Question
Computers were invented for performing only high-end useful computations. However, it is no understatement that they have taken over our world today. The internet, for example, is ubiquitous. Many believe that the internet itself is an unintended consequence of the original invention. With the advent of mobile computing on our phones, a whole new dimension is now enabled. One is left wondering if all these developments are good or, more importantly, required.
Which of the statement(s) below is/are logically valid and can be inferred from the above paragraph?
(i) The author believes that computers are not good for us.
(ii) Mobile computers and the internet are both intended inventions
Official answer and solution
- Official answer
- D
- From
- Official GATE 2016 answer key
Solution
Evaluate each candidate statement strictly against the assertions made in the passage.
Review statement (i): "The author believes that computers are not good for us."
The text states: "One is left wondering if all these developments are good or, more importantly, required." Raising a question or expressing contemplation ("one is left wondering") is an expression of doubt or neutrality, not an affirmative belief that computers are harmful or not good. Therefore, statement (i) cannot be logically inferred.
Review statement (ii): "Mobile computers and the internet are both intended inventions"
The passage explicitly states: "Many believe that the internet itself is an unintended consequence of the original invention." This contradicts the claim that the internet was an intended invention. Thus, statement (ii) is false according to the text and cannot be inferred.
Since neither statement is supported by the text, the correct option is "neither (i) nor (ii)".
D
Confusing an author's rhetorical question/doubt with a firm negative assertion.
The answer is the one in the official GATE answer key. The solution is this site's own explanation.
Source
- Paper
- GATE 2016 Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) Session 2
- Question
- 7 of 65, printed as GA Q.7
- Section
- General Aptitude
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