"A course of action is a suitable step adopted to minimize or solve the given problem".
Statement- Action is one of the main topics in Critical Reasoning. In this topic, a statement is given followed by two actions. Based on appropriate logic you have to identify a correct course of action that will be practically viable and will help in solving the problem.
Tips:
1. Without any second thought choose actions which are
- Practical in Nature (should be related to the statement)
- Solve or Minimize the given problem
2. Action should not give birth to another problem
Like there will be a case in which-- among the two given actions, if you select a particular action, it might happen that it would help you in solving the problem but indirectly it will give birth to many other problems. So, such actions should be avoided.
Example
Statement: On a particular highway, number of road accidents have increased by many folds.
Action: Personal monitoring should be done by the police officials on each and every vehicle.
Explanation: The mentioned action will definitely yield a good result but if we think practically then it is not at all possible to personally monitor each and every vehicle. This will in turn give birth to many other problems.
3. Unpredicted Outcomes
Always avoid those actions whose outcomes cannot be predicted. There may be cases where you will not be able to predict the result of the selected action. So, such actions should be ignored.
Example
Statement: Company Z is incurring huge losses due to many competitors in the market
Actions:
a. Company Z should offer a huge discount on all its product and attract customers.
b. Company Z should study its competitors, their products and methods.
Answer: Option b.
Explanation: Now we can also think of option a to be a practical solution but one of the major reasons of option a being wrong is because we cannot predict that even after reducing the price, customers will be attracted towards the company. So, the outcome is unknown and so such actions should be avoided.
4. Avoid Negative and Harsh Actions if possible (explained in one of the below given questions) but if there is no other option available then such actions should be undertaken. Consider the given example.
Example
Statement: Company X has been incurring losses since 3 years. As per the internal study, it has been found that 60% of the employees are above the age of 60
Actions:
1. Company X should take some loan from bank or other financial institutions.
2. Due to low productivity of the employees, Company X should fire some of its employees who are above the age of 60 and should recruit young employees.
Explanation: As the given solution may sound a bit immoral but for the betterment of the company it is necessary that the productivity of the employees is as high as possible. So such options even if they appear to be immoral and the actions are harsh in nature but if it’s the best option or solution then it should be adopted.
Note:
Some actions may appear to be a practically viable solution and logically correct but if they are not related to the given statement then do not make a mistake by selecting them.
General Format
In each question there is a statement given followed by two courses of action numbered 1 and 2. You have to assume everything in the statement to be true and on the basis of the information given in the statement, decide which of the suggested courses of action logically follows for pursuing.
Give answer
(A) If only I follows
(B) If only II follows
(C) If either I or II follows
(D) If neither I nor II follows
(E) If both I and II follow.
Types
- Problem-Solution
- Situation-Improvement
Generally, questions can be asked on these two types.
1. Problem-Solution
Statements mention the problem and actions state the ways to counter the problems.
Example
Statement: Concerns have risen about air pollution in Indian cities. A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that of the 20 most polluted cities in the world, 13 are in India.
Action:
I. Pollution committee should immediately take certain measures to control the pollution levels in India.
II. Licenses of polluting industries should be cancelled and owners should be put behind the bars.
A. Only I follows
B. Only II follows
C. Either I or II follows
D. Neither I nor II follows
E. Both I and II follow
Answer: A
Explanation: Only one follows. The given statement describes the problem and the actions mention the solutions for the same. Second option is to be avoided because it is a negative and harsh approach. As listed in tips and tricks section also Options which are negative in nature and provide harsh solutions should be avoided.
2. Situation-Improvement
The statement talks about only a particular situation and the actions provide a way to improve such situations.
Example
Statement: The authorities in Society X are cracking down on street hawkers, blaming them for traffic jams near their society.
Actions:
I. Street hawkers should not be allowed during peak hours
II. Street hawkers should be warned and asked not to create chaos.
A. Only I follows
B. Only II follows
C. Either I or II follows
D. Neither I nor II follows
E. Both I and II follow
Answer: B
Explanation: Here a situation of traffic jam is depicted and the actions mentioned, give different ways for improving the situation.
Bucket Of Questions:
Statement: Many people in city Y are suffering from flu.
Action:
I. The Municipal Corporation should take immediate steps to control the disease.
II. People in the city should be advised to take certain measures from their end to prevent the disease.
A. Only I follows
B. Only II follows
C. Either I or II follows
D. Neither I nor II follows
E. Both I and II follow
View solution Correct Option: (E)
So here, both the options have a positive approach and objective of both the approaches is to treat and eradicate the disease.
According to a survey, the current water reservoir will deplete by 50% by 2050
Action:
I. Government of all the countries should appeal to all the citizens to use water carefully and avoid wastage.
II. Scientists should start finding an alternative solution to water.
A. Only I follows
B. Only II follows
C. Either I or II follows
D. Neither I nor II follows
E. Both I and II follow
View solution Correct Option: (A)
Second option is not at all justifiable. Water is a basic necessity for survival. So, wasting money and efforts for finding something which doesn’t even exist makes no sense. 2nd option would have been a good and preferable option if it would have been something other than water like petrol or any such thing.
An earthquake measuring 3.7 hit Delhi and its surrounding areas a little before 3 pm today.
Action:
I. Government should immediately provide financial assistance to the families.
II. People should blame the government for not taking appropriate preventive measures.
A. Only I follows
B. Only II follows
C. Either I or II follows
D. Neither I nor II follows
E. Both I and II follow
View solution Correct Option: (D)
1st option is not a valid option because financial assistance should be provided by the government but not at this stage. First Priority should be to evacuate people from earthquake hit area.
2nd option is also false because earthquake is a natural disaster. So, blaming government will be of no use.
The World Bank estimates that India is one of the highest-ranking countries in the world for the number of children suffering from malnutrition.
Action:
I. Government, People and various NGOs should come together and try to eradicate the problem.
II. Government should take help financial help from foreign countries to eradicate this problem.
A. Only I follows
B. Only II follows
C. Either I or II follows
D. Neither I nor II follows
E. Both I and II follow
View solution Correct Option: (A)
1st option is appropriate. People, government and NGOs all of them should join their hands and work in a coordinated way to solve this problem.
2nd option is not true because in country like India, to solve such problems there is no need of getting financial aid from foreign countries. A proper budget and planning can solve the problem.
