Shortcuts in Reasoning for Competitive Exams – Courses of Action
Shortcuts in Reasoning Quantitative Aptitude English
INTRODUCTION
In many competitive examinations questions related to courses of action are frequently asked.
The basic reason behind asking such questions is to test your ability to judge a problem correctly in order to determine the root of the given problem and then finding out a proper course of action for that particular problem.
What is the format of the problem?
Directions:
In the question given below is given a statement followed by two suggested courses of action number I and II. A course of action is a step or administrative decision to be taken for improvement, followup, or further action in regard to the problem, policy etc. On the basis of the information given in the statement.Read the situation carefully and then decide which of the given courses of action follow/ follows.
Mark answers:
- If only I follows
- If only II follows
- If either I or II follows
- If neither I nor II follows
- If both I & II follow.
Statement:
The sale of a particular product ‘A’ has gone down considerably, causing great concern to company ‘X’.
Courses of action:
Company ‘X’ should mark a proper study of the rival products in the market. The price of product ‘A’ should be reduced.
NOTE : In the examinations more than two courses of actions may also be given.
Types of Problems:
- Problems based on problem and solution relationship.
- Problems based on fact & improvement relationship.
Problems based on problem and solution relationship
This is a case when the given statement talks of a problem and the suggested course of action talks of a solution. It is very easy to find out when a suggested course of action is acceptable and when it is not. In fact, the suggested course of action will be acceptable if:
- It solves/ reduces or minimizes the given problem
- It gives a practical and wise solution. Now, what to do ? Just see the given problem with a serious eye; think over that; apply your day to day experiences; apply your common sense and use your general knowledge to judge whether a suggested course of action solves or reduces or minimizes the problem given in the statement. After this step, the next step is checking the practicality. Here, you have to check if the solution suggested by the given course of action is wise enough and applicable in practical way in day to day life.
Infact (a) is the 1st step test and after passing the step I test, the given course of action will have to pass step II (which is (b)). If the given course of action passes both the tests [step 1 and step II] only then it will be called a correct action.
Step I test
To pass the step I test a suggested course of action must be
- based on an established fact
- based on logical prediction
- based on experiences
- based on prevailing notions of truth
Let us discuss all the conditions mentioned above :-
Action based on established fact :-
In some of the cases an action taken is an established fact which suggests that the given problem can be reduced or solved by this particular solution. It does mean that the solution suggested by the given course of action is universally acknowledged to the given problem. Let us see the examples given below:
EXAMPLE
Statement:
Southern part of India has been coming rapidly into the grip of malaria.
Courses of action:
The Southern Indian population must be instructed not to come out of their houses, [wrong action]
Anti-mosquito liquids should be sprayed in the southern part of India, [correct action]
EXAMPLE
Statement: A child was caught while stealing money of a respectable person of society.
Courses of action:
- The child should be sent to child welfare society. correct action)
- The child should be put in jail and severlly beaten (wrong action)
Comment:
In example, I is rejected as it is an irrelevant action. It does not make it clear how instructing population for not coming out of their houses will solve or reduce the problem of spreading malaria. But II is a proper course of action as it is an established biological fact that malaria can be prevented by using safeguards against mosquitoes. This is the reason that II will go for further test (step II test) proving itself a proper course of action in 1st level test (step I test).
In example , II is rejected on the basis that it is totally illogical to beat a child and put into jail as a child is not mature enough to decide what is right and what is wrong. Further, it is an established fact (socially established fact) that child criminals must not be treated as punishable wrong doer but they should be made to mend their ways and on the basis of this I is the correct course of action. Hence, I will qualify for the 2nd round test ( Step II test)
Action based on logical prediction:
In such type of cases, solutions provided for the given problems are neither an established fact nor they can be considered as proper action on the basis of our past experiences. Hence, in such cases examinees are required to apply certain logic and reasoning to find out if the given course of action solves or reduces or minimises the problem.
Let us see the example given below:
EXAMPLE
Statement:
Jammu & Kashmir is experiencing, again, the rise of terrorism and it is obvious that Pakistan is encouraging it.
Course of action:
India must go to the international bodies with all the proof of Pakistani involvement in Jammu & Kashmir and demand that Pakistan must be declared a terrorist nation. [ correct action]
Comment :
Here, the given course of action is the correct one at step I test. In fact, it is a matter of simple logic of diplomacy that in case of disturbances created by a hostile nation within our country, we put this issue before international bodies so that the hostile nation stands at disadvantage. Thus will qualify for the next step test (step II or practicality test).
Action based on experiences:
In certain cases, while deciding if a given course of action solves or reduces or minimises the given problem, our experiences work. In fact, in such cases the given problem may be a relatively new one. It will not be totally new but it will not be very old either. This is the reason that the solution can not be said as an established fact. However, based on our past experiences, in the similar kind of situation, we can reach the conclusion that the given problem can be solved/ reduced/ minimised by this particular action. Let us see the example given below:
EXAMPLE
Statement:
Several foreign powers having expansionist thinking are threat to India.
Course of action:
Efforts should be made that the Indians remain united for any eventuality, [correct action]
Comment:
Our past experiences say that we (India) became a sufferer several times because of the foreign powers and at that time we lacked our unity. In another words, India has fallen victim to foreign powers only when our country (India) has not remained united. Hence, on the basis of our past experience, we can conclude that the given course of action solves or reduces the problem making its entry for 2nd level (step II) test.
Action based on prevailing notions of truth:
In such type of cases solutions provided for the given problem is as per the social norms. In other words, the given course of action suggests a solution that is prevailing notion of truth. In fact, they are the ideas that are universally accepted and acknowledged by the society and hence in many ways they are similar to established fact.
Let us see the following examples:
EXAMPLE
Statement:
Mr. Sharma got angry and beat his son mercilesely.
Course of action :
Mr. Sharma should be caned publicly [ Wrong action]
EXAMPLE
Statement :
Most of manufacturing companies in India are running in losses. Course of action: Prospects of privatisation of these companies must be explored. [correct action]
Comment:
In example, the given solution is against the societal worm as public beating is not considered a good punishment. In other words, it is prevailing notion of truth that public beating is not good. Hence, on the basis of this the given solution is rejected and will not go for 2nd level test (step II test). In example , the given course of action suggests privatisation for loss making manufacturing companies and no doubts, it is a prevailing notion of truth that privatisation can reduce or minimise their losses. There is also a chance that privatisation can convert a loss making company into a profitable one. Hence, we conclude the given solution is correct one and will qualify for further test (2nd level test or step II test). Now, we can move on to step II test.
Step II (Test of Practicality)
This is the 2nd part of test. In the 1st part we just found out whether a suggested action really solves/ reduces/ minimizes the given problem. But an important part also remains to be checked and that is the test of practicality. Point to be noted that a given course of action may solve/ reduce/ minimise a particular problem but if it is not practically possible, it will be consider useless. This is the reason why this point too, needs sound checking.
For this you have to keep the following things in your mind:
- The problem and solution must be well matched and must be in proportion. In other words, if solutions are too simple for too severe problems, they will be useless.
Conversly, we can say that too severe solutions are not good solutions for too simple problems. - Even after passing the step I test, the given solution is creating a new problem, then the given solution will not be a good solution and will fail in practicality test.
EXAMPLES FOR (1)
EXAMPLE
Statement:
Lack of discipline is a good reason for low productivity in India.
Course of action:
Government must take step to make military training compulsory for all Indian citizens.
[wrong action]
EXAMPLE
Statement:
As per the report of ‘WHO’ (World Health Organisation) the life expactancy of an average
Indian is continuously declining.
Course of action :
A serious effort must be made to prevent children from making noises, [wrong action]
Comment:
In Example , the given course of action is not a good solution for the given problem. No, doubt that military training wold be a solution for lack of discipline but is it a practical solution? Your answer will be a big ‘No’ (why?). In reality, at the 1st step test the given course of action may seem true as it solves the given problem but when it comes to the 2nd level test, it becomes clear that it is too severe solution for a relatively small problem. Hence, on this basis the given course of action is rejected finally.
In example , the given course of action suggests that problem of declining life expectancy can be solved
if children are prevented from making noises. At one stage the given course of action reduces the problem to some extent as it suggests that less noise will increase the chances of low blood pressure and this will result in less deaths. But when we think analytically, we come to the conclusion that the problem is very serious and the given solution is very simple for it. Hence on this basis the given course of action would be declared a wrong one and would be rejected finally.
EXAMPLE FOR (2)
EXAMPLE
Statement:
In recent years, people have developed a tendency oftax evasion and this is the reason it has increased at an alarming level.
Course of action :
Government must make law to abolish taxes. [wrong action]
Comment:
Here, the given problem is about tax evasion. Tax evasion does mean showing less income to pay less tax. Why tax evasion is a problem? Because tax evasion generates black money. The given course of action suggests the abolition of taxes which can not be a good solution as taxes are taken to provide people certain indirect services like the facilities of roads, parks, police etc. Suppose if taxes are not charged, how’ and where from money will come to provide such indirect services to community. No doubts, the tax abolition will create a new problem. Hence on this basis the given course of action will be rejected finally as it fails the 2nd level test (step II test) of practicality.
Now after understanding what is a practical solution, we can test the courses of action that have passed the step I test.
Step II Test of Example 1 ( Course of action II ):
II course of action given under example 1 is “Anti mosquito liquids should be sprayed in the
southern part of India”.
In step II, we need to check if it is a practical solution for the given problem.
In the past we have also seen that such steps have been taken. Not in the past only even today whenever it seems that mosquito born diseases are imminent, the anti-mosquito liquids are sprayed. Such step is taken only because it is practical. Here, the IInd course of action given under example 1 passes both the test to be finally declared as proper and correct solution.
Step II test of Example 2 [Course of action I]:
Ist course of action given under example 2 is “child should be sent to child welfare society’’. In step II, we need to check if it is a practical solution. In so many cases we have seen that when a child does a crime like stealing and some other more serious crime, then they are put under such atmosphere that they can understand the seriousness of their crime and try to mend their ways. For such children, child welfare societies and some other such kind of organisations are very helpful. Hence, this course of action passes its final test to be declared a correct course of action.
Step II test of Example 3 :
The course of action given under example 3 is “India must go to the international bodies with all the proof of Pakistani involvement in Jammu & Kashmir and demand that Pakistan must be declared a terrorist nation” and this is a very practical solution. As w’e have seen in certain circumstances in past that India has put such type of demand from UNO and even from some other nations on individual basis. No doubts, that on such demands India has got support to some extent. Hence it is a very practical solution and this given course of action passes it practicality test to be declared a proper and correct course of action.
Step II test of Example 4:
The given course of action “efforts should be made that the Indians remain united for any eventualities” is a practical one as we have shown this type of unity in the past. For example, in the freedom struggle we were united. Flow this unity took place? Only because this was practically possible. Hence, this given course of action, too, passed the practically test to be declared finally a proper and correct course of action.
Step II test of Example 5:
The given course of action “Prospects of privatisation of these (loss making) companies must be explored is not a correct solution at the end at the 2nd level test (Practicality test) because the course of action and the given statement are not properly linked. The statement does not make it clear that it talks only about public sector manufacturing concerns as even a private sector manufacturing company may be a loss making company. Hence the statement and given course of action creates confusion. Therefore, the given course of action is rejected at 2nd level test.
Problem based on fact and improvement relationship
This is the 2nd type of problem related to course of action. But point to be noted is that this does not require any new skill. The solving method is exactly the same as you have solved the 1st type of problem that is problem solution based. In fact you have to solve this type of problem in two steps:
- Find out whether the suggested course of action will help in improvement of the situation.
- Find out whether the two are properly balanced.
In fact problem given under example is such type of problem.
Now we have come to the end of this chapter and this is the time to solve the problem given under ‘what is the format of the problem’? Let us solve it:
Statement :
The sale of a particular product ‘A’ has gone down considerably, causing great concern to company ‘X’.
Courses of action:
- Company should make a proper study of rival products in the market.
- The price of product ‘A’ should be reduced.
Solution.
Option (1) is the correct option as only I follow’s.
Reason /Explanation:
If the sale of ‘A’ has gone down, then there must be some solved reasons. The company X must know this reason. As I suggest the similar solution, it follows. But II does not follow. The company should first know if price was a factor behind the drop in sale. Without knowing this, reducing price may turn out to be a wrong and harmful action.
Note :
If you see ‘an either choice’ in the answer options avoid it. It will be a wrong answer. Either choice can be in the form like “Either of I or II (or III or I etc.) follows”.
Shortcut Approach
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