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XAT 2020 question paper with answer key

This is the complete XAT 2020 question paper with answer key and solutions — 100 questions across Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, 3h under XAT Part 1 → Part 2 timing. Part 1 (170m): VA & LR, Decision Making, QA & DI with free navigation. Part 2 (10m): GK only (no essay). +1 / −0.25; −0.10 after 8 free skips in Part 1; GK has no negatives. Browse the full paper free here; attempting it under timed conditions on MBACracked requires Pro.

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Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning(26 questions)

Q1Verbal Ability·Fill in the Blanks

Carefully read the paragraph below: __________, medicine has been operated by trial and error, in other words, __________. We know by now that there can be entirely_________ connections between symptoms and treatment, and some medications succeed in medical trials for mere random reasons. From the options below, choose the one that MOST appropriately fills up the blanks.

  • ATraditionally, analytically, casual
  • BPeriodically, logically, arbitrary
  • CInitially, statistically, unexpected
  • DHistorically, arbitrarily, fortuitousCorrect answer
  • EFormerly, randomly, accidental

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Historically, arbitrarily, fortuitous) What to find. Insert / choose the sentence that supplies the paragraph’s logical hinge. Steps. Read one sentence before and after the blank. Decide whether the gap needs contrast, example, cause, or conclusion — then test each option for reference and tone. Why D. “Historically, arbitrarily, fortuitous” is the only sentence that preserves continuity without adding facts the paragraph never earned. Why the others fail. • A (“Traditionally, analytically, casual”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim. • B (“Periodically, logically, arbitrary”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim. • C (“Initially, statistically, unexpected”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim. • E (“Formerly, randomly, accidental”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim.
Q2Verbal Ability·Sentence Correction

Which of the following is a grammatically CORRECT sentence?

  • AYou had better told her everything, or else you will lose a friend.
  • BYou had better tell her everything, or else you will lose a friend.Correct answer
  • CYou better had tell her everything, or else you will lose a friend.
  • DYou had better told her everything, or else you would lose a friend.
  • EYou better had tell her everything, or else you would lose a friend.

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (You had better tell her everything, or else you will lose a friend.) What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why B. “You had better tell her everything, or else you will lose a friend.” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • A (“You had better told her everything, or else you will lose a friend.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • C (“You better had tell her everything, or else you will lose a friend.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • D (“You had better told her everything, or else you would lose a friend.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • E (“You better had tell her everything, or else you would lose a friend.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q3Verbal Ability·Critical Reasoning

Read the following sentences and answer the question that follows: 1. I have good knowledge of German. 2. Except for Rajiv, everybody was there. 3. Whole Delhi was celebrating Independence Day. 4. Neither the dog, nor is the cat responsible for this mess. 5. He knows to swim. 6. I look forward to seeing you. Which of the above are grammatically INCORRECT?

  • A1,2,5
  • B4,5,6
  • C2,4,6
  • D1,3,5Correct answer
  • E3,5,6

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (1,3,5) What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why D. “1,3,5” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • A (“1,2,5”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • B (“4,5,6”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • C (“2,4,6”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • E (“3,5,6”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q4Verbal Ability·Fill in the Blanks

Carefully read the paragraph below: A map is a useful metaphor for our brain when talking about _______ because at its most basic level our brain __________to be our atlas of sorts, a system of routes _______to navigate us toward just one destination: staying alive! From the options below, choose the set that MOST appropriately fills up the blanks.

  • AComprehension, metamorphosed, designed
  • BPerception, evolved, designedCorrect answer
  • CConnections, changed, molded
  • DUnderstanding, progressed, shaped
  • EDesign, developed, shaped

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Perception, evolved, designed) What to find. Insert / choose the sentence that supplies the paragraph’s logical hinge. Steps. Read one sentence before and after the blank. Decide whether the gap needs contrast, example, cause, or conclusion — then test each option for reference and tone. Why B. “Perception, evolved, designed” is the only sentence that preserves continuity without adding facts the paragraph never earned. Why the others fail. • A (“Comprehension, metamorphosed, designed”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim. • C (“Connections, changed, molded”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim. • D (“Understanding, progressed, shaped”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim. • E (“Design, developed, shaped”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim.
Q5Reading Comprehension·Vocabulary in Context

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: When asked what the politician will do for the nation’s economy, he attacked the opponent by saying, “Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? I mean, she’s a woman, and I’m not supposed to say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious? Nevertheless, we’re going to defeat ISIS. ISIS happened a number of years ago in a vacuum that was left because of bad judgment. And I will tell you, I will take care of ISIS.”

Which of the following statements BEST describes the politician’s intent?

  • ATo divert attention towards ISIS as compared to the economy
  • BTo make a sexist remark and share his concern about an important issue
  • CTo digress and argue that security is more important than economy
  • DTo appeal to the macho voters and use fear as a tool to lure voters
  • ETo make an emotional appeal to the votersCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (To make an emotional appeal to the voters) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why E. “To make an emotional appeal to the voters” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“To divert attention towards ISIS as compared to the economy”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“To make a sexist remark and share his concern about an important issue”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“To digress and argue that security is more important than economy”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“To appeal to the macho voters and use fear as a tool to lure voters”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q6Verbal Ability·Paragraph Jumbles

Go through the statements below and answer the question that follows: P. Fast food intake for more than three times a week is associated with greater odds of atopic disorders such as asthma, eczema or rhinitis. Thus, it should be definitely and strictly controlled in children as it does no good. Q. Regular junk food intake can lead to physical and psychological issues among children. R. Lack of Vitamins such as A and C, and minerals such as magnesium and calcium, encourage the development of deficiency diseases and osteoporosis, as well as dental caries due to higher intake. S. Junk food, which are rich in energy with lots of fat and sugar, are relatively low in other important nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. T. Emotional and self-esteem problems, along with chronic illnesses in later life due to obesity, are the issues associated with the junk food.

Which of the following combinations is the MOST logically ordered?

  • AQRSPT
  • BRSQPT
  • CTQSRP
  • DQSRTPCorrect answer
  • ETSQRP

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (QSRTP) What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why D. “QSRTP” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • A (“QRSPT”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • B (“RSQPT”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • C (“TQSRP”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • E (“TSQRP”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q7Verbal Ability·Paragraph Jumbles

Go through the statements below and answer the question that follows: P. Surabhi’s Instagram profile has 1.4 million followers. It is filled with pictures of her posing in different settings. Q. In India, reports suggest that WhatsApp (Much more than Facebook or Twitter) is the primary tool for the dissemination of political communication. R. Political campaigns pay social media companies to promote their content. S. Political advertising on social media comes in many forms and remains underexamined in India. T. Social media influencers are used for the dissemination of content.

Which of the following combinations is the MOST logically ordered?

  • AQRSTP
  • BSRQTPCorrect answer
  • CQRTPS
  • DPRSTQ
  • ESQRTP

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (SRQTP) What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why B. “SRQTP” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • A (“QRSTP”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • C (“QRTPS”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • D (“PRSTQ”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • E (“SQRTP”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q8Reading Comprehension·Poem & Literary Analysis

Read the poem below and answer the 2 associated questions: Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But, if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To know that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice.

Which of the following statements will the poet agree with the MOST?

  • AAmbition is more powerful than envy.
  • BBoth desire and hate can create self-doubt.
  • CHatred destroys what desire cannot.
  • DGreed can destroy one’s world.Correct answer
  • EDesire overpowers hatred to control humans.

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Greed can destroy one’s world.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why D. “Greed can destroy one’s world.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Ambition is more powerful than envy.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“Both desire and hate can create self-doubt.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Hatred destroys what desire cannot.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Desire overpowers hatred to control humans.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q9Reading Comprehension·Poem & Literary Analysis

Read the poem below and answer the 2 associated questions: Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But, if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To know that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice.

Which is the MOST UNSUITABLE title of the poem?

  • ALove and Detest- A Tale of Destruction
  • BThe Annihilation Hypothesis
  • CDestruction by Fire and Ice
  • DHow the World Ends
  • EEmotional Destruction of the WorldCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Emotional Destruction of the World) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why E. “Emotional Destruction of the World” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Love and Detest- A Tale of Destruction”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“The Annihilation Hypothesis”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Destruction by Fire and Ice”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“How the World Ends”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q10Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: In a 2017 survey of 3,915 American workers, my colleagues and I found that workers report experiencing a sizable “voice gap” at work — that is, a gap between how much say or influence they feel they ought to have and how much they actually have — on topics such as wages, working conditions, fair treatment, and input into how they do their work. And now a second study, I have just completed with a new team, finds that today’s workers want forms of voice and representation that go well beyond traditional unions.

Based on the above paragraph, which of the following options would you agree with the MOST?

  • AThe first study defines the concept and the second study uses the concept in a specific
  • BThe first study shows the intensity of the problem and the second study shows limitations
  • CThe first study highlights the existence of the problem and the second study highlightsCorrect answer
  • DThe first study shows the frustration of the American workers and the second study
  • EThe first study focuses on the need for fair representation and the second study

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why C. “The first study highlights the existence of the problem and the second study highlights” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“The first study defines the concept and the second study uses the concept in a specific”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“The first study shows the intensity of the problem and the second study shows limitations”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“The first study shows the frustration of the American workers and the second study”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“The first study focuses on the need for fair representation and the second study”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q11Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: In Australia, jellyfish are most common between November and May. In Hawaii, jellyfish often show up on south-facing beaches eight days after a full moon. In the Mediterranean, blooms usually appear in the summer. Unfortunately for travellers, there is no worldwide database for recent jellyfish sightings, and tourism officials are sometimes reluctant to publicize jellyfish swarms out of fear that such news will scare off visitors.

Which of the following can be BEST concluded from the above paragraph?

  • ASeasonal variations in the marine temperature impact jellyfish sightings.
  • BTourism officials hide the truth about jellyfish sightings.
  • CCelestial bodies have an influence on jellyfish sightings.Correct answer
  • DEconomic interests influence security advisories.
  • ETourists visiting north-facing beaches in Hawaii do not spot jellyfish.

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Celestial bodies have an influence on jellyfish sightings.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why C. “Celestial bodies have an influence on jellyfish sightings.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Seasonal variations in the marine temperature impact jellyfish sightings.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“Tourism officials hide the truth about jellyfish sightings.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Economic interests influence security advisories.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Tourists visiting north-facing beaches in Hawaii do not spot jellyfish.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q12Reading Comprehension·Specific Detail

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: “People who work in law, hotel and food services, and technology were found the most likely to skip breakfast daily, according to a recent study. As for people who do eat breakfast and prefer a savoury type (like an egg), the study found they tend to make more money, be night owls and prefer cats over dogs. If you prefer a sweet breakfast like a donut you tend to be a morning person, like romcoms and are a dog person”.

Which of the following can be BEST inferred based on the above paragraph?

  • AIT professionals, who eat eggs for breakfast, are more likely to make more money thanCorrect answer
  • BAmong regular breakfast eaters, early risers have more sugar in their breakfast than late
  • CA preference for cats as pets over dogs, usually, is a result of eating eggs for breakfast
  • DLawyers, who eat savory breakfast daily, make more money than those lawyers who
  • EHoteliers who eat regular breakfast are more likely to make more money than those who

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a inference. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “IT professionals, who eat eggs for breakfast, are more likely to make more money than” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Among regular breakfast eaters, early risers have more sugar in their breakfast than late”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“A preference for cats as pets over dogs, usually, is a result of eating eggs for breakfast”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Lawyers, who eat savory breakfast daily, make more money than those lawyers who”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Hoteliers who eat regular breakfast are more likely to make more money than those who”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q13Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: There is nothing spectacularly new in the situation. Most old-societies-turned-young-nation- states learn to live in a world dominated by the psychology and culture of exile. For some, the twentieth century has been a century of refugees. Others like Hannah Arendt have identified refugees as virtually a new species of human being who have come to symbolize the distinctive violence of our time. Refugees as contemporary symbols, however, proclaim something more than a pathology of a global nation-state system. They also represent a state of mind, a form of psychological displacement that has become endemic to modernizing societies. One does not even have to cross national frontiers to become a refugee; one can choose to be seduced by the ‘pull’ of self-induced displacement rather than be ‘pushed’ by an oppressive or violent system at home. It is this changed status of territoriality in human life that explains why, in immigrant societies like the United States, the metaphor of exile is now jaded. Some have already begun to argue that human beings need not have a ‘home’ as it has been traditionally understood in large parts of the world, that the idea itself is a red herring. While the idea of exile begins to appear trite in intellectual circles, an increasingly large proportion of the world is getting reconciled to living with the labile sense of self. Exile no longer seems a pathology or an affliction. Displacement and the psychology of exile are in; cultural continuities and settled communities are out; there is a touch of ennui about them.

Which of the following options is CLOSEST to the meaning of the phrase “labile sense of self”?

  • AThe self adapts to a new geography.Correct answer
  • BHistory does not confine the self.
  • CGeography does not imprison the self.
  • DThe self does not belong to a particular geography.
  • EHumans are not meant to be shunted around.

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (The self adapts to a new geography.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “The self adapts to a new geography.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“History does not confine the self.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Geography does not imprison the self.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“The self does not belong to a particular geography.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Humans are not meant to be shunted around.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q14Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: There is nothing spectacularly new in the situation. Most old-societies-turned-young-nation- states learn to live in a world dominated by the psychology and culture of exile. For some, the twentieth century has been a century of refugees. Others like Hannah Arendt have identified refugees as virtually a new species of human being who have come to symbolize the distinctive violence of our time. Refugees as contemporary symbols, however, proclaim something more than a pathology of a global nation-state system. They also represent a state of mind, a form of psychological displacement that has become endemic to modernizing societies. One does not even have to cross national frontiers to become a refugee; one can choose to be seduced by the ‘pull’ of self-induced displacement rather than be ‘pushed’ by an oppressive or violent system at home. It is this changed status of territoriality in human life that explains why, in immigrant societies like the United States, the metaphor of exile is now jaded. Some have already begun to argue that human beings need not have a ‘home’ as it has been traditionally understood in large parts of the world, that the idea itself is a red herring. While the idea of exile begins to appear trite in intellectual circles, an increasingly large proportion of the world is getting reconciled to living with the labile sense of self. Exile no longer seems a pathology or an affliction. Displacement and the psychology of exile are in; cultural continuities and settled communities are out; there is a touch of ennui about them.

Based on the passage, which of the following will the author DISAGREE the MOST with?

  • AIntellectuals find the notion of exile irrelevant.
  • BRefugees symbolize exploitation and abuse of our times.Correct answer
  • CA feeling of alienation in modernizing societies is a common phenomenon.
  • DBeing a refugee is a state of mind.
  • EOne does not have to cross frontiers to become a refugee.

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Refugees symbolize exploitation and abuse of our times.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why B. “Refugees symbolize exploitation and abuse of our times.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Intellectuals find the notion of exile irrelevant.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“A feeling of alienation in modernizing societies is a common phenomenon.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Being a refugee is a state of mind.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“One does not have to cross frontiers to become a refugee.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q15Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: There is nothing spectacularly new in the situation. Most old-societies-turned-young-nation- states learn to live in a world dominated by the psychology and culture of exile. For some, the twentieth century has been a century of refugees. Others like Hannah Arendt have identified refugees as virtually a new species of human being who have come to symbolize the distinctive violence of our time. Refugees as contemporary symbols, however, proclaim something more than a pathology of a global nation-state system. They also represent a state of mind, a form of psychological displacement that has become endemic to modernizing societies. One does not even have to cross national frontiers to become a refugee; one can choose to be seduced by the ‘pull’ of self-induced displacement rather than be ‘pushed’ by an oppressive or violent system at home. It is this changed status of territoriality in human life that explains why, in immigrant societies like the United States, the metaphor of exile is now jaded. Some have already begun to argue that human beings need not have a ‘home’ as it has been traditionally understood in large parts of the world, that the idea itself is a red herring. While the idea of exile begins to appear trite in intellectual circles, an increasingly large proportion of the world is getting reconciled to living with the labile sense of self. Exile no longer seems a pathology or an affliction. Displacement and the psychology of exile are in; cultural continuities and settled communities are out; there is a touch of ennui about them.

Project Affected Families (PAF) are those that are physically displaced due to construction of a large project (dam, factory etc.) in an area where the PAF traditionally resided. With insights from the passage, what would a project proponent, dealing with PAF, reading the following options agree the MOST with?

  • AIndustry and government should care equally about profits and people.
  • BPAF as a concept is irrelevant since human displacement is a historical phenomenon.
  • CDon’t worry about PAF, they will eventually resettle and rehabilitate.
  • DPAF do not have a labile sense of self.
  • EEmotional estrangement of PAF is not an area of concern.Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Emotional estrangement of PAF is not an area of concern.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why E. “Emotional estrangement of PAF is not an area of concern.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Industry and government should care equally about profits and people.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“PAF as a concept is irrelevant since human displacement is a historical phenomenon.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Don’t worry about PAF, they will eventually resettle and rehabilitate.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“PAF do not have a labile sense of self.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q16Reading Comprehension·Specific Detail

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: It’s as if someone were out there making up pointless jobs just for the sake of keeping us all working. And here, precisely, lies the mystery. In capitalism, this is precisely what is not supposed to happen. Sure, in the old inefficient socialist states like the Soviet Union, where employment was considered both a right and a sacred duty, the system made up as many jobs as it had to. ) But, of course, this is the very sort of problem market competition is supposed to fix. According to economic theory, at least, the last thing a profit-seeking firm is going to do is shell out money to workers they don’t really need to employ. Still, somehow, it happens. While corporations may engage in ruthless downsizing, the layoffs and speed-ups invariably fall on that class of people who are actually making, moving, fixing, and maintaining things. Through some strange alchemy no one can quite explain, the number of salaried paper pushers ultimately seems to expand, and more and more employees find themselves—not unlike Soviet workers, actually—working forty- or even fifty-hour weeks on paper but effectively working fifteen hours just as Keynes predicted, since the rest of their time is spent organizing or attending motivational seminars, updating their Facebook profiles, or downloading TV box sets. The answer clearly isn’t economic: it’s moral and political. The ruling class has figured out that a happy and productive population with free time on their hands is a mortal danger. ) And, on the other hand, the feeling that work is a moral value in itself, and that anyone not willing to submit themselves to some kind of intense work discipline for most of their waking hours deserves nothing, is extraordinarily convenient for them.

Which of the following options, if true, BEST makes the author’s assertion on pointless jobs erroneous?

  • APointless jobs decrease the efficiency of the organization since they replace those who
  • BWorkers who carry out pointless jobs are more loyal to the organization than others.
  • CPointless jobs add less value to the organization than the jobs of those who are making
  • DEven though the rate of increase in pointless jobs is higher, their absolute number on an
  • EOrganizations with a higher number of pointless jobs are more profitable than those withCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a detail check. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why E. “Organizations with a higher number of pointless jobs are more profitable than those with” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Pointless jobs decrease the efficiency of the organization since they replace those who”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“Workers who carry out pointless jobs are more loyal to the organization than others.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Pointless jobs add less value to the organization than the jobs of those who are making”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Even though the rate of increase in pointless jobs is higher, their absolute number on an”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q17Reading Comprehension·Specific Detail

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: It’s as if someone were out there making up pointless jobs just for the sake of keeping us all working. And here, precisely, lies the mystery. In capitalism, this is precisely what is not supposed to happen. Sure, in the old inefficient socialist states like the Soviet Union, where employment was considered both a right and a sacred duty, the system made up as many jobs as it had to. ) But, of course, this is the very sort of problem market competition is supposed to fix. According to economic theory, at least, the last thing a profit-seeking firm is going to do is shell out money to workers they don’t really need to employ. Still, somehow, it happens. While corporations may engage in ruthless downsizing, the layoffs and speed-ups invariably fall on that class of people who are actually making, moving, fixing, and maintaining things. Through some strange alchemy no one can quite explain, the number of salaried paper pushers ultimately seems to expand, and more and more employees find themselves—not unlike Soviet workers, actually—working forty- or even fifty-hour weeks on paper but effectively working fifteen hours just as Keynes predicted, since the rest of their time is spent organizing or attending motivational seminars, updating their Facebook profiles, or downloading TV box sets. The answer clearly isn’t economic: it’s moral and political. The ruling class has figured out that a happy and productive population with free time on their hands is a mortal danger. ) And, on the other hand, the feeling that work is a moral value in itself, and that anyone not willing to submit themselves to some kind of intense work discipline for most of their waking hours deserves nothing, is extraordinarily convenient for them.

Which of the following can be BEST inferred from the passage?

  • AKeeping people employed for longer hours serves the plans of the ruling class.Correct answer
  • BThe ruling class abhors leisure so much that they encourage organizations to create
  • CPointless jobs are here to stay, regardless of whether they are necessary or not.
  • DFor political reasons, profit-making firms sometimes indulge in non-profitable decisions.
  • EWork as a moral right is the design of the ruling class to cut down on leisure.

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a inference. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “Keeping people employed for longer hours serves the plans of the ruling class.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“The ruling class abhors leisure so much that they encourage organizations to create”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Pointless jobs are here to stay, regardless of whether they are necessary or not.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“For political reasons, profit-making firms sometimes indulge in non-profitable decisions.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Work as a moral right is the design of the ruling class to cut down on leisure.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q18Reading Comprehension·Specific Detail

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: It’s as if someone were out there making up pointless jobs just for the sake of keeping us all working. And here, precisely, lies the mystery. In capitalism, this is precisely what is not supposed to happen. Sure, in the old inefficient socialist states like the Soviet Union, where employment was considered both a right and a sacred duty, the system made up as many jobs as it had to. ) But, of course, this is the very sort of problem market competition is supposed to fix. According to economic theory, at least, the last thing a profit-seeking firm is going to do is shell out money to workers they don’t really need to employ. Still, somehow, it happens. While corporations may engage in ruthless downsizing, the layoffs and speed-ups invariably fall on that class of people who are actually making, moving, fixing, and maintaining things. Through some strange alchemy no one can quite explain, the number of salaried paper pushers ultimately seems to expand, and more and more employees find themselves—not unlike Soviet workers, actually—working forty- or even fifty-hour weeks on paper but effectively working fifteen hours just as Keynes predicted, since the rest of their time is spent organizing or attending motivational seminars, updating their Facebook profiles, or downloading TV box sets. The answer clearly isn’t economic: it’s moral and political. The ruling class has figured out that a happy and productive population with free time on their hands is a mortal danger. ) And, on the other hand, the feeling that work is a moral value in itself, and that anyone not willing to submit themselves to some kind of intense work discipline for most of their waking hours deserves nothing, is extraordinarily convenient for them.

Which of the following statements will BEST explain the principle underlying the theme of the passage?

  • AWork is a moral value in itself.
  • BOrganizations that create more jobs are rewarded by the government for protecting
  • CPeople unwilling to submit to an intense work discipline deserve nothing.
  • DKeynes predicted that a happy and productive workforce is a force for the good.
  • EPeace and order in society require humans to be engaged in some activity most of theCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a detail check. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why E. “Peace and order in society require humans to be engaged in some activity most of the” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Work is a moral value in itself.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“Organizations that create more jobs are rewarded by the government for protecting”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“People unwilling to submit to an intense work discipline deserve nothing.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Keynes predicted that a happy and productive workforce is a force for the good.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q19Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: Global surface temperatures in 2019 are on track to be either the second or third warmest since records began in the mid-1800s, behind only 2016 and possibly 2017. On top of the long-term warming trend, temperatures in 2019 have been buoyed by a moderate El Niño event that is likely to persist through the rest of the year.

Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred based on the above paragraph?

  • AThe long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño.Correct answer
  • BEl Niño event did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017.
  • CA moderate El Niño event increases temperature more than a weak El Niño event.
  • DEl Niño event causes global surface temperatures to rise in the long-term.
  • EGlobal surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years.

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a inference. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “The long-term trend of global surface temperatures is unrelated to El Niño.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“El Niño event did not affect temperatures in 2016 and 2017.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“A moderate El Niño event increases temperature more than a weak El Niño event.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“El Niño event causes global surface temperatures to rise in the long-term.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Global surface temperatures are increasing at a constant rate for three years.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q20Reading Comprehension·Specific Detail

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows: If we can send a human to the Moon, why can’t we build sustainable cities? Defeat cancer? Tackle climate change? So, go the rallying cries inspired by one of humanity’s greatest achievements, the US effort that put Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon on 20 July 1969.

Which of the following statements, if true, BEST communicates the intent of the paragraph?

  • AThe complexity of developing sustainable cities and curing cancer is far more thanCorrect answer
  • BAmerica’s moonshot initiative was mainly a response to USSR’s competing initiative.
  • CAmerica’s moonshot was more about race to the moon and less about solving problems.
  • DThe reason we celebrate 1969 moonshot is precisely because nothing significant has
  • EMoonshot has a definitive ownership, whereas creating sustainable cities and curing

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “The complexity of developing sustainable cities and curing cancer is far more than” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“America’s moonshot initiative was mainly a response to USSR’s competing initiative.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“America’s moonshot was more about race to the moon and less about solving problems.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“The reason we celebrate 1969 moonshot is precisely because nothing significant has”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Moonshot has a definitive ownership, whereas creating sustainable cities and curing”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q21Reading Comprehension·Main Idea / Purpose

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: The nature of knowledge cannot survive unchanged within this context of general transformation. It can fit into the new channels, and become operational, only if learning is translated into quantities of information. We can predict that anything in the constituted body of knowledge that is not translatable in this way will be abandoned and that the direction of new research will be dictated by the possibility of its eventual results being translatable into computer language. The “producers” and users of knowledge must know, and will have to, possess the means of translating into these languages whatever they want to invent or learn. Research on translating machines is already well advanced. Along with the hegemony of computers comes a certain logic, and therefore a certain set of prescriptions determining which statements are accepted as “knowledge” statements. We may thus expect a thorough exteriorisation of knowledge with respect to the “knower,” at whatever point he or she may occupy in the knowledge process. The old principle that the acquisition of knowledge is indissociable from the training (Bildung) of minds, or even of individuals, is becoming obsolete and will become ever more so. The relationships of the suppliers and users of knowledge to the knowledge they supply and use is now tending, and will increasingly tend, to assume the form already taken by the relationship of commodity producers and consumers to the commodities they produce and consume – that is, the form of value. Knowledge is and will be produced in order to be sold, it is and will be consumed in order to be valorised in a new production: in both cases, the goal is exchange. Knowledge ceases to be an end in itself, it loses its “use-value.”

Which of the following statements BEST captures the essence of the passage?

  • AKnowledge shall no longer be evaluated by its truth but its commercial value.Correct answer
  • BMarket forces have taken over the process of knowledge production.
  • CSuppliers and users of knowledge have become its producers and consumers.
  • DTranslation of knowledge into machine language exteriorises it.
  • EKnowledge shall be exclusively produced to be sold.

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “Knowledge shall no longer be evaluated by its truth but its commercial value.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Market forces have taken over the process of knowledge production.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Suppliers and users of knowledge have become its producers and consumers.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Translation of knowledge into machine language exteriorises it.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Knowledge shall be exclusively produced to be sold.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q22Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: The nature of knowledge cannot survive unchanged within this context of general transformation. It can fit into the new channels, and become operational, only if learning is translated into quantities of information. We can predict that anything in the constituted body of knowledge that is not translatable in this way will be abandoned and that the direction of new research will be dictated by the possibility of its eventual results being translatable into computer language. The “producers” and users of knowledge must know, and will have to, possess the means of translating into these languages whatever they want to invent or learn. Research on translating machines is already well advanced. Along with the hegemony of computers comes a certain logic, and therefore a certain set of prescriptions determining which statements are accepted as “knowledge” statements. We may thus expect a thorough exteriorisation of knowledge with respect to the “knower,” at whatever point he or she may occupy in the knowledge process. The old principle that the acquisition of knowledge is indissociable from the training (Bildung) of minds, or even of individuals, is becoming obsolete and will become ever more so. The relationships of the suppliers and users of knowledge to the knowledge they supply and use is now tending, and will increasingly tend, to assume the form already taken by the relationship of commodity producers and consumers to the commodities they produce and consume – that is, the form of value. Knowledge is and will be produced in order to be sold, it is and will be consumed in order to be valorised in a new production: in both cases, the goal is exchange. Knowledge ceases to be an end in itself, it loses its “use-value.”

Based on the passage, which of the following statements can be BEST inferred?

  • AMental discipline is not necessary for learning anymore.
  • BFor knowledge to acquire an exchange-value, it should cease to have a use-value.
  • CKnowledge as a transactional commodity is indispensable to productive power.
  • DThe locus of creation and accumulation of knowledge has shifted.
  • EAcquisition of knowledge need no longer transform its recipient.Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Acquisition of knowledge need no longer transform its recipient.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a inference. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why E. “Acquisition of knowledge need no longer transform its recipient.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Mental discipline is not necessary for learning anymore.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“For knowledge to acquire an exchange-value, it should cease to have a use-value.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Knowledge as a transactional commodity is indispensable to productive power.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“The locus of creation and accumulation of knowledge has shifted.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q23Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: The nature of knowledge cannot survive unchanged within this context of general transformation. It can fit into the new channels, and become operational, only if learning is translated into quantities of information. We can predict that anything in the constituted body of knowledge that is not translatable in this way will be abandoned and that the direction of new research will be dictated by the possibility of its eventual results being translatable into computer language. The “producers” and users of knowledge must know, and will have to, possess the means of translating into these languages whatever they want to invent or learn. Research on translating machines is already well advanced. Along with the hegemony of computers comes a certain logic, and therefore a certain set of prescriptions determining which statements are accepted as “knowledge” statements. We may thus expect a thorough exteriorisation of knowledge with respect to the “knower,” at whatever point he or she may occupy in the knowledge process. The old principle that the acquisition of knowledge is indissociable from the training (Bildung) of minds, or even of individuals, is becoming obsolete and will become ever more so. The relationships of the suppliers and users of knowledge to the knowledge they supply and use is now tending, and will increasingly tend, to assume the form already taken by the relationship of commodity producers and consumers to the commodities they produce and consume – that is, the form of value. Knowledge is and will be produced in order to be sold, it is and will be consumed in order to be valorised in a new production: in both cases, the goal is exchange. Knowledge ceases to be an end in itself, it loses its “use-value.”

Which of the following options will the author agree the MOST with?

  • AA person with no passion for singing, if trained, will sing perfectly.
  • BA daughter of a lawyer must become a lawyer.
  • CTo teach poetry, one must not be a poet.
  • DTo get promoted, an unempathetic manager can learn to display empathy.Correct answer
  • EMBA program has a high exchange-value but zero use-value.

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (To get promoted, an unempathetic manager can learn to display empathy.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why D. “To get promoted, an unempathetic manager can learn to display empathy.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“A person with no passion for singing, if trained, will sing perfectly.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“A daughter of a lawyer must become a lawyer.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“To teach poetry, one must not be a poet.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“MBA program has a high exchange-value but zero use-value.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q24Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: Once, during a concert of cathedral organ music, as I sat getting gooseflesh amid that tsunami of sound, I was struck with a thought: for a medieval peasant, this must have been the loudest human-made sound they ever experienced, awe-inspiring in now-unimaginable ways. No wonder they signed up for the religion being proffered. And now we are constantly pummeled with sounds that dwarf quaint organs. Once, hunter-gatherers might chance upon honey from a beehive and thus briefly satisfy a hardwired food craving. And now we have hundreds of carefully designed commercial foods that supply a burst of sensation unmatched by some lowly natural food. Once, we had lives that, amid considerable privation, also offered numerous subtle, hard-won pleasures. And now we have drugs that cause spasms of pleasure and dopamine release a thousandfold higher than anything stimulated in our old drug-free world. An emptiness comes from this combination of over-the-top nonnatural sources of reward and the inevitability of habituation; this is because unnaturally strong explosions of synthetic experience and sensation and pleasure evoke unnaturally strong degrees of habituation. This has two consequences. First, soon we barely notice the fleeting whispers of pleasure caused by leaves in autumn, or by the lingering glance of the right person, or by the promise of reward following a difficult, worthy task. And the other consequence is that we eventually habituate to even those artificial deluges of intensity. If we were designed by engineers, as we consumed more, we’d desire less. But our frequent human tragedy is that the more we consume, the hungrier we get. More and faster and stronger. What was an unexpected pleasure yesterday is what we feel entitled to today, and what won’t be enough tomorrow.

Which of the following options BEST reflects the author’s understanding of human perception of pleasure?

  • APleasure comes from what we are deprived of
  • BPleasure comes from what is perceived to be extraordinaryCorrect answer
  • CPleasure comes from what we are accustomed to
  • DPleasure comes from what appears to be a valuable discovery or invention
  • EPleasure comes from whatever we are exposed to for the first time

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Pleasure comes from what is perceived to be extraordinary) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why B. “Pleasure comes from what is perceived to be extraordinary” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Pleasure comes from what we are deprived of”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Pleasure comes from what we are accustomed to”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Pleasure comes from what appears to be a valuable discovery or invention”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Pleasure comes from whatever we are exposed to for the first time”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q25Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: Once, during a concert of cathedral organ music, as I sat getting gooseflesh amid that tsunami of sound, I was struck with a thought: for a medieval peasant, this must have been the loudest human-made sound they ever experienced, awe-inspiring in now-unimaginable ways. No wonder they signed up for the religion being proffered. And now we are constantly pummeled with sounds that dwarf quaint organs. Once, hunter-gatherers might chance upon honey from a beehive and thus briefly satisfy a hardwired food craving. And now we have hundreds of carefully designed commercial foods that supply a burst of sensation unmatched by some lowly natural food. Once, we had lives that, amid considerable privation, also offered numerous subtle, hard-won pleasures. And now we have drugs that cause spasms of pleasure and dopamine release a thousandfold higher than anything stimulated in our old drug-free world. An emptiness comes from this combination of over-the-top nonnatural sources of reward and the inevitability of habituation; this is because unnaturally strong explosions of synthetic experience and sensation and pleasure evoke unnaturally strong degrees of habituation. This has two consequences. First, soon we barely notice the fleeting whispers of pleasure caused by leaves in autumn, or by the lingering glance of the right person, or by the promise of reward following a difficult, worthy task. And the other consequence is that we eventually habituate to even those artificial deluges of intensity. If we were designed by engineers, as we consumed more, we’d desire less. But our frequent human tragedy is that the more we consume, the hungrier we get. More and faster and stronger. What was an unexpected pleasure yesterday is what we feel entitled to today, and what won’t be enough tomorrow.

Going by the author, which of the following options BEST answers the question “how can one sustain the pleasure derived from any experience?”

  • ATraining to appreciate sweet whispers and fleeting moments of joy to sustain pleasure
  • BThe closer the experience is to nature, the more sustainable it is
  • CThe harder to replicate, the more sustainable the pleasure from that experienceCorrect answer
  • DPeriodic displeasure with synthetic experiences leads to sustaining pleasure
  • EAwareness of a habituation moment helps sustain pleasure

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why C. “The harder to replicate, the more sustainable the pleasure from that experience” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Training to appreciate sweet whispers and fleeting moments of joy to sustain pleasure”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“The closer the experience is to nature, the more sustainable it is”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Periodic displeasure with synthetic experiences leads to sustaining pleasure”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Awareness of a habituation moment helps sustain pleasure”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q26Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the passage below and answer the 3 associated questions: Once, during a concert of cathedral organ music, as I sat getting gooseflesh amid that tsunami of sound, I was struck with a thought: for a medieval peasant, this must have been the loudest human-made sound they ever experienced, awe-inspiring in now-unimaginable ways. No wonder they signed up for the religion being proffered. And now we are constantly pummeled with sounds that dwarf quaint organs. Once, hunter-gatherers might chance upon honey from a beehive and thus briefly satisfy a hardwired food craving. And now we have hundreds of carefully designed commercial foods that supply a burst of sensation unmatched by some lowly natural food. Once, we had lives that, amid considerable privation, also offered numerous subtle, hard-won pleasures. And now we have drugs that cause spasms of pleasure and dopamine release a thousandfold higher than anything stimulated in our old drug-free world. An emptiness comes from this combination of over-the-top nonnatural sources of reward and the inevitability of habituation; this is because unnaturally strong explosions of synthetic experience and sensation and pleasure evoke unnaturally strong degrees of habituation. This has two consequences. First, soon we barely notice the fleeting whispers of pleasure caused by leaves in autumn, or by the lingering glance of the right person, or by the promise of reward following a difficult, worthy task. And the other consequence is that we eventually habituate to even those artificial deluges of intensity. If we were designed by engineers, as we consumed more, we’d desire less. But our frequent human tragedy is that the more we consume, the hungrier we get. More and faster and stronger. What was an unexpected pleasure yesterday is what we feel entitled to today, and what won’t be enough tomorrow.

Which of the following options BEST describes “emptiness” as described in the passage?

  • AA feeling of weariness around extant sources of pleasure that are in abundance
  • BA feeling of absence of sources of pleasure when extant sources are in abundanceCorrect answer
  • CYearning for newer sources of pleasure when extant sources are in abundance
  • DA feeling, evoked by the carefully designed commercial foods, alluring us to them
  • EThe inevitability of habituation that one gets from repeated consumption of man-made

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why B. “A feeling of absence of sources of pleasure when extant sources are in abundance” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“A feeling of weariness around extant sources of pleasure that are in abundance”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Yearning for newer sources of pleasure when extant sources are in abundance”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“A feeling, evoked by the carefully designed commercial foods, alluring us to them”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“The inevitability of habituation that one gets from repeated consumption of man-made”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.

Decision Making(21 questions)

Q27Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: When Deepti opened the package, she was aghast. She received cotton pillow covers instead of satin pillow covers, she had ordered. Deepti ordered them for her father from a popular e-commerce website that hosted products of many sellers. Confused, Deepti contacted the seller’s office using the details given on the package. The seller’s representative profusely regretted and promised to send the satin pillow covers at no extra cost. He added that Deepti need not return the cotton covers she received. Deepti happily accepted the deal. A few days later, Deepti received another package from the seller. Unfortunately, this package also contained cotton pillow covers. Completely disillusioned with the seller’s professionalism, Deepti decided to put to use these cotton pillow covers also.

A few days later, Deepti received an email from the e-commerce website, requesting her to share feedback about the seller. Deeply frustrated with the overall online purchasing experience, she deliberately ignored it. Later that evening, over supper, her father opined that the balcony curtains needed to be changed. He suggested that they be bought from a local shop. “If something went wrong, we could at least yell at the seller,” he added. Deepti stared at her laptop and began writing her feedback. What would Deepti DEFINITELY achieve by giving feedback?

  • ARelease her frustrationCorrect answer
  • BProve a point to her father
  • CInstigate people against the seller
  • DAn act of social service
  • ECoerce the e-commerce website to punish the seller

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Release her frustration) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: When Deepti opened the package, she was aghast. She received cotton pillow covers instead of satin pillow covers, she had ordered. Deepti ordered them for … Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “Release her frustration” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Prove a point to her father”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Instigate people against the seller”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“An act of social service”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Coerce the e-commerce website to punish the seller”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q28Decision Making·Data-based Decision

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: When Deepti opened the package, she was aghast. She received cotton pillow covers instead of satin pillow covers, she had ordered. Deepti ordered them for her father from a popular e-commerce website that hosted products of many sellers. Confused, Deepti contacted the seller’s office using the details given on the package. The seller’s representative profusely regretted and promised to send the satin pillow covers at no extra cost. He added that Deepti need not return the cotton covers she received. Deepti happily accepted the deal. A few days later, Deepti received another package from the seller. Unfortunately, this package also contained cotton pillow covers. Completely disillusioned with the seller’s professionalism, Deepti decided to put to use these cotton pillow covers also.

In the feedback column, Deepti awarded 1-star out of the maximum 5 stars to the seller and described her negative experience. Later that evening, the sales head called and pleaded with her to retract her feedback and upgrade them to 5-star, as they had already fired the employee concerned. He appealed that they were a young organization and that their sales were getting badly affected. Given the circumstances, what should be the IDEAL response?

  • AShe should retain the feedback but award 3-star as a consolation measure.
  • BShe should retract the feedback and award 5-star as the seller has already punished the
  • CShe should retract the feedback and award 5-star since sales are getting affected.
  • DShe should order again with the same seller and share her renewed experience.
  • EShe should stick to her feedback and the stars awarded since she reported only whatCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: When Deepti opened the package, she was aghast. She received cotton pillow covers instead of satin pillow covers, she had ordered. Deepti ordered them for … Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why E. “She should stick to her feedback and the stars awarded since she reported only what” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“She should retain the feedback but award 3-star as a consolation measure.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“She should retract the feedback and award 5-star as the seller has already punished the”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“She should retract the feedback and award 5-star since sales are getting affected.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“She should order again with the same seller and share her renewed experience.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q29Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: When Deepti opened the package, she was aghast. She received cotton pillow covers instead of satin pillow covers, she had ordered. Deepti ordered them for her father from a popular e-commerce website that hosted products of many sellers. Confused, Deepti contacted the seller’s office using the details given on the package. The seller’s representative profusely regretted and promised to send the satin pillow covers at no extra cost. He added that Deepti need not return the cotton covers she received. Deepti happily accepted the deal. A few days later, Deepti received another package from the seller. Unfortunately, this package also contained cotton pillow covers. Completely disillusioned with the seller’s professionalism, Deepti decided to put to use these cotton pillow covers also.

After a few months, the sales head enquired, “In case you are using the cotton pillow covers and like them, kindly rate them on the e-commerce website. It will help us serve our customers better.” Later that evening, her father remarked, “You know, I really love these pillow covers though I am not sure why you bought so many of them”. Which of the following reasons gives Deepti the BEST rationale to ignore the sales head’s request?

  • AAcceding to the request will imply that she was wrong in ordering satin pillow covers in
  • BIf the seller truly cared about customers, they should have shipped the satin pillowCorrect answer
  • CHer review will lack credibility since there is no proof that she purchased the product.
  • DCotton pillow covers were delivered erroneously. Hence the seller does not deserve
  • EAcceding to the request benefits just the seller while her sore experience remains.

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: When Deepti opened the package, she was aghast. She received cotton pillow covers instead of satin pillow covers, she had ordered. Deepti ordered them for … Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why B. “If the seller truly cared about customers, they should have shipped the satin pillow” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Acceding to the request will imply that she was wrong in ordering satin pillow covers in”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Her review will lack credibility since there is no proof that she purchased the product.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Cotton pillow covers were delivered erroneously. Hence the seller does not deserve”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Acceding to the request benefits just the seller while her sore experience remains.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q30Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

The Small Shop which earlier recorded an annual increase of approximately 12% in revenues has been stagnating at 4% for the last three years, during which e-commerce sidelined brick and mortar outlets. The shop is struggling to increase profitability. In general, The Small Shop has been offering a discount on MRP to compete with e-commerce prices.

Which of the following is the BEST reason for The Small Shop NOT to reduce the current discount offered to the customers?

  • AEven though e-commerce offers a greater range of choices, villagers prefer buyingCorrect answer
  • BRecently customers from a nearby village have started shopping at The Small Shop for
  • CTo cover insurance costs, e-commerce has begun charging a delivery fee from last year.
  • DA large fading sign prominently placed behind the shop’s cash counter reads “in
  • EA new resident who earlier worked in the computer hardware industry is contemplating

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “Even though e-commerce offers a greater range of choices, villagers prefer buying” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Recently customers from a nearby village have started shopping at The Small Shop for”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“To cover insurance costs, e-commerce has begun charging a delivery fee from last year.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“A large fading sign prominently placed behind the shop’s cash counter reads “in”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“A new resident who earlier worked in the computer hardware industry is contemplating”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q31Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

The Small Shop wants to increase the variety of products sold, including expensive ones. However, it is averse to accumulating unsold products, specifically of the expensive kind. Which of the following is the BEST option if The Small Shop wants to increase the variety of the products it sells?

  • AThe Small Shop should get suppliers to courier its requirements to the shop whenever
  • BThe Small Shop should focus exclusively on high-end peripherals which contribute to
  • CThe Small Shop should make an arrangement with a retailer of the nearest city. TheCorrect answer
  • DThe Small Shop should focus only on low-end peripherals that currently contribute to
  • EThe Small Shop should acquire extra space at lower rentals available at a distance of

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why C. “The Small Shop should make an arrangement with a retailer of the nearest city. The” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“The Small Shop should get suppliers to courier its requirements to the shop whenever”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“The Small Shop should focus exclusively on high-end peripherals which contribute to”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“The Small Shop should focus only on low-end peripherals that currently contribute to”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“The Small Shop should acquire extra space at lower rentals available at a distance of”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q32Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

An emerging brand offers a franchise to The Small Shop for repairing its products, on a condition that other brands are not to be repaired. Repairs currently account for 15% of its revenues. Which of the following, if true, will BEST help The Small Shop to decide on the franchise?

  • AThe Small Shop will have to send two of its employees for a three-month training if it
  • BFor the first three years, the emerging brand has offered to pay a fixed amount equal to
  • CRevenues from repairs are expected to increase by about 3-5 percent annually.Correct answer
  • DNo big and reputed brand has shown any interest in franchising The Small Shop.
  • EThe upcoming brand is very new and needs franchisees desperately.

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why C. “Revenues from repairs are expected to increase by about 3-5 percent annually.” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“The Small Shop will have to send two of its employees for a three-month training if it”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“For the first three years, the emerging brand has offered to pay a fixed amount equal to”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“No big and reputed brand has shown any interest in franchising The Small Shop.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“The upcoming brand is very new and needs franchisees desperately.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q33Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

The increasing prosperity of the plains people tempted those in the mountains to divert forest land for agriculture. Vanamali was afraid that expansion of agriculture would result in deforestation of the mountains. Which of the following is the BEST course of action for Vanamali to conserve the mountain forest?

  • AInstitute a mechanism that ensures plains people pay royalty, to be transferred toCorrect answer
  • BConstitute a committee to protect the forest with powers to punish those who fell trees
  • CDeclare a “Mountain Day” when plains people meet and thank mountain people for
  • DUrge the elders of the mountains to come up with agricultural practices that ensure no
  • ELevy a tax on traded agricultural produce from the plains to cross-subsidize supplies to

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “Institute a mechanism that ensures plains people pay royalty, to be transferred to” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Constitute a committee to protect the forest with powers to punish those who fell trees”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Declare a “Mountain Day” when plains people meet and thank mountain people for”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Urge the elders of the mountains to come up with agricultural practices that ensure no”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Levy a tax on traded agricultural produce from the plains to cross-subsidize supplies to”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q34Decision Making·Policy & Governance

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

Vanamali, afraid of further deforestation, issued a diktat against felling of trees in the mountains. In due course, thanks to the booming agriculture, the king along with plains people began to prosper. However, mountain people became relatively poor, thanks to Vanamali’s diktat. Which of the following options should mountain people choose to BEST protect their long-term interests?

  • ASell forest produce exclusively to the neighbouring kingdoms
  • BIgnore Vanamali’s diktat and divert forest land for agriculture
  • CSeek employment in the plains
  • DStop the flow of rivers to the plains
  • ECharge a premium on forest produce and issue hunting permitsCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Charge a premium on forest produce and issue hunting permits) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why E. “Charge a premium on forest produce and issue hunting permits” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Sell forest produce exclusively to the neighbouring kingdoms”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“Ignore Vanamali’s diktat and divert forest land for agriculture”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Seek employment in the plains”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Stop the flow of rivers to the plains”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q35Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

The village elders of the mountains had informed Vanamali about the presence of a precious metal in abundance under a large part of the forest. They pleaded with him to repeal his diktat and permit felling of trees for mining. Vanamali knew that the precious metal would make his kingdom prosper. However, he was worried that mining would reduce the flow of nutrients, water and forest produce to the plains. Vanamali’s advisor Vanapandit presented the following action plans for his consideration: 1. Repeal the forest diktat and charge hefty royalty for mining in the mountains 2. Permit mining in the mountains and enforce rainwater harvesting in the plains 3. Permit mining in the mountains and begin afforestation in the plains 4. Continue with the forest diktat in the mountains 5. Permit limited mining in rotation but maintain the forest diktat in the rest of the mountains

Which of the following sequences of action plans, in the DESCENDING order of their ability to contribute to Vanarajya’s sustainable prosperity, will be the MOST appropriate for Vanamali?

  • A5, 2, 4, 3, 1
  • B4, 2, 5, 1, 3
  • C4, 5, 2, 3, 1
  • D5, 3, 2, 4, 1Correct answer
  • E3, 5, 2, 1, 4

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (5, 3, 2, 4, 1) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why D. “5, 3, 2, 4, 1” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“5, 2, 4, 3, 1”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“4, 2, 5, 1, 3”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“4, 5, 2, 3, 1”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“3, 5, 2, 1, 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q36Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

In the second week of her eight-week internship, Amala realizes that the project requires inputs from subjects she studied in her third trimester. However, during the third trimester, Amala was significantly distracted by an inter-college sports meet, affecting her grasp of the subjects. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate way forward for Amala?

  • AAmala should seek Shabnam’s help who performed well in the third trimester.
  • BAmala should realize that she may not get a PPO and so focus on networking with the
  • CAmala should disclose to the mentor her limited understanding of the required inputs andCorrect answer
  • DAmala should request her mentor to allocate a different project because of her limited
  • EAmala, after studying the organization for a week, should design her own project and

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why C. “Amala should disclose to the mentor her limited understanding of the required inputs and” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Amala should seek Shabnam’s help who performed well in the third trimester.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“Amala should realize that she may not get a PPO and so focus on networking with the”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Amala should request her mentor to allocate a different project because of her limited”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Amala, after studying the organization for a week, should design her own project and”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q37Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

Vindhya’s project is about understanding employee perception regarding the organization’s HR policies. Against her own instinct, she is suggested by her mentor to interview only the good performers identified by his office because poor performers, he believes, usually crib against the policies. Which of the following courses of action will BEST enable Vindhya to provide the organization with a complete picture?

  • AVindhya should ignore her mentor’s directive, collect data from all, but compile reports
  • BVindhya should request the HR Head to allot her another mentor without divulging the
  • CVindhya should meet only those identified by her mentor, but also collect informationCorrect answer
  • DVindhya should completely comply with her mentor’s suggestion.
  • EVindhya should report this restraint to the HR head requesting her immediate

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why C. “Vindhya should meet only those identified by her mentor, but also collect information” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Vindhya should ignore her mentor’s directive, collect data from all, but compile reports”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“Vindhya should request the HR Head to allot her another mentor without divulging the”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Vindhya should completely comply with her mentor’s suggestion.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Vindhya should report this restraint to the HR head requesting her immediate”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q38Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

Which of the following combinations of the above reasons can enable Shabnam BEST substantiate her thinking?

  • A2, 3 and 4
  • B1, 2 and 4
  • C1, 3 and 5
  • D2, 3 and 5
  • E3, 4 and 5Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (3, 4 and 5) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why E. “3, 4 and 5” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“2, 3 and 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“1, 2 and 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“1, 3 and 5”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“2, 3 and 5”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q39Decision Making·Data-based Decision

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

Chanchala owns a small parcel of farming land in Bori. She grows cannabis in some part of her land and earns a significant amount of money from it. Soon after the bottling plant was commissioned, Chanchala, instigated by a landlord with a vested interest, starts accusing the MNC of robbing her of water and impacting her livelihood. She threatens to take the MNC to court. Which of the following options will BEST solve the MNC’s problem?

  • ABuy Chanchala’s produce at a premium of 30% to the market price
  • BGet the villagers employed by the MNC to persuade Chanchala not to sueCorrect answer
  • CPromise to employ Chanchala’s 17-year-old son as he turns 18
  • DCompensate the monetary loss as perceived by Chanchala
  • ERequest the panchayat to excommunicate Chanchala for cultivating cannabis

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Get the villagers employed by the MNC to persuade Chanchala not to sue) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why B. “Get the villagers employed by the MNC to persuade Chanchala not to sue” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Buy Chanchala’s produce at a premium of 30% to the market price”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Promise to employ Chanchala’s 17-year-old son as he turns 18”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Compensate the monetary loss as perceived by Chanchala”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Request the panchayat to excommunicate Chanchala for cultivating cannabis”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q40Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

The MNC has spotted traces of chemicals in their fortnightly water quality analysis. The MNC realizes that this is due to the contaminated agricultural runoff, flowing into the spring from the nearby fields where farmers use pesticides and fertilizers. This requires an immediate solution. Which of the following options will BEST resolve the situation for the MNC?

  • ARebrand “Natural Spring Water” as “Purified Spring Water” after removing the
  • BContinue bottling the natural spring water without processing since the villagers drink it
  • CSource water from an uncontaminated natural spring 150 kms away at an addition ofCorrect answer
  • DClose down the bottling plant until the problem is resolved and inform the media that
  • ESince the customers trust the MNC to do what is good for them, remove the

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why C. “Source water from an uncontaminated natural spring 150 kms away at an addition of” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Rebrand “Natural Spring Water” as “Purified Spring Water” after removing the”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“Continue bottling the natural spring water without processing since the villagers drink it”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Close down the bottling plant until the problem is resolved and inform the media that”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Since the customers trust the MNC to do what is good for them, remove the”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q41Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

The MNC is concerned about chemical contamination of the natural spring water due to the agricultural runoff with pesticides and fertilizers. The MNC is looking for a sustainable solution to this contamination. Which of the following courses of action will BEST solve the issue?

  • ANegotiate with the Panchayat to gain control of the entire spring and provide alternate
  • BChange branding from “Natural Spring Water” to “Processed Drinking Water”
  • CCoax the farmers in the natural spring’s catchment to move to organic farmingCorrect answer
  • DAcquire all agricultural land in the natural spring’s catchment and afforest them
  • EMove to another state with unexploited natural springs

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why C. “Coax the farmers in the natural spring’s catchment to move to organic farming” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Negotiate with the Panchayat to gain control of the entire spring and provide alternate”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“Change branding from “Natural Spring Water” to “Processed Drinking Water””) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Acquire all agricultural land in the natural spring’s catchment and afforest them”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Move to another state with unexploited natural springs”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q42Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

Which of the following combinations of the above facts will BEST help Rakesh decide on joining G&P?

  • A4, 3, 5
  • B5, 4, 2Correct answer
  • C2, 4, 3
  • D1, 3, 4
  • E1, 4, 5

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (5, 4, 2) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why B. “5, 4, 2” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“4, 3, 5”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“2, 4, 3”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“1, 3, 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“1, 4, 5”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q43Decision Making·Policy & Governance

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

While mulling over the offer, Rakesh consulted Manikandan, his trusted senior at SPCIL. Manikandan, who had friends in G&P, disclosed that it preferred government employees for its projects in Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. “Once the project is completed, G&P may not need your skills,” observed Manikandan. Which of the following, if true, will BEST enable Rakesh to decide on the offer?

  • ADuring the interview, G&P quizzed if Rakesh would sustain his relationship with his
  • BAs G&P also planned to enter two Southern states, it has decided to recruit people from
  • CSenior-level employees at G&P, who began their career in similar projects, are nowCorrect answer
  • DManikandan stopped both of his sons from taking up private-sector jobs, given his loyalty
  • EThrough social media, Rakesh discovered that Manikandan’s contact, who had left

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why C. “Senior-level employees at G&P, who began their career in similar projects, are now” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“During the interview, G&P quizzed if Rakesh would sustain his relationship with his”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“As G&P also planned to enter two Southern states, it has decided to recruit people from”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Manikandan stopped both of his sons from taking up private-sector jobs, given his loyalty”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Through social media, Rakesh discovered that Manikandan’s contact, who had left”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q44Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

Which of the following sequences of the above statements is in the MOST appropriate DESCENDING order of bribing undertones?

  • A3, 1, 2, 4Correct answer
  • B4, 3, 2, 1
  • C4, 1, 2, 3
  • D1, 3, 2, 4
  • E3, 4, 1 ,2

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (3, 1, 2, 4) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “3, 1, 2, 4” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“4, 3, 2, 1”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“4, 1, 2, 3”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“1, 3, 2, 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“3, 4, 1 ,2”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q45Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

Jagdeep has decided to open a branch in Ramnagar. Which of the following facts about Ramnagar will BEST support his decision?

  • ARamnagar is served by 4 bakeries, with the two largest bakeries having market shares of
  • BLe Croissant’s Ramnagar branch struggles with a market share of 10%.
  • C3% of Le Baguette’s current revenue comes from Ramnagar.Correct answer
  • DBefore starting his own bakery, Jagdeep was supplying bread to most bakeries in
  • EJagdeep has managed to acquire a big space in Ramnagar at a nominal rent.

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (3% of Le Baguette’s current revenue comes from Ramnagar.) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why C. “3% of Le Baguette’s current revenue comes from Ramnagar.” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Ramnagar is served by 4 bakeries, with the two largest bakeries having market shares of”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“Le Croissant’s Ramnagar branch struggles with a market share of 10%.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Before starting his own bakery, Jagdeep was supplying bread to most bakeries in”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Jagdeep has managed to acquire a big space in Ramnagar at a nominal rent.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q46Decision Making·Data-based Decision

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

Jagdeep wishes to open a 100% eggless branch in Ramnagar. To explore feasibility, he collected the following facts: 1. Eggless products account for 30% of Le Baguette’s sales. 2. At least 20% of all bakery sales in Ramnagar is from eggless products. 3. The eggless varieties of Le Baguette contain minute traces of egg. 4. Le Baguette currently makes 3% of its revenue from Ramnagar customers and all of it comes from eggless products. 5. Le Croissant’s Ramnagar branch struggles with a market share of 10%. From the combinations below, in the DESCENDING order of effectiveness, choose the one that BEST supports Jagdeep’s decision.

  • A2, 4, 1Correct answer
  • B2, 1, 3
  • C5, 4, 1
  • D5, 2, 1
  • E4, 3, 2

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (2, 4, 1) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “2, 4, 1” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“2, 1, 3”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“5, 4, 1”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“5, 2, 1”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“4, 3, 2”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q47Decision Making·Ethical Dilemma

Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or more to arrive, The Small Shop is a quick stop for buying items such as pen drives and USB cables. Besides selling computer peripherals, The Small Shop also undertakes repairs of out-of-warranty products.

From a newspaper, Jagdeep has learnt that Americans use their own ovens to bake ready-to-bake products, sold by some bakeries. This idea is apparently catching up in Indian metros as well. Jagdeep wants to try this out in his bakery. He has gathered the following facts: 1. US bakeries that also sell ready-to-bake products earned higher revenues compared to those that do not. 2. Around 7% of Jagdeep’s regular customers own baking ovens in their homes. 3. The sale of baking ovens in India is forecast to increase by 12% every year, for the next three years. 4. 50% of Jagdeep’s regular customers are fulltime working couples. 5. In Indian metros, ready-to-bake products give higher profit margins compared to finished products. Select the BEST of the following sequences of the above facts, in DESCENDING order of effectiveness, to support Jagdeep.

  • A2, 3, 5, 1, 4Correct answer
  • B3, 2, 1, 4, 5
  • C1, 5, 3, 2, 4
  • D2, 5, 1, 3, 4
  • E3, 4, 5, 1, 2

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (2, 3, 5, 1, 4) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the situation below and answer the 3 associated questions: The Small Shop, selling computer peripherals, is the only one of its kind in the remote village of Turturunk. Because online purchases take two weeks or mo… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “2, 3, 5, 1, 4” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“3, 2, 1, 4, 5”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“1, 5, 3, 2, 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“2, 5, 1, 3, 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“3, 4, 5, 1, 2”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation(28 questions)

Q48Quantitative Ability·Number Systems

Nalini has received a total of 600 WhatsApp messages from four friends Anita, Bina, Chaitra and Divya. Bina and Divya have respectively sent 30% and 20% of these messages, while Anita has sent an equal number of messages as Chaitra. Moreover, Nalini finds that of Anita’s, Bina’s, Chaitra’s and Divya’s messages, 60%, 40%, 80% and 50% respectively are jokes. What percentage of the jokes, received by Nalini, have been sent neither by Divya nor by Bina?

  • A38.6
  • B61.4Correct answer
  • C57
  • D65.12
  • E34.88

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (61.4) Bina sends 30% of 600 = 180 messages and Divya sends 20% of 600 = 120. The remaining 300 are split equally between Anita and Chaitra, so each sends 150. Their joke counts are therefore: - Anita: 60% of 150 = 90 - Bina: 40% of 180 = 72 - Chaitra: 80% of 150 = 120 - Divya: 50% of 120 = 60 Total jokes = 90 + 72 + 120 + 60 = 342. Jokes sent by neither Bina nor Divya are precisely Anita’s and Chaitra’s: 90 + 120 = 210. Hence, required percentage = (210342) × 100 = 61.403...% ≈ 61.4%. Option A, 38.6%, is the complementary share contributed by Bina and Divya. Options C and D arise from using the wrong total as denominator.
Q49Quantitative Ability·Triangles

Two lighthouses, located at points A and B on the earth, are 60 feet and 40 feet tall respectively. Each lighthouse is perfectly vertical and the land connecting A and B is perfectly flat. The topmost point of the lighthouse at A is A’ and of the lighthouse at B is B’. Draw line segments A’B and B’A, and let them intersect at point C’. Drop a perpendicular from C’ to touch the earth at point C. What is the length of CC’ in feet?

  • A20
  • B25
  • C24Correct answer
  • DThe distance between A and B is also needed to solve this
  • E30

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (24) Let AB = d, AC = x and CB = d − x. Write h = CC′. Because the ground is horizontal and both lighthouses are vertical, the small triangles formed by the crossing lines are similar to the corresponding large triangles. From line B′A, h/40 = AC/AB = xd. From line A′B, h/60 = CB/AB = d − xd. Adding, h/40 + h/60 = xd + d − xd = 1 ⇒ h(3120 + 2120) = 1 ⇒ 5h/120 = 1 ⇒ h = 24 feet. Thus the horizontal distance d cancels; option D is a distractor. The result is also the crossed-ladders identity 1h = 160 + 140. Options A and B come from simple averaging or subtracting heights, neither of which respects the similar triangles.
Q50Quantitative Ability·Time, Speed & Distance

Two friends, Ram and Shyam, start at the same point, at the same time. Ram travels straight north at a speed of 10km/hr, while Shyam travels straight east at twice the speed of Ram. After 15 minutes, Shyam messages Ram that he is just passing by a large telephone tower and after another 15 minutes Ram messages Shyam that he is just passing by an old banyan tree. After some more time has elapsed, Ram and Shyam stop. They stop at the same point of time. If the straight-line distance between Ram and Shyam now is 50 km, how far is Shyam from the banyan tree (in km)? (Assume that Ram and Shyam travel on a flat surface.)

  • A205 + 5
  • B205 - 5
  • C521
  • D45Correct answer
  • E1153

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (45) Let the friends stop t hours after Ram passes the banyan tree. Ram reaches that tree after 30 minutes, so at stopping he is 5 + 10t km north of the start. Shyam is then 10 + 20t km east of the start. Their separation is 50 km: (5 + 10t)2 + (10 + 20t)2 = 2500. Since 10 + 20t = 2(5 + 10t), put u = 5 + 10t. Then u2 + 4u2 = 2500 ⇒ u2 = 500 ⇒ u = 10 5. The banyan tree is at (0, 5), while Shyam is at (2u, 0). Hence their distance is √[(2u)2 + 52] = 4 × 500 + 25 = 2025 = 45 km. Options A and B incorrectly use a path distance; option C omits Shyam’s full eastward displacement.
Q51Quantitative Ability·Mensuration

A rectangular swimming pool is 50 meters long and 25 meters wide. Its depth is always the same along its width but linearly increases along its length from 1 meter at one end to 4 meters at the other end. How much water (in cubic meters) is needed to completely fill the pool?

  • A3750
  • B3125Correct answer
  • C1875
  • D1250
  • E2500

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (3125) Because the depth changes linearly from 1 m to 4 m, the longitudinal cross-section is a trapezium. Its parallel sides are the two end depths, 1 and 4, and the distance between them is 50 m. Cross-sectional area = [1 + 42] × 50 = 125 m2. Multiplying by the constant width, Volume = 125 × 25 = 3125 m3. Equivalently, split the pool into a 1 m deep cuboid and a triangular wedge: 50 × 25 × 1 + (12) × 50 × 3 × 25 = 1250 + 1875 = 3125 m3. Hence 3125 cubic metres are needed. Option D counts only the base cuboid, while option C counts only the extra wedge. Option E uses depth 2 m instead of the correct average depth 2.5 m.
Q52Quantitative Ability·Time, Speed & Distance

If A ʘ B = (A + B) × B, then what is (5 ʘ 2) ʘ 5?

  • A275
  • B125
  • C200
  • D95Correct answer
  • E74

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (95) The operator is defined by A ʘ B = (A + B) × B. Since the expression is parenthesised, evaluate the inner operation first: 5 ʘ 2 = (5 + 2) × 2 = 7 × 2 = 14. Now use 14 as the first input of the outer operation: (5 ʘ 2) ʘ 5 = 14 ʘ 5 = (14 + 5) × 5 = 19 × 5 = 95. Hence option D is correct. Option E, 74, can result from carrying forward 14 but not reapplying the definition correctly. Options A and C typically come from treating ʘ as associative or expanding both operations simultaneously. The travel narrative preceding the operator question is an extraction artefact and supplies no value used in this calculation.
Q53Quantitative Ability·Time, Speed & Distance

A man is laying stones, from start to end, along the two sides of a 200-meter- walkway. The stones are to be laid 5 meters apart from each other. When he begins, all the stones are present at the start of the walkway. He places the first stone on each side at the walkway’s start. For all the other stones, the man lays the stones first along one of the walkway’s sides, then along the other side in an exactly similar fashion. However, he can carry only one stone at a time. To lay each stone, the man walks to the spot, lays the stone, and then walks back to pick another. After laying all the stones, the man walks back to the start, which marks the end of his work.

What is the total distance that the man walks in executing this work? Assume that the width of the walkway is negligible.

  • A4100 metres
  • B16200 metres
  • C8200 metres
  • D8050 metres
  • E16400 metresCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (16400 metres) On each side, stones occupy 0, 5, 10, ..., 200 metres. The stone at 0 is placed without walking. For every other position d, the man walks d metres out and d metres back, including after the last placement as stated. For one side, the relevant outward distances form 5 + 10 + ... + 200 = 5(1 + 2 + ... + 40) = 5 × 40 × 412 = 4100 metres. Counting the return legs doubles this to 8200 metres for one side. He repeats the same process on the other side, so Total distance = 2 × 8200 = 16400 metres. Option C, 8200, counts only one side. Option A, 4100, counts one side and only one direction. Option D usually results from omitting the final 200-metre return, contrary to the explicit instruction.
Q54Quantitative Ability·Probability

Ashok has a bag containing 40 cards, numbered with the integers from 1 to 40. No two cards are numbered with the same integer. Likewise, his sister Shilpa has another bag containing only five cards that are numbered with the integers from 1 to 5, with no integer repeating. Their mother, Latha, randomly draws one card each from Ashok’s and Shilpa’s bags and notes down their respective numbers. If Latha divides the number obtained from Ashok’s bag by the number obtained from Shilpa’s, what is the probability that the remainder will not be greater than 2?

  • A0.8
  • B0.73
  • C0.91
  • D0.94
  • E0.87Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (0.87) There are 40 × 5 = 200 equally likely ordered draws. For Shilpa’s divisor 1, 2 or 3, every possible remainder is at most 2, giving 40 valid Ashok cards in each case. For divisor 4, reject numbers congruent to 3 mod 4: 3, 7, ..., 39, i.e. 10 numbers. Valid count = 30. For divisor 5, reject residues 3 and 4. In 1 to 40, each residue occurs 8 times, so valid count = 40 − 16 = 24. Thus favourable outcomes = 40 + 40 + 40 + 30 + 24 = 174. Probability = 174200 = 0.87. Hence option E. Option A, 0.8, overlooks that divisors 1–3 always qualify. Options C and D undercount the disallowed residue classes for divisors 4 and 5.
Q55Quantitative Ability·Miscellaneous Quant

A shop sells bags in three sizes: small, medium and large. A large bag costs Rs.1000, a medium bag costs Rs.200, and a small bag costs Rs.50. Three buyers, Ashish, Banti and Chintu, independently buy some numbers of these types of bags. The respective amounts spent by Ashish, Banti and Chintu are equal. Put together, the shop sells 1 large bag, 15 small bags and some medium bags to these three buyers. What is the minimum number of medium bags that the shop sells to them?

  • A7Correct answer
  • B9
  • C10
  • D5
  • E4

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (7) Let each buyer spend Rs. T. Whoever buys the single large bag spends at least Rs. 1000, so T ≥ 1000 and total sales value 3T ≥ Rs. 3000. The large and small bags together contribute 1000 + 15 × 50 = Rs. 1750. If m medium bags are sold, total value is 1750 + 200m. This total must also be divisible by 3. Testing upward, m = 4 and 5 give only Rs. 2550 and Rs. 2750, both below Rs. 3000; m = 6 gives Rs. 2950. For m = 7, total = Rs. 3150, so each spends Rs. 1050. Feasibility: allocate (large + 1 small), (5 medium + 1 small), and (2 medium + 13 small). Each bundle costs Rs. 1050. Hence the minimum is 7. Options D and E fail the minimum-spend bound; 9 and 10 are feasible-looking but not minimal.
Q56Quantitative Ability·Circles

A rectangular field is 40 meters long and 30 meters wide. Draw diagonals on this field and then draw circles of radius 1.25 meters, with centers only on the diagonals. Each circle must fall completely within the field. Any two circles can touch each other but should not overlap. What is the maximum number of such circles that can be drawn in the field?

  • A39
  • B38
  • C40
  • D37Correct answer
  • E36

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (37) The rectangle’s diagonal is 402 + 302 = 50 m. A circle of radius r = 1.25 m centred near a corner must stay at least r from both adjacent sides. Along a 3:4:5 diagonal, the limiting perpendicular clearance is reached after a short end margin; the usable centre-line length is about 48.98 m. Successive centres on one diagonal must be at least one diameter, 2.5 m, apart. Hence at most 19 centres fit on a diagonal, arranged as the central intersection plus 9 on each side. Both diagonals share the same central circle. Each of their four half-diagonals can therefore carry 9 additional circles: Maximum = 1 + 4 × 9 = 37. The symmetric placement attains this bound, so option D is correct. Options A–C effectively count the centre twice or round 48.98/2.5 upward; option E unnecessarily discards one usable position.
Q57Quantitative Ability·Ratio & Proportion

X, Y and Z start a web-based venture together. X invests Rs. 2.5 lakhs, Y invests Rs. 3.5 lakhs, and Z invests Rs. 4 lakhs. In the first year, the venture makes a profit of Rs. 2 lakhs. A part of the profit is shared between Y and Z in the ratio of 2:3, and the remaining profit is divided among X, Y and Z in the ratio of their initial investments. The amount that Z receives is four times the amount that X receives. How much amount does Y receive?

  • ARs. 102,500
  • BRs. 75,000Correct answer
  • CRs. 93,750
  • DRs. 80,200
  • ERs. 74,250

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Rs. 75,000) Let the profit portion shared only by Y and Z be 5k. Then Y gets 2k and Z gets 3k from it. The remaining Rs. (200000 − 5k) is divided in the investment ratio 2.5:3.5:4, whose sum is 10. Thus X = 0.25(200000 − 5k), Y = 2k + 0.35(200000 − 5k), Z = 3k + 0.40(200000 − 5k). Given Z = 4X: 3k + 0.4(200000 − 5k) = 200000 − 5k ⇒ k + 80000 = 200000 − 5k ⇒ 6k = 120000 ⇒ k = 20000. Therefore Y receives 40000 + 0.35(100000) = Rs. 75000. Hence option B. Option C overallocates the investment-linked pool, while options D and E arise from applying the 2:3 split to the entire profit.
Q58Quantitative Ability·Number Systems

What is the remainder if 1920 - 2019 is divided by 7?

  • A5Correct answer
  • B6
  • C0
  • D3
  • E1

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (5) Work modulo 7. Since 19 ≡ 5 ≡ −2 (mod 7) and 20 ≡ 6 ≡ −1 (mod 7), 1920 ≡ (−2)20 = 220. Now 23 = 8 ≡ 1 (mod 7), so 220 = 218·22 ≡ 1 × 4 = 4. Also, 2019 ≡ (−1)19 = −1 ≡ 6 (mod 7). Therefore 19202019 ≡ 4 − 6 = −2 ≡ 5 (mod 7). Hence the remainder is 5, option A. Option B is merely the remainder of 2019 before subtraction. Option D is obtained by subtracting in the wrong order and not converting the negative residue to its least non-negative equivalent.
Q59Quantitative Ability·Miscellaneous Quant

X, Y, and Z are three software experts, who work on upgrading the software in a number of identical systems. X takes a day off after every 3 days of work, Y takes a day off after every 4 days of work and Z takes a day off after every 5 days of work. Starting afresh after a common day off, i) X and Y working together can complete one new upgrade job in 6 days ii) Z and X working together can complete two new upgrade jobs in 8 days iii) Y and Z working together can complete three new upgrade jobs in 12 days If X, Y and Z together start afresh on a new upgrade job (after a common day off), exactly how many days will be required to complete this job?

  • A2 days
  • B3.5 days
  • C2.5 daysCorrect answer
  • D4 days
  • E3 days

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (2.5 days) Let X, Y and Z complete x, y and z jobs per working day. Over the stated calendar spans, account for their days off. In 6 days, X and Y each work 5 days: 5x + 5y = 1. In 8 days, X works 6 days and Z works 7 days: 6x + 7z = 2. In 12 days, Y and Z each work 10 days: 10y + 10z = 3. Solving gives x = 0.1, y = 0.1 and z = 0.2 job per working day. Starting immediately after a common off-day, nobody takes leave during the first 2.5 days. Their combined rate is x + y + z = 0.4 job/day. Time = 1/0.4 = 2.5 days. Hence option C. Option A assumes two full days suffice; options B and E incorrectly average the calendar completion statements without first extracting individual rates.
Q60Quantitative Ability·Ratio & Proportion

A box contains 6 cricket balls, 5 tennis balls and 4 rubber balls. Of these, some balls are defective. The proportion of defective cricket balls is more than the proportion of defective tennis balls but less than the proportion of defective rubber balls. Moreover, the overall proportion of defective balls is twice the proportion of defective tennis balls. What BEST can be said about the number of defective rubber balls in the box?

  • AIt is either 2 or 3
  • BIt is exactly 2
  • CIt is either 3 or 4
  • DIt is either 0 or 1
  • EIt is exactly 3Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (It is exactly 3) Let c, t and r be the defective cricket, tennis and rubber balls. The conditions are r/4 > c/6 > t/5 and c + t + r15 = 2(t/5). The second equation gives c + r = 5t. Since t is an integer from 0 to 5 and c ≤ 6, r ≤ 4, the strict inequalities eliminate t = 0, while c + r ≤ 10 sharply restricts the rest. Testing feasible integer values, t = 1 forces c + r = 5. Now r = 1 gives too small a rubber proportion; r = 2 makes r/4 = c/6 when c = 3; r = 4 gives c = 1 and violates c/6 > 15. Only r = 3, c = 2 works: 34 > 26 > 15. Hence exactly 3 rubber balls are defective. Options A and C retain values that fail a strict inequality.
Q61Data Interpretation·Mixed Charts
XAT 2020 circle chord AB / rectangle figure

In the figure given below, the circle has a chord AB of length 12 cm, which makes an angle of 60^° at the center of the circle, O. ABCD, as shown in the diagram, is a rectangle. OQ is the perpendicular bisector of AB, intersecting the chord AB at P, the arc AB at M and CD at Q. OM = MQ. The area of the region enclosed by the line segments AQ and QB, and the arc BMA, is closest to (in cm2):

  • A137
  • B69Correct answer
  • C35
  • D215
  • E63

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (69) Chord AB = 12 subtends 60° at O. For a chord, AB = 2R sin 30° = R, so the radius R = 12. If P is the chord midpoint, AP = 6 and OP = 12262 = 6 3. Given OM = MQ = 12, OQ = 24; hence PQ = 24 − 6 3. Triangle AQB has area (12) × 12 × (24 − 6 3) = 144 − 36 3. The circular segment between chord AB and minor arc AMB has area sector AOB − triangle AOB = (60360)π(122) − (12)(12)(6 3) = 24π − 36 3. Required area = (144 − 36 3) − (24π − 36 3) = 144 − 24π ≈ 68.60 cm2, closest to 69. Option E is near but not closest; option C roughly halves the region.
Q62Quantitative Ability·Miscellaneous Quant

Mohanlal, a prosperous farmer, has a square land of side 2 km. For the current season, he decides to have some fun. He marks two distinct points on one of the diagonals of the land. Using these points as centers, he constructs two circles. Each of these circles falls completely within the land, and touches at least two sides of the land. To his surprise, the radii of both the circles are exactly equal to 23 km. Mohanlal plants potatoes on the overlapping portion of these circles. Calculate the area on which Mohanlal planted potatoes (in sq. km).

  • A2 4π - 3327
  • B2 π - 29Correct answer
  • C5 π + 427
  • Dπ - 29
  • E2 2π - 3327

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (2 π - 29) Each radius is r = 23 km. A circle touching two adjacent sides has its centre r from each side, so the two permissible centres on the chosen diagonal are symmetric. Their separation is d = 2 2 − 2r 2 = 2 23. For equal circles, the common chord bisects the line of centres. Thus d/2 = 23. If θ is the half-angle at either centre, cos θ = d/2r = 2323 = 12 ⇒ θ = 45°. Therefore each contributing sector has angle 2θ = 90°. The overlap is two identical circular segments: 2[(90360)πr2 − (12)r2 sin 90°] = 2[π/9 − 29] = 2 π − 29 sq. km. Hence option B. Option D forgets the second segment; the 3-based choices correspond to a 60° geometry not present here.
Q63Quantitative Ability·Functions & Graphs

Consider the four variables A, B, C and D and a function Z of these variables, Z = 15A2 - 3B4 + C + 0.5D. It is given that A, B, C and D must be non-negative integers and that all of the following relationships must hold: (i) 2A + B ≤ 2; (ii) 4A + 2B + C ≤ 12; (iii) 3A + 4B + D ≤ 15. If Z needs to be maximised, then what value must D take?

  • A12Correct answer
  • B5
  • C0
  • D15
  • E10

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (12) Constraint 2A + B ≤ 2 with non-negative integers leaves only (A,B) = (0,0), (0,1), (0,2), or (1,0). For each pair, positive coefficients of C and D mean we take their largest allowed values: C = 12 − 4A − 2B, D = 15 − 3A − 4B. Evaluate Z: - (1,0): C = 8, D = 12 ⇒ Z = 15 + 8 + 6 = 29. - (0,0): C = 12, D = 15 ⇒ Z = 19.5. - (0,1): C = 10, D = 11 ⇒ Z = −3 + 10 + 5.5 = 12.5. - (0,2): C = 8, D = 7 ⇒ Z = −48 + 8 + 3.5 < 0. The maximum occurs at (A,B,C,D) = (1,0,8,12). Hence D must be 12, option A. Option D maximises D alone, not the full objective.
Q64Quantitative Ability·Miscellaneous Quant

Read the information given below and answer the 2 associated questions. 190 students have to choose at least one elective and at most two electives from a list of three electives: E1, E2 and E3. It is found that the number of students choosing E1 is half the number of students choosing E2, and one third the number of students choosing E3. Moreover, the number of students choosing two electives is 50.

Which of the following CANNOT be obtained from the given information?

  • ANumber of students choosing exactly one elective
  • BNumber of students choosing both E1 and E2Correct answer
  • CNumber of students choosing E3
  • DNumber of students choosing E1
  • ENumber of students choosing either E1 or E2 or both, but not E3

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Number of students choosing both E1 and E2) Let the total enrolments in E1, E2 and E3 be k, 2k and 3k. Since 50 students take two electives and 140 take exactly one, the total number of elective registrations is 140 + 2 × 50 = 240 = 6k ⇒ k = 40. Hence the three elective totals are 40, 80 and 120. We can also determine exactly-one = 190 − 50 = 140. Further, the number taking E1 or E2 but not E3 equals 190 − |E3| = 70, because nobody takes all three and everyone takes at least one. However, if x12, x23 and x31 denote pairwise overlaps, only x12 + x23 + x31 = 50 is known. No equation isolates x12, the number taking both E1 and E2. Thus option B cannot be obtained. The numerical options represented by A, C, D and E follow from the aggregate counts; B depends on how the 50 double-elective students are distributed.
Q65Data Interpretation·Caselets

Read the information given below and answer the 2 associated questions. 190 students have to choose at least one elective and at most two electives from a list of three electives: E1, E2 and E3. It is found that the number of students choosing E1 is half the number of students choosing E2, and one third the number of students choosing E3. Moreover, the number of students choosing two electives is 50.

In addition to the given information, which of the following information is NECESSARY and SUFFICIENT to compute the number of students choosing only E1, only E2 and only E3?

  • ANo extra information is necessary
  • BNumber of students choosing both E1 and E2
  • CNumber of students choosing only E2, and number of students choosing both E2 and E3Correct answer
  • DNumber of students choosing both E1 and E2, number of students choosing both E2 and
  • ENumber of students choosing only E1, and number of students choosing both E2 and E3

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Number of students choosing only E2, and number of students choosing both E2 and E3) From the shared stem: 190 students, at most two electives, 50 take two electives ⇒ 140 take exactly one. Enrolment counts satisfy |E1|:|E2|:|E3|=1:2:3 and |E1|+|E2|+|E3|=140+2 × 50=240 ⇒ |E1|,|E2|,|E3|=40,80,120. Let p,q,r be the pairwise double counts (E1∩E2, E2∩E3, E3∩E1) with p+q+r=50. Then only E1=40−p−r, only E2=80−p−q, only E3=120−q−r. Knowing only E2 and q (option C) fixes p from only-E2, then r=50−p−q, and every singleton is determined. That is necessary-and-sufficient. B (p alone) leaves q and r free on the line q+r=50−p, so only-E1 and only-E3 still move. A (no extra data) is not enough. Listing all three pair overlaps is sufficient but not necessary. E mixes a singleton with the wrong pair and still under-determines the system.
Q66Quantitative Ability·Circles

XYZ is an equilateral triangle, inscribed in a circle. P is a point on the arc YZ such that X and P are on opposite sides of the chord YZ. Which of the following MUST always be true?

  • AXP = YP + PZCorrect answer
  • BXP = XY
  • CXP + PZ = XY + YP
  • DXP = XY + YZ
  • EXZ + YP = XY + PZ

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (XP = YP + PZ) The four points X, Y, P and Z lie on the same circle, so XYPZ is a cyclic quadrilateral. Its diagonals are XP and YZ. By Ptolemy’s theorem, XP·YZ = XY·PZ + XZ·YP. Because XYZ is equilateral, XY = YZ = XZ = s. Substitution gives XP·s = s·PZ + s·YP. Since s > 0, divide throughout by s: XP = PZ + YP. Thus option A must hold for every permitted position of P on the stated arc. Option B would hold only at special symmetric locations, not throughout the arc. Option D incorrectly makes XP equal to two fixed side lengths, while options C and E do not follow from Ptolemy after using the three equal sides.
Q67Quantitative Ability·Time, Speed & Distance

A hare and a tortoise run between points O and P located exactly 6 km from each other on a straight line. They start together at O, go straight to P and then return to O along the same line. They run at constant speeds of 12 km/hr and 1 km/hr respectively. Since the tortoise is slower than the hare, the hare shuttles between O and P until the tortoise goes once to P and returns to O. During the run, how many times are the hare and the tortoise separated by an exact distance of 1 km from each other?

  • A42
  • B24
  • C48
  • D22
  • E40Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (40) The tortoise’s O–P–O trip is 12 km, so it runs for 12 hours. In that time the hare covers 12 × 12 = 144 km, i.e. 12 complete 12-km shuttles. Count solutions of |hare position − tortoise position| = 1 on each linear leg. During the tortoise’s outward six hours, the hare’s first two shuttles contribute 3 occurrences each, shuttles 3–5 contribute 4 each, and the sixth contributes 2 at the turnaround boundary: 3 + 3 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 2 = 20. The return half is the time-reversal of the outward half, so it contributes another 20. Boundary meetings are counted only once in this leg-by-leg tally. Hence total occurrences = 20 + 20 = 40, option E. Option A typically double-counts a turnaround; option D counts only one six-hour half, while 48 assumes four occurrences in every shuttle and ignores endpoint truncation.
Q68Quantitative Ability·Miscellaneous Quant

When expressed in a decimal form, which of the following numbers will be non- terminating as well as non-repeating?

  • A(4-π)[1+π4+(π4)2+(π4)3+⋯]
  • B2(32-42)+3Correct answer
  • Csin2 1^°+sin2 2^°+⋯+sin2 89^°
  • D(π2)[1π+1]-π2
  • E[3]{729}3+227

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (2(32-42)+3) Simplify each expression rather than judging it by appearance. For option B, 2(3 242) + 3 = 6 − 4 + 3 = 2 + 3. Since 3 is irrational, adding the rational number 2 keeps it irrational. Its decimal expansion is therefore non-terminating and non-repeating. The close distractors simplify to rational values. In A, the geometric bracket has sum 11 − π/4 = 44 − π, so multiplication by (4 − π) gives 4. In C, pair sin2θ with sin2(90° − θ) = cos2θ; the total is 44 + sin245° = 44.5. Option D simplifies to 12. In E, ∛7293 = 3 and 227 is rational, so their sum is repeating, not irrational. Hence only option B has the required decimal form.
Q69Quantitative Ability·Miscellaneous Quant

Six drums are used to store water. Five drums are of equal capacity, while the sixth drum has double the capacity of each of these five drums. On one morning, three drums are found half full, two are found two-thirds full and one is found completely full. It is attempted to transfer all the water to the smaller drums. How many smaller drums are adequate to store the water?

  • AThree or four, depending on which drum had how much water initially
  • BFive but not fourCorrect answer
  • CFive may be inadequate, depending on which drum had how much water initially
  • DThree but not two
  • EFour but not three

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Five but not four) Measure capacity in units of one small drum; the large drum holds 2 units. The total depends on which fill fraction belongs to the large drum, so bound it. The minimum occurs when the large drum is one of the half-full drums: 2(12) + 2(12) + 2(23) + 1 = 1 + 1 + 43 + 1 = 133 ≈ 4.33 units. The maximum occurs when the large drum is full: 2 + 3(12) + 2(23) = 2 + 32 + 43 = 296 ≈ 4.83 units. In every assignment, the water exceeds four small-drum capacities but is below five. Therefore five small drums are always adequate, whereas four never are: option B. Options A and E underestimate even the minimum; option C incorrectly suggests a total above five is possible.
Q70Data Interpretation·Tables

Read the information given below and answer the 3 associated questions. During 2015-2019, the revenues of four companies P–S were as follows (Revenue in Rs. lakhs):

YearPQRS
2015150125150100
2016175140160120
2017200180180140
2018250210200170
2019250220240180

Which of the given companies has seen the highest year-on-year growth (in percentage) in any single year during this five-year period?

  • AS
  • BP
  • CR
  • DQCorrect answer
  • EThere was a tie among multiple companies

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Q) Compute each serious contender’s year-on-year percentage as increase divided by the previous year’s revenue. Company P’s largest jump is from 200 in 2017 to 250 in 2018: 250 − 200200 × 100 = 25%. For Q, the 2016–17 rise is from 140 to 180: 180 − 140140 × 100 = 28.57%. The maxima for R and S are lower: R’s largest is 240 − 200200 = 20%, while S’s largest is 170 − 140140 = 21.43%. Other adjacent-year increases in the table are below these values. Therefore the greatest single-year percentage growth is Q’s 28.57%, giving option D. Option B uses P’s visually large Rs. 50-lakh increase but misses the percentage denominator. Option A similarly focuses on S’s rise without comparing rates; there is no tie.
Q71Data Interpretation·Tables

Read the information given below and answer the 3 associated questions. During 2015-2019, the revenues of four companies P–S were as follows (Revenue in Rs. lakhs):

YearPQRS
2015150125150100
2016175140160120
2017200180180140
2018250210200170
2019250220240180

It was discovered later that one of the companies misreported its revenue of one of the years. If the misreported revenue is replaced by the correct revenue, the revenues of that company over the five-year period will be in an arithmetic progression. The company that misreported its revenue was

  • AR or S
  • BP only
  • CS only
  • DP or R
  • EP or SCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (P or S) Check whether deleting one reported entry leaves four values consistent with a five-term arithmetic progression. P reports 150, 175, 200, 250, 250. The first three establish common difference 25; the corresponding progression is 150, 175, 200, 225, 250. Thus replacing P’s 2018 value by 225 repairs the row. S reports 100, 120, 140, 170, 180. Here the natural common difference is 20; replacing the 2018 value 170 by 160 gives 100, 120, 140, 160, 180. Q = 125, 140, 180, 210, 220 and R = 150, 160, 180, 200, 240 cannot each be turned into a five-term AP by changing only one entry: their remaining fixed values impose incompatible common differences. Hence the misreporting company could be P or S, option E. Options B and C assert uniqueness that the table does not support; A and D wrongly include R.
Q72Data Interpretation·Tables

Read the information given below and answer the 3 associated questions. During 2015-2019, the revenues of four companies P–S were as follows (see table):

XAT 2020 companies P–S revenue table (2015–2019)

During the period from 2014 to 2015, the revenue increased by 25% for three of the companies and by 50% for the remaining company. The total increase in revenue, for all four companies put together, was Rs. 125 lakhs. Which of the following CANNOT be true?

  • AThe revenue of Q in 2014 was the same as the revenue of R in 2014
  • BFrom 2014 to 2015, the increases in revenues of at least two companies were the sameCorrect answer
  • CThe company that experienced the 50% increase in revenue also experienced the
  • DThe 2014 revenues of P and R cannot be determined uniquely
  • EFrom 2014 to 2015, the revenues of P and R increased by different amounts

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (From 2014 to 2015, the increases in revenues of at least two companies were the same) 2015 revenues: P,Q,R,S = 150,125,150,100. A 25% rise means 2014 = 2015/1.25, so the absolute increase is 0.25/1.25 of the 2015 figure (= one-fifth): increases 30,25,30,20 (total 105) if everyone rose 25%. A 50% rise makes the increase one-third of the 2015 figure. Total increase is 125, which is 20 more than 105, so exactly one company switched from 25% to 50%: that can only be P or R (each adds +20). Feasible 2014 vectors: • P at 50%: increases 50,25,30,20 — all distinct • R at 50%: increases 30,25,50,20 — all distinct So in every feasible case the four absolute increases are pairwise different. Therefore “at least two increases were the same” cannot be true → B. A can hold (when R is the 50% company, Q2014=R2014=100). D is true because P vs R is unresolved. E holds in both cases.
Q73Data Interpretation·Tables

Read the information given below and answer the 3 associated questions. The following graph depicts sector-wise percentage contributions to the gross domestic product (GDP) of nine nations, labelled “Nation A”, “Nation B” and so on. It is known that these nations are Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the UK and the USA, but not necessarily in the same order. The following, however, are known: (i) The GDPs of the nine nations (in US trillion) are: Brazil 2, China 10, France 3, Germany 4, Japan 5, India 2, Russia 2, UK 3, USA 17. (ii) China has the highest agriculture sector GDP, valued at US1 trillion, followed respectively by the USA and India. (iii) In terms of percentage contribution to the respective nations’ GDPs by their service sectors, the UK and France are respectively the first and the second. (iv) Nation A, Nation B and Nation G have the same GDP. (v) The GDP of India’s industry sector is lower than the GDP of Russia’s industry sector. However, it is larger than that of Brazil’s industry sector.

CountryBrazilChinaFranceGermanyJapanIndiaRussiaUKUSA
GDP (US $ trillion)21034522317
XAT 2020 nine nations sector-wise GDP graph

Based on the given information, how many nations can be uniquely identified?

  • A3
  • B7
  • C9
  • D6Correct answer
  • E2

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (6) Read the chart percentages with the stated GDPs. China’s agriculture GDP is $1 trillion, so its agriculture share is 10%; only Nation F has 10%, hence China = F. A, B and G share GDP $2 trillion, so they are India, Russia and Brazil. Their industry GDPs are respectively 30%×2=.60, 35%×2=.70 and 23%×2=.46 trillion. The condition Russia > India > Brazil therefore fixes B=Russia, A=India and G=Brazil. The two highest service shares on the chart are D=79% and H=78%; hence D=UK and H=France. These six labels—A, B, D, F, G, H—are fixed. The remaining C, E and I represent USA, Japan and Germany. USA must have agriculture GDP between China’s 1 and India’s .34: C gives .51, E gives .85 and I gives .17, so USA is C or E. The last three are not unique. Hence exactly 6 nations are uniquely identified. Options 7 and 9 over-resolve the final case split.
Q74Data Interpretation·Tables

Read the information given below and answer the 3 associated questions. The following graph depicts sector-wise percentage contributions to the gross domestic product (GDP) of nine nations, labelled “Nation A”, “Nation B” and so on. It is known that these nations are Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the UK and the USA, but not necessarily in the same order. The following, however, are known: (i) The GDPs of the nine nations (in US trillion) are: Brazil 2, China 10, France 3, Germany 4, Japan 5, India 2, Russia 2, UK 3, USA 17. (ii) China has the highest agriculture sector GDP, valued at US1 trillion, followed respectively by the USA and India. (iii) In terms of percentage contribution to the respective nations’ GDPs by their service sectors, the UK and France are respectively the first and the second. (iv) Nation A, Nation B and Nation G have the same GDP. (v) The GDP of India’s industry sector is lower than the GDP of Russia’s industry sector. However, it is larger than that of Brazil’s industry sector.

CountryBrazilChinaFranceGermanyJapanIndiaRussiaUKUSA
GDP (US $ trillion)21034522317
XAT 2020 nine nations sector-wise GDP graph

Based on the given information, which of the following CANNOT be ruled out?

  • AChina is Nation C
  • BIndia is Nation B
  • CJapan is Nation ECorrect answer
  • DRussia is Nation G
  • EUS is Nation I

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Japan is Nation E) The chart constraints first force China=F because 10% of China’s $10-trillion GDP is the stated $1-trillion agriculture GDP. Among equal-GDP labels A, B and G, industry amounts are .60, .70 and .46 trillion; Russia > India > Brazil gives B=Russia, A=India, G=Brazil. The highest and second-highest service shares give D=UK and H=France. Only C, E and I remain for USA, Japan and Germany. USA’s agriculture GDP must lie between China’s 1 and India’s .34 trillion. With USA GDP $17 trillion, C gives 3%×17=.51, E gives 5%×17=.85, while I gives 1%×17=.17. Therefore USA can be C or E, never I. If USA=C, Japan and Germany may occupy E and I in either order. Thus Japan=E cannot be ruled out, making C correct. A, B and D contradict fixed identities; E fails the agriculture-ranking constraint.
Q75General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Current Affairs

Read the information given below and answer the 3 associated questions. The following graph depicts sector-wise percentage contributions to the gross domestic product (GDP) of nine nations, labelled “Nation A”, “Nation B” and so on. It is known that these nations are Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the UK and the USA, but not necessarily in the same order. The following, however, are known: (i) The GDPs of the nine nations (in US trillion) are: Brazil 2, China 10, France 3, Germany 4, Japan 5, India 2, Russia 2, UK 3, USA 17. (ii) China has the highest agriculture sector GDP, valued at US1 trillion, followed respectively by the USA and India. (iii) In terms of percentage contribution to the respective nations’ GDPs by their service sectors, the UK and France are respectively the first and the second. (iv) Nation A, Nation B and Nation G have the same GDP. (v) The GDP of India’s industry sector is lower than the GDP of Russia’s industry sector. However, it is larger than that of Brazil’s industry sector.

CountryBrazilChinaFranceGermanyJapanIndiaRussiaUKUSA
GDP (US $ trillion)21034522317
XAT 2020 nine nations sector-wise GDP graph

Which of the following information, when considered in addition to the given information, does not allow us to completely identify the nine nations in the graph?

  • AGermany’s industry GDP is US $1.2 trillionCorrect answer
  • BBoth Japan’s and Germany’s industry GDPs are more than US $1 trillion
  • CThe nation ranked fourth in terms of agriculture GDP has its agriculture GDP valued at US $150 billion
  • DIn terms of percentage contribution to the respective nations’ GDP, France and Japan’s agriculture sectors contribute the same
  • EJapan’s industry GDP is US $1.25 trillion

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Germany's industry GDP is US $1.2 trillion) China=F, B=Russia, A=India, G=Brazil, D=UK and H=France are forced by the chart and the stated facts. Only C, E and I remain for USA, Japan and Germany. If Germany's industry GDP is $1.2 trillion, then with Germany's total GDP of $4 trillion its industry share must be 30% — only Nation I has 30% industry on the chart. So Germany=I is pinned, but USA and Japan can still occupy C and E in either order. The nine nations are therefore not fully identified. The other additional facts either resolve the remaining ambiguity or contradict the fixed assignments. Hence A is the statement that does not allow complete identification.

General Knowledge(25 questions)

Q76General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Sports

Which organization funded the Indian Cricket League?

  • AZee Entertainment EnterprisesCorrect answer
  • BBoard of Control for Cricket in India
  • CStar Sports Global LLC
  • DInternational Cricket Council
  • EStar Sports Enterprises

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Zee Entertainment Enterprises) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which organization funded the Indian Cricket League? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Zee Entertainment Enterprises” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Board of Control for Cricket in India”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Star Sports Global LLC”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“International Cricket Council”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Star Sports Enterprises”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q77General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Malfunction of which of the following organs is the MOST common cause of vertigo?

  • AEarCorrect answer
  • BLung
  • CStomach
  • DKidney
  • EHeart

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Ear) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Malfunction of which of the following organs is the MOST common cause of vertigo? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Ear” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Lung”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Stomach”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Kidney”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Heart”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q78General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which is the largest landlocked salt water lake in India?

  • AChital Lake
  • BSambhar LakeCorrect answer
  • CVembanad Lake
  • DChilika Lake
  • EPulicat Lake

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Sambhar Lake) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which is the largest landlocked salt water lake in India? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why B. “Sambhar Lake” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Chital Lake”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Vembanad Lake”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Chilika Lake”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Pulicat Lake”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q79General Knowledge / Current Affairs·History & Polity

Which Indian state enjoys special provisions under Article 371(D)?

  • AAndhra PradeshCorrect answer
  • BMeghalaya
  • CTripura
  • DArunachal Pradesh
  • EJharkhand

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Andhra Pradesh) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which Indian state enjoys special provisions under Article 371(D)? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Andhra Pradesh” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Meghalaya”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Tripura”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Arunachal Pradesh”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Jharkhand”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q80General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which Indian bank was the FIRST to issue “Green Bonds” for financing renewable and clean energy projects?

  • AICICI Bank
  • BState Bank of India
  • CYes BankCorrect answer
  • DAxis Bank
  • EBandhan Bank

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Yes Bank) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which Indian bank was the FIRST to issue “Green Bonds” for financing renewable and clean energy projects? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why C. “Yes Bank” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“ICICI Bank”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“State Bank of India”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Axis Bank”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Bandhan Bank”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q81General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which Indian state has different capitals in summer and winter?

  • AMizoram
  • BMaharashtra
  • CUttarakhandCorrect answer
  • DSikkim
  • EGujarat

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Uttarakhand) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which Indian state has different capitals in summer and winter? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why C. “Uttarakhand” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Mizoram”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Maharashtra”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Sikkim”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Gujarat”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q82General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

When Coca Cola exited India, which cola brand was created and marketed by the Government of India to provide jobs to those who earlier were employed by Coca Cola?

  • ACampa Cola
  • BDouble Cola
  • CBovonto
  • DDouble SevenCorrect answer
  • EThums Up

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Double Seven) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. When Coca Cola exited India, which cola brand was created and marketed by the Government of India to provide jobs to those who earlier were employed by Coca Cola? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “Double Seven” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Campa Cola”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Double Cola”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Bovonto”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Thums Up”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q83General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

What does the book "Silent Spring" (1962) by Rachel Carson highlight?

  • AThe adverse health effects caused by the indiscriminate use of lead in fuels
  • BThe adverse environmental effects caused by the indiscriminate use of plastics
  • CThe adverse environmental effects caused by the indiscriminate destruction of forests
  • DThe adverse health effects caused by the ozone layer depletion
  • EThe adverse environmental effects caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticidesCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. What does the book "Silent Spring" (1962) by Rachel Carson highlight? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why E. “The adverse environmental effects caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticides” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“The adverse health effects caused by the indiscriminate use of lead in fuels”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“The adverse environmental effects caused by the indiscriminate use of plastics”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“The adverse environmental effects caused by the indiscriminate destruction of forests”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“The adverse health effects caused by the ozone layer depletion”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q84General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK
TravelersRulers
A. Fa-HienP. Mohammed Bin Tughlaq
B. Huien TsangQ. Chandragupta II
C. MegasthenesR. HarshaVardhana
D. Thomas RoeS. Jehangir
E. Ibn BattutaT. Chandragupta Maurya

Match the following foreign travelers with the rulers of that period.

  • AABCDE-RQSPT
  • BABCDE-QRTSPCorrect answer
  • CABCDE-PQRST
  • DABCDE-PRTQS
  • EABCDE-RPQTS

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (ABCDE-QRTSP) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Match the following foreign travelers with the rulers of that period. Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why B. “ABCDE-QRTSP” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“ABCDE-RQSPT”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“ABCDE-PQRST”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“ABCDE-PRTQS”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“ABCDE-RPQTS”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q85General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

What does the “Earth Overshoot Day” indicate?

  • AIt marks the date when humanity’s demand for material resources in a given year
  • BIt marks the date when humanity’s demand for non-material resources in a given year
  • CIt marks the date when the Earth’s axis changes during its annual orbit around the Sun
  • DIt marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in aCorrect answer
  • EIt marks the date when humanity’s demand for natural resources and services in a given

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. What does the “Earth Overshoot Day” indicate? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “It marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“It marks the date when humanity’s demand for material resources in a given year”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“It marks the date when humanity’s demand for non-material resources in a given year”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“It marks the date when the Earth’s axis changes during its annual orbit around the Sun”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“It marks the date when humanity’s demand for natural resources and services in a given”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q86General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

In which state was the first ever environmental referendum held?

  • AOdishaCorrect answer
  • BMadhya Pradesh
  • CMaharashtra
  • DChhattisgarh
  • EJharkhand

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Odisha) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. In which state was the first ever environmental referendum held? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Odisha” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Madhya Pradesh”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Maharashtra”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Chhattisgarh”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Jharkhand”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q87General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Geography & Environment

What did India commit to achieve under the Paris Climate Agreement (2015) as outlined in its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions report submitted to the UNFCCC?

  • AReduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levelsCorrect answer
  • BReduce the energy intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels
  • CReduce the material intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels
  • DReduce the water intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels
  • EReduce the pesticide intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. What did India commit to achieve under the Paris Climate Agreement (2015) as outlined in its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions report submitted to the UNFCCC? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Reduce the energy intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Reduce the material intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Reduce the water intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Reduce the pesticide intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q88General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which organization’s mascot was R.K. Lakshman’s “the common man”?

  • AKhadi Gramodyog Limited
  • BAsian Paints
  • CNerolac Paints
  • DAir DeccanCorrect answer
  • EHMT

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Air Deccan) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which organization’s mascot was R.K. Lakshman’s “the common man”? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “Air Deccan” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Khadi Gramodyog Limited”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Asian Paints”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Nerolac Paints”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“HMT”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q89General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Awards & Personalities

Who among the following was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay award in 2019?

  • AT.M. KrishnaCorrect answer
  • BFayed Souza
  • CShekhar Gupta
  • DArnab Goswami
  • ERavish Kumar

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (T.M. Krishna) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Who among the following was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay award in 2019? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “T.M. Krishna” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Fayed Souza”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Shekhar Gupta”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Arnab Goswami”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Ravish Kumar”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q90General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK
Folk Theater FormsAssociated States
A. TherukoothuP. Odisha
B. KoodiyattamQ. Maharashtra
C. BhavaiR. Kerala
D. TamashaS. Tamil Nadu
E. JatraT. Gujarat

Match the following folk theater forms with their associated states.

  • AABCDE-RSTQP
  • BABCDE-RSTPQ
  • CABCDE-PQRST
  • DABCDE-SRTQPCorrect answer
  • EABCDE-QSTRP

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (ABCDE-SRTQP) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Match the following folk theater forms with their associated states. Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “ABCDE-SRTQP” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“ABCDE-RSTQP”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“ABCDE-RSTPQ”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“ABCDE-PQRST”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“ABCDE-QSTRP”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q91General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

In which Indian state is Sriharikota located?

  • ATamil Nadu
  • BOdisha
  • CTelangana
  • DAndhra PradeshCorrect answer
  • EKerala

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Andhra Pradesh) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. In which Indian state is Sriharikota located? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “Andhra Pradesh” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Tamil Nadu”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Odisha”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Telangana”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Kerala”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q92General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK
AuthorsWorks
A. Shashi TharoorP. The Suitable Boy
B. Salman RushdieQ. Sea of Poppies
C. Vikram SethR. Inglorious Empire
D. Arundhati RoyS. Shalimar the Clown
E. Amitav GhoshT. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

Match the following authors with their works.

  • AABCDE-SRPTQ
  • BABCDE-PQRST
  • CABCDE-TSPRQ
  • DABCDE-TRQSP
  • EABCDE-RSPTQCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (ABCDE-RSPTQ) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Match the following authors with their works. Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why E. “ABCDE-RSPTQ” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“ABCDE-SRPTQ”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“ABCDE-PQRST”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“ABCDE-TSPRQ”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“ABCDE-TRQSP”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q93General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which deer is also known as “the dancing deer” of Manipur?

  • AWhite tailed deer
  • BChital
  • CSangaiCorrect answer
  • DHog deer
  • ESambar

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Sangai) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which deer is also known as “the dancing deer” of Manipur? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why C. “Sangai” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“White tailed deer”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Chital”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Hog deer”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Sambar”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q94General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

The phrase “How dare you?” is BEST associated with:

  • AGreta ThunbergCorrect answer
  • BEmmanuel Macron
  • CBoris Johnson
  • DMichelle Obama
  • EMalala Yousafzai

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Greta Thunberg) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. The phrase “How dare you?” is BEST associated with: Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Greta Thunberg” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Emmanuel Macron”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Boris Johnson”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Michelle Obama”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Malala Yousafzai”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q95General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

“Rakhigarhi” is associated with:

  • ARaksha Bandhan
  • BMayan civilization
  • CKalasha people
  • DIrrawaddy civilization
  • EIndus valley civilizationCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Indus valley civilization) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. “Rakhigarhi” is associated with: Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why E. “Indus valley civilization” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Raksha Bandhan”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Mayan civilization”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Kalasha people”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Irrawaddy civilization”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q96General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

In which Indian state did president Ram Nath Kovind serve as Governor?

  • AUttar Pradesh
  • BWest Bengal
  • CJharkhand
  • DChhattisgarh
  • EBiharCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Bihar) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. In which Indian state did president Ram Nath Kovind serve as Governor? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why E. “Bihar” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Uttar Pradesh”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“West Bengal”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Jharkhand”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Chhattisgarh”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q97General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which Indian startup was acquired by Walmart?

  • AOla
  • BBig Bazaar
  • CMakemytrip
  • DFlipkartCorrect answer
  • EBig Basket

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Flipkart) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which Indian startup was acquired by Walmart? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “Flipkart” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Ola”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Big Bazaar”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Makemytrip”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Big Basket”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q98General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Current Affairs

Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo have been recently awarded with:

  • AThe Man Booker PrizeCorrect answer
  • BThe Costa Book Awards
  • CThe Hugo Award
  • DThe Pulitzer Prize
  • EThe Nobel Prize

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (The Man Booker Prize) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo have been recently awarded with: Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “The Man Booker Prize” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“The Costa Book Awards”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“The Hugo Award”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“The Pulitzer Prize”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“The Nobel Prize”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q99General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Omuamua is:

  • AAn interstellar objectCorrect answer
  • BNASA’s spaceship to Pluto
  • CA small primate
  • DA Buddhist chant
  • EA character in the TV series “Star Trek”

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (An interstellar object) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Omuamua is: Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “An interstellar object” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“NASA’s spaceship to Pluto”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“A small primate”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“A Buddhist chant”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“A character in the TV series “Star Trek””) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q100General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which of the following rivers does not cross international borders?

  • ARavi
  • BGanga
  • CBrahmaputra
  • DTapiCorrect answer
  • ETeesta

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Tapi) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which of the following rivers does not cross international borders? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “Tapi” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Ravi”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Ganga”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Brahmaputra”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Teesta”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.

Answer key

Quick reference — click a question number to jump to the full solution.

Q#SectionAnswerTopic
1Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningDVerbal Ability
2Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningBVerbal Ability
3Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningDVerbal Ability
4Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningBVerbal Ability
5Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningEReading Comprehension
6Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningDVerbal Ability
7Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningBVerbal Ability
8Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningDReading Comprehension
9Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningEReading Comprehension
10Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCReading Comprehension
11Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCReading Comprehension
12Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
13Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
14Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningBReading Comprehension
15Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningEReading Comprehension
16Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningEReading Comprehension
17Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
18Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningEReading Comprehension
19Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
20Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
21Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
22Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningEReading Comprehension
23Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningDReading Comprehension
24Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningBReading Comprehension
25Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCReading Comprehension
26Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningBReading Comprehension
27Decision MakingADecision Making
28Decision MakingEDecision Making
29Decision MakingBDecision Making
30Decision MakingADecision Making
31Decision MakingCDecision Making
32Decision MakingCDecision Making
33Decision MakingADecision Making
34Decision MakingEDecision Making
35Decision MakingDDecision Making
36Decision MakingCDecision Making
37Decision MakingCDecision Making
38Decision MakingEDecision Making
39Decision MakingBDecision Making
40Decision MakingCDecision Making
41Decision MakingCDecision Making
42Decision MakingBDecision Making
43Decision MakingCDecision Making
44Decision MakingADecision Making
45Decision MakingCDecision Making
46Decision MakingADecision Making
47Decision MakingADecision Making
48Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
49Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationCQuantitative Ability
50Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDQuantitative Ability
51Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
52Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDQuantitative Ability
53Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEQuantitative Ability
54Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEQuantitative Ability
55Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAQuantitative Ability
56Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDQuantitative Ability
57Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
58Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAQuantitative Ability
59Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationCQuantitative Ability
60Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEQuantitative Ability
61Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBData Interpretation
62Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
63Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAQuantitative Ability
64Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
65Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationCData Interpretation
66Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAQuantitative Ability
67Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEQuantitative Ability
68Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
69Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
70Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDData Interpretation
71Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEData Interpretation
72Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBData Interpretation
73Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDData Interpretation
74Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationCData Interpretation
75Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
76General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
77General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
78General KnowledgeBGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
79General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
80General KnowledgeCGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
81General KnowledgeCGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
82General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
83General KnowledgeEGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
84General KnowledgeBGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
85General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
86General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
87General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
88General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
89General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
90General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
91General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
92General KnowledgeEGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
93General KnowledgeCGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
94General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
95General KnowledgeEGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
96General KnowledgeEGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
97General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
98General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
99General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
100General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are there in XAT 2020?

XAT 2020 has 100 questions across Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, with a total duration of 3h.

Is this the official XAT 2020 question paper?

Yes — this page hosts the past-year XAT paper for 2020, with the full question set, answer key, and explanations for revision.

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Yes. Every question shows the correct answer, with a collapsible explanation. A full answer-key table is also available at the bottom of the page.

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