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Census Literacy Rate Refutation

XAT 2012 · Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning · Medium · Critical Reasoning

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The 2001 census showed a sharp fall in the literacy rate compared to 1991, but an increase in the literacy rate by 2006 suggests that between 1991 and 2006 India progressed in terms of literacy rate.

Which of the following statements, if true, best refutes the above argument?

  1. A.

    One of the causes of more literacy is the increased population growth rate.

  2. B.

    Although there was no census in 2006 the information about the literacy rate is reliable.

  3. C.

    Many of those who were illiterate in 2001 become literate by 2006.

  4. D.

    The rate of fall in literacy rate between 1991 and 2001 was more than the rate of rise in literacy rate between 2001 and 2006.

  5. E.

    The rise in literacy rate between 2001 and 2006 was due to persistent campaign on television and FM radio.

Answer

D

Explanation

The argument is that India made up for the loss incurred in literacy rate from 1991 to 2001 by improving in the 5 year span from 2001 to 2006. This can be refuted if it can be proven that the progress made in 2001 to 2006 was not good enough in amount to cover the losses incurred in the previous 10 year period. So even if India improved in 2001-06, the overall literacy rate in 2006 would still be lower than in 1991. This is given to us by option D.

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