Statement and Course of Action

Statement and course of action questions

In this type of questions, a situation is given and some courses of action are suggested in the context of that situation. Candidate have to identity the suitable course of action, which either reduce the problem or improve the situation, which is created by that situation. Course of action should be feasible and should relate with the practical aspect.

Points to be noted while solving Statement and course of action questions

To solve these questions, the candidates are advised to keep in mind the following important points

• Simple problem must have simple course of action and not a complicated one which may create more problems than to solve or reduce it.
• The correct course of action should be a positive step towards the solution of the problem rather harsh and undemocratic.
• If any course of action is followed with word ‘only’ it makes action weak.
• In most of the cases, a situation has more than one courses of action, but they are never exclusive to each other. So, the answer should be both follow or not either of them follows.

Example1:
Statement :Nuclear power cannot make a country secure.
Courses of Action
I. We should stop further increasing our nuclear power.
II. We should destroy out nuclear capability.
III. We should focus on improving diplomatic relations.

(A) Only I follows
(B) Only II follows
(C) Only III follows
(D) I and II follow

 
Answer (C) Action I is not a good action, because nuclear power is required for power generation. Destroying nuclear capability will raise another problem, so II is also not good. Action III is a good

Example2:
Statement :Most of the development plans are on paper only.

Courses of Action

 I. The incharges should be instructed to supervise the field work regularly. 

 II. The supply of paper to such department should be cut short. 

(A) Only I follows
(B) Only II follows
(C) I& II follows
(D)None of the above

Answer:(A) Main problem according to the question is  that most of the development plans are on  paper only. But if the incharge will supervise  the field work properly the plans will take place  in real world. Hence, only action I follows.

Example3: 

Statement: Annual results of school G are  continuously falling from past three years as  the school is unable to hire adequate number of  teachers due to lack of funds.  

Courses of Action : 

I. School G should increase the fees of  students by 30% in order to generate funds  for hiring new teachers.  

II. Classes of school G should be divided into two  shifts and should be continued with the  existing teachers.

(A) Only I follows
(B) Only II follows
(C) I& II follows
(D)None of the above

Answer (B) If the classes are divided into two shifts the  school management will be able to effectively  manage the school with the existing teachers.  So, course of action II follows.  . 

Example4:

Statement: People see tax as a burden and  thus devise ways to underpay or avoid it  altogether.  Courses of Action  

I. Government should educate and  inform citizens about the ways in  which taxes help in development of  the nation.  

II. Tax rates should be increased so that  the under-recovery in collection is  compensated. 

(A) Only I follows
(B) Only II follows
(C) I& II follows
(D)None of the above

Answer(A) Course of action I can be followed. It will help  people to understand the benefits of taxes and  encourage them to submit taxes.  

Example5:

Statement: The vehicular traffic in New Delhi  area has increased considerably these days  making it difficult for people to reach on time  to Railway Station as vehicles frequently face  traffic jams at various places.

Courses of Action  

I. The vehicles which are not bound to  Railway Station should not be allowed to  ply on the road connecting the New  Delhi area to the Railway Station.  

II. The load of vehicular traffic should be  diverted through several link roads  during the peak hours.  III. The time table of trains should be  prepared so as to avoid the congestion  during the peak hours.  Which of the courses of action logically  follow(s) for pursuing? 

(A ‘course of action  is a step or administrative’ decision to be  taken for improvement, follow-up or further  action in regard to the problem, policy etc.)  

(A) Only I and II follows  

(B) Only I and III follow  

(C) Only II follows  

(D) Only II and III follow  

(E) All I, II and III follow 

Answer(C) Only course of action II seems to be feasible.  Others are not reasonable.