Mental Ability, Analytical and Logical Reasoning (UPSC) Part-I

1. Consider the series given below: [1995]

4/12/95, 1/1/96, 29/1/96, 26/2/96, .... The next term of the series is

(a) 24/3/96
(b) 25/3/96
(c) 26/3/96
(d) 27/3/96

Correct Answer: (b) 25/3/96

Solution:Given dates differ by 28 days each. Since 26/2/96 is a leap year, so February contains 29 days.

2. In the given diagram, circle A represents teachers who can teach Physics, circle B represents teachers who can teach Chemistry and circle C represents those who can teach Mathematics. Among these, which represents teachers who can teach Physics and Mathematics but not Chemistry, is [1995]

(a) v
(b) u
(c) s
(d) t

Correct Answer: (b) u

Solution:It is the common area between A and C but not including B, i.e., u.

3. Seven men A, B,C, D, E, F and G are standing in a queue in that order. Each one is wearing a cap of a different colour like violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. D is able to see in front of him green and blue, but not violet. E can see violet and yellow, but not red. G can see caps of all colours other than orange. If E is wearing an indigo coloured cap, then the colour of the cap worn by F is [1995]

(a) blue
(b) violet
(c) red
(d) orange

Correct Answer: (c) red

Solution:

Men	Cap
A	Yellow
B	Blue
C	Green
D	Violet
E	Indigo
F	Red
G	Orange

4. Examine the following statements : [2004]

I All children are inquisitive

II. Some children are inquisitive

III. No children are inquisitive

IV. Some children are not inquisitive

Among these statements the two statements which cannot both be true simultaneously but can both be false, would be

(a) I & III
(b) I & IV
(c) II & III
(d) III & IV

Correct Answer: (a) I & III

Solution:As I and III contradict and are opposite to each other. So they cannot be true simultaneously.

5. Which of the following can be inferred from the statement that "Either John is stupid or John is lazy" ? [1995]

1. John is lazy/therefore, John is not stupid

2. John is not lazy/therefore, John is stupid

3. John is not stupid/therefore, John is lazy

4. John is stupid/therefore, John is not lazy

(a) 1 & 2
(b) 2 & 3
(c) 3 & 4
(d) 1 & 4

Correct Answer: (b) 2 & 3

Solution:According to the given statement "Either John is stupid or John is lazy", it can be inferred that John can not be stupid and lazy simultaneously. In the light of this inference one can conclude that only statements (2) and (3) can be right while statements (1) and (4) depicts the opposite of inferred.

6. Six roads lead to a country. They may be indicated by letters X, Y, Z and digits 1, 2, 3. When there is storm, Y is blocked. When there are floods X, 1 and 2 will be affected. When road 1 is blocked, Z also is blocked. At a time when there are floods and a storm also blows, which road (s) can be used? [1996]

(a) Z & 2
(b) Only Z
(c) Only 3
(d) Only Y

Correct Answer: (c) Only 3

Solution:Y is blocked for storms. For floods X, 1 and 2 are blocked and Z is blocked, whenever 1 is blocked. So, for floods and storms, only unblocked road left is 3.

7. Which one of the following Venn diagrams correctly illustrates the relationship among the classes: Carrot, Food, Vegetable? [1996]

Correct Answer: (a)

Solution:Both carrot and vegetable come under the food category, while carrot comes under vegetable category.

8. In the given figure, the triangle represents girls, the square represents sports persons and the circle represents coaches. The portion in the figure which represents girls who are sports persons but not coaches is the one labelled, as [1996]

(a) A
(b) B
(c) D
(d) E

Correct Answer: (b) B

Solution:It is the common area between the triangle and the square, but excluding the circle, i.e., B.

9. The next pair of letters in the series AZ, CX, FU. is [1996]

(a) JQ
(b) KP
(c) IR
(d) IV

Correct Answer: (a) JQ

Solution:First letter in each pair increases by 2, 3, 4, while the second letter decreases by 2, 3, 4 respectively. So 4 letters after F is J and before U is Q. Hence, next letter is JQ.

10. Mouse is to cat as fly is to: [1996]

(a) rat
(b) animal
(c) spider
(d) horse

Correct Answer: (c) spider

Solution:Cat eats mouse, similarly spider eats flies.