UPSC Prelims 2014 · CSAT

Question 40: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

Consider the following matrix :

Which one of the following figures fits into the blank part of the above matrix ?

A 3 by 3 matrix of small boxes each holding two arrows (up or down, or one pointing sideways), with the bottom middle box blank, followed by four option boxes (a) to (d) each holding two arrows. The options are pictures.

aFigure (a)

bFigure (b)

cFigure (c)

dFigure (d)

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Treat each cell as a left arrow and a right arrow. In every row the left arrows run up, up, down across the three cells, so the blank's left arrow is up. The right arrows in the end cells of a row match and the middle one is the opposite (up, down, up; right, left, right). Row three has down at both ends, so the middle right arrow is up. The blank is up, up.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Has a right-pointing arrow, but row three's arrows are vertical.
(b) Right. Left arrow up, right arrow up.
(c) Its right arrow points down, but the middle one must be opposite to the down ends.
(d) Its left arrow points down, but in the first two cells of each row the left arrow is up.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.