7) Fact, Inference, Judgement

Fact, Inference, Judgement
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Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE TERMS INVOLVED
A.
B.
C.
FACT
INFERENCE
JUDGEMENT
III. MINI EXERCISE

A.
B.
C.
FACT
INFERENCE
JUDGEMENT
IV. GENERAL QUESTION PATTERN

V. SOLVED EXAMPLES
I. INTRODUCTION
FIJ questions are a part of the chapter on Critical Reasoning in the Verbal
section. F stands for FACT, I for INFERENCE and J for JUDGEMENT. In
these questions, you are expected to categorize the given sentences as
belonging to one of the three types (FACT, INFERENCE or JUDGEMENT)
on the basis of the definitions provided for these types at the beginning of
the question.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE TERMS INVOLVED

A. FACT
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1. USUAL DEFINITION
A fact is a statement about some information either seen or heard and
is open to discovery or verification.
2. DETAILED INTERPRETATION
A fact is an assertive statement that describes something which can be
verified by observation, measurement and calculation or otherwise.
A fact does not depend upon the personal opinion or reasoning of the
author.
For example, That girl was wearing a red dress. is a fact because it
states that which was observeddiscovered through sight, already
verified by someone and in turn verifiable or discoverable by others
too. All such direct experiences are deemed to be facts.
Also, these statements need to be understood the way they are used in
common language and not in any special sense. In other words, do not
question whether red is an interpretation of something else. Red
merely means the colour red as used in common language.
B. INFERENCE
1. USUAL DEFINITION
An Inference is a statement made on the basis of a fact.
An inference is a conclusion about something that is derived or drawn
from a fact. It is the application of some logical reasoning from factual
knowledge. An inference is not a simple statement of information or
knowledge, nor can it be directly discovered as it depends on some
logical reasoning based on fact. But it can be verified because of the
facts supporting it.
For example, The girl wearing the red dress likes the colour red. is
an inference because the statement draws a conclusion about the

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girls liking for the colour red on the basis of the fact that she is
wearing a red dress. It is possible that what is stated in the inference
is not true. But we are merely concerned with categorizing the
sentence, and not with the verification of its authenticity.
All such statements are to be classified as inferences. To explain a
little more, it is possible to verify this statement by observing what
she wears every day. If we see her wearing the red dress (fact) more
often than not, the above conclusion stands verified. Likewise, all
inferences will be based on facts.
A few people may still disagree and say that it may simply be a
coincidence that she has more red dresses than of other colours.
Hence, what we need to decide is: presented with the facts (of the
girls frequently wearing red) whether most people are likely to agree
that she likes red or only few people are likely to agree with it. If we
decide that most people are likely to agree with it, it is to be termed as
an inference. If we feel only very few people are likely to agree with it,
it is not an inference but a personal opinion.
C. JUDGEMENT
1. USUAL DEFINITION
A Judgement is an opinion that states approval or disapproval of any
event, object or situation.
A judgement is usually a personal opinion. It implies some level of
approval or disapproval of any event, object or situation.
A judgement is not a simple statement of information or knowledge,
nor is it directly verifiable/ discoverable as it depends on personal
reasoning and not on logical reasoning on the basis of a fact.
A judgement can also be a conclusion drawn out of logical reasoning
on the basis of some fact, but it differs from an inference in that an
inference is likely to be true for most people, but a judgment is likely

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to be true for fewer people, hence we can term it as someones or a

few peoples personal opinion.
For example, That girl looks very beautiful in the red dress. is a
judgment because it is a personal opinion that is stated regarding the
girls appearance. The statement about the girls beauty (especially
very beautiful) cannot be directly discovered/verified as opinions
can differ. The statement is also not drawn from any logical reasoning
that is universally acceptable. Though it may look like an inference, it
is not necessary that most people are likely to agree with this
statement.
Such statements, with which only one person (personal opinion) or a
few people are likely to agree, are to be categorized as judgments.
III. MINI EXERCISE

To understand each classification, let us take an example of each type.
A. FACT
Example :
The population of Tokyo exceeds 12 million. This statement is a
fact because it states direct statistical information which has
already been verified. Such information can be further verified too.
Hence, it is a Fact.
Example :
Tokyo is also one of Japans 47 prefectures, but is called a
metropolis rather than a prefecture. This statement is a fact
because it states something that is known and experienced by
everyone and involves no logical processes or reasoning in it.

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Example :
Pakistan lies to the north west of the Indian Territory. This
statement is a fact because it describes geographical information
which can be verified. Hence it is a Fact. Similarly statements which
describe historical, economic, political, scientific, or any other type
of information that is already verified or can be verified are
classified as facts.
B. INFERENCE
Example :
Property prices in the area have increased because the new flyover
provides easy access to the city.
This statement is an inference because it is a conclusion drawn by
the author on the basis of the fact that the new flyover makes the
area more accessible. The word because denotes direct reasoning,
hence it usually helps in identifying an Inference. In this sentence
we have a fact and an inference. Since the emphasis of the entire
statement is on the first part i.e. the inference and not on the latter
part which is the fact, the sentence is termed as an inference rather
than a fact. The property prices have increased is not directly
discovered or verified, but one needs the property rates of the past
and in comparison come to the conclusion that they have increased.
Without this supporting data, one cannot say that the prices have
increased.
Example :
According to the 2001 census it seems that people prefer living in

urban areas more as compared to 1991.

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Thisstatementisaconclusionbasedoncensusdata.Accordingto
showsthattheconclusionisbasedonsomedata,butthewordsit
seemsmakeitclearthatthisstatementcannotbedirectly
discoveredorverifiedandhenceitisaninference.Thesupporting
dataherewillbeCensus2001andanearliercensusdata.
Comparingthetwo,theincreaseinpopulationintheurbanareas
canbeverified.Whetherthisincreasedenotesapreferenceornotis
debatable,butmostpeoplearelikelytoagreethatitshowsa
preference(forwhateverreasons!).Henceitisnotajudgmentbut
aninference.
Example :
McDonaldshasbeenintheburgerbusinessforover40yearsand
sotheycanbeatthecompetition.
Thisstatementdrawsaconclusionbasedonthefactthat
McDonaldshasover40yearsofexperienceintheburgerbusiness.
Analyzingthedataof40yearsitispossibletoverifythat
McDonaldshastimeandagainbeatenthecompetitioninthe
market.Thisfactwillsupporttheinferencethatthistimealso,it
canbeatthecompetition.Asmostpeoplewillagreewiththe
predictionbasedonthisdata,itcanbetermedasaninference
ratherthanajudgment.Onecanidentifythereasoningbythe
wordsandso.Youshouldlookoutforwordslike so, because,
hencewhichdenotereasoningastheyareveryusefulinidentifying
inferences.
C. JUDGEMENT
Example :
VincentVanGoghsselfportraitisoneofthemostamazing

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paintingsintheworld.
Thisstatementisajudgementbecauseitisapersonalopinion
aboutthequalityofthepainting.Theadjectivemostamazing
indicatesthisandtellsyouthatthisstatementcannotbeverified,
andnoteveryonewillnecessarilyagreewithit.Alsoitisnotbased
onanyreasoning.Lookoutforadjectiveslikethiswhichcanhelp
youidentifyapersonalopinionandtermthemasjudgements.
Example :
Tendulkarshouldnothaveplayedarashshotatthebeginningof
hisinnings.
*Thewordsshouldnotindicatedisapproval.Youcanseethatthis
isapersonalopinionnotsupportedbyanyreasoning.Henceitisa
judgement.Lookoutforwords,likethese(should,shouldnot,must,
mustnot),whichindicateapprovalordisapprovalsincetheymake
iteasytoidentifyajudgement.
Example :
Itisnotrightonthepartofanypoliticalpartytodemandthe
discriminationofacommunitybasedoncasteorreligion.
Thisstatementagaindescribesapersonalopinionaboutthe
appropriatenessoftheactionsofapoliticalparty.Hence,itisa
judgement.Thewordsisnotrightindicatedisapproval.Lookout
forsimilarcombinations.
IV. GENERAL QUESTION PATTERN

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A. Usuallythisquestiontypecomprisesasetofstatementswithinstructionsat
thestart,alongwithadefinitionofthetermsinvolvedi.e.fact;inference;
judgement.
B. Eachquestionwillusuallyhavethreeorfourstatements.
C. TheoptionswillspecifytheclassificationofthestatementsgiveninwhichF
standsforFACT,IforINFERENCE,JforJUDGEMENT
D. Youneedtochoosetheoptioninwhichthestatementsarecorrectlyclassified.
Directions: Each question has a set of four sequentially ordered
statements.Eachstatementcanbeclassifiedasoneofthefollowing:
A. Facts,whichdealwithpiecesofinformationthatonehasheard,seenorread,
andwhichareopentodiscoveryorverification(theansweroptionindicates
suchastatementwithanF).
B. Inferences,whichareconclusionsdrawnabouttheunknown,onthebasisof
theknown(theansweroptionindicatessuchastatementwithanI).
C. Judgements,whichareopinionsthatimplyapprovalordisapprovalofpersons,
objects,situationsandoccurrencesinthepast,present,orfuture(theanswer
optionindicatessuchastatementwithaJ).
Example 1:
1. Theyouthdonotapproveofthecurrentlotofpoliticians
becausethenewspapersarefullofstoriesaboutyoungmen
andwomencampaigningagainstpoliticians.
2. Youngpeopleshouldnotenterpoliticsbecauseitisadirty
game.
3. Only35%oftheyouthpopulationvotedinthelastelections.
Options:
(1)FIJ
(2)FJI
(3)IJF
(4)FII
(5)IIF
Explanation:

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Thefirststatementisaconclusiondrawnbytheauthoraboutwhat
theyouthdonotapproveof,basedonthefactthatthenewspapers
carrystoriesabouttheircampaigns.Thereforestatementaisan
Inference.
HINT:
Thewordbecauseisaclueasitdenotesreasoning.Thiscanbe
usedtoidentifyInferencesinmanycases.
Thesecondstatementisajudgmentasitexpressesapersons
opinion.Aclueinthesecondstatementtoitbeingajudgmentisthe
phrase shouldnot whichindicatesdisapproval.
Thethirdstatementisclearlyafactasitcanbeverifiedfromsome
electionrecords.Youcanseethatthereisnoreasoningorpersonal
opinioninvolved.
Hence,thecorrectanswerisoption 3.
Example 2:
1. Thelackofastrongworldbodythatcouldsolveinternational
disputeshadcontributedtotheSecondWorldWar.
2. Thenextworldwarwillbesodestructivethatitwillwipeout
theworld.
3. TheFirstWorldWarresultedinahugelossoflifeand
property.
Options:
(1)FFJ
(2)FJJ
(3)IJF
(4)FJI
(5)IIF
Explanation:
ThesecondpartofStatement1isaninferenceaboutthecauseof

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theSecondWorldWarderivedfromthefactthattherewasno
strongworldbody.Thisstatementcannotbeprovenfactuallyasit
couldbeoneofthereasonswhytheSecondWorldWarstarted.So
thisisanInference.
HINT:
Nowyoucaneliminateoptions1,2and4.Thismakessolvingfaster.
Remembertomakemaximumuseoftheeliminationtechnique.
Thesecondstatementisapersonsopiniononwhatwillhappenif
thereisanotherWorldWar.Thisstatementcannotbeprovenfrom
factsneithercanbeinferred.SothisisaJudgement.
ThethirdstatementinformsaboutafactoftheFirstWorldWari.e.
itresultedinahugelossoflifeandproperty.Thisstatementcanbe
verified.SothisisaFact.
Hence,therightanswerisoption 3.
Example 3:
1. Abatsmanwhocanhitsixesistheonlyonesuitablefor
Twenty20cricket.
2. ThereareonlytwentyoversperinninginTwenty20cricket.
3. Batsmenareunderpressuretoscorefromeachballin
Twenty20becausethereareonly20overs.
Options:
(1)FIJ
(2)JFI
(3)IJF
(4)FIF
(5)FJF
Explanation:
Inthefirststatementapersonhasexpressedhis/heropiniononthe
mostsuitablebatsmanforTwenty20cricket.Understand,thatthis

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cannot be proven, as being able to hit sixes may not be the only skill
required to be a suitable Twenty 20 Cricket batsman. Therefore
statement 1 is a judgment.
HINT:
It is very easy to identify a Judgement. It will generally have an
adjective and will express a personal opinion.
The second statement is clearly a fact of the Twenty 20 type of
cricket as it mentions some knowledge that can be verified.
The third statement is an inference based on the fact that there are
only 20 overs. Hence, this statement is an inference.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
HINT:
Even if you are not sure about one of the statements, you can still
arrive at the answer by identifying the other two statements and
then eliminating the options.
REMEMBER:
While solving these questions bear the following points in mind:
Get complete conceptual clarity about what Facts, Inferences, and
Judgements are, as defined in the instructions.
Get rid of any preconceived definitions you might have about what
facts, inferences and judgements are.
For accuracy and speed, use the options to decide how each
statement has to be evaluated (e.g., the available options ask you to
evaluate the first statement in the above question only as Judgement
vs. Inference.)

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Ignore any apparent relation between any two statements. Each

sentence is classified on its own merit and not in relation to another
statement in the same question.
V. SOLVED EXAMPLES
Example 4:
[CAT 2006]
Each of the questions below has a set of sequentially ordered
statements. Each statement can be classified as one of the following:
1. Facts, which deal with the pieces of information that one has
heard, seen or read, and which are open to discovery or
verification (the answer option indicates such a statement
with an F)
2. Inferences, which are conclusions drawn about the unknown,
on the basis of the known (the answer option indicates such a
statement with an I)
3. Judgements, which are opinions that imply approval or
disapproval of persons, objects, situations and occurrences in
the past, the present or the future (the answer option
indicates such a statement with a J)
Select the answer option that best describes the set of statements.
1. Inequitable distribution of all kinds of resources is certainly
one of the strongest and most sinister sources of conflict.
2. Even without war, we know that conflicts continue to trouble
us they only change in character.
3. Extensive disarmament is the only insurance for our future;
imagine the amount of resources that can be released and
redeployed.
4. The economies of the industrialized western world derive
20% of their income from the sale of all kinds of arms.

(1) IJJI
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(2) JIJF
(3) IIJF
(4) JIIF
(5) IJIF
Explanation:
The first sentence is to be evaluated as a judgement. Most sinister
is neither verified nor verifiable. It is clearly an opinion, making it a
Judgement. This eliminates options 1, 3 and 5.
Evaluating options 2 and 4, one has to decide whether statement 3
is an inference or a judgement. Only insurance cannot be verified;
it is a personal opinion that there are no other possibilities.
Therefore it is a judgement, which eliminates option 4.
Example 5:
[XAT 2010]
1. Proper allocation of resources is required for the overall
development of our economy.
2. Government has decided to allocate the gas from KG basin to
power fertiliser sector.
3. A court decision against the declared policy guidelines can
result in government intervention in the form of an appeal.
4. Some section of the society may consider this decision as a
deliberate attempt to protect some private interest.
(1) IFIJ
(2) FFJJ
(3) JFJI
(4) JFFI
(5) FFII
Explanation:
Statement ii) has been identified as a Fact in all the answer options.
Statement i) with the word our cannot be a Fact. Eliminate options
2 and 5. Statement iii) states a possible outcome of an action and
cannot be termed as a fact. Eliminate option 4. Statement iv) uses a

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lot of strongly opinionated words and hardly any data ...may

consider this decision as a deliberate attempt to protect some
private interest. This makes it a more suitable Judgement than an
inference. Statement i) with proper allocation of resources and
overall development and statement iii) with court decision,
declared policy guideline and government intervention in the
form of an appeal have logical inferences derived from data. Both
these statements can be classified as inferences rather than
judgements. Therefore IFIJ is the correct allocation of statements.
Example 6:
[CAT 2006]
1. We should not be hopelessly addicted to an erroneous belief
that corruption in India is caused by the crookedness of
Indians.
2. The truth is that we have more red tape we take eightynine
days to start a small business, Australians take two.
3. Red tape leads to corruption and distorts a peoples character.
4. Every red tape procedure is a point of contact with an official,
and such contacts have the potential to become opportunities
for money to change hands.
(1) JFIF
(2) JFJJ
(3) JIJF
(4) IFJF
(5) JFJI
Explanation:
Several things make statement 1 a judgement 'should not be',
'hopelessly addicted', 'erroneous belief', and crookedness of
Indians; none of them are facts, nor are they conclusions based on
fact.
Statement 2 is a combination of inference and facts. We have more
red tape is an inference, but we take 89 days etc. is a fact. Since

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the thrust of the statement is based on the facts it has to be

classified as a fact. Therefore, options 3 and 4 are eliminated.
Options 1, 2 and 5 remain. Statement 3 is clearly a judgement or an
opinion and is classified in both options 2 and 5 as a judgement.
Eliminate option 1.
Statement 4 could be either a judgement or an inference. The first
part of sentence 4 is a fact. In the second part, potential is inferred
based on facts/experiences. Therefore statement 4 is classified as
an inference. This eliminates option 2.
Example 7:
[CAT 2006]
1. According to all statistical indications, the Sarva Shiksha
Abhiyan has managed to keep pace with its ambitious goals.
2. The Midday Meal Scheme has been a significant incentive for
the poor to send their little ones to school, thus establishing
the vital link between healthy bodies and healthy minds.
3. Only about 13 million children in the age group of 6 to 14
years are out of school.
4. The goal of universalisation of elementary education has to be
a prerequisite for the evolution and development of our
country.
(1) IIFJ
(2) JIIJ
(3) IJFJ
(4) IJFI
(5) JIFI
Explanation:
Statement 1 is an inference. According to statistical indications .
tells us that what follows is based on statistics, hence an inference.
This eliminates options 2 and 5.

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In statement 2 (to be evaluated as Judgement or Inference), though

significant incentive may be inferred by checking with available
data, the vital link between healthy bodies and healthy minds
cannot be investigated for data medical or otherwise. Hence, it is a
judgement.
Options 3 and 4 remain. The options state that sentence 3 is fact.
Sentence 4 needs to be evaluated as either an inference or a
judgement. has to be a prerequisite for the evolution. cannot
be verified from facts, making sentence 4 a judgement.
Example 8:
[CAT 2006]
1. Given the poor quality of service in the public sector, the
HIV/AIDS affected should be switching to private initiatives
that supply antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) at a low cost.
2. The government has been supplying free drugs since 2004,
and 35000 have benefited up to now though the size of the
affected population is 150 times this number.
3. The recent initiatives of networks and companies like AIDS
Care Network, Emcure, RelianceCiplaCII, would lead to
availability of muchneeded drugs to a larger number of
affected people.
4. But how ironic it is that we should face a perennial shortage
of drugs when India is one of the worlds largest suppliers of
generic drugs to the developing world.
(1) JFIJ
(2) JIIJ
(3) IFIJ
(4) IFFJ
(5) JFII
Explanation:
The given options require you to evaluate statement 1 as either a

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judgement or an inference. Given the poor quality of services in the

public sector is more of a judgement than an inference. Based on
this the conclusion should be switching. establishes statement 1
as a judgement. This eliminates options 3 and 4.
The numbers in statement 2 are a result of direct verification.
Hence, it is easy to see that statement 2 is a fact. This eliminates
option 2.
Evaluating options 1 and 5, both of which say statement 3 is an
inference, one has to now establish whether statement 4 is an
inference or a judgement (as per the options 1 and 5).
How ironic it is... is neither verified nor verifiable through facts.
Statement 4 is a judgement.
Example 9:
[CAT 2006]
1. So much of our daytoday focus seems to be on getting things
done, trudging our way through the tasks of living it can feel
like a treadmill that gets you nowhere; where is the childlike
joy?
2. We are not doing the things that make us happy; that which
brings us joy; the things that we cannot wait to do because we
enjoy them so much.
3. This is the stuff that joyful living is made of identifying your
calling and committing yourself wholeheartedly to it.
4. When this happens, each moment becomes a celebration of
you; there is a rush of energy that comes with feeling
completely immersed in doing what you love most.
(1) IIIJ
(2) IFIJ
(3) JFJJ
(4) JJJJ
(5) JFII

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Explanation:
Statement 1 states, It can feel like a treadmill that gets you
nowhere. This can neither be experienced nor verified as it is a
personal viewpoint, hence a judgement.
Statement 2 is a personal viewpoint not necessarily agreed to by
many. It is a judgement.
Statement 3 is an opinion, neither verifiable nor directly
experienced. It is a judgement.
Statement 4 is someones personal assessment of his own
experience. It is also a judgement.
********************************* End of Lesson *********************************


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Fact, Inference, Judgement

III. MINI EXERCISE

IV. GENERAL QUESTION PATTERN

Fact, Inference, Judgement

II. DESCRIPTION OF THE TERMS INVOLVED

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

to be true for fewer people, hence we can term it as someones or a

III. MINI EXERCISE

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

According to the 2001 census it seems that people prefer living in

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

IV. GENERAL QUESTION PATTERN

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

Ignore any apparent relation between any two statements. Each

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

lot of strongly opinionated words and hardly any data ...may

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

the thrust of the statement is based on the facts it has to be

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

In statement 2 (to be evaluated as Judgement or Inference), though

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

judgement or an inference. Given the poor quality of services in the

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Fact, Inference, Judgement

********************************* End of Lesson *********************************

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* End of Lesson *