UPSC Prelims 2005 Q95: Science & Technology – Logical Reasoning & Puzzles
If Inder studies in Ahmedabad, then
which one of the following is the correct combination of Person - Hometown - Place of Study?
- (a) Gopal - Ernakulam - Delhi
- (b) Jai - Ahmedabad - Ernakulam
- (c) Krishnan - Delhi - Ernakulam
- (d) Harsh - Bhopal - Delhi
Answer: (b) Jai - Ahmedabad - Ernakulam
Explanation
Logic puzzle: if Inder studies in Ahmedabad
| Person | Hometown and place of study |
|---|---|
| Inder | Hometown Cuttack, studies in Ahmedabad (given) |
| Gopal | Hometown Ernakulam, so studies in Bhopal, not Delhi |
| Jai | Hometown Ahmedabad, studies in Ernakulam — option (b) |
| Krishnan | Hometown Bhopal, studies in Delhi |
| Harsh | Hometown Delhi, studies in Cuttack |
Five boys Gopal, Harsh, Inder, Jai and Krishnan have Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Cuttack, Delhi and Ernakulam as hometowns and study in Engineering, Medical, Commerce, Economics and History colleges, each in one of these cities but never in his own hometown. If Inder studies in Ahmedabad, Gopal studies in Bhopal. Only Jai - Ahmedabad - Ernakulam matches the full assignment.
Answer: (b) Jai - Ahmedabad - Ernakulam.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Gopal would study in Bhopal, not Delhi.
- (b) CORRECT. Jai's hometown is Ahmedabad and he studies in Ernakulam.
- (c) Incorrect. Krishnan's hometown is Bhopal, not Delhi.
- (d) Incorrect. Harsh's hometown is Delhi and he studies in Cuttack.
Key point
Use the extra condition to fix Gopal, then check each option against all clues.
Remember
Jai is from Ahmedabad and studies in Ernakulam.
Common mistakes
- Letting a boy study in his hometown, such as Krishnan in Delhi.
- Not applying the given if condition first.
- Checking only the hometown column of the table.
Exam tip
Test each option against every clue; one violation eliminates it.
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)