Verbal Question of the Day: 51
Critical Reasoning (CR)
Q. The Department of Telecom has said that it is considering a policy to block mobile applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook during emergencies, especially when national security and public order are under threat. The trigger behind this move is the growing incidents of lynchings invariably based on fake news that goes viral on social media channels. Government departments training their policy guns on technologies and companies that provide them in the marketplace are ill advised on several counts. Such a ban would violate the fundamental right of free speech. It would mean withholding services for most genuine consumers so that a tiny majority of trouble-makers are restricted. Bringing in such a policy also ignores the efforts of the industry to self-regulate itself.
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the gist of the given argument?
- ‘Managing the symptoms and ignoring the cause’ is an apt description of the policy to block certain mobile apps during emergencies.
- The Department of Telecom’s move to block some mobile applications during emergencies would be a misguided one.
- The Department of Telecom’s policies are a threat to citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed rights.
- While it has certain drawbacks, the Department of Telecom’s move to block some mobile apps during emergencies is necessary to curb lynchings.
Please Note: The answer to this question will be posted tomorrow morning as a comment below.
2.
1
1
According to me
3 and 4 can be directly rejected because it is against the opinion of author and 2 also can be overruled as the use of word misguided is out of context .so 1 is the answer.
Hi Priyanka, you’re right to have rejected 3 and 4. But, misguided (having or showing faulty judgement or reasoning) and ill-advised (not sensible, wise, or prudent) happen to be synonyms 🙂
1
Reason
The passage talks about banning social media apps to avoid spreading of fake news which will lead to lynching.
Now
4- The tone of author is against the move so this cannot be the conclusion
3- This is one point but not the whole conclusion
2 and 1 are in some way correct. But 1 is better because 2 states that the idea is misguided. It means not in correct direction so trying to stop spreading of fake news to stop lynching is the correct direction . However, as one states mere stopping of spread of rumours does not guarantee stoppage in lynching as well.
So it has to be 1.
Hi Mayank, you did come close to the answer. Please take a look at my explanation below 🙂
Also, ‘misguided’ means having or showing faulty judgement or reasoning.
1
Though highly confused between 1&2.
Hi Ridhima, in case you’re confused after reading my explanation below, please feel free to write back. 🙂
Ans. 2
4 can be rejected directly as it is against the view of the author
3 is one of the reason of disagreement of author
Your answer is correct, Ritik. However, 3 is a generalization and therefore, it is inaccurate.
2
Ans- 2.
Because this is the only option that condemns the efforts made by the dept.
Hi Shivam, 1 also condemns the department’s policy, though incorrectly, as per the argument. But, your final choice is correct 🙂
Ans. 2
Reason-
1. The Author never said(indirectly) that the govt. is ignoring the cause.
2. The Author has said that the policy is ill-advised.
3. One of the points but not the whole conclusion.
4. The author is against the subject, not in support.
Hi Manish, do check my explanation for eliminating option 3. Otherwise, excellently done. 🙂
2
The answer is 2. The thrust of the author is on the policy being an ill-advised or misguided one and the reasons for that claim.
1 is beyond the scope of the paragraph since neither the cause of the lynchings has been mentioned in the argument, nor how the government is ignoring it.
3 is beyond the scope of the paragraph. It is a generalization of all the DoT’s policies.
4 is a claim that’s unsupported by the paragraph.
Just about 55% of the answers are correct. Well done to all those who chose 2 🙂
Ever wondered what happens sometimes in the strategy meetings of Chinese companies? (The Chinese came out on top in this instance) http://tathagat.mba/verbal-question-of-the-day-52/
Hello sir,
I am still confused with 3 option… How is it beyond the scope and not one of the points?
Can you explain further, it would be a great help.
Thanks
2
The answer here should be 1 as the passage has two premises; one which explains why the government is blocking certain applications and the second being why it is not right to impose such bans.
I hope my reasoning is correct!