Statement–Conclusion — Analytical / Reasoning

Core Rules

Only use information given in the statement — don't bring outside knowledge or real-world assumptions
"Follows" = must be logically true from the statement alone, no extra inference allowed
A conclusion that sounds true or reasonable in real life but isn't actually stated does NOT follow
Watch for absolute words ("all", "only", "never") in the conclusion that go beyond what the statement supports

Overgeneralization: statement talks about a specific case, conclusion generalizes to everyone
Reversed causation: statement says A causes B, conclusion assumes B causes A
Assumed intent: statement reports an action, conclusion assumes a motive not stated
Real-world plausibility bias: the conclusion "feels" true from general knowledge, but the statement itself never said it

Statement: "The company reduced prices by 20% last month." Conclusion: "The company's profits fell." → Does not follow (price cuts don't necessarily mean lower profit — volume could've risen)
Statement: "All employees who arrived late were marked absent." Conclusion: "Some employees arrived late." → Does not follow (the statement is conditional — it doesn't confirm anyone was actually late)
Statement: "Only members are allowed inside the hall." Conclusion: "All members are allowed inside the hall." → Does not follow ("only members" restricts non-members, it doesn't guarantee all members get in — e.g. there could be a capacity limit)
Statement: "Since the new policy was introduced, complaints have decreased." Conclusion: "The new policy caused the decrease in complaints." → Does not follow (correlation isn't stated as causation)

Statement: "Most students who studied daily passed the exam." Conclusion: "All students who passed studied daily." — Does not follow
Statement: "The bridge was closed for repairs for three days." Conclusion: "Traffic was affected during those three days." — Does not follow (plausible, but not stated)
Statement: "Every applicant who scored above 90% received a scholarship." Conclusion: "Someone scored above 90%." — Does not follow unless scholarships were actually given (conditional, not confirmed)
Statement: "The factory increased output after switching suppliers." Conclusion: "The new supplier caused the increase." — Does not follow