Question

Read the following statements carefully:
Statement 1: If you want to understand the causes that existed in the past, look at the results as they are manifested in the present.
Statement 2: Murali did not work as hard as his friends but had secured 1st rank in the examination. Which of the following options is correct with respect to the above two statements?

• A. If Statement 2 is right, Statement 1 is invalid.
• B. Statement 1 and Statement 2 are contradictory to each other.
• C. Statement 2 supplements Statement 1.
• D. Statement 2 is a rare occurrence and hence irrelevant.
• E. Statement 1 will hold true even if Statement 2 is valid.

Hint:

In logic-based questions, a universal principle (like Statement 1) remains valid even if an unusual case (like Statement 2) exists. Always check if the exception truly {invalidates} the rule or merely reflects hidden causes.

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Step 1: Interpret Statement 1.
Statement 1 is a general principle: present outcomes are reflections of past causes. It suggests that results provide evidence of prior conditions.
Step 2: Interpret Statement 2.
Statement 2 describes an exception—Murali did not study as much as his peers, yet secured first rank. This seems to contradict the “cause-effect” logic at first glance, since less effort produced a better outcome.
Step 3: Compare both.
- Statement 2 highlights a specific unusual case.
- But Statement 1 is a broad generalization: it holds true across situations by considering not only “studying effort” but also other possible causes (like intelligence, strategy, background, etc.).
- Hence, Statement 2 does not invalidate Statement 1—it is merely an example where the “cause” (other than study effort) still explains the result.
Step 4: Eliminate wrong options.
- (A) Incorrect: Statement 2 does not make Statement 1 invalid.
- (B) Incorrect: Not strictly contradictory, as unseen causes could explain Statement 2.
- (C) Incorrect: Statement 2 does not supplement Statement 1, it appears as an exception.
- (D) Incorrect: Calling it “irrelevant” is dismissive; exceptions do not disprove general laws.
- (E) Correct: Statement 1 is universally valid, even if Statement 2 is true.
\[ \boxed{\text{Statement 1 will hold true even if Statement 2 is valid.}} \]