UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies
Question 139: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability
In a group of five people—K, L and M are ambitious; M, N and R are honest; L, M and N are intelligent and K, N and R are industrious. Among these, neither industrious nor ambitious person(s) would include
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Ambitious: K, L, M. Industrious: K, N, R. Together they cover K, L, M, N and R, which is everyone: K is both, L and M are ambitious, N and R are industrious. So nobody is neither industrious nor ambitious. Honest and intelligent do not matter here. Remember: take the union of the two sets and see who is left out.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. K is both industrious and ambitious.
- (b) Wrong. L is ambitious and R is industrious.
- (c) Wrong. M is ambitious and N is industrious.
- (d) Right. Everyone is at least one of the two.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.