UPSC Prelims 2014 · CSAT

Question 63: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

Given the statement : “Buses are the cause of more accidents than cars, and trucks cause fewer accidents than buses”, which of the following conclusions can we draw ?

aThere are more buses on the road than trucks.

bCar drivers are more careful than bus drivers.

cTruck drivers are more skilled than either car or bus drivers.

dNone of the above

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The statement compares accident counts, but says nothing about how many buses, trucks or cars are on the road, how far they travel, or how skilled or careful their drivers are. More accidents could simply come from more vehicles. So no conclusion about numbers of vehicles or driver quality follows, and none of the three conclusions can be drawn.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Fewer accidents by trucks need not mean fewer trucks than buses; vehicle numbers are not given.
(b) Driver care is not measured by accident totals alone.
(c) Skill is not shown; accident totals depend on much else.
(d) Right. None of the conclusions follows from the totals alone.

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.