VST-40FOR OAS 2019

(PRILIMINARY EXAM)
ANSWER FULL LENGTH GS-2

1. Read the following passages and answer the items that follow. Your answer to these items
should be based on the passages only.
Passage 1:
Money is power. Nobody knew this better than the kings of the ancient world. That’s why they
gavethemselves an absolute monopoly on minting moolah. They turned shiny metal into coins,
paid theirsoldiers and their soldiers bought things at local stores. The king then sent their soldiers
to themerchants with a simple message: “Pay your taxes in this coin or we’ll kill you.” That’s
almost theentire history of money in one paragraph. Coercion and control of the supply with
violence, aka the“violence hack.” The one hack to rule them all.When power passed from
monarchs to nation-states, distributing power from one strongman to a smallgroup of strongmen,
the power to print money passed to the state. Anyone who tried to create theirown money got
crushed. The reason is simple: Centralized enemies are easy to destroy with a“decapitation
attack.” Cut off the head of the snake and that’s the end of anyone who would darechallenge the
power of the state and its divine right to create coins.
Q. Which of the following is the most logical and crucial inference that can be drawn from the
passage?
A. Violence has always been used by the state to make its citizens comply
B. State has always endeavoured to keep money supply under its control for the sake of
maintaining their power
C. The age old adage that money is power is true for every society
D. Money control is required by the state to keep the system of taxation running
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
The focus of the passage is on establishing that money is power and how states have always tried
toexert control over money supply. This has been done by states to stay in power and ensure
thatdecentralized hamlets of power do not crop up. This message is present in B.
2. Which of the following option best paints the scenario that the state is trying to avoid?
A. Fiat currency loses its value due to hyperinflation
B. Banking system may collapse
C. Technological innovations like Blockchain may redefine how money is minted
D. People may refuse to comply with state’s directive
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
The passage talks about how state is trying to maintain its control over money by having the
soleright to mint it. In case Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies gain acceptance, the power of state
onmoney supply will diminish, which the state is trying to avoid. Hence C
3. There are 40 students in a hostel. Each student has to do mess duty for 8 days. If the mess duty
starts on 01-06-2018, then on what date does the last student end his duty?
A. 15-04-2019
B. 16-04-2019
C. 17-04-2019
D. 18-04-2019
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
6

The number of days on which the students do mess duty = 40 × 8 = 320.

We have to find 320th day from 01-06-2018, which is 1st day.
Instead of counting 320th day from 01-06-2018, we can count backwards from 01-06-2019, which
will be 366th day.
We need to subtract 46 days from 01-06-2019 to get 320th day.
01-05-2019 is 31 days less from 01-06-2019. So, 01-05-2019 is (366-31)th or 335th day.
We have to subtract 15 days from 01-05-2019.
So, 16-04-2019 is 320th day.

4. There are 8 teams in IPL. Each team will play against every other team twice. The top four
teams in terms of number of wins will qualify for the playoffs round. So, at the least how many
matches must a team win to surely qualify for the playoffs round? (Assume that all matches will
have results in win/lose.)
A. 8
B. 7
C. 9
D. 12
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification :
Assumption: If all teams win equal number of matches:
In 56 matches, 8 teams will win in exactly 7 matches each.
This will necessitate the other criteria to decide which four teams will qualify for playoffs.
So, if a team wins 8 matches, it will find a sure place in top four teams which will qualify for
playoffs.

5. In a competitive exam, a minimum is to be scored in each of the 4 sections to qualify the cut-
offs. In how many ways can a candidate fail to secure the cut-offs?
A. 4
B. 3
C. 15
D. 12
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :

6. Passage 2:
It could be said that the first few years of this current tech boom were fueled by mostly
harmless,relatively easy products — websites for sharing your photos, for looking up stuff, for
connecting withold friends. And the people who made them were seen as mostly good people.Yet
this feel-good perception has slowly and then suddenly disappeared. Users have begun to
regardonce trusted sites with suspicion over issues of privacy. The same reporters who previously
lavishedunthinking praise on every new startup now search with equal enthusiasm for scandals
and mistakes.Those once harmless social networks, now at a scale unprecedented in human
history, no longer lookso innocent. The acronym we have for what were once upstarts or
underdogs — Facebook to Amazon toNetflix to Google — hints at the now ominous nature of their
place in the world, F.A.N.G.

2
6

Q. Which of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be drawn from the
passage?
A. Tech companies have been rocked by several scandals which has diminished people’s trust in
them
B. Society overall has become overtly critical of anything which is new and seems unfamiliar
C. Power has gotten into the head of tech start-ups who have starting caring two hoots about
concerns like privacy
D. Data is the new gold, a fact which is being exploited by internet based companies
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification :
The passage explains that the scandals that have rocked “FANG” has led to vigorous debated
onissues like privacy etc. People have started mistrusting Facebook etc because of scandals
likeCambridge Analytica. A is thus the most appropriate.

7. The sum of four numbers is 48. When 5 and 1 are added to the first two and 3 & 7 are
subtracted from the 3rd and 4th, the numbers will be equal. The numbers are
(a) 4, 12, 12, 20
(b) 5, 11, 13, 19
(c) 6, 10, 14, 18
(d) None of these
Ans : (c)

8 What is the sum of the integers from 57 to 98?

A. 3100
B. 3157
C. 3198
D. 3255
Correct Answer : D
Answer Justification :
The sum of the numbers in series = Average of the series × Number of numbers
= ((57+98)/2)×(98-57+1)
= (155/2)×42
= 155×21
= 3255

9. In 2004, Rashi was thrice as old as her brother Rishi. In 2014, Rashi was only 6 years older
than her
brother. In which year was Rashi born?
A. 1995
B. 2005
C. 1985
D. 1989
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification:
In 2004: Let the age of Rashi be ‘x’ years and the age of Rishi be ‘y’ years.

3
6

So, we have x = 3y
Also, Rashi is 6 years older than Rishi i.e. x = y + 6
Equating values of x, we get
3y = y+6
2y = 6
y = 3 years.
Rashi’s age in 2004 = x = 3y = 9 years.
Rashi’s birth year = 2004 – 9 = 1995.

10. Passage 3:
This is the nature of world-altering success. It’s easy to be good when the stakes (and the
valuations)are low. We can count on it as an immutable law of history: in any space where fame
and fortune andpower are up for grabs, Machiavelli eventually makes his appearance. Even if you
started as the littleguy or you were certified as a B Corp or put ‘Don’t Be Evil’ in your public
filing documents.
Q. Based on your understanding of the passage, which of the following assumption(s) have been
made in the passage?
1. As one becomes successful, the value of principles and ethics decline
2. All people after becoming successful change their belief system
Choose the correct answer using the code given below
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
Statement1 is what the author is assuming when he says that Machiavelli makes an appearance.
Statement 2 is implied as the author says its an immutable law of history.

11. In a certain village, 22% of the families own a 2-wheeler, 18% own a mobile phone and 128
families own both 2-wheeler and mobile phone. If 68% of the families neither own a 2-wheeler
nor a mobile phone, then the total number of families living in the village is:
A. 2000
B. 800
C. 1600
D. 3200
Correct Answer : C

12. Out of 15 salesmen, 3 salesmen have to be awarded top performer-1, top-performer-2 and top
performer-3. In how many ways the awards can be given?
A. 1728
B. 3856
C. 2730
D. 1320
Correct Answer : C

4
6

13. Passage 4:
Since Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers, popularized the concept, many now believe that to
becomeworld-class in a skill, they must complete 10,000 hours of deliberate practice in order to
beat thecompetition, going as deep as possible into one field. Modern polymaths like Elon Musk,
Steve Jobsgo against the grain of this popular advice, building atypical combinations of skills and
knowledgeacross fields and then integrating them to create breakthrough ideas and even brand
new fields andindustries where there is little competition.
Q. Which of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be drawn from the
passage?
A. Specialists find it difficult to succeed in a world where diversity of knowledge is more
important than depth of knowledge
B. Being a polymath is a recipe for success in modern knowledge economies
C. The future belongs to the integrators, those who are willing to think across different disciplines
and scales.
D. None of the above
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
A is wrong as the passage is talking about polymaths which can’t not be generalized for
specialists as well. B is wrong as being a polymath was useful even in earlier years as is evident
by theexamples. C is correct based on the reading of the passage.

14. A, B, C, D, E and F compared their marks. A scored the highest marks, B scored more than D.
C scored more than at least two others and E had not scored the lowest. Which of the following
statements would be sufficient to identify the one with the lowest marks?
Statement 1: Exactly two members scored less than C.
Statement 2: E and F scored the same marks.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
A. Statement 1 only
B. Statement 2 only
C. Both statements 1 and statement 2
D. Neither statement 1 nor statement 2
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
From the given data, we can draw following inference: In decreasing order of marks:
A _ _ C _ _ or A _ C_ _ _ or AC _ _ _ _
Considering the statement 1:
Possible arrangement is A _ _ C _ _
Anyone of D and F can occupy the last place.
Hence, the statement 1 only is not sufficient to identify the one with the lowest marks.
Considering the statement 1:
The possible arrangements are:
A>E=F>C>B>D or A>B>C>E=F>D or A>C>E=F>B>D
Only statement 2 is sufficient to identify D as the one with the lowest marks.

5
6

15. A rectangular floor of dimensions 11.5m×9.5m has to be covered with tiles of fixed sizes
1m×1m and 0.5m×0.5m tiles. Every 1m×1m tile costs Rs.100 whereas 0.5m×0.5m tile costs
Rs.30. What will be the minimum cost of covering entire floor with tiles?(Tiles can’t be cut)
A. Rs.11130
B. Rs.10930
C. Rs.13110
D. Rs.10925
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification :
The area of the floor = 11.5m×9.5m = 109.25 sq. m.
The 1m×1m tiles can be fit only in the maximum area of 11m×9m i.e. 99 sq. m.
Number of 1m×1m tiles required = 99
The area left = 109.25 – 99 = 10.25 sq. m.
Area of each 0.5m×0.5m tile = 0.5×0.5 = 0.25 sq. m.
Number of 0.5m×0.5m tiles required = 10.25/0.25 = 41
The total cost = 99×100 + 41×30 = 9900+1230 = Rs.11130.
16. A water tank has X inlet pipes and Y outlet pipes. Each inlet pipe can fill the tank in 8 hours
while each outlet pipe can empty the full tank in 12 hours. If all pipes are let open simultaneously,
it takes 6 hours to fill the empty tank. What are the possible values of X and Y respectively?
A. 2 and 1
B. 4 and 4
C. 6 and 7
D. All the above
Correct Answer : D
Answer Justification :
One inlet pipe can fill the empty tank in 8 hours i.e. one inlet pipe can fill 1/8 of the tank in 1
hour.
So, X inlet pipes can fill the X/8 of the tank in 1 hour.
One outlet pipe can empty the full tank in 12 hours i.e. one outlet pipe can empty 1/12 of the tank
in
1 hour.
So, Y outlet pipes can empty Y/12 of the tank in 1 hour.
The effective work by X inlet pipes and Y outlet pipes in 1 hour = (X/8) – (Y/12)
Also, (X/8) – (Y/12) = 1/6
On multiplying 24 on both sides, we get
3X – 2Y = 4
This equation can have many solutions.
We have to substitute the values of X and Y in the equation and verify.
On doing that options (a), (b) and (c) are correct.
Hence, the answer is (d).

17. Passage 5:
Experts seem unanimous that India is certainly a regional power. But is it? Recent events do not
lendsupport to that view and the government was right in not paying heed to that rhetoric. India
iswithout doubt the pre-eminent power in South Asia. However, given our firm commitment not

6
6

to useforce and to non-interference in internal affairs in other states, our neighbours do not feel
threatenedby us.
Q. Which of the following is the most logical and rational corollary to the above passage?
A. India being a regional behemoth needs to adopt a tough approach towards its immediate
neighbours
B. India’s policy of being a benevolent regional power has not served it well and should
betinkered with
C. India needs to be wary of Chinese presence in its neighbourhood considering our neighbours
do not feel threatened by us
D. The concept of hard power is outdated and a more constructive role is expected of regional and
global powers
Correct Answer : D
Answer Justification :
A is wrong as the passage never states that it is good for neighbours to feel threatened by us. B
iswrong as the implication is similar to a. C is wrong as Chinese threat is beyond the discussion of
thepassage. D is correct as the passage does suggest that despite neighbours not feeling threatened
byus, we are still a regional power, which implies that hard power is not enough.

18. Passage 6:
A researcher from the University of California, Santa Barbara, David Cleveland, set out to find
exactlywhat sorts of environmental effects gardening can have. And his findings, published in the
journalLandscape and Urban Planning, are bold: For every kilogram of vegetables you grow
yourself, you’rereducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2 kilograms, compared to buying from the
store.Of course, the findings get more complicated. The density of vegetables planted matters,
because thegreenhouse gas emissions were calculated by square meter. The use of grey water—
not-dirty-but-notclean-either water, like reused water from the shower or sink—can also have a
big effect on theenvironmental output, too. Interestingly, composting at home doesn’t necessarily
translate togreenhouse gas savings. The study found that unless very carefully maintained, the
methane andnitrous oxide emitted by decomposing compost can throw off the whole goal of
reducing emissions.Sending organic waste to a processor that captures those gases to use for
power could be a betteroption.
Q. Based on your understanding of the passage, which of the following statement(s) is/are true?
1. Composting while beneficial for waste management, might aid global warming
2. It is cheaper to buy vegetables as compared to growing your own
3. Grey water harvesting is more beneficial for gardening as compared to using treated water
Choose the correct answer using the code given below
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 only
D. 1 only
Correct Answer : D
Answer Justification :
Statement2 is wrong as it is not implied in the passage. Statement 3 is wrong as grey water usage
ismore beneficial for environment and not gardening per se. Hence Statement 1 only is correct

7
6

19. The salary of Ram and Rahim is 20% and 30% less than the salary of Robert, respectively. By
what
per cent is the salary of Ram more than the salary of Rahim?
A. 17.5%
B. 12.5%
C. 14.28%
D. 15.18%
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
Let the salary of Robert be Rs.100.
Then, the salary of Ram and Rahim is Rs.80 and Rs.70.
Salary of Ram is Rs.10 more than the salary of Rahim.
Salary of Ram is ((10/70)×100)% more than the salary of Rahim.
Salary of Ram is 14.28% more than the salary of Rahim.

20. Directions for questions 20 and 21:

In each question, there are three statements given followed by two conclusions. Consider the
given
statements to be true even if they seem to be at variance from the commonly known facts and then
decide which of the given conclusions logically follow/s the given statements disregarding
commonly
known facts:
Q. Statements:
1.No lawyer is a court.
2.All courts are jails.
3.All jails are stations.
Conclusions:
1. All courts are stations.
2.All jails can never be a lawyer.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
A. Only 1 follows.
B. Only 2 follows.
C. Both 1 and 2 follow.
D. Neither 1 nor 2 follows.
Correct Answer : C

21. Statements:
1. Some flats are apartments.
2. No apartment is a hall.
3. Some halls are rooms.
Conclusions:
1. At least some rooms are flats.
2. No apartment is a room.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:

8
6

A. Only 1 follows.
B. Only 2 follows.
C. Both 1 and 2 follow.
D. Neither 1 nor 2 follows.
Correct Answer : D

22. Passage 7:
China’s entry into the South Asian region has opened up new avenues for smaller neighbours
whichcan be leveraged in their dealings with India. As a result, the very idea of what South
Asiangeography means is undergoing a change. It is not without reason that the idea of the Bay of
BengalInitiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation is gaining currency in
Indian policymaking. It can potentially allow India to break through the straitjacket of the
traditional confines ofSouth Asia and leverage its Bay of Bengal identity to link up with the wider
Southeast Asian region.
Q. Which among the following is the most logical and critical inference that can be made from the
passage?
A. Geography is an imagined construct
B. BIMSTEC represents an opportunity for India which SAARC never offered
C. BIMSTEC presents the opportunity for India to reimagine its strategic geography altogether.
D. None of the above
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
A is correct but is not the most critical, rather a more general inference. B is wrong as the
passageis not making a comparison between SAARC and BIMSTEC – both have their own
opportunities andchallenges. C is correct and is an extension of A which is more accurate.

23. A, B, C and D purchased a start-up for Rs.28 lakhs. The contribution of B, C and D together is
460% of that of A alone. The contribution of A, C and D together is 180% of that of B and the
contribution of C is 40% of that of A, B and D together. The amount contributed by D is :
A. 8 lakhs
B. 10 lakhs
C. 5 lakhs
D. None of the above
Correct Answer: C
Answer Justification :
Let the contributions of A, B, C and D be ‘a’, ‘b’, ‘c’ and ‘d’ respectively.
From the given data,
a + b + c + d = 28 lakhs (1)
b + c + d = 460% of a = 4.6a (2)
a + c + d = 180% of b = 1.8b (3)
40% of (a + b + d) = c
(a + b + d) = 2.5c (4)
Add ‘a’ on both sides of equation (2), we get
a + b + c + d = 5.6a
Equating this with (1), we get

9
6

5.6a = 28 lakhs
a = 5 lakhs
Add ‘b’ on both sides of equation (3), we get
a + b + c + d = 2.8b
Equating this with (1), we get
2.8b = 28 lakhs
b = 10 lakhs
Add ‘b’ on both sides of equation (4), we get
a + b + c + d = 3.5c
Equating this with (1), we get
3.5c = 28 lakhs
c = 8 lakhs
Substitute values of a, b and c in (1)
5 + 10 + 8 + d = 28 lakhs
d = 5 lakhs.
The amount contributed by D = 5 lakhs

24. M is twice efficient as N and N can do a piece of work in 15 days. N started the work and after
a few days M joined him. They completed the work in 11 days, from the starting. For how many
days did they work together?
A. 1 day
B. 2 days
C. 6 days
D. 9 days
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
Answer Justification:
N can finish 1/15 of the work in 1 day.
Then, M can finish 2/15 work in 1 day.
N has started the work and will work all 11 days.
Work done by N = 11/15 of the work
Work done by M = 1 – (11/15) = 4/15
Number of days M has worked = (4/15)/(2/15) = 2.
Thus, both M and N have worked together for 2 days.

25. Mahesh sells Mysore Pak at Rs.150 per kg. A Mysore Pak is made up of besan and ghee in the
ratio 5:3. The ratio of per kg price of ghee and besan is 7:3. Thus he earns 2/3rd profit on his input
cost. What is the cost per kg of ghee?
A. Rs.90
B. Rs.60
C. Rs.100
D. Rs.140
Correct Answer : D
Answer Justification :
If Mahesh makes 2/3rd profit on input cost, then SP is (1+(2/3)) of CP.

10
6

i.e. SP = (5/3) of CP
CP = (3/5) of SP
CP = (3/5) of 150
CP = Rs.90 per kg
Per kg price of ghee and besan be Rs.7x and Rs.3x respectively.
Let the quantity of ghee and besan be 3y kg and 5y kg respectively.
Input cost for (3y+5y) kg of Mysore Pak = (7x×3y) + (3x×5y) = 21xy + 15xy = Rs.36xy
Input cost for a kg of Mysore Pak = 36xy/8y = Rs.4.5x
But Input cost per kg = CP = Rs.90
Thus, 4.5x = 90
x = 20
Cost per kg of ghee = 7x = 7×20 = Rs.140.

26. A train travelling at 90 km/h crosses a platform in 20s and a man standing on the platform in
10s.
What is the length of the platform in metres?
A. 250m
B. 500m
C. 125m
D. 200m
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification :
We have to convert unit km/h into m/s.
Therefore, 90 km/h = 90/3.6 m/s = 25 m/s
The time taken by train to cross the standing man = 10s = Length of train/Speed of train
Length of the train = Speed of the train × 10s = 25 m/s × 10s = 250m
The time taken by train to cross the platform =
20s = (Length of train + Length of platform)/Speed of train
20 = (250+Length of platform)/25
500 = 250 + Length of platform
Length of platform = 250m.

27. Read the following passages and answer the items that follow. Your answer to these items
should be based on the passages only.
Passage 8
At the height of the Syrian and Rohingya crises, much of the world’s attention turned to
forceddisplacement and refugees. Both exemplified the typical conditions under which people are
forciblydisplaced: war, political persecution, economic instability and repression. Still, most of the
world’smigration is internal, i.e. within the same country. Among the tens of millions displaced in
2015, 21.3million were refugees, but 40.8 million were internally displaced. People usually
change their homesto improve household income, for marriage or other purposes relating to
family.With climate change however, its worsening slow onset effects such as droughts, effects
from sealevel rise and water shortages will cause many more to leave their homes and move to
safer places.Such migration may be a choice in the initial stages; for instance, a young member

11
6

may travel to acity close by during a drought to increase his or her family’s income. But as the
stress becomes moresevere, the decision to move may be forced. The gradual rise in sea levels
wherein people arecompelled to leave their island nations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and
become climate exiles isone such ongoing process that will likely increase out-migration over
time
Q. Which among the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from
the passage?
A. Inter country migration due to climate change is going to be impacted much more than intra
country migration
B. Climate change presents a migration challenge, whose impact is going to be much larger than
the scale we are used to
C. Intra country migration also needs to be focussed upon
D. There are several causes of migration of which climate change is one
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification :
A is wrong as it is not in tune with the message of the passage. C and D though correct
statementsper se are not capturing the essential inference of the passage – which is highlighting
the massivescale of migration on account of climate change.

28. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding migration due to climate change?
1. Climate change will have impact migration both within and outside the country
2. Climate change’s debilitating impact on food security coupled with migration is a recipe for
disaster
Choose the correct answer using the code given below
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification :
1 is correct based on 2nd paragraph in the passage. 2 is wrong as food security is not mentioned in
the passage.

29. Directions for questions 29 and 30:

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below:
1.M, D, P, K, R, T and W are around a circle facing at the centre.
2.D is second to the right of P, who is third to the right of K.
3.T is third to the right of W, who is not an immediate neighbour of D.
4.M is third to the left of R.
Q. In which of the following pairs is second person sitting to the immediate right of the first
person?
A. DT
B. TP
C. PR
D. KW

12
6

Correct Answer : D

30. Which of the following arrangements is/are in anticlockwise direction?

1. MKWR
2. PTDM
3. TPRW
4. KMDT
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 and 4 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 2 and 4 only
Correct Answer : A
Hence, only arrangements 1 and 2 are in anticlockwise direction.

31. Passage 9
This is an important intervention to have made, for we can see from the histories of different parts
ofthe world that the relationship between the movements in poverty and inequality is not unique.
Inparticular, we find from the Indian experience that there are instances in which a public
policyfocussed on the reduction of inequality may not result in the elimination of poverty.
Essentially,inequality can be reduced by taxing the rich, a form of ‘levelling down’, but poverty
can bepermanently eliminated only by raising the incomes of the poor, a form of ‘levelling up’.
Q. Which among the following is the most logical and critical corollary to the above passage?
A. Some of the measures introduced to tackle inequality has exacerbated poverty
B. Since policies to tackle inequality are not effective for tackling poverty, there is a need to shift
the focus of policymaking to tackle poverty
C. Poverty is an important indicator of a country’s development on its own
D. It is easier to formulate policies for levelling down rather than levelling up
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
A is wrong as this goes against the message being conveyed by the passage. It is not the
measuresper se which has exacerbated poverty. Not focussing on poverty has led to this problem
beingignored. C is not a corollary and is not being implied by the passage. D is wrong as the
statement isnot being implied by the passage. B is the most accurate option.
32. By walking 3/4th of his usual speed, a man reaches office 15 min later than usual. What is his
usual time?
A. 30 min
B. 45 min
C. 60 min
D. 40 min
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
Let the usual speed of the man be ‘s’ km/min and usual time be ‘t’ min
When he walks with speed (3s/4) km/min, he will take t+15 min.
Therefore,

13
6

st = (3s/4)×(t+15)
4st = 3st + 45s
st = 45s
t = 45 min
Thus, usual time = 45 min

33. In a 100m race, if A gives B a start of 20m, then A wins the race by 5s. Alternatively, if A
gives B a
start of 40m, both A and B will finish together. How long does A take to run 200m?
A. 30 s
B. 40 s
C. 50 s
D. 60s
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification :
Let the speeds of A and B be ‘a’m/s and ‘b’m/s.
If A gives B a start of 20m, then A runs 100m and B runs 80m.
From the given data, we get
(100/a) + 5 = (80/b) ……..(1)
If A gives B a start of 40m, then A runs 100m and B runs 60m.
From the given data, we get
(100/a) = (60/b) ……..(2)
Substituting value of 100/a in equation (1), we get
60/b + 5 = 80/b
20/b = 5
b = 4 m/s
Substituting value of b in equation (2), we get
100/a = 60/4
a = (20/3) m/s
Time taken by A to run 200m = 200/(20/3) = 30 s

34. A bigger cube of side 4cm is cut into smaller cubes of side 1cm. What is the percentage
increase in the surface area after such cutting?
A. 500%
B. 400%
C. 300%
D. None of the above
Correct Answer : C

35. Passage 10:

The scientists have now developed a tool to measure above-ground biomass carbon. They used
asatellite system-based technique that, instead of using the common high-resolution photography,
optsfor passive microwave signals. This system will help monitor changes caused by dry years,
which leadto carbon losses, which, in turn exacerbate climate change.

14
6

Q. Which of the following statement is the most logical and critical corollary to the above
passage?
A. Satellite system based technique will help us respond to climate change in a more scientific
manner
B. Knowledge of the amount, distribution and turnover of carbon is crucial for understanding the
effects of human pressure and climate change
C. More investments need to be made in technological progress
D. Carbon losses, if it continues unabated, will adversely impact the environment
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
B is correct as the passage talks about how the new technology will help us monitor carbon losses
better. This, in turn, will help us understand the impact of human pressure on CC.

36. An investor invested Rs.25000 in two fixed deposits, partly in X and partly in Y offering
compound interest at 6% per annum and 8% per annum, respectively. If the total amount of
interest accrued in two years through both the fixed deposits is Rs.3518, then the amount invested
in scheme X is:
A. Rs.10000
B. Rs.12000
C. Rs.20000
D. Rs.15000
Correct Answer : D

37. Direction for questions 37 and 38:

On the basis of instructions 1, 2, 3 and 4, answer the following questions.
1.Manjeet @ Kuljeet stands for Manjeet is father of Kuljeet.
2.Manjeet $ Kuljeet stands for Manjeet is the wife of Kuljeet.
3.Manjeet # Kuljeet stands for Manjeet is brother of Kuljeet.
4.Manjeet * Kuljeet stands for Manjeet is daughter of Kuljeet.

Q. If Manjeet * Chiranjeet @ Daljeet @ Baljeet, which of the following is not true?

A. Manjeet is the mother of Baljeet.
B. Chiranjeet is the grandfather of Baljeet.
C. Manjeet and Daljeet are siblings.
D. Manjeet is the aunt of Baljeet.
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification :
38 If Daljeet # Chiranjeet $ Baljeet which of the following is true?
A. Daljeet is the brother of Baljeet.
B. Daljeet is the father in-law of Baljeet.
C. Daljeet is the father of Baljeet.
D. Daljeet is the brother in-law of Baljeet.
Correct Answer : D

39. Passage 11:

15
6

In October 2015, 132 mayors from across the world committed to the Milan Urban Food Policy
Pact(MUFPP), calling for sustainable food systems in cities and adapting urban food systems
againstclimate change. About one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption
everyyear—approximately 1.3 billion tonnes—gets lost or wasted. Food losses and waste amounts
toroughly $ 680 billion in industrialised countries and $310 billion in developing countries.
FAOestimates that, without accounting for greenhouse gas emissions from land-use change, this
isequivalent to an estimated carbon footprint of 3.3 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide. This
internationalpact is for sustainable food systems that foster the accessibility of healthy food to
urban citizens,biodiversity protection and food waste reduction. The MUFPP is building a
monitoring frameworkprocess to assess the progress made by cities in achieving more sustainable
food systems, andtherefore in the implementation of the Pact. The initiative explores measures
that would facilitate thetransition to and invest in sustainable, climate-resilient and more
productive agriculture.
Q. Based on your understanding of the passage, which of the following statement(s) is/are true
about MUFPP?
1. MUFPP aims to eliminate food waste reduction
2. Food wastage is the major cause of global hunger and MUFPP aims to reduce urban hunger by
reducing food wastage
3. Focus of MUFPP is less on food wastage and more on ensuring food security
Choose the correct answer using the code given below
A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. 2 only
Correct Answer : D
Answer Justification :
1 is wrong as the focus is on reducing food wastage, not eliminating it. 3 is wrong as the
relativeweights of the two are not provided in the passage. 2 is correct as food wastage leading to
hunger isa logical statement and focus of MUFPP is on reducing food wastage.

40. Passage 12:

The demand for death penalty for sexual crimes stems primarily from a society’s desire for
revenge,not redress. A growing body of literature now emphasises that the death penalty is not a
deterrentagainst any kind of crime, in fact it might aggravate the problem. Better policing, social
welfare andeffective implementation of the due processes are better suited to address the problem
of rape
Q. Which of the following statement is the most logical and critical corollary to the above
passage?
A. Ending patriarchy is the most effective way to deal with rape
B. Causes of rape is highly misunderstood in India which leads us to make inefficient legislations
to deal with the problem
C. Introducing death penalty for offenses under POCSO Act will serve no purpose
D. Death penalty is an anachronistic practice and needs to be abolished for it does not serve any
purpose
Correct Answer : C

16
6

Answer Justification :
A and B are not in line with the central idea being talked about in the passage. C and D are
correctas per the passage. However, D is the inference of the above passage whereas C is the
corollary.

41. Sum of Rs.1400 is divided amongst A, B, C and D such that:

A’s share : B’s share = B’s share : C’s share = C’s share : D’s share = 3 : 4.
How much is C’s share?
A. Rs.216
B. Rs.288
C. Rs.384
D. Rs.512
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
A + B + C + D = 1400
A:B=B:C=C:D=3:4
Since, B : C = 3 : 4, we have B = 3C/4
Since, C : D = 3 : 4, we have D = 4C/3
Since, A : B = 3 : 4, we have A = 3B/4 = (3/4)(3C/4) = 9C/16
Thus, (9C/16) + (3C/4) + C + (4C/3) = 1400
((27C+36C+48C+64C)/48) = 1400
175C/48 = 1400
C = (1400×48)/175 = Rs.384

42. A milk vendor sells 10 litres of milk from a can containing 40 litres of pure milk to the first
customer.He then adds 10 litres of water to the milk can. He again sells 10 litres of the mixture to
the secondcustomer and then adds 10 litres of water to the can. Again, he sells 10 litres of the
mixture to thethird customer and then adds 10 litres of water to the can and so on. What amount of
pure milk inlitres will the 5th customer receive?
A. 510/128
B. 505/128
C. 410/128
D. 405/128
Correct Answer : D
Answer Justification :
Every time the vendor takes out 1/4th of the content of the can and replace it with the equal
amount of water.
In this exercise, the purity of the milk in the can is reduced by 1/4.
The purity of the milk is reduced to 3/4.
Thus, after 4 such iterations, the purity of the milk is reduced to (3/4)4 i.e. 81/256.
So, the 5th customer will get 81/256 pure.
Thus, the pure milk out of 10 litres = 10 × (81/256) = 405/128 litres.

17
6

43. X and Y are the two alloys which were made by mixing zinc and copper in the ratio 6:9 and
7:11
respectively. If 40g of alloy X and 60g of alloy Y are melted and mixed to form another alloy Z,
then
what is the ratio of zinc and copper in the new alloy Z?
A. 2 : 3
B. 5 : 9
C. 59 : 91
D. 91 : 59
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification:
Let us take one individual metal content in the alloy Z
Weight of zinc in alloy Z = Weight of zinc in alloy X + Weight of zinc in alloy Y
= (6/15) × 40 + (7/18) × 60
= 16 + (70/3)
= (118/3) g.
Therefore, the weight of copper in alloy Z = 100 – (118/3) = 182/3
Thus the ratio of zinc and copper in alloy Z = (118/3) : (182/3) = 59 : 91.

44.Seema saves Rs.300 in her first month income. For every subsequent month, she saves Rs.50
morethan the savings of the immediate previous month. If her total savings was Rs.10800, then
how manymonths have elapsed so far?
A. 16
B. 36
C. 27
D. 24
Correct Answer : A

45. Which among the following is the most logical and rational inference of the above passage?
A. Impact of climate change on food security cuts across national, economic or social boundaries
B. Food security in the near future should be a matter of concern for the government
C. Consuming luxury food items which require a lot of resources is akin to crime
D. Becoming vegan is the way forward to address acute food shortage due to climate change
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification :
B is wrong as the problem of food security should be a matter of concern not only for
thegovernment but also the society. C and D are not correct because these statements are
extraneousto the passage.

46 Passage 14:
India’s history since Independence is a continuous struggle to achieve such an equality of rank
ordignity for all in a country where the majority community belongs to a social order
characterised by ahierarchy of jatis sitting atop the Dalits, who are the lowest of the low.This
distance between the liberal promise and the social reality has been sought to be resolved by
thepolitics of reservations. To achieve equality in our unequal society, the mark of ritual

18
6

inferiority — jatistatus — is itself used as a weapon in the hope that eventually this will remove
the disadvantages ofthe hierarchical order. The Rule of Law presumes equality in the hope of
achieving it. It is thiscontradiction which has finally hit the country.
Q. Which of the following is the essential and accurate message being conveyed by the passage?
A. Reservation policy is not achieving the objectives that it set out to achieve
B. Reservation policy commits the same wrong that it sets out to correct
C. Reservation policy goes against the ideology of Rule of Law
D. The status of Dalits in India can never be corrected by the reservation policy
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
A is wrong as the statement is absolutist while the passage does not make its stand so explicit.
Band C are both correct, however C is more accurate as it directly mentions the message
beingconveyed by the passage. D is again implying something which is not being said in the
passage asthe passage seeks to bring out the irony in reservation policy and is not commenting on
the efficacyof it.

47. Direction for questions 47 and 48:

P, Q, R, S, T, V and W are seven friends who left for seven different destinations: Delhi,
Chennai,Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Jaipur- each one left on a different day
of the week.
1.R left for Jaipur on Monday.
2.On the last day of the week, which was a Sunday, the person left for Bangalore.
3.T left the next day of P, who left for Chandigarh. T left on the previous day of W.
4.S left for Kolkata on Friday.
5.Q did not leave for either Hyderabad or Bangalore and W left for Delhi.
Q. Which of the following combinations of person-place is NOT correct?
A. P - Chandigarh
B. T - Hyderabad
C. V - Bangalore
D. Q – Kolkata
Correct Answer : D

48. Which of the following orders of the persons who left for different destinations on consecutive
days is incorrect?
A. W-S-Q-V
B. T-W-S-Q
C. W-T-S-Q
D. R-P-T-W
Correct Answer : C
The order W-T-S-Q is incorrect.

49. Passage 15
For any country to make steady progress, safe roads are of paramount importance and India is
noexception. Millions of Indians use roads on a daily basis to get to their place of work or study

19
6

and indoing so, contribute productively to the economy. Besides, roads are also major facilitators
of tradeand commerce.
Q. Which of the following is the most logical corollary to the above passage?
A. Investing in roads is a prudent decision
B. A country should invest in its road infrastructure to reap the various direct and
indirecteconomic advantages that roads provide
C. Roads are better for transportation of goods as opposed to railways
D. Road transportation is not the most ecologically efficient way to travel
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
Both A and B are similar statements, however B is more specific and accurate as compared to A
which is a generic statement. C and D are extraneous to the passage.

50. Passage 16:

Over the past two decades, India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the
world. To seizegrowth opportunities in this promising economy and sustain success under shifting
global business conditions,companies need executives who are exceptional leaders—confident
decision-makers, skilled strategists, globalthinkers, and effective change agents.
Q. What does the above passage imply?
A. The role of good leaders in a company’s progress is undervalued
B. For a company to progress, it needs to start nurturing good leaders
C. Knowledge Economy dictates that companies which have good multi-skilled leaders will do
well
D. Indian companies do not get pole position in world economy for they lack good leaders
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
A is wrong as the passage is reinforcing the fact that good leaders are necessary, it is
notcommenting upon the status quo. C talks about knowledge economy which is not mentioned in
thepassage. D is wrong as it makes the claim that Indian companies do not do well which is
wrong. B isthe most accurate.

51. In Class X, there are two sections A and B. 1/4th of the students in section A and 4/9th of the
studentsin Section B are girls. If two students are chosen at random, one each from section A and
section B asclass representative, then what is the probability that exactly one of the chosen
students is a girl?
A. 23/72
B. 17/36
C. 19/36
D. 1/9
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification:
Case 1:
When a girl is chosen from section A, a boy has to be selected from section B.
Probability = (1/4) × (1-(4/9)) = (1/4) × (5/9) = (5/36)

20
6

Case 2:
When a girl is chosen from section B, a boy has to be selected from section A.
Probability = (1-(1/4)) × (4/9) = (3/4) × (4/9) = (12/36)
Thus, the total probability = (5/36) + (12/36) = (17/36)

52. The minimum number of colours required to paint all the sides of a cube that no two adjacent
faces may have the same colour is:
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 6
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
Any face of a cube is adjacent to four other faces.
Opposite faces can have same colour.
Since, there are six faces in a cube, the minimum number of colours required is 3.

53. If 12 carpenters working 6 hours a day can make 460 chairs in 24 days, how many chairs will
18 carpenters working 8 hours a day make in 36 days?
A. 1380
B. 690
C. 2760
D. 920
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification:
12 carpenters working 66 hours a day can make 460 chairs in 24 days i.e. 12×24×6 hours of work
can make 460 chairs.
Let 18 carpenters working 8 hours a day can make n chairs in 36 days i.e. 18×36×8 hours of work
can bake n chairs.
Since number of working hours is directly proportional to the number of chairs that can be made,
12 × 24 × 6 : 18 × 36 × 8 = 460 : n
12× 24 × 6 × n = 18 × 36 × 8 × 460
n = (18 × 36 × 8 × 460)/(12 × 24 × 6) = 1380.

54. Passage 17:

The market regulator is weighing tighter oversight to check leakage of privileged
companyinformation in the wake of unpublished financial results finding their way into
WhatsApp groups. TheSecurities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is considering asking
companies to frame a policy onhow to handle UPSI that affect share prices.
Q. Based on your reading of the passage, what do you understand by UPSI?
A. Leakage of sensitive company information on social media
B. Leakage of trade secrets
C. Leakage of price sensitive information on social media
D. Leakage of price sensitive information
Correct Answer : D

21
6

Answer Justification :
The answer is contained in the first line of the passage. It says unpublished financial
information.Also the last line of the passage mentions that information which affects share prices.
Leakage onwhatsapp group is just an example. Hence D

55. Passage 18:

The collaborative Hindu-German conspiracy of mid-1915 was a more impressively
envisionedexercise. It involved the secret shipment of arms and rebels from the US West Coast
across thePacific Ocean to India, where many, as the conspirators believed, were “ready” and
“waiting” for arevolution. It was a plan embedded in such secrecy that it came to light only with
the capture of somekey players, two years later in 1917.
Q. Which among the following is the most logical and rational inference of the above passage?
A. Hindu German conspiracy of mid 1915 was meticulously planned
B. Hindu German conspiracy of mid 1915 was poorly planned
C. Hindu German conspiracy of mid 1915 was a cross continental exercise
D. Hindu German conspiracy of mid 1915 was expansive in its vision
Correct Answer : D
Answer Justification :
We can not comment on the way the exercise was planned because the passage is lacking in
details.Hence A and B are wrong. C is correct but is not the most rational explanation. D is correct
as thevision was good but maybe the planning was not.

56. Dinesh started answering a test at a time between 3:00 pm and 4:00pm. He noted the position
of the hands of the watch. He ended the test at a time between 4:00pm and 5:00 pm the positions
of the hands were interchanged. For how many hours did the test last?
A. 13/14
B. 12/13
C. 9/10
D. 10/11
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification:
Speed of hour hand : Speed of the minute hand = 1 : 12
Minute hand and hour hand together travelled 60 minute spaces during the period of the test.
Space travelled by both minute hand when the positions are interchanged
=60 × (12/13) = 60 × (12/13) minutes space
i.e., time of the test =60 × (12/13) = 60 × (12/13) minutes =12/13=12/13 hour.

57 P and Q enter into a partnership. If Q withdraws after 9 months but P's capital is used for one
month more, what is the capital ratio of P and Q when the profit ratio is 5:6?
A. 27:25
B. 10:11
C. 2:3
Correct Answer : D
Answer Justification:
Let capital of P and Q be ‘p’ and ‘q’ respectively.

22
6

P invests for 10 months whereas Q invests for 9 months.

The shares in the profit will be proportional to the capital invested and time for which the capital
is invested.
Therefore,
10p : 9q = 5 : 6
60p = 45q
4p = 3q
p/q = 3/4
Thus, p:q = 3:4

58. Telegraph poles occur at an equal distances of 220 m along a road and heaps of stones are put
atequal distance of 1.65 km along the same road. The first heap is at the foot of the first pole. At
thefoot of which pole along the road will the next heap be put?
A. 15th
B. 14th
C. 16th
D. 8th
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification:
1.65km = 1650m
Here, we have to find out LCM of 220 and 1650.
220 = 2 × 2 × 5 × 11
1650 = 2 × 3 × 5 × 5 × 11
LCM = 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 × 5 × 11 = 3300
Number of the pole at which the next heap will be put = (3300/220) + 1 = 16.

59. Passage 19:

By now everyone knows that Facebook has ensured your personal data is in the hands of
othercompanies. New reports say Peter Thiel’s company Palantir has enormous amounts of
information onUS citizens. We live in the millennial generation of social media and casual
hookups, and the invasionof privacy is the new sexy. Often masquerading as security measures,
demographic study, or formarket research, well-programmed algorithms are sucking out
information about our lives throughnot just social media but also devices such as our phones. But
what do marketing companies andinfluence-peddling services actually do with all this data?
That’s where the discipline ofpsychographics comes in. It is the qualitative study of the
psychological activities, interests andopinions (AIOs) of individuals who become consumers for
everything ranging from clothes and shoesto lifestyle medication and politicians standing for
elections.
Q. Which of the following is the most crucial message being conveyed by the passage?
A. Protecting one’s personal data in today’s day and age is an exercise in futility
B. Unless and until we switch off from all electronic medium, we can not protect our personal
data
C. Data is the new gold for champions of capitalism
D. Legislation protecting data privacy needs to be brought in with utmost urgency.
Correct Answer : B

23
6

Answer Justification :
Both A and B are similar statements, however B is more accurate as it mentions that for us
toprotect our data, we need to log off electronic medium. C and D are not in sync with the
message ofthe passage which focuses on highlighting the lack of privacy.

60. Based on your understanding of the passage, which of the following statement(s) is/are true
about psychographics?
1. Psychographics is a new tool developed to capitalize on the plethora of data being collected
2. Psychographics reduces people only to the status of consumers
3. Psychographics can be utilized to target customers of various kinds of products
Choose the correct answer using the code given below
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 2 only
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
1 is wrong as the statement mentions that psychographics is a new tool which has not
beenmentioned in the passage. Statement ii and iii correct based on last few lines of the passage.
Itstates that it reduces people to the status of consumers and talks about various products where
itcan be utilized.

61. In a certain code 'COMPUTER' is coded as 'LNBVQSFU'. How is 'BULKHEAD' written in

that code?
A. KTALIEBF
B. KTAILEBF
C. KTALIFBE
D. KTAILFBE
Correct Answer: B
Answer Justification:
Previous or next letters are taken and mapped in a defined pattern as shown below.
Hence, the correct code is KTAILEBF.

62. How many four digit even numbers start with an even number?
A. 2000
B. 4000
C. 2500
D. 5000
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification:
Four digit numbers start from 1000 and end at 9999.
So, there are (9999-1000+1) = 9000 four digit numbers.
Out of 9000, 4500 are even numbers.
These four digit numbers start from 1 to 9. There are 4 even numbers from 1 to 9.
So, 4/9 of 4500 four digit even numbers start with even number.

24
6

Number of four digit even numbers which start with an even number = (4/9) of 4500 = 2000.

63. Direction for questions 63 and 64:

Study the following information carefully to answer the question given below:Seven friends P, F,
R, T, Q, N and D are studying different specializations IT, Civil, HR, Marketing,Finance,
Journalism and Pharmacy not necessarily in the same order. Each one of them have likingfor a
different colour red, blue, green, yellow, pink, orange and grey not necessarily in the sameorder.
1.Three of them are girls.
2.P likes yellow colours but does not study IT or HR.
3.The one who studies Civil, likes grey colours and is a girl.
4.Q, who is sister of N, studies Marketing and likes pink colours.
5.D’s specialization is in pharmacy and likes red colours.
6.N, the wife of R studies HR and likes green.
7.F likes grey and R likes orange, the one who likes blue studies finance.
Q. Which of the following is the group of girls?
A. F, D, N
B. F, Q, N
C. Q, N, P
D. Cannot be determined

Correct Answer : B

Answer Justification:
From the data that is given clearly in the information, we can construct the table below:
(+ is male and – is female)
Person Colour Subject (Yes) Subject (No)
P+ Yellow IT, HR
F - Grey Civil
Q - Pink Marketing
D Red Pharmacy
N - Green HR
R+ Orange
Blue Finance
T will take the remaining place.
P does not study IT. So, he studies Journalism. R studies IT.
Person Colour Subject
P+ Yellow Journalism
F - Grey Civil
Q - Pink Marketing
D+ Red Pharmacy
N - Green HR
R+ Orange IT
T+ Blue Finance
Hence, F, Q and N are females.

25
6

64. Which of the following combinations of person-color and subject is correct?

A. Blue-T-Marketing
B. Pink-N-HR
C. Orange-R-Civil
D. Blue-T-Finance
Correct Answer : D
Answer Justification :
Refer the explanation to previous question.
Hence, Blue-T-Finance combination is correct.

65. Passage 20:

Tinkering means that people feel they're no longer beholden to institutions or religious dogma,
studyauthor Paul McClure, a doctoral student in sociology at Baylor University, said in a
statement."Today, perhaps in part because many of us spend so much time online, we're more
likely tounderstand our religious participation as free agents who can tinker with a plurality of
religious ideas— even different, conflicting religions — before we decide how we want to live.

Q. Which of the following is the most crucial inference from the above passage?
1. Internet challenges the dogma of people
2. Internet offers an encyclopaedia of information about religion which allows free agents to pick
and choose what they believe in.
Choose the correct answer using the code given below
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
1 is wrong as the passage states that free thinking agents are likely to be influenced by
informationover internet. 2 is correct.Read the following passages and answer the items that
follow. Your answer to these items should bebased on the passages only.

66. Passage 21
Ozone is a well-known and interesting gas. It is thought of as a “good” gas when present in
thestratosphere, where it forms the ozone layer sitting 15 to 30 kilometres above Earth that protect
lifefrom detrimental ultraviolet radiation.But when present in the lowest atmospheric layer – the
troposphere, which extends 8 to 14kilometres above Earth – ozone becomes a concern for human
and plant health. It is also the thirdmost important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and
methane. There’s substantial evidence thatozone is one of the most phytotoxic (toxic to plants) air
pollutants, causing significant damage toagricultural crops worldwide.This is partly because
ozone is a secondary air pollutant: it is not emitted directly, but is formed whenother primary
pollutants – mainly oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatileorganic
compounds (VOC), which are emitted mainly from the burning of fossil fuels in transport,industry
and power generation – undergo photochemical reactions under sunny conditions. Severalhours

26
6

are required for these photochemical reactions to occur, meaning that ozone concentrationsare
often higher downwind of urban and industrial centres.
Q. Which of the following statement about ozone is/are correct based on your understanding of
the passage?
1. Ozone is a combination of various pollutants
2. Ozone is a harmful chemical
3. Ozone is a threat to food security
Choose the correct answer using the code given below
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. All of the Above
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
Ozone as the third paragraph indicates is a combination of several pollutants. 2 is wrong as ozone
in
stratosphere is not harmful. 3 is correct as ozone is harmful for agriculture. Hence D

67. A vendor bought bananas at 6 for a rupee. How many for a rupee must he sell to gain 20%?
A. 7
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
Correct Answer : C

68. Raja wants to go to his college. He starts from his house in East and comes to an intersection
of four roads. The road to the left ends in a bank, straight ahead is the clinic and on the other road
ends inthe college. In which direction is the college?
A. North
B. East
C. West
D. South
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification:
When it is said that Raja’s house is in East direction, now Raja is in crossing which is to the west
of
his house.
He is walking towards West. Straight ahead i.e. towards west is the clinic.
To his left i.e. to South is a bank.
He has to take right i.e. towards North to the college.

69. N ranks fifth in a class. S is eighth from the last. If T is sixth after N and just in the middle of
N and S, then how many students are there in the class?
A. 23

27
6

B. 26
C. 25
D. 24
Correct Answer : D

70. Passage 22:

Google and Facebook share a long-standing duopoly that dominates online advertising. And
Googleshows no signs of slowing down: It is already considered an industry leader in driverless-
cardevelopment (Waymo), smart-home appliances (Nest) and artificial intelligence (through
Google AIand DeepMind), all of which need user data to thrive.“Google really has a much bigger
footprint when it comes to tracking and profiling the everyday livesof billions of people,” said
WolfieChristl, a privacy researcher for the nonprofit think tank CrackedLabs who writes about big
data and digital rights. “And it’s often very invasive and very sensitiveinformation. Many people
try to Google search what they wouldn’t even tell their own partner.”
Q. What is the most logical and critical inference that can be drawn from the above passage?
A. All social media websites and search engines are unconcerned with data privacy
B. All internet based companies need to become much more conscious about the ethical issues
linked to data privacy
C. Google presents a greater threat to privacy of people than Facebook
D. None of the above
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
A is wrong as the passage doesn't state that companies are unconcerned with data privacy. C
iswrong as the potential threat from Google is higher due to the nature of information,
doesn'tnecessarily translate to greater threat in actual. B is correct as the focus is on underlining
the needfor debate over data privacy.

71. Pankaj is younger than Sunita and Rupali is older than Tom. Which of the following
statements is/are sufficient to find the oldest among all?
1. Rupali is older than Pankaj.
2. Sunita is older than Rupali.
3. Tom is the youngest among all.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
A. 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 1 and 2 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification:
Pankaj is younger than Sunita and Rupali is older than Tom.
S>P and R>T
Inference from statement 1: R>P. This may conclude that either S or R is the oldest. Hence,
statement 1 alone is not sufficient.
Inference from statement 2: S>R. This will conclude that either S is the oldest. Hence, statement 2
alone is sufficient.

28
6

Inference from statement 3: This may conclude that P or S or R is the oldest. Hence, statement 3
alone is not sufficient.
Hence, option (a) is correct.

72.
Study the following information to answer the given questions:Twelve people are sitting in two
parallel rows containing six people each, in such a way that there isan equal distance between
adjacent persons. In row – 1 A, B, C, D, E and F are seated and all of themare facing south. In row
– 2 P, Q, R, S, T and V are seated and all of them are facing north. Therefore,in the given seating
arrangement each member seated in a row faces another member of the otherrow.
1.V sits third to right of S.
2.S faces F and F does not sit at any of the extreme ends of the line.
3.D sits third to right of C.
4.R faces C.
5.The one facing E sits third to right of P.
6.B and P do not sit at the extreme ends of the line.
7.T is not an immediate neighbour of V and A is not an immediate neighbour of D.

Q. Which of the following is true regarding B?

A. B sits to the immediate left of C.
B. B faces Q.
C. D and F are immediate neighbours of B.
D. None is true.
Correct Answer : C

73.The average weight of 8 person's increases by 2.5 kg when a new person comes in place of one
of them weighing 65 kg. What might be the weight of the new person?
(a) 76 kg
(b) 76.5 kg
(c) 85 kg
(d) None of the above
Ans : (c)
Solution : Total weight increased = (8 x 2.5) kg = 20 kg. Weight of new person = (65 + 20) kg =
85 kg.

74. Passage 23:

If the US China trade war were to intensify — and that’s a big if — there is a possibility that
adiminished US-China trade engagement could have positive results for countries such as Brazil
andIndia from a trade perspective, at least in the short run. In case of soybean, for instance, one of
thekey items in the list, there could be a cascading impact in terms of openings for India to enter
othermarkets, according to the Soybean Processors Association of India.But in the long term, a
full-fledged trade war is bad news. It invariably leads to a higher inflationaryand low growth
scenario. Inflation is generally good for assets such as gold, while having a negativeimpact on
currency and some sectors in the equity market.
Q. Which of the following is the most logical corollary to the above passage?

29
6

A. Developing countries can use the opportunity provided by trade war to boost their exports
B. Counties around the world should start safeguarding themselves against potential
hyperinflation
C. A trade war between the two largest economies will necessarily have ramifications for all
nations in the long run and thus needs to be actively avoided
D. The ways in which we deal with the current trade war will set the tone for world trade in future
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
The passage is focusing on the impact that USA China trade war will have on countries like
Indiaand Brazil. The corollary thus would be related to either a or c. A is wrong as it does not take
intoaccount the long term impact of trade war.
75. Passage 24:
Globally, the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law 2018 report notes, 2.7 billion women
arelegally restricted from taking up the same jobs as men. This forces a dilemma upon
policymakers—women’s access to employment and entrepreneurial activity is one of the legs
economicdevelopment stands on, but the law, sometimes meaning well, bars them from taking up
certain jobs.The Women… report cites the case of a Russian woman, Svetlana Medvdeva, who
trained innavigation in college and graduated with qualifications to be employed as a navigation
officer. Shegot selected as helmsman in a ship before the rule-book was thrown at her—the
shipping companythat had hired her terminated her employment since Russian law bars women
from getting employedin 456 types of work deemed too “hard” or “hazardous” for women
Q. The focus of the passage is on
A. Highlighting the legal hindrances to equality of opportunity in employment for women
B. Detailing the contents of World bank’s women, business and the law report
C. The plight of Russian women in securing equal employment opportunities.
D. Highlighting that restricting women from employment in hazardous activities is sexist
Correct Answer : A
Answer Justification :
The passage explains that it is counter intuitive but true that law of the land poses barriers to
employment for women. Hence a

76. I put a timepiece on the table in such a way that at 6.00 p.m. hour hand points to North. In
which direction the hour hand will point at 3.00 p.m. ?
(a) South-East
(b) South
(c) North
(d) West
Ans : (d)
Solution : At 9.15 P.M., the minute hand will point towards west

77. Arjun, Bharat and Chirag start at the same time in the same direction to run around a circular
stadium. Arjun completes a round in 252 seconds, Bharat in 308 seconds and Chirag in 198
seconds, all starting at the same point. After what time will they again at the starting point?
(a) 26 minutes and 36 seconds

30
6

(b) 26 minutes and 12 seconds

(c) 45 minutes and 24 seconds
(d) 46 minutes and 12 seconds
Ans : (d)
Solution :
L.C.M. of 252, 308 and 198 = 2772. So, A, B and C will again meet at the starting point in 2772
sec. i.e., 46 min. 12 sec

78 Passage 25:
Patrick Geddes, the sociologist, biologist and polymath, designed one version of the ‘University
ofBenares’. Watching the outline unfold, people asked him out of curiosity where the
administrativedepartment was? He pointed to a little outhouse on the side and warned that if it got
bigger, it wouldswallow the university
Q. The most crucial message being conveyed by the passage is
A. Benares University is a university with difference
B. Universities should be known for the knowledge they impart and not the size of their buildings
C. bureaucratisation of the intellect and institutions is harmful for the growth of universities in
longer run
D. None of the above
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
A is wrong as the focus is on explaining the effect of overt bureaucratization, symbolised by the
sizeof admin building, on the progress of universities. Hence c is the most crucial message
beingconveyed.

79. Passage 26:

The convergence of Big Data and Cloud powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine
Learningwill be the next game changers and we believe it will be a multi-trillion dollar
opportunity for theIndian economy. We are in the middle of the single largest transformation the
world has even seensince the industrial revolution.India, though remained undiscovered in the
early 90s, holds the potential to be discovered ascreators of asset class because of their ability to
create unstructured data sets. India is poised toleapfrog the world in Artificial Intelligence as the
demography is not constrained by the legacy usageof computers or tablets so they can move
directly to the phone. Also, India is creating unstructureddata at a very rapid pace and has datasets
in volume that very few countries possess.
Q. What is the essential message being conveyed by the passage?
A. Artificial intelligence is the panacea for resolving the governance challenges faced by
developing countries
B. Expertise of India in the field of IT will help us take pole position in AI technology
C. India has several unique advantages which will enable it to leapfrog the world in AI technology
D. Unstructured data sets are enablers of progress in AI technology
Correct Answer : C
Answer Justification :
The passage talks about advantages like unstructured data sets which will help India in achieving
progress in AI technology. Hence C

31
6

80. Passage 27
India could learn from Japan that managed to reduce its waste generation by a fifth over 2000-
2013by, among other measures undertaken, promoting Extended Producer Responsibility—its
Containers& Packaging Recycling Act aims at reducing the generation of packaging waste by
mandating thinnerand lighter packaging, use of returnable containers, and even recycling
packaging from importsmade by a firm. It also places some responsibility on consumers—the
Automobile Recycling Act of2002 requires automobile buyers to deposit a recycling fee and
mandatorily return an end-of-lifevehicle to the dealer.
Q. The passage deals with
A. The waste management policies of Japan
B. Comparison of waste management policies and legislations of Japan vis a vis India
C. Explaining extended producer responsibility
D. None of the above
Correct Answer : B
Answer Justification :
The passage compares the waste management policies in Japan with India and shows why Japan is
much better at dealing with waste as compared to India

32