2019 CSAT, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2019 · CSAT

Question 32: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

In a school, 60% students play cricket. A student who does not play cricket, plays football. Every football player has got a two-wheeler. Which of the following conclusions cannot be drawn from the above data ?

  1. 1.60% of the students do not have two-wheelers.
  2. 2.No cricketer has a two-wheeler.
  3. 3.Cricket players do not play football.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

a1 and 2 only
b2 and 3 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The data say only that the 40% who do not play cricket play football and so own two-wheelers. They do not say whether cricketers also play football or own two-wheelers. So we cannot conclude that 60% lack two-wheelers (some cricketers may have one), that no cricketer has one, or that cricketers never play football. None of the three can be drawn, which is why the answer is all three.

  • 1. Cannot be drawn, so it is picked: cricketers may also own two-wheelers.
  • 2. Cannot be drawn, so it is picked: nothing is said about cricketers' two-wheelers.
  • 3. Cannot be drawn, so it is picked: a cricketer may also play football.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: Cannot be drawn, so it is picked: cricketers may also own two-wheelers.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: Cannot be drawn, so it is picked: nothing is said about cricketers' two-wheelers.

  3. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.

    What you needed to know: Cannot be drawn, so it is picked: a cricketer may also play football.

Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: conclusion 3 also cannot be drawn.
  • (b) Wrong: conclusion 1 also cannot be drawn.
  • (c) Wrong: conclusion 2 also cannot be drawn.
  • (d) Right: all three conclusions are unsupported.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.