What Mains asks
SBI Clerk Mains has 3-6 verbal-reasoning questions. The common types are statement-assumption, statement-conclusion, course of action, inference from a short passage, strengthen/weaken the argument and cause-effect.
1. Assumption
An assumption is something the speaker takes for granted without saying it. Test: if the assumption were false, would the statement still make sense? If not, it is implicit. Advice and plans assume that they are possible and useful ("update KYC through the app" assumes customers can use the app). Extreme words - only, all, always, never, permanently - usually make an assumption not implicit.
2. Conclusion
A conclusion must follow from the given statement alone, without outside facts. Watch quantity words: "some branches are closed" does not mean "all branches are closed". Complementary pairs ("held on Saturday" / "held on Sunday" when it is one of the two) give "either I or II".
3. Course of action
A good course of action is practical, directly addresses the problem, and is proportionate. Reject extreme or punitive steps (ban everything, dismiss all staff) and steps that remove the service instead of fixing it. Both actions can follow if each solves a different part of the problem (evacuate people and pump out water).
4. Inference from a passage
Pick the statement that must be true or is strongly supported by the passage. Reject options that are extreme (all, never, completely), that add new facts (fares, prices not mentioned), or that contradict the passage. For "cannot be inferred", find the option with no support in the passage.
5. Strengthen / weaken
- Find the claim and its reason.
- A weakener breaks the link (for example, an alternative cause: output rose because staff increased, not because of the new policy).
- A strengthener gives evidence that the link holds (a similar policy worked elsewhere).
- Ignore options that are merely true but irrelevant.
6. Cause and effect
| Relationship | Example |
|---|---|
| I is the cause, II the effect | Import duty on gold cut; gold imports rose |
| II is the cause, I the effect | Trains cancelled; dense fog since last night |
| Effects of a common cause | Schools closed and fishermen warned (cyclone) |
| Effects of independent causes | Phone prices fell; tourist numbers rose |
Time target
45-60 seconds per question. Read the question stem first, then the passage, so you know whether you are looking for an assumption, a conclusion or a weakener.