Directions : In each of the following questions a statement is given, followed by two conclusions. Give answer : Statements : In a highly centralised power structure, in which even senior cabinet ministers are prepared to reduce themselves to pathetic countries or yesmen airing views that are primarily intended to anticipate or reflect the Prime Minister’s own performances, there can be no place for any consensus that is quite different from real or contrived unanimity of opinion, expressed through a well orchestrated endorsement of the leader’s actions. Conclusions : I. The Ministers play safe by not giving anti-government views. II. The Prime Minister does not encourage his colleagues to render their own views.

The correct answer is: Only conclusion I follows.

The statement says that in a highly centralized power structure, even senior cabinet ministers are prepared to reduce themselves to pathetic countries or yesmen airing views that are primarily intended to anticipate or reflect the Prime Minister’s own performances. This means that the ministers are not giving their own views, but are instead simply agreeing with the Prime Minister. This is consistent with conclusion I, which says that the ministers play safe by not giving anti-government views. However, the statement does not say anything about whether the Prime Minister encourages his colleagues to render their own views. Therefore, conclusion II does not follow.

Here is a more detailed explanation of each option:

• Option A: Only conclusion I follows. This is the correct answer.
• Option B: Only conclusion II follows. This is not the correct answer, because the statement does not say anything about whether the Prime Minister encourages his colleagues to render their own views.
• Option C: Either I or II follows. This is not the correct answer, because conclusion II does not follow.
• Option D: Neither I nor II follows. This is not the correct answer, because conclusion I does follow.
• Option E: Both I and II follow. This is not the correct answer, because conclusion II does not follow.