Question:medium

Statement: Should smoking be completely banned in all public places in the country? Argument I: Yes, it protects non-smokers from the harmful effects of passive smoking. Argument II: No, it violates the personal freedom of individuals to smoke wherever they wish.

Show Hint

Judge each argument on whether it is directly relevant to the policy question and backed by a specific, realistic reason, not just a general principle.
Updated On: Jul 8, 2026
  • Only argument I is strong
  • Only argument II is strong
  • Both arguments are strong
  • Neither argument is strong
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Judge each argument with a checklist: is it directly relevant to the policy question, and does it give a specific, realistic reason rather than a vague general principle?
Step 2: Argument I - relevant, since passive smoking harm is directly tied to banning smoking in shared public places; realistic, since the health risk to non-smokers from passive smoke is well-established and significant. It passes both checks, so it is strong.
Step 3: Argument II - relevant on the surface (personal freedom), but it fails the "specific and realistic" check: it treats freedom as absolute and ignores that this freedom directly harms other people sharing the same public space. A general principle that overlooks the actual harm involved is a weak basis for policy.
Step 4: Only argument I clears the full checklist.
Correct option: (1) Only argument I is strong.
Was this answer helpful?
0

Top Questions on Statements and Arguments


Questions Asked in NMAT exam