Logical Reasoning Questions for CLAT | QB Set 55

Anti-Semitism has become an embarrassment to the political left in many countries in recent years—as U.S. Democrats have discovered in their own ranks. It’s a relief, then, to see at least one center-left party in the West tackling this problem head-on, as Britain’s Labour Party has this week.

Labour Leader Keir Starmer on Wednesday published a column in the Times of London telling activists with anti-Semitic views that they’re not welcome in the party.

“Antisemitism is an evil,” he wrote. “Its conspiratorial nature attracts those who would have no truck with any other form of prejudice. Indeed, it can be those who call themselves ‘anti-racist’ who are most blind to it…. That’s why my first act as [party] leader was to commit to tearing antisemitism out by the roots, without fear or favor.”

Mr. Starmer became Labour leader in 2020 after the party had suffered a humiliating election defeat under former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Mr. Corbyn, his inner circle, and their radical supporters promoted anti-Semitic tropes and turned a blind eye to complaints about abuse directed by their online camp followers at those who objected. Polls suggest this helped cost the party the 2019 election.

Since taking up his position, Mr. Starmer has worked to clean out the stables by replacing top party leaders and sticking to a zero-tolerance message. “The Labour Party I lead today is unrecognizable from 2019,” Mr. Starmer wrote in the Times. “There are those who don’t like that change, who still refuse to see the reality of what had gone on under the previous leadership. To them I say in all candor: we are never going back. If you don’t like it, nobody is forcing you to stay.”

Questions:

1. What was the impact of anti-Semitic views on the Labour Party’s 2019 election performance?
(a) Anti-Semitic views helped the Labour Party win the 2019 election.
(b) Anti-Semitic views did not have any impact on the Labour Party’s 2019 election performance.
(c) Anti-Semitic views contributed to the Labour Party’s defeat in the 2019 election.
(d) The Labour Party did not have any issues with anti-Semitic views during the 2019 election.

2. Which of the following is supported by the passage?
(a) Anti-Semitic comments made by junior House members cost the U.S. Democrats the 2019 election.
(b) Keir Starmer’s leadership has successfully purged all anti-Semitic elements from the British Labour Party.
(c) The British Labour Party’s last election defeat serves as a warning to Democrats about the dangers of tolerating anti-Semitism.
(d) Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters are responsible for the British Labour Party’s 2020 defeat.

3. Which of the following is the author of the passage most likely to agree with?
(a) Keir Starmer’s approach to addressing anti-Semitism in the Labour Party is a positive step in the right direction.
(b) U.S. Democrats have been more successful in tackling anti-Semitism in their ranks than the Labour Party.
(c) Keir Starmer’s efforts to remove Jeremy Corbyn from the party were unnecessary and divisive.
(d) Tolerating anti-Semitism is a necessary sacrifice for the political left to make in order to maintain support.

4. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the author’s arguments?
(a) The Democratic Party in the U.S. has publicly acknowledged and taken steps to address instances of anti-Semitism within its ranks.
(b) The Labour Party’s decision to exclude Jeremy Corbyn from the party has been met with widespread criticism from the British public.
(c) A recent poll found that a majority of U.S. voters believe that the Democratic Party does not take the issue of anti-Semitism seriously.
(d) A prominent Jewish organization has publicly praised Keir Starmer’s efforts to address anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.

5. Which of the following has the author used to support their argument in the passage?
(a) The author’s personal beliefs and values.
(b) Historical events that are not directly relevant to the topic at hand.
(c) Specific actions taken by Keir Starmer to combat anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.
(d) Speculation on the potential consequences of not addressing anti-Semitism.

6. Which of the following is a statement of claim from the passage rather than a statement of fact?
(a) Keir Starmer is the leader of the British Labour Party.
(b) Antisemitism is an evil.
(c) Mr. Starmer has worked to clean out the stables by replacing top party leaders.
(d) Mr. Corbyn’s anti-Semitic views cost Labour the 2019 election.