2016 CSAT, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2016 · CSAT

Question 11: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

There were 50 faculty members comprising 30 males and the rest females. No male faculty member knew music, but many of the female faculty members did. The Head of the institution invited six faculty members to a tea party by draw of lots. At the party it was discovered that no member knew music. The conclusion is that :

athe party comprised male faculty members only
bthe party comprised only those female faculty members who could not give renderings in music
cthe party comprised both male and female faculty members
dnothing can be said about the gender composition of the party

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

Of 50 faculty, 30 are male and 20 female. No male knows music; some females do and some do not. Six drawn by lot all know no music. That outcome can occur if all six are men, if all six are women who do not know music, or with a mix of both, since each of them knows no music. So nothing is forced about the gender mix. Remember: a conclusion holds only if it is true in every case consistent with the facts.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Possible but not forced; women who do not know music also fit.
  • (b) Possible but not forced; men also know no music.
  • (c) Possible but not forced; the party could be all one sex.
  • (d) Right: all-male, all-female (non-music) and mixed parties all fit the facts.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.