All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Directions: A statement is given followed by two inferences I and II. You have to consider the statement to be true even if it seems to be at variance with commonly known facts. You have to decide which of the given inferences, if any, follow from the given statement.

Statement: Many students are addicted to mobile games and this leads to poor academic performance.

Inference:

I. Many Students are not paying attention to studies due to mobile games.

II. It is only because of mobile games that students fail in the examination. 

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2022 Tier-II (Paper 2 JSO) Previous Year Paper (04-Mar-2023)
The correct answer is

If only I follows

Let's analyze the given statement and the two inferences to determine which one logically follows. The statement establishes a relationship between mobile game addiction and poor academic performance among many students.

Analyzing the Statement: Mobile Games and Academic Performance

The statement is: "Many students are addicted to mobile games and this leads to poor academic performance."

This means there is a cause-and-effect mentioned: mobile game addiction is presented as a cause, and poor academic performance is presented as an effect, specifically for "many students".

Examining Inference I: Attention to Studies

Inference I states: "Many Students are not paying attention to studies due to mobile games."

  • The statement says mobile game addiction leads to poor academic performance.
  • If students are addicted to mobile games, they are likely spending a significant amount of time or mental energy on games instead of studying.
  • This diversion of time and focus naturally means they are "not paying attention to studies" as much as they should.
  • The inference uses the phrase "Many Students," which aligns with the scope mentioned in the statement.

Therefore, Inference I is a reasonable and logical consequence of the statement. If mobile game addiction causes poor academic performance, it's because students are distracted from their studies by the games.

Examining Inference II: Sole Cause of Failure

Inference II states: "It is only because of mobile games that students fail in the examination."

  • The statement says mobile game addiction "leads to" poor academic performance. "Leads to" indicates a contributing factor or a cause, but it does not necessarily imply it is the *only* cause.
  • Poor academic performance or failure can be caused by many factors, such as lack of effort, inadequate teaching, personal problems, health issues, other distractions, etc.
  • Inference II uses the strong word "only," claiming that mobile games are the *sole* reason students fail. The original statement does not provide information to support this exclusive claim. It only mentions mobile games as *a* factor leading to poor performance, not the *only* factor causing failure.

Therefore, Inference II makes an assumption (that mobile games are the *only* cause of failure) that is not supported by the information given in the statement. It goes beyond what can be logically inferred.

Conclusion on Inferences

Based on the analysis:

  • Inference I logically follows from the statement because addiction to mobile games causing poor performance implies less attention is paid to studies.
  • Inference II does not follow because the statement does not claim mobile games are the *only* reason for poor academic performance or failure.

Thus, only Inference I follows from the given statement.

Statement Inference I Inference II
Many students are addicted to mobile games and this leads to poor academic performance. Many Students are not paying attention to studies due to mobile games. It is only because of mobile games that students fail in the examination.
Connects mobile game addiction to poor performance for many students. Reasonable consequence: distraction from studies due to games. Unjustified claim: names mobile games as the only cause of failure.
Follows Does Not Follow

Revision Table: Statement and Inference Analysis

Reviewing statements and inferences is a key skill in logical reasoning tests. Always pay close attention to qualifying words like "many," "some," "all," "only," "never," etc., as they define the scope and certainty of the statements. An inference must be directly and logically derivable from the given statement(s), without bringing in outside information or making unwarranted assumptions.

Additional Information: Drawing Valid Conclusions

When evaluating inferences, remember:

  • Stick to the Given: Only use the information provided in the statement.
  • Avoid Outside Knowledge: Do not assume commonly known facts if they contradict or go beyond the statement.
  • Identify Keywords: Note words that indicate quantity (many, some, all) or exclusivity (only, alone).
  • Test Necessity: Ask yourself, "Does this inference *have* to be true if the statement is true?" If not, it doesn't follow.
  • Look for Overstatements: Inferences using "all" or "only" when the statement is less absolute (uses "many" or "some") are often incorrect.
Was this answer helpful?

Important Questions from Critical Reasoning

  1. As a responsible person, which of the following is not advisable?

  2. A, B, and C have a few chocolates among themselves. A gives to each of the other two half the number of chocolates they already have. Similarly B and C (in that order) give each of the other two half the number of chocolates each of them already has. Now, if each of them has the same number of chocolates, what could be the minimum number of chocolates they have among themselves?
  3. Given question has main statement followed by four statements. Choose the ordered pair of statements, where the first statement implies the second, and the two statements are logically consistent with the main statement.

    When she takes an examination, she clears it.

    A. she took an examination

    B. she did not take an examination

    C. she cleared it.

    D. she did not clear it.

  4. You are alone in your house and there is a danger of thieves around. You hear a knock on the door. What should be your most logical action?

  5. While traveling in a train, you notice that a lady from the coach behind you falls from the stairs of the train. What should be your best rational course of action?

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
SSC CGL
September 30, 2026
UPSSSC PET
October 23, 2026
Test Series
SSC CGL img
SSC
SSC CGL (Tier I + Tier II) 2026 Mock Test Series - Latest Pattern
2503 Tests 6 Tests Free
5347 Attempts
4.2(867)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App