Two statements and two conclusions are given below:
Statements:
(I) Some books are magazines
(II) Some magazines are novels
Conclusions:
(I) Some books are novels
(II) Some novels are magazines
Which of the conclusions follow from the given statements?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Only (II) follows
A conclusion follows only if it is true in every diagram that fits the statements.
“Some books are magazines”: the circles of books and magazines overlap
“Some magazines are novels”: the circles of magazines and novels overlap; nothing is said about books and novels
Conclusion (I) (Some books are novels) does not follow: the books circle can be drawn away from the novels circle, as here, and the diagram still fits both statements.
Conclusion (II) (Some novels are magazines) follows: it is statement (II) read the other way round. If some magazines are novels, those same things are novels that are magazines (the green part).