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Question:

Directions: Each question has a set of four statements. Each statement has three segments. Choose the alternative where the third segment in the statement can be logically deduced using both the preceding two, but not just from one of them.

A. Many singers are not writers. All poets are singers. Some poets are not writers.
B. Giants climb beanstalks. Some chicken do not climb beanstalks. Some chicken are not giants.
C. All explorers live in snowdrifts. Some penguins live in snowdrifts. Some penguins are explorers.
D. Amar is taller than Akbar. Anthony is shorter than Amar. Akbar is shorter than Anthony.

Explanation:

(b) B only is the correct answer choice.

Statement A is invalid, as no definite relationship between P and W can be established.
Note: ‘Many’ is translated as ‘Some’ to convert the statement in standard form.
The ‘Some S (shared portion)’ are not W, but some other S could be W, as shown in the Venn diagram above.

Statement B is valid, as the ‘Some C (shaded portion)’ that do not climb beans stalks cannot be giants.
G = Grants
C = Children
CB = Creatures which climb beanstalks
C is invalid, the ‘Some penguins’ that live in snowdrifts need not be explorers.
D is invalid, as Amar is the tallest among the three, but it is not clear how the heights of Akbar and Anthony are compared.
Note: This is not a ‘Categorical’ syllogism comprising statements, as such. All S is P, No S is P, Some S is P and some S is not P. It is a ‘relational’ syllogism comprising relational statements that normally feature in analytical reasoning. Be alert: CAT examiner is in the habit of jumbling up questions to throw you off gear.

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