SSC CGL - Reasoning Ability

1. Introduction

Statement and Conclusions questions are a vital part of SSC CGL reasoning. They test your ability to analyze a statement and decide which conclusions logically follow.

These questions are scoring because they have a fixed method and clear rules, making them predictable once you understand the logic.

2. Definition

In Statement and Conclusions questions, a statement is given — it may be a fact, opinion, or assertion. One or more conclusions are provided. Your task is to determine whether each conclusion logically follows from the statement.

Example: Statement: "All schools in the city are open on weekdays."

Conclusions: I. Some schools in the city are open on weekdays. II. All schools are open every day.

Solution: Conclusion I follows because it is definitely true.

Conclusion II does not follow because the statement says "weekdays," not every day.

3. Types of Statement and Conclusions Questions

Direct Statement Questions:

Conclusions directly relate to the statement.

Example: "All doctors are educated." → Conclusion: "Some educated people are doctors."

Strong vs Weak Conclusions:

Strong: Definitely follows from the statement. Weak: Possibly true but not certain.

Cause and Effect / Inference Type:

Statement implies a cause, conclusions are effects or logical inferences.

Fact vs Opinion Distinction:

Sometimes statements are opinions. Only conclusions that logically follow should be considered.

4. Previous Year SSC CGL Examples

2018 Tier I: "All fruits are sweet."

Answer: Only I follows (Some sweet things are fruits)

2019 Tier I: "All students are hardworking."

Answer: Only I follows (Some hardworking people are students)

2020 Tier I: "No pen is a pencil."

Answer: Only II follows (Some pencils are not pens)

Practicing previous year questions improves your ability to judge conclusions correctly.

5. Strategy to Approach Statement and Conclusions Questions

Read the statement carefully: Focus on key words like All, Some, No
Check each conclusion: Decide if it definitely follows, possibly follows, or does not follow
Avoid assumptions: Only consider what is explicitly stated
Use Venn diagrams if needed: Helps for statements with "All" or "No"
Practice regularly: Familiarity with patterns improves accuracy

6. Quick Recap

Statement and Conclusions test logical reasoning from given statements
Check which conclusions definitely follow from the statement
Avoid assumptions or interpretations beyond the statement
Use Venn diagrams or logic tables for clarity
Regular practice ensures speed and accuracy

7. Practice Questions

Try solving these to test your understanding:

1. Statement: "All cats are animals."

Conclusions: I. Some animals are cats. II. All animals are cats.

2. Statement: "No pen is a pencil."

Conclusions: I. Some pencils are not pens. II. No pencil is a pen.

3. Statement: "All students attend classes regularly."

Conclusions: I. Some students attend classes regularly. II. All people attending classes are students.

4. Statement: "All flowers are plants."

Conclusions: I. Some plants are flowers. II. All plants are flowers.

5. Statement: "No book is a pen."

Conclusions: I. Some pens are not books. II. No pen is a book.

Click for Answers

1. Only I follows (Some animals are cats, but not all animals are cats)

2. Both follow (If no pen is a pencil, then no pencil is a pen, and some pencils are not pens)

3. Only I follows (Some students attend classes regularly, but not all people attending classes are students)

4. Only I follows (Some plants are flowers, but not all plants are flowers)

5. Both follow (If no book is a pen, then no pen is a book, and some pens are not books)

Analyze each conclusion carefully before deciding whether it follows.

Statement and Conclusions for SSC CGL