The Syllogism is a Greek word for interference/conclusion. Syllogism questions are a part of reasoning section. These questions are asked in many competitive exams. This topic has a high weightage in the exam that scores more marks. Normally, 5-6 questions are asked on this topic alone in each of the exams. Syllogism questions comprise two or more statements and these statements are followed by conclusions. The contender has to find out the right conclusion logically follows from the given statements.
Though the questions look easy in reality it is not like that. So many aspirants are struggling to solve syllogism questions. There are some tricks to easily crack these questions at the stipulated time.
- Venn diagram is the best method of solving the syllogism questions.
- Keenly go through all the statements in the question one by one
- Try to understand the method of drawing Venn diagram for each statement
- Find out whether there is any familiar concept/statement in the given syllogism
- The second step is finding out the conclusion from the statements
- Understand how to draw a conclusion for each statement/concept
- The candidate need not memorize any conclusion/statement
- By understanding the concept, drawing Venn diagram is enough
- The main criterion is to attend all the questions in a chronological manner
Some of the examples:
- All pens are red
- Reynold is a pen
- So, the conclusion is Reynold is red
Most of the syllogism questions are solved based on these three statements.
| Statements | Conclusion Diagram |
|
Some A is B |
|
|
No A is B |
|
|
All A is B |
Question 1:
Statements
- Some blonde are tall
- Some tall are brunette
- All brunette are lovely
Conclusions
- Some lovely are tall
- Some blonde are lovely
| Step | Statement | Diagram |
| Step 1 | Some blonde are tall | |
| Step 2 | Some tall are brunette | |
| Step 3 | All brunette are lovely |
- So, lovely intersects with tall – Conclusion 1 follows
- Since Blonde does not intersect with lovely – Conclusion 2 does not follow
Syllogism possibility question
Question 2:
Statements
- No stone is metal
- Some metals are papers
- All papers are glass
Conclusion
- At least some glasses are metals
- All stone being glass is a possibility
| Step | Statement | Diagram |
| Step 1 | No stone is metal
|
|
| Step 2 | Some metals are papers
|
|
| Step 3 | All papers are glass |
Step 3 indicates that at least some glasses are metals
Now, the second conclusion is a possibility.
| Step | Statement | Diagram |
| Step 1 | All stone being glass is a possibility
|
The diagram proves the second conclusion of possibility
Hence, the conclusions, 1 & 2 follows.
Solving syllogism questions are difficult unless you know the tricks to crack. It really needs a strong practice and memory to keep all the tricks and shortcuts. If you are able to solve solely, you may do it. Practicing with the help of a mentor or group discussion and studies would help to know more about the tricks, and other tactics.