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If Country X then...If Country X not then

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by jitendra_mulchandani » Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:28 am
If Country X does not intervene militarily in Country Y, then the whole region will definitely fall under enemy influence.
It most logically follows from the statement above that, if Country X does intervene militarily in Country Y, then the whole region
(A) Will definitely fall under enemy influence
(B) Will probably fall under enemy influence
(C) Will probably not fall under enemy influence
(D) Will definitely not fall under enemy influence
(E) May or may not fall under enemy influence

OA - E
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Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by komal » Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:48 am
My take is (E)

The passage only says that if country x does not intervene militarily in country y, then the whole region will DEFINITELY fall under enemy influence (If X happens then Y will happen). But we are not certain about the outcome if country x does intervene. In other words, we dont know what will happen if country x DOES intervene (If X does not happen, then Y may or may not happen). Answer choice (E) says precisely that. Hence (E) is correct.

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by Gurwinder » Sun Mar 21, 2010 1:45 pm
What is the difference betweed C & E ?
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by Phirozz » Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:17 pm
Gurwinder wrote:What is the difference betweed C & E ?
In case of of may or may not fall ie in E, probability for 'fall' and 'not fall' is 50% each
But in C ie 'probably fall' means 'fall' is more probable than 'not fall', that is why its incorrect
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by yatinbassi » Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:15 pm
Why not D here? I'm a bit confused. Can some1 explain?
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by rockeyb » Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:39 pm
yatinbassi wrote:Why not D here? I'm a bit confused. Can some1 explain?
Lets look at the question stem .

If X dose not intervene in Y then complete region will definitely fall under enemy influence .

This event will occur if X dose not intervene .

But this dose not mean that if X intervenes the region will not fall under enemy influence .

It may happen that x intervenes and looses the battle in that case still the whole region will be under enemy influence .

So there is some uncertainty about the outcome since nothing is mentioned about what will happen if X intervenes . All we know is if X dose not intervenes then the region will definitely be under enemy influence .

Hope this helps .
"Know thyself" and "Nothing in excess"
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by kstv » Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:47 pm
I choose C, wrongly.
The dictionary meaning of Probably is likely.
E is a safer option.

But, i am sure the leaders of country X and to some extent country Y sides with me, otherwise how will they justify the intervention.
Only if they had logical thinker like those of this post.
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by yatinbassi » Mon Mar 22, 2010 2:34 am
rockeyb wrote:
yatinbassi wrote:Why not D here? I'm a bit confused. Can some1 explain?
Lets look at the question stem .

If X dose not intervene in Y then complete region will definitely fall under enemy influence .

This event will occur if X dose not intervene .

But this dose not mean that if X intervenes the region will not fall under enemy influence .

It may happen that x intervenes and looses the battle in that case still the whole region will be under enemy influence .

So there is some uncertainty about the outcome since nothing is mentioned about what will happen if X intervenes . All we know is if X dose not intervenes then the region will definitely be under enemy influence .

Hope this helps .
Thanks rockyb !
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