UPSC Prelims 2012 · CSAT
Question 42: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability
Four political parties W, X, Y and Z decided to set up a joint candidate for the coming parliamentary elections. The formula agreed by them was the acceptance of a candidate by most of the parties. Four aspiring candidates, A, B, C and D approached the parties for their tickets. A was acceptable to W but not to Z. B was acceptable to Y but not to X. C was acceptable to W and Y. D was acceptable to W and X.
When candidate B was preferred by W and Z, candidate C was preferred by X and Z, and candidate A was acceptable to X but not to Y; who got the ticket ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The formula is acceptance by most of the four parties, so count acceptances. A has W and X, two. B has Y, W and Z, three, but not X. C has W and Y from the start, and X and Z from the later preferences, so all four. D has W and X, two. C is accepted by every party and by more than any other candidate, while B reaches only three. So C gets the ticket.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. A is accepted by only W and X.
- (b) Wrong. B is accepted by Y, W and Z, three parties, fewer than C.
- (c) Right. C is accepted by W, Y, X and Z, more than any other candidate.
- (d) Wrong. D is accepted by only W and X.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.