Q&A: practice questions with answers

Concept: Each position of the cluster jumps the same number of letters.

1. Look at position 1: I(9) → N(14) → S(19) → X(24); gap = +5.
2. Positions 2 and 3 show the same +5 jump (N→S→X→C, S→X→C→H).
3. After X(24): 24 + 5 = 29 − 26 = 3 → C. Next: C+5 = H, H+5 = M → CHM.

Trick: Each new cluster is just the previous one's last two letters + one new letter: XCH → CH_ ; only (A) and (D) begin with CH, and H+5 = M picks (D).

Answer: (D) CHM

Concept: Find one rule that links both given pairs, then apply it.

1. 4 @ 2: $4÷2=2$, and $2^2=4$ ✓.
2. 15 @ 3: $15÷3=5$, and $5^3=125$ ✓.
3. 8 @ 4: $8÷4=2$, so $2^4=16$.

Trick: 125 is a perfect cube ($5^3$) and the second number is 3 — a strong hint that the second number is the power.

Answer: (C) 16

Concept: Swap the two signs in each option and test with BODMAS until LHS = 353.

1. Swap ÷ and +: $31+48\times 7-322÷23$.
2. Multiply/divide first: $48\times 7=336$; $322÷23=14$.
3. $31+336-14=353$ = RHS ✓

Trick: Spot the 'nice' division first: $322÷23=14$ exactly, so ÷ should sit between 322 and 23 — only option (C) puts it there.

Answer: (C) ÷ and +

Concept: Brother/sister links keep everyone in the same generation.

1. P, Q, R, S are all linked only by brother/sister words → all are siblings.
2. Q is called 'sister' of R, so Q is female.
3. A female sibling of S is S's sister.

Trick: When gender of the person asked about (Q) is known, the gender of the other person (S) does not matter.

Answer: (A) Sister

Concept: Apply the same position shifts from the first pair to the second.

1. G(7) → L(12): +5; E(5) → I(9): +4.
2. S(19) + 5 = 24 → X.
3. N(14) + 4 = 18 → R. Answer pair: XR.

Trick: Use EJOTY (5, 10, 15, 20, 25) to get positions fast: S = 19 (T−1), X = 24 (Y−1).

Answer: (C) XR

Concept: Differences grow by consecutive even numbers.

1. Gaps: 21−16 = 5, 30−21 = 9, 45−30 = 15, 68−45 = 23.
2. Gaps of gaps: 4, 6, 8 → next is 10.
3. Next gap = 23 + 10 = 33; 68 + 33 = 101.

Trick: When first differences rise slowly and unevenly, always check the second difference — here it is 4, 6, 8, 10.

Answer: (D) 101

Concept: If a statement shows a link, conclusions that directly use that link follow.

1. Cities have more pollution, and pollution is tied to respiratory illness → city dwellers face higher risk. I follows.
2. If pollution drives the illness, lowering it should lower illness rates. II follows.

Trick: A conclusion 'follows' when it is a direct, reasonable result of the statement — neither needs extra outside facts here.

Answer: (C) Both follow

Concept: Three numbers read the same from both ends.

1. 121 ↔ 121, 232 ↔ 232, 555 ↔ 555 — all palindromes.
2. 766 reversed = 667 ≠ 766.

Trick: For 3-digit palindromes just compare first and last digit: 7 ≠ 6 in 766.

Answer: (D) 766

Concept: An assumption is what the writer must take for granted; extreme claims are usually not assumed.

1. The statement says renewables can cut carbon emissions → I is assumed.
2. It warns of grid-stability problems → it takes the integration challenge as serious → II is assumed.
3. Nothing says fossil fuels will be fully replaced soon → III is not assumed.

Trick: Words like 'completely', 'always', 'all' in an assumption usually make it non-implicit.

Answer: (A) Only I and II are implicit

Concept: Having a facility means it can be used; it says nothing about expertise.

1. Libraries give internet to patrons → patrons can use it for research. I follows.
2. Access does not mean every patron is an expert. II is an overreach.

Trick: Reject conclusions that add new qualities (like 'experts') not present in the statement.

Answer: (A) Only Conclusion I follows

Concept: Fix the certain positions first, then place the rest.

1. Kuldeep = 1, Ankit = 4; three between Kuldeep and Ajit → Ajit = 5.
2. Two between Ankit(4) and Pankaj → Pankaj = 7 (floor 1 is taken).
3. Five between Navin and Sachin → (2, 8). One between Ashish and Navin: Navin 2 needs Ashish 4 (taken), so Navin = 8, Ashish = 6, Sachin = 2.
4. Harish gets the odd floor left = 3. Below Pankaj(7) is 6; three floors under 6 = floor 3 → Harish.

Trick: 'Five people between' in an 8-floor building allows only pairs (1,7) or (2,8) — test these two quickly.

Answer: (A) Harish

Concept: 'No A is B' makes 'Some A is B' false and makes 'Some B is not A' true.

1. 'No musicians are engineers' → the two circles never touch.
2. I (Some musicians are engineers) contradicts this → false.
3. Since no engineer is a musician, 'Some engineers are not musicians' is definitely true → II follows.

Trick: 'No A is B' ⇒ 'Some A is not B' and 'Some B is not A' both follow automatically.

Answer: (B) Only II follows

Concept: Group the words by category.

1. Amazon, Nile, Ganges, Mississippi → rivers.
2. Sahara → a desert in North Africa.

Yaad rakhein: Sahara is the largest hot desert; the largest desert overall is Antarctica (cold desert).

Answer: (D) Sahara

Concept: Compare word and code letter by letter.

1. S→R, T→S, O→N, R→Q, M→L: every letter shifts one place back.
2. RAINY: R→Q, A→Z (wraps), I→H, N→M, Y→X.
3. Code = QZHMX.

Trick: Only N→M separates (A) from (B)/(C); check that single letter instead of all five.

Answer: (A) QZHMX

Concept: Find the shift in the first pair; reverse it to get the missing term.

1. B(2)→L(12), F(6)→P(16), G(7)→Q(17), K(11)→U(21): all +10.
2. So ? + 10 = QUVZ → subtract 10 from each.
3. Q(17)→G, U(21)→K, V(22)→L, Z(26)→P → GKLP.

Trick: Inner gaps also match: BFGK has gaps +4, +1, +4, so the answer must too — GKLP (+4, +1, +4) is the only fit.

Answer: (C) GKLP

Concept: Identify the pair type: person and the place where he works.

1. A chef cooks in a kitchen (workplace).
2. An artist creates art in a studio (workplace).
3. Brush, canvas, paint are tools/materials, not places.

Trick: Make a sentence: 'A chef works in a ___' → reuse it: 'An artist works in a studio'.

Answer: (D) STUDIO

Concept: $1+3+5+\dots$ (n terms) $=n^2$.

1. The series is the first 20 odd numbers.
2. Sum = ${20}^2=400$.
3. Check with AP: $S=\frac{n}{2}\times (\text{first}+\text{last})=\frac{20}{2}\times (1+39)=400$.

Trick: Sum of first n odd numbers $=n^2$; sum of first n even numbers $=n(n+1)$.

Answer: (B) 400

Concept: Track each letter position separately.

1. 1st letters: B, D, F, H → +2 → J.
2. 2nd letters: Y, W, U, S → −2 → Q.
3. 3rd letters: D, F, H, J → +2 → L. Next = JQL.

Trick: The 3rd letter is always 2 ahead of the 1st (B→D, D→F…), so after J comes L — only JQL fits.

Answer: (A) JQL

Concept: Classify each layer by where it lies.

1. Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere → layers of the atmosphere.
2. Asthenosphere → the weak, partly molten zone of the upper mantle, inside the Earth.

Yaad rakhein: Atmosphere order from ground up: Troposphere → Stratosphere → Mesosphere → Thermosphere → Exosphere.

Answer: (D) Asthenosphere

Concept: Three are structures of the eye; one is in the brain.

1. Cornea, lens, retina → focus light and form the image in the eye.
2. Pons → part of the brainstem (controls breathing rhythm, relays signals).

Yaad rakhein: Brainstem = midbrain + pons + medulla oblongata.

Answer: (D) Pons