Question

A poll of students appearing for masters in engineering indicated that 60 % of the students believed that mechanical engineering is a profession unsuitable for women. A research study on women with masters or higher degrees in mechanical engineering found that 99 % of such women were successful in their professions.

Which of the following can be logically inferred from the above paragraph?

1. Many students have misconceptions regarding various engineering disciplines.
2. Men with advanced degrees in mechanical engineering believe women are well suited to be mechanical engineers.
3. Mechanical engineering is a profession well suited for women with masters or higher degrees in mechanical engineering.
4. The number of women pursuing higher degrees in mechanical engineering is small.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Mechanical engineering is a profession well suited for women with masters or higher degrees in mechanical engineering.

Let us examine the options one by one:

1. Various engineering disciplines have not been talked about in the paragraph and thus this inference does not follow. We cannot make a general statement with respect to various disciplines when only mechanical engineering has been talked about.
2. The poll taken was for students and the gender of the students participating in the poll has not been mentioned. Thus this inference does not hold.
3. This inference hold because the research study found that the women with a high degree in mechanical engineering were successful in their profession. Thus it can be a suitable profession for them.
4. We cannot infer anything about the number of women pursuing mechanical engineering because no information has been provided regarding the same.

Thus option 3 is the answer.