UPSC Prelims 2004 Q101: Science & Technology – Logical Reasoning & Puzzles
The magazine on politics is
- (a) Edited by Ila
- (b) Edited by Gurbakhsh
- (c) Published by Dev Publishers
- (d) Published by Charan Publishers
Answer: (b) Edited by Gurbakhsh
Explanation
Logic puzzle: the politics magazine
| Clue | Deduction |
|---|---|
| Setting | Four magazines on politics, sports, science and films; editors Feroz, Gurbaksh, Swami, Ila; publishers Aryan, Bharat, Charan, Dev |
| Clues | Dev published Feroz's magazine; politics is published by Aryan; films is edited by Swami and not published by Charan; science is edited by Ila |
| Politics | Not Swami (films), not Ila (science), not Feroz (Dev, not Aryan), so edited by Gurbaksh |
Working through the clues, the editor of the politics magazine is Gurbaksh, and it is published by Aryan. The options about Ila and the Dev and Charan publishers are therefore wrong.
Answer: (b) Edited by Gurbaksh.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Ila edits the science magazine.
- (b) CORRECT. Gurbaksh edits the politics magazine.
- (c) Incorrect. Dev publishes the sports magazine of Feroz.
- (d) Incorrect. Charan publishes the science magazine.
Key point
Remove editors and publishers using each clue until one choice is left.
Remember
The politics magazine is edited by Gurbaksh and published by Aryan.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that Feroz's magazine is tied to Dev, not Aryan.
- Giving politics to Ila despite clue (iv).
- Not tabulating editors against subjects.
Exam tip
Draw a 4 x 4 grid of subject against editor and strike out.
Sources
- R. S. Aggarwal — A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (Puzzle Test)
- Arun Sharma — How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT (arrangement and matching puzzles)