Question

Statements:
Some pens are pencils.
All pencils are erasers.

Conclusions:
I Some erasers are pencils.
II Some pencils are not pens.

• A. Only conclusion I follows
• B. Only conclusion II follows
• C. Either I or II follows
• D. Neither I nor II follows

Answer 1

The correct option is A Only conclusion I follows

Since one premise is particular, the conclusion must be particular and should not contain the middle term. Thus, it follows that 'Some pens are erasers, Statement I is the converse of the second premise and so it holds. Since both the premises are affirmative, the conclusion cannot be negative. Thus, II does not follow.