Statement & Argument Interview Questions

20 Questions

Statement & Argument

Q1

Statement: Should smoking be banned in public places? Arguments: I. Yes, it protects non-smokers from passive smoking. II. No, people have the right to make their own choices. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I is strong because it highlights a genuine public-health concern affecting people beyond the smoker themselves. Argument II is also strong because it raises a real, weighty consideration around personal freedom, even though it opposes I — in statement-and-argument questions, a strong argument just needs to be relevant and significant, not necessarily the 'winning' side.

Q2

Statement: Should India increase the retirement age of government employees? Arguments: I. Yes, experienced employees can continue contributing to nation-building. II. No, my neighbor also thinks it's a bad idea. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Only argument I is strong. It gives a substantial, general reason — retaining experienced talent — relevant to the policy question. Argument II is weak because it relies on someone's personal, unexplained opinion rather than a real fact or logical reason; 'my neighbor thinks so' carries no weight in a formal argument.

Q3

Statement: Should students be allowed to use mobile phones in schools? Arguments: I. Yes, it helps in emergencies and quick access to information. II. No, it distracts students from studies and can be misused. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I identifies genuine, practical benefits (safety and access to information), while argument II raises a real and common concern about distraction and misuse. Both arguments address the core issue directly with substantial, believable reasoning.

Q4

Statement: Should all vehicles be required to switch to electric engines? Arguments: I. Yes, it will significantly reduce air pollution. II. No, because I personally prefer petrol cars. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Only argument I is strong, since reducing pollution is a substantial, factual, and widely relevant reason tied directly to the policy's purpose. Argument II is weak — a personal preference for petrol cars is a matter of individual taste, not a general or logical reason against the policy.

Q5

Statement: Should internet access be considered a basic human right? Arguments: I. Yes, it is essential for education, employment, and communication in the modern world. II. No, some remote areas cannot be connected due to terrain challenges. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Only argument I is strong, as it presents a compelling and widely applicable case for why internet access matters fundamentally today. Argument II is weak because it points to a logistical/implementation challenge rather than a genuine reason against treating internet access as a right in principle — practical difficulty doesn't invalidate the underlying question.

Q6

Statement: Should exams be made optional for school students? Arguments: I. Yes, it will reduce stress and encourage a love of learning. II. No, exams help evaluate a student's understanding and readiness. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I raises a legitimate concern about student wellbeing and motivation, while argument II highlights the genuine evaluative function exams serve. Both address real, significant consequences of the proposed change.

Q7

Statement: Should working from home be made permanent for IT employees? Arguments: I. Yes, it saves commuting time and increases productivity for many employees. II. No, because the office building has nice architecture. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Only argument I is strong, since time savings and productivity are meaningful, relevant factors. Argument II is weak and almost irrelevant — the aesthetic appeal of a building has nothing substantial to do with whether remote work should be made permanent.

Q8

Statement: Should plastic bags be completely banned? Arguments: I. Yes, they cause severe environmental pollution and harm wildlife. II. No, banning them will increase costs for small businesses that rely on cheap packaging. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I addresses a serious, well-documented environmental concern, while argument II raises a real economic consequence that affects a significant group (small businesses). Both are substantial and relevant to the decision, even though they conflict.

Q9

Statement: Should capital punishment be abolished? Arguments: I. Yes, it does not effectively deter crime and risks punishing the innocent. II. No, because it makes headlines in the news often. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Only argument I is strong, since it raises substantial concerns about effectiveness and the risk of irreversible error — both serious, relevant issues. Argument II is weak because media attention/frequency of coverage has no logical bearing on whether the punishment itself is justified.

Q10

Statement: Should college education be made free for all students? Arguments: I. Yes, it will increase access to education regardless of financial background. II. No, it would place a heavy financial burden on the government's budget. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I addresses a genuine equity concern around access to education, while argument II raises a real and significant fiscal constraint. Both represent substantial, believable consequences of the policy.

Q11

Statement: Should junk food be banned in school canteens? Arguments: I. Yes, it will promote healthier eating habits among children. II. No, because some students like the taste of junk food. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Only argument I is strong, as it addresses a genuine, significant health concern relevant to children's wellbeing. Argument II is weak — personal taste preference is a trivial reason that doesn't meaningfully counter a health-based policy decision.

Q12

Statement: Should social media platforms be regulated more strictly by governments? Arguments: I. Yes, to curb the spread of misinformation and protect user privacy. II. No, stricter regulation could limit free speech and expression. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I highlights real, well-documented risks (misinformation, privacy), while argument II raises a genuinely important concern about civil liberties. Both are weighty, principled considerations central to this debate.

Q13

Statement: Should employees be paid based on performance rather than a fixed salary? Arguments: I. Yes, it motivates employees to work harder and rewards merit. II. No, my colleague said fixed salaries are always better. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Only argument I is strong, since motivation and merit-based reward are substantial, logical considerations tied directly to the topic. Argument II is weak, as it merely cites an unexplained personal opinion from a third party rather than offering an actual reason.

Q14

Statement: Should homework be abolished in primary schools? Arguments: I. Yes, young children need more time for play and creative development. II. No, homework reinforces classroom learning and builds discipline. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I raises a legitimate developmental concern for young children, while argument II highlights homework's genuine educational value. Both are significant, relevant considerations on either side of the debate.

Q15

Statement: Should companies be allowed to conduct layoffs without government approval? Arguments: I. Yes, businesses need flexibility to manage costs during downturns. II. No, it can lead to sudden unemployment and financial hardship for workers. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I reflects a genuine business necessity for operational flexibility, while argument II raises a serious concern about worker welfare. Both represent substantial, real-world stakes for different parties involved.

Q16

Statement: Should all citizens be required to vote in elections? Arguments: I. Yes, it ensures a truly representative outcome reflecting the will of the people. II. No, because voting takes place on a weekday in most countries. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Only argument I is strong, as it addresses the core democratic purpose of the policy. Argument II is weak — the specific day of the week is a minor scheduling detail, not a substantial reason against mandatory voting as a concept.

Q17

Statement: Should artificial intelligence be used to make hiring decisions in companies? Arguments: I. Yes, it can reduce human bias and speed up the recruitment process. II. No, AI systems can inherit and amplify biases present in their training data. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I identifies genuine efficiency and bias-reduction potential, while argument II raises a well-documented, serious risk with AI systems. Both are substantial, evidence-backed considerations directly relevant to the debate.

Q18

Statement: Should street vendors be relocated from busy city footpaths? Arguments: I. Yes, it will reduce congestion and make walking safer for pedestrians. II. No, it will destroy the livelihood of thousands of vendors who depend on that spot. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I addresses a genuine public safety and mobility concern, while argument II raises a serious and significant human/economic impact. Both carry real weight for the people affected on each side.

Q19

Statement: Should a four-day work week be implemented across industries? Arguments: I. Yes, studies show it can improve employee wellbeing without hurting productivity. II. No, because some managers personally dislike the idea. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Only argument I is strong, since it cites a substantial, evidence-based rationale relevant to the policy. Argument II is weak — the personal dislike of a few managers, without any reasoning behind it, is not a meaningful argument against the proposal.

Q20

Statement: Should genetically modified (GM) crops be promoted for farming? Arguments: I. Yes, they can increase crop yield and help address food security concerns. II. No, their long-term effects on health and the environment are not fully understood. Which argument(s) is/are strong?

Both I and II are strong. Argument I addresses a real and pressing concern around food security and productivity, while argument II raises a genuine, scientifically grounded caution about unknown long-term risks. Both are substantial and relevant to the decision.