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

Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statements is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow from the statements.

Statements:

No certificate is a paper.

All pens are papers.

Conclusions:

I. No certificate is a pen.

II. No paper is a certificate.

III. Some papers are pens.

This question was previously asked in
SSC Selection Post 2021 Question Paper (09-Feb-2022) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

All conclusions I, II and III follow

Understanding Logical Deduction from Statements

This question asks us to analyze a set of statements and determine which of the given conclusions logically follow from them. We must assume the statements are true, even if they contradict common knowledge. This type of problem is common in logical reasoning, often involving syllogisms.

Analyzing the Given Statements

We have two statements:

  • Statement 1: No certificate is a paper.
  • Statement 2: All pens are papers.

Let's break down what these statements mean:

  • Statement 1 tells us there is absolutely no overlap between the category of 'certificate' and the category of 'paper'. They are mutually exclusive.
  • Statement 2 tells us that the entire category of 'pens' is contained within the category of 'papers'. Every single pen is also a paper.

Analyzing the Given Conclusions

Now, let's look at the conclusions and see if they must be true based on the statements:

  • Conclusion I: No certificate is a pen.
  • Conclusion II: No paper is a certificate.
  • Conclusion III: Some papers are pens.

Checking Each Conclusion Logically

Let's examine each conclusion step-by-step using the information from the statements.

Evaluation of Conclusion I: No certificate is a pen.

We know from Statement 1 that certificates and papers are entirely separate. We also know from Statement 2 that all pens are located inside the category of papers. If certificates have no overlap with papers, and pens are completely within papers, then it is impossible for certificates to have any overlap with pens. Therefore, 'No certificate is a pen' logically follows from the statements.

Evaluation of Conclusion II: No paper is a certificate.

Statement 1 says, 'No certificate is a paper'. This establishes a relationship of mutual exclusion between certificates and papers. If it is true that 'No certificate is a paper', then it must also be true that 'No paper is a certificate'. The relationship is symmetrical. This conclusion logically follows from Statement 1 itself.

Evaluation of Conclusion III: Some papers are pens.

Statement 2 says, 'All pens are papers'. This means that every member of the 'pens' category is also a member of the 'papers' category. If there are any pens at all, then those pens are also papers, which means there are 'some' papers that are pens. In logic, 'All A are B' implies 'Some B are A', provided that the category A is not empty. Assuming 'pens' is not an empty category (which is standard practice in such problems unless otherwise specified), this conclusion logically follows from Statement 2.

Summary of Conclusions

Based on our analysis:

  • Conclusion I (No certificate is a pen) follows.
  • Conclusion II (No paper is a certificate) follows.
  • Conclusion III (Some papers are pens) follows.

All three conclusions logically follow from the given statements.

Statement/Conclusion Content Logical Status Reasoning
Statement 1 No certificate is a paper. Given True Defines mutual exclusion.
Statement 2 All pens are papers. Given True Defines inclusion (Pens $\subset$ Papers).
Conclusion I No certificate is a pen. Follows Since Pens $\subset$ Papers and Certificates $\cap$ Papers = $\emptyset$, then Certificates $\cap$ Pens = $\emptyset$.
Conclusion II No paper is a certificate. Follows Directly equivalent to "No certificate is a paper".
Conclusion III Some papers are pens. Follows From "All pens are papers", it logically follows that "Some papers are pens".

Therefore, all conclusions I, II, and III follow from the given statements.

Revision Table: Key Logic Concepts

Concept Description Example
Universal Affirmative (A) All S are P. (S is entirely contained in P) All cats are mammals.
Universal Negative (E) No S are P. (S and P are mutually exclusive) No fish are birds.
Particular Affirmative (I) Some S are P. (There is at least one S that is also P) Some students are engineers.
Particular Negative (O) Some S are not P. (There is at least one S that is not P) Some fruits are not apples.
Conversion (E to E) No S are P $\implies$ No P are S. (Valid) No dogs are cats $\implies$ No cats are dogs.
Conversion (A to I) All S are P $\implies$ Some P are S. (Valid, by limitation) All tigers are animals $\implies$ Some animals are tigers.

Additional Information on Syllogisms and Statements

The problem is an example of a syllogism, which is a form of logical argument that applies deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion based on two or more propositions that are assumed to be true. In standard form, a syllogism consists of three parts: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.

In this case:

  • Major Premise: No certificate is a paper.
  • Minor Premise: All pens are papers.
  • These premises are then used to test the validity of the potential conclusions.

Understanding the relationships between categories (like inclusion, exclusion, and partial overlap) is fundamental to solving these types of logical reasoning problems. Visual tools like Venn diagrams can be very helpful in representing these relationships and checking the validity of conclusions.

Remember that in logic problems, you must strictly follow what the statements say, even if it contradicts your real-world knowledge. The task is to determine what *must* be true if the statements are true.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. In this question, three statements are given, followed by two conclusions numbered I and II. Assuming the statements to be true, even if they seem to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the conclusions logically follows/follow from the statements.
    Statements:
    I. Some tables are chairs.
    II. All desks are chairs.
    III. No chair is a fan.
    Conclusions:
    I. Some desks are tables.
    II. Some fans are desks.
  2. In this question, three statements are given, followed by two conclusions numbered I and II. Assuming the statements to be true, even if they seem to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the conclusions logically follows/follow from the statements.
    Statements:
    I. All tables are charts.
    II. Some charts are graphs.
    III. Some graphs are pies.
    Conclusions:
    I. No table is a graph.
    II. Some pies are charts.
  3. In this question, three statements are given, followed by two conclusions numbered I and II. Assuming the statements to be true, even if they seem to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the conclusions logically follows/follow from the statements.
    Statements:
    All boxes are squares.
    All squares are rectangles.
    All rectangles are figures.
    Conclusions:
    I. All boxes are figures.
    II. All squares are figures.
  4. Three statements are given, followed by Two conclusions numbered I and II. Assuming the statements to be true, even if they seem to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements. 

    Statements: 

    Some fractions are marts. 

    No mart is a stud. 

    All studs are frogs. 

    Conclusions: 

    I. Some fractions are definitely not studs. 

    II. Some fractions are definitely not marts.

  5. Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statements is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements:

    Some calculators are lanterns.

    Some lanterns are mobiles.

    Conclusions:

    I. All mobiles are calculators.

    II. No mobile is a lantern.

    III. Some mobiles are lanterns.

  6. Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statements is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements:

    All parrots are crows.

    All crows are eagles.

    Conclusions:

    I. All parrots are eagles.

    Il. Some crows are parrots.

  7. Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statements is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements:

    Some officers are clerks.

    All clerks are workers.

    Conclusions:

    I. Some workers are officers.

    Il. No worker is an officer.

  8. Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statements is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements:

    All chargers are phones.

    No phone is a watch.

    Conclusions:

    I. All phones are chargers.

    Il. No charger is a watch.

    Ill. No watch is a phone.

  9. Two statements are given, followed by three conclusions numbered I, II and III. Assuming the statements to be true, even if they seem to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements:

    All wallets are bags.

    Some bags are envelopes.

    Conclusions:

    I. Some wallets are envelopes.

    II. No wallet is an envelope.

    III. No bag is an envelope.
  10. Two statements are given, followed by three conclusions numbered I, II and III. Assuming the statements to be true, even if they seem to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements:

    Some boys are brave.

    All boys are punctual.

    Conclusions:

    I. Some brave are boys.

    II. Some punctual are boys.

    III. Some brave are punctual.

Important Questions from Syllogism

  1. Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statements is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements:

    Some students are players.

    All players are male.

    Conclusions:

    I. All males are players.

    II. Some males are students.

  2. Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statements is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements:

    No creative is an employer.

    All experts are creative.

    All workers are experts.

    Conclusions:

    I. No employer is an expert.

    II. No worker is an employer.

  3. Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statements is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements:

    Some actors are choreographers.

    All choreographers are producers.

    Not a single producer is a director.

    Conclusions:

    I. Some actors are directors.

    II. Not a single actor is a director.

  4. Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statements is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements : 

    1. All flowers are tulips.

    2. No tulips are whites.

    Conclusions :

    I. All tulips are flowers.

    II. Some tulips are whites.

  5. Read the given statements and conclusions carefully. Assuming that the information given in the statements is true, even if it appears to be at variance with commonly known facts, decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.

    Statements:

    All rats are dogs.

    Some rats are hens.

    Conclusions:

    I. Some rats are dogs.

    II. Some hens are rats.

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
SSC JHT
September 08, 2026
SSC Stenographer
September 09, 2026
SSC Selection Post
September 16, 2026
Test Series
SSC Selection Post img
SSC
SSC Selection Post (Graduation) (Phase 12) 2025 Mock Test Series
489 Tests 5 Tests Free
5385 Attempts
4.8(309)
English, Hindi
More Questions from SSC Selection Post

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