Statement and Inference Reasoning: Follows or Does Not Follow Questions with Tricks for SSC CGL, CHSL

In statement and inference questions, a statement is given with two or more inferences, and you decide which inference follows from the statement. The main rule is simple: use only the information in the statement and not your own knowledge. These statement and inference reasoning tricks for SSC explain the rules, the key words and solved examples.

What Is an Inference?

An inference is a conclusion that is drawn from a given statement. It follows only if it is definitely true from the statement alone.

Rules

1. Use only the statement. Do not add any outside fact.
2. An inference follows only if it is directly stated or is a sure result of the statement.
3. If an inference is only possible or probable, it does not follow.
4. Be careful with strong words such as all, only, always, never, every. They need a strong support in the statement.
5. Words such as some, many, few, may give a weak statement, so a strong inference (all, always) does not follow.

Key Words and Their Meaning

Solved Examples

Example 1. Statement: All the shops in the market are closed on Sunday.
I: The shops are open on the other days. II: A shop of the market is closed on Sunday.
I does not follow (the statement says nothing about other days). II follows. Only II follows.

Example 2. Statement: Only students with an ID card are allowed in the library.
I: Rahul has an ID card, so he will be allowed. II: A student without an ID card will not be allowed.
I does not follow ("only" gives a necessary condition, not a sure permission). II follows. Only II follows.

Example 3. Statement: Some doctors are teachers.
I: All teachers are doctors. II: Some teachers are doctors.
I does not follow. II follows. Only II follows.

Example 4. Statement: The price of petrol has increased by 10%.
I: The price of other goods will rise. II: Petrol is now costlier than before.
I is only a possibility. II follows. Only II follows.

Example 5. Statement: Rohan is taller than Mohan, and Mohan is taller than Sohan.
I: Rohan is taller than Sohan. II: Sohan is the tallest.
I follows. II does not follow. Only I follows.

Tips

• Ask "Is this definitely true from the statement?" for each inference.
• If you need one more fact to accept the inference, it does not follow.
• Do not choose an inference only because it is true in real life.

Quick Tips

• Use only the given statement.
• Probable or possible does not mean follows.
• Be careful with all, only, always and never.
• Ask "Is it definitely true?" for each inference.

Quick Revision Points

• An inference follows only if it is definitely true from the statement.
• Do not use outside knowledge.
• All A are B gives some A are B.
• Some A are B gives some B are A.
• "Only" gives a necessary condition and not a sure result.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Statement: All the shops in the market are closed on Sunday. Inference: A shop of the market is closed on Sunday. Does it follow?
   Answer: Follows
2. Statement: All the shops in the market are closed on Sunday. Inference: The shops are open on the other days. Does it follow?
   Answer: Does not follow
3. Statement: Some doctors are teachers. Inference: Some teachers are doctors. Does it follow?
   Answer: Follows
4. Statement: Some doctors are teachers. Inference: All teachers are doctors. Does it follow?
   Answer: Does not follow
5. Statement: Only students with an ID card are allowed in the library. Inference: A student without an ID card will not be allowed. Does it follow?
   Answer: Follows
6. Statement: The price of petrol has increased by 10%. Inference: The price of all goods will increase. Does it follow?
   Answer: Does not follow
7. Statement: Rohan is taller than Mohan and Mohan is taller than Sohan. Inference: Rohan is taller than Sohan. Does it follow?
   Answer: Follows
8. Statement: All roses are flowers. Inference: Some flowers are roses. Does it follow?
   Answer: Follows
9. Statement: Many students passed the exam. Inference: All students passed the exam. Does it follow?
   Answer: Does not follow
10. Can you use outside knowledge to decide an inference?
    Answer: No. Use only the statement

How to Practise This Chapter

Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Logical Reasoning notes page, read the previous topic Assertion and Reason and the next topic Either-Or Conclusions. Also read the Reasoning notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an inference?

An inference is a conclusion that is drawn from a given statement.

When does an inference follow?

It follows when it is definitely true from the statement alone.

What does "does not follow" mean?

It means that the inference is not sure from the statement, even if it may be true in real life.

Can I use my own knowledge?

No. Use only the given statement.

What does "All A are B" give?

It gives "Some A are B", but not "All B are A".

What does "Some A are B" give?

It gives "Some B are A", but not "All A are B".

What does the word only show?

It shows a necessary condition, not a sure result.

What is the difference between inference and assumption?

An inference comes from the statement, and an assumption is something taken for granted before the statement is made.

Is this topic asked in SSC exams?

Yes. Statement and conclusion type questions are asked in SSC reasoning papers.

How much time should I take?

About 30 seconds.

What are common mistakes?

Accepting a probable inference and using outside facts.

How can I practise this topic?

Solve 10 questions daily and write why each inference follows or does not follow.