UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies
Question 148: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability
Examine the following statements: I. All members of Mohan’s family are honest. II. Some members of Mohan’s family are not employed. III. Some employed persons are not honest. IV. Some honest persons are not employed. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Statement I says every member of Mohan's family is honest. So any member who is employed must be honest, which is inference (b). Statement II says some members are not employed, which rules out (a). Statements III and IV are about people in general, not about the family. (c) and (d) do not follow: (d) contradicts I, and (c) says honest members are not employed, though some may be.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) II says some members are not employed.
- (b) Right: every member is honest (I), so the employed members are honest.
- (c) Only some members are not employed; others may be employed.
- (d) Contradicts I, which says all members are honest.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1998, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.