SSC Reasoning – Practice Set

1) Find the odd pair of letters from the given alternatives.

a) DINS

b) GLQV

c) MRWB

d) CFIL

ANSWER : d

Here the logic followed is 

a) DINS ⇒ D + 5 = I, I + 5 = N, N+ 5 = S

b) GLQV ⇒ G + 5 = L, L + 5 = Q, Q + 5 = V

c) MRWB ⇒ M + 5 = R, R + 5 = W, W + 5 = B

d) CFIL ⇒ C + 3 = F, F + 3 = I, I + 3 = L

2) Find the missing number from the given pattern.

9     2    20

12   ?    74

33   3    101

a) 3

b) 6

c) 8

d) 5

ANSWER: b

Here the pattern followed in each row is (1^st number × 2^nd number) + 2 = 3^rd  number

In the 1st row ⇒ (9 × 2) + 2 = 20

In the 3^rd row ⇒ (33 × 3) + 2 = 101

Similarly, in the 2^nd row ⇒ (12 × 6) + 2 = 74

3) Choose the odd word from the given words.

a) Lungs

b) Heart

c) Nose

d) Liver

ANSWER: c

The lungs, Heart, and Liver are internal organs of a body, while the nose is a sense organ.

4) 25 boys are sitting in a row. If Pratik is sitting in the 10th position from the right end, then what is his position from the left end?

a) 16

b) 12

c) 18

d) 15

ANSWER: a

Total number of boys = Left position + Right position – 1

⇒ 25 = left position + 10 – 1 = 25 – 9 =16

Hence, Pratik is sitting in the 16th position from the left end.

5) If June 2^nd is a Monday, then what date will be five days after the third Thursday of the same month?

a) 29

b) 19

c) 23

d) 24

ANSWER: d

If 2^nd June is Monday, then 5^th will be the first Thursday.

⇒ Third Thursday = First Thursday + (7 × 2), since a week has seven days.

⇒ third Thursday = 5 + 14 = 19^th

⇒ Five days after the third Thursday = 19 + 5 = 24

Hence, the third Thursday is on the 24^th.

6) Rearrange the jumbled-up words in their natural sequence and pick out the odd one.

a) AET

b) KEOC

c) ANGOM

d) EOFFEC

ANSWER: c

First, unjumble the given words,

a) ATE ⇒ TEA 

b) KEOC ⇒ COKE

c) ANGOM ⇒ MANGO

d) EOFFEC ⇒ COFFEE 

Mango is the odd one out as the other three are beverages, while mango is fruit.

7) From her office, Veena went 10 km to the south. Then she turned towards the east and covered 16 km. Then she turned north and travelled 25 km. Finally, she turned west and travelled for another 16 km. In which direction is she from her office?

a) West

b) South

c) East

d) North

ANSWER: d

The path followed by Veena

Thus she is finally in the north direction from her office.

8) If Ram is the father of Bani, Bani is the daughter of Chanda, Chanda is the sister of Daksh, and Daksh is the nephew of Ekta, then how is Chanda related to Ekta?

a) Mother

b) Sister

c) Niece

d) Daughter

ANSWER: c

The notation used in the family tree below

Family tree of the given data

Hence, Chanda is the niece of Ekta.

9) In a meeting, Anup, Bhavya, Charan, Diya, and Ethan sit in a circle facing the center. Anup is sitting second to the left of Diya. Bhavya is sitting second to the right of Charan. Ethan is sitting second to the right of Diya. Which of the following people sits second to the left of Charan?

a) A

b) E

c) D

d) B

ANSWER: b

⇒ Anup is sitting second to the left of Diya.

⇒ Ethan is sitting second to the right of Diya.

⇒ Bhavya is sitting second to the right of Charan.

Sitting pattern while facing towards the center

Therefore, “Ethan” is the person sitting second to the left of Charan.

10) Ramesh was born 5 years after Somu. Somu is 3 years older than Kapil and 7 years younger than Akhil. If Ramesh is 10 years old now, then how old is Akhil?

a) 22

b) 25

c) 15

d) 12

ANSWER: a

Given data, the age of Ramesh = 10 years

Ramesh was born 5 years after Somu, hence, the age of Somu = (10 + 5) years = 15 years

Somu is 3 years older than Kapil, hence, the age of Kapil = (15 – 3) years = 12 years

Somu is 7 years younger than Akhil, hence the age of Akhil = (15 + 7) years = 22 years.

Hence, the age of Akhil is 22 years.

11) In a zoo, there are lions and peacocks. If heads are counted, there are 180; if legs are counted, there are 560. How many lions are present in the zoo?

a) 150

b) 140

c) 100

d) 160

ANSWER: c

Given data, Total heads = 180; that means total number of animals is also 180.

L = Lions and P = Peacocks

L + P = 180 — (1)

Lions have 4 legs, while peacocks have 2 legs.

It means, 4L + 2P = 560 — (2)

Multiply equation (1) with 2 on both sides ⇒ 2 (L + P) = 2 × 180

⇒ 2L + 2P = 360 — (3)

Equation (2) – (3) ⇒ 4L + 2P – 2L – 2P = 560 – 360

⇒ 2L = 200 ⇒ L = 100

Hence, number of lions in zoo = 100

12) If p + q > r + s, and q + r > p + s, then which of the following is true?

a) q > r

b) q > s

c) r > s

d) p > s

ANSWER: b

Given, p + q > r + s  — (1)

and q + r > p + s  — (2)

Now add equation (1) and (2)

p + q + q + r > r + s + p + s ⇒ p + 2q + r > p + r + 2s

⇒ 2q > 2s ⇒  q > s

Hence correct option is q > s

13) If 45 + 76 = 1583, 36 + 26 = 1231, then 75 + 48 =?

a) 2542

b) 2524

c) 5224

d) 5242

ANSWER: a

Here the first number is divided by 3 and the second number is divided by 2 and written in reverse order.

45 + 76 = (45/3) (76/2) = 15 (38) 

Now reverse the second number ⇒ 1583

36 + 26 = (36/3) (26/2) = 12 (13)

Now reverse the second number ⇒ 1231

Similarly we have, 75 + 48 = (75/3) (48/2) = 25 (24)

Now reverse the second number ⇒ 2542

14) Rosy is shorter than Stella, who is taller than Pragya. Lilly is taller than Rosy but shorter than Pragya. Stella is the tallest of all of them. Now, find out who is the second shortest.

a) Rosy

b) Stella

c) Lilly

d) Pragya

ANSWER: c

Let us rewrite the conditions using inequalities and try to obtain a relationship between the girls.

1) Rosy < Stella

2) Stella > Pragya

3) Lilly > Rosy

4) Lilly < Pragya

And Stella is the tallest of all girls.

Rewriting them, we get, Stella > Pragya > Lilly > Rosy

Hence, the second shortest is Lilly

15) Find out how many pairs are there in the word “SPELLBOUND”, which has as many letters between them as in the alphabet.

a) one

b) two

c) three

d) more than three

ANSWER: b

We have to find the pairs of letters which have as many letters between them as in the alphabet;

TABLE

Thus we can that there are 2 pairs.

16) Six sweet boxes are placed on a table. C is under F and E is on D. F is under B and A is above E. D is on B. Which is the box that is lying on the top?

a) E

b) C

c) B

d) A

ANSWER: d

Given data, C is under F, which means C will lie at the bottom as boxes are placed above C. E is on D, D is on B, and F is under B. A is above E.

Diagram according to the given information

So, A is the topmost box.

17) In a class, 80% of students passed the English exam and 70% of students passed the Science exam. If 65% of students passed both the English and Science exams, then find out the percent of the students in the class who didn’t pass either English or Science exams.

a) 15%

b) 20%

c) 25%

d) 10%

Answer: a

Given, E = 80% , S = 70%

E∩S = 65%

Venn diagram

E ∪ S= E + S – E∩S

⇒ E∪S = 80 + 70 – 65 = 85%

Students who didn’t pass either in English exam or mathematics exam = 100 – E∪S

=100 – 85 = 15%

18) Which of the following sets of operations with the usual notations replacing stars in the order makes the statement valid?

6² ∗ √144 ∗ √625 ∗ √484

a) +, =, –

b) ÷, =, –

c) -, =, +

d) ×, =, +

ANSWER: b

Now let us check each option,

a) 6² + √144 = √625 – √484 ⇒ 36 + 12 = 25 – 22 ⇒ 48 ≠ 3

b) 6² ÷ √144 = √625 – √484 ⇒ 36 ÷ 12 = 25 – 22 ⇒ 3 = 3

c) 6² – √144 = √625 – √484 ⇒ 36 – 12 = 25 – 22 ⇒ 24 ≠ 3

d) 6² × √144 = √625 + √484 ⇒ 36 × 12 = 25 + 23 ⇒ 432 ≠ 28

Hence, option b is correct.

19) Ram walks 15 km towards the north, and then he turns east and walks 35 km. He then turns to his right and walks 10 km. He again turns to his right and walks 35 km. In which direction is he from his starting point and how far is he from it?

a) 5 km, East

b) 5 km, South

c) 5 km, North

d) 5 km, West

Answer: c

The path followed by Ram

Hence, Ram will be 5km, North with respect to his starting point.

20) Read the given data carefully and answer the question based on it.

i) ‘P + Q’ means ‘P is the husband of Q’

ii) ‘P – Q’ means ‘P is the brother of Q’

iii) ‘P × Q’ means ‘P is the father of Q’

iv) ‘P ÷ Q’ means ‘P is the mother of Q’

Find out how C is related to A if A x B + C.

a) Daughter-in-law

b) Sister-in-law

c) Wife

d) Niece

ANSWER: c

The notation used in the family tree

According to the given data,

A × B ⇒ A is the father of B

B + C  ⇒ B is the husband of C

Family tree from the given data

Hence, C is the daughter-in-law of A

21) In a certain code, ‘SUN’ is written as ‘@70’, ‘NOSE’ is written as ’09@4′, and ‘OUT’ is written as ‘97%’. How is ‘TEEN’ written in that code?

a) %440

b) %4@0

c) %770

d) %970

ANSWER: a

Given codes

From the above coding, we can say that % stands for T, 4 stands for E, and 0 stands for N.

Hence, the code for the word TEEN is ‘%440’

22)  ₨ 850 is distributed among three people, P, Q, and R, in such a way that P gets ₨ 150 less than R, and Q gets ₨ 100 more than R. What is the ratio of their shares?

a) 6 : 8 : 3

b) 8 : 6 : 3

c) 4 : 2 : 3

d) 3 : 8 : 6

ANSWER: d

Given data,  ₨ 850 is distributed between P, Q, and R.

⇒ P + Q + R = 850 ⇢ (1)

P gets ₨ 150 less than R

⇒ P = R – 150 ⇢ (2)

Q gets ₨ 100 more than R

⇒ Q = R + 100 ⇢ (3)

Now, put the values from equations (2) and (3) in equation (1)

⇒ R -150 + R + 100 + R = 850

⇒ 3R – 50 = 850

⇒ 3R = 850 + 50 = 900

⇒ R = 900/3 = 300

Now, substitute the value of R in equations (2) and (30

⇒ P = 300 – 150 = 150

⇒ Q = 300 + 100 = 400 

Therefore, P : Q : R = 150 : 400 : 300 = 3 : 8 : 6

23) 

People who like different games

The above diagram represents people who like different sports. Which letter represents people who like football and badminton but not cricket?

a) x

b) z

c) y

d) q

ANSWER: b

z represents people who like football and badminton but not cricket.

24) Find out the missing number from the given alternatives?

Find the missing number

a) 18

b) 30

c) 78

d) 69

ANSWER: a

Let the required number be x

In row 1;

First number – (second number)³ = Third number

⇒ 45 – 3³ = 45 – 27 = 18

In row 2;

First number – (second number)² = Third number

⇒ 33 – 2² = 33 – 4 = 29

In row 3;

First number – (second number)¹ = Third number

⇒ x – 4¹ = 14 ⇒ x = 14 + 4 = 18

Hence, the required number is 18

25) Arrange the given words alphabetically in the dictionary order.

i) amusement

ii) acquire 

iii) analogy

iv) amateur

a) ii, i, iv, iii

b) iv, i, ii, iii

c) iv, i, iii, ii

d) iv, iii, i, ii

Answer: c

The dictionary order is iv, i, iii, ii ⇒ amateur, amusement, analogy, acquire 

26) Which of the following alternatives completes the pattern in the given figure?

Given pattern

Given alternatives

Answer: a

Option a completes the given pattern.

27) From the given alternatives, choose the correct one that has the given figure embedded in it.

Hidden figure

Given options

ANSWER: d

We can conclude that the given figure is hidden in option d.

28) A word is represented by a certain group of numbers, as shown in the given alternatives. The set of numbers given in alternatives is represented by two classes of alphabets, as shown in the given matrices. The columns and rows of matrix 1 are numbered from 0 to 4, whereas the columns and rows of matrix 2 are numbered from 5 to 9. A letter from these matrices can be represented first by its row and then by its column. For example, A can be represented as 00, 13, 23, etc., and P can be represented as 56, 65, etc. Similarly, you have to find the set for the word “SOUT.”

MATRICES

a) 10, 32, 42, 55

b) 76, 41, 11, 85

c) 95, 20, 44, 98

d) 76, 03, 67, 58

ANSWER: b

Let’s check all the options

a) 10, 32, 42, 55 ⇒ SOUA

b) 76, 41, 11, 85 ⇒ SOUT

c) 95, 20, 44, 98 ⇒ SOAT

d) 76, 03, 67, 58 ⇒ SOSN

Hence the correct option is b i.e., 76, 41, 11, 85

29) In a certain code, “FIT” is written as “35”, and “NAPE” is written as “36”. How can the word “HAPPY” be written in the same code language?

a) 56

b) 58

c) 66

d) 61

ANSWER: c

Alphabets numbering

FIT ⇒ 6 + 9 + 20 = 35

NAPE ⇒ 14 + 1 + 16 + 5 = 36

HAPPY ⇒ 8 + 1+ 16 + 16 + 25 = 66

Hence, option c is correct answer.

30) Find out the missing number in the given series.

4, 6, 11, 20, 37,?,100, 150.

a) 53

b) 63

c) 67

d) 73

ANSWER: b

Logic followed in the series

Hence, 63 is the missing number