XAT 2012 — VARC Question 5
The 2001 census showed a sharp fall in the litreacy rate compared to 1991, but an increase in the litreacy rate by 2006 suggests that between 1991 and 2006 India progressed in terms of litreacy rate.
Which of the following statements, if true, best refutes the above argument?
Answer & solution
- A
One of the causes of more litreacy is the increased population growth rate.
- B
Although there was no census in 2006 the information about the litreacy rate is reliable.
- C
Many of those who were illitreate in 2001 become litreate by 2006.
The rate of fall in litreacy rate between 1991 and 2001 was more than the rate of rise in litreacy rate between 2001 and 2006.
- E
The rise in litreacy rate between 2001 and 2006 was due to persistent campaign on television and FM radio.
The information talks about a rise/fall in literacy rate in and around 3 years: 1991, 2001 and 2006.
It talks about, a rise in literacy rate from 1991 to 2006 with a fall in the rate according to the 2001 census.
A refutable statement to this is option 4 which talks about a larger drop in literacy rate between 1991 and 2001 than a rise in the rate from 2001 to 2006 (which does not indicate progress from 1991 to 2006 as mentioned in the statement)
The other options do not refute the statement as strongly as option 4.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.