvement and excellence require continuous practice.
• Conclusion I states that natural gifts need nurturing and care, which is a direct logical inference from the requirement of practice to improve a natural gift.
• Conclusion II suggests that one can keep practising even if their voice is not good, which is not supported by the statement that specifically links practice to improving an existing good voice.
• Since the statement does not address individuals with poor voices, Conclusion II does not follow.
• Therefore, only Conclusion I is validly derived from the given statement.
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Only conclusion II follows from the statement.
- Conclusion II is not supported because the statement only discusses improving a good voice, not practising with a bad one.
- (c) Either conclusion I or conclusion II follows from the statement.
- Conclusion II does not follow, so it is incorrect to say either conclusion follows.
- (d) Neither conclusion I nor conclusion II follows from the statement.
- Conclusion I does follow from the statement, so it is incorrect to say neither follows.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.