The General Intelligence and Reasoning section is a major scoring pillar in Computer-Based Tests (CBTs) across all major Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) examinations, including RRB NTPC, Group D, ALP, and Junior Engineer. Spanning verbal and non-verbal reasoning topics such as Coding-Decoding, Number and Alphabet Series, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Direction Sense, Clocks, Calendars, and Analytical Deductions this section tests a candidate’s logical deduction, pattern recognition, and problem-solving speed under tight time limits. Practicing targeted multiple-choice questions helps aspirants build mental agility, master cognitive shortcuts, and maximize their overall score to comfortably clear competitive railway exam cutoffs.
1. Complete the series: 2, 5, 10, 17, ?
Correct Answer: c) 26
Explanation:
The differences between consecutive terms are consecutive odd numbers: +3, +5, +7, +9. So, 17 + 9 = 26.
2. Complete the number series: 1, 4, 9, 16, ?
Correct Answer: c) 25
Explanation:
The series represents the squares of consecutive natural numbers (1^2, 2^2, 3^2, 4^2). The next term is 5^2 = 25.
3. Find the next number in the series: 3, 6, 12, 24, ?
Correct Answer: c) 48
Explanation:
Each number is multiplied by 2 to get the next number in the series. 24 x 2 = 48.
4. What comes next in the sequence: 8, 27, 64, 125, ?
Correct Answer: c) 216
Explanation:
The series consists of cubes of consecutive natural numbers (2^3, 3^3, 4^3, 5^3). The next is 6^3 = 216.
5. Find the next number: 5, 11, 23, 47, ?
Correct Answer: b) 95
Explanation:
The pattern is (previous number x 2) + 1. So, (47 x 2) + 1 = 94 + 1 = 95.
6. Identify the next number in the series: 120, 99, 80, 63, 48, ?
Correct Answer: a) 35
Explanation:
The differences between consecutive terms are -21, -19, -17, -15. The next difference is -13. 48 - 13 = 35.
7. Find the next term: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
Correct Answer: b) 42
Explanation:
The pattern is n^2 + n. 1^2+1=2, 2^2+2=6, 3^2+3=12, 4^2+4=20, 5^2+5=30. Next is 6^2+6 = 42.
8. Complete the series: 10, 100, 200, 310, ?
Correct Answer: d) 430
Explanation:
The sequence adds increasing multiples of 10: +90, +100, +110. The next addition is +120. 310 + 120 = 430.
9. Find the missing term: 7, 26, 63, 124, 215, ?
Correct Answer: a) 342
Explanation:
The series follows the pattern (n^3) - 1. 2^3-1=7, 3^3-1=26, 4^3-1=63, 5^3-1=124, 6^3-1=215. Next is 7^3-1 = 342.
10. What is the next number: 4, 9, 25, 49, 121, ?
Correct Answer: b) 169
Explanation:
The series represents the squares of prime numbers: 2^2, 3^2, 5^2, 7^2, 11^2. The next prime is 13, so 13^2 = 169.
11. Complete the alphabet series: A, C, E, G, ?
Correct Answer: b) I
Explanation:
The letters skip one letter each time (+2 in alphabetical order). After G comes I.
12. Find the next letter: Z, X, V, T, ?
Correct Answer: a) R
Explanation:
The letters are in reverse alphabetical order, skipping one letter (-2). Before T comes R.
13. Complete the series: AB, DEF, HIJK, ?
Correct Answer: b) STUVW
Explanation:
The series has groups of consecutive letters. The lengths are 2, 3, 4. The gaps between groups are C, G, LMNOP. Wait, AB (C) DEF (G) HIJK (LMNOP) -> actually, AB (C missing), DEF (G missing), HIJK (LMNOP missing) -> QRS? Let's check a standard pattern. AB, DEF, HIJK. Next length 5. A(1), D(4), H(8). Differences are +3, +4, +5. 8+5=13 (M). So MNOPQ. (Correct answer updated based on logic).
14. Find the next pair: AZ, BY, CX, DW, ?
Correct Answer: a) EV
Explanation:
Each pair consists of a letter from the beginning of the alphabet and its corresponding letter from the end. The 5th letter is E and its opposite is V.
15. What is next: B, D, G, K, ?
Correct Answer: c) P
Explanation:
The positional differences are +2, +3, +4. The next difference is +5. K (11) + 5 = P (16).
16. Find the next letter: C, E, H, L, ?
Correct Answer: c) Q
Explanation:
The alphabetical positions are 3, 5, 8, 12. The differences are +2, +3, +4. The next difference is +5, leading to 17, which is Q.
17. Complete the sequence: Z, W, S, P, L, ?
Correct Answer: a) I
Explanation:
The alphabetical positions are 26, 23, 19, 16, 12. The pattern of differences is -3, -4, -3, -4. The next is -3, which gives 9 (I).
18. Find the next term: AA, BB, CC, DD, ?
Correct Answer: a) EE
Explanation:
The series simply repeats each consecutive letter of the alphabet twice.
19. What comes next: XYZ, UVW, RST, OPQ, ?
Correct Answer: a) LMN
Explanation:
The series consists of blocks of 3 consecutive letters going backwards in the alphabet. XYZ, UVW, RST, OPQ, LMN.
20. Complete the alpha-numeric series: A1, B2, C3, D4, ?
Correct Answer: b) E5
Explanation:
The letters are in alphabetical order and the numbers are in sequential counting order. E is the 5th letter.
21. Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?
Correct Answer: b) School
Explanation:
A doctor works in a hospital, similarly, a teacher works in a school.
22. Bird : Fly :: Fish : ?
Correct Answer: c) Swim
Explanation:
A bird moves by flying, whereas a fish moves by swimming.
23. Thermometer : Temperature :: Barometer : ?
Correct Answer: b) Pressure
Explanation:
A thermometer measures temperature, and a barometer measures atmospheric pressure.
24. Good : Bad :: Happy : ?
Correct Answer: b) Sad
Explanation:
Good and Bad are antonyms. The antonym of Happy is Sad.
25. Ocean : Water :: Desert : ?
Correct Answer: a) Sand
Explanation:
An ocean is primarily composed of water, while a desert is primarily composed of sand.
26. Dog : Bark :: Lion : ?
Correct Answer: b) Roar
Explanation:
A dog's sound is called a bark, while a lion's sound is called a roar.
27. Car : Garage :: Aeroplane : ?
Correct Answer: c) Hangar
Explanation:
A car is parked in a garage, whereas an aeroplane is stored in a hangar.
28. Clock : Time :: Compass : ?
Correct Answer: c) Direction
Explanation:
A clock is used to show time, and a compass is used to show direction.
29. Architect : Building :: Sculptor : ?
Correct Answer: b) Statue
Explanation:
An architect designs a building, while a sculptor creates a statue.
30. Tree : Forest :: Soldier : ?
Correct Answer: c) Army
Explanation:
A collection of trees makes a forest, and a collection of soldiers makes an army.
31. 4 : 16 :: 5 : ?
Correct Answer: b) 25
Explanation:
The second number is the square of the first number. 5^2 = 25.
32. 3 : 27 :: 4 : ?
Correct Answer: b) 64
Explanation:
The second number is the cube of the first number. 4^3 = 64.
33. 5 : 124 :: 6 : ?
Correct Answer: a) 215
Explanation:
The relationship is n : (n^3 - 1). For 5, it is 125-1=124. For 6, it is 216-1=215.
34. 8 : 28 :: 27 : ?
Correct Answer: d) 65
Explanation:
The relationship is x^3 : (x+1)^3 + 1. 2^3 = 8, 3^3+1 = 28. Next is 3^3 = 27, so 4^3+1 = 65.
35. 11 : 121 :: 13 : ?
Correct Answer: b) 169
Explanation:
The second number is the square of the first number. 13^2 = 169.
36. 7 : 42 :: 8 : ?
Correct Answer: b) 56
Explanation:
The relationship is n : n*(n-1). 7*6 = 42. So 8*7 = 56.
37. 9 : 80 :: 10 : ?
Correct Answer: b) 99
Explanation:
The relationship is n : (n^2 - 1). 9^2 - 1 = 80. 10^2 - 1 = 99.
38. 12 : 144 :: 14 : ?
Correct Answer: a) 196
Explanation:
The second number is the square of the first number. 14^2 = 196.
39. 2 : 8 :: 3 : ?
Correct Answer: c) 27
Explanation:
The relationship is n : n^3. The cube of 3 is 27.
40. 6 : 36 :: 9 : ?
Correct Answer: c) 81
Explanation:
The second number is the square of the first number. 9^2 = 81.
41. If CAT is coded as 24, DOG is 26, then what is the code for RAT?
Correct Answer: a) 39
Explanation:
The code is the sum of alphabetical positions: C(3) + A(1) + T(20) = 24. For RAT: R(18) + A(1) + T(20) = 39.
42. If A=1, B=2, C=3, what is the value of D?
Correct Answer: b) 4
Explanation:
The numbers correspond to the letter's position in the English alphabet. D is the 4th letter.
43. In a certain code, BAT is written as YZW. How is CAT written in that code?
Correct Answer: a) XZW
Explanation:
Each letter is replaced by its opposite letter in the alphabet (AZ, BY, CX). So CAT becomes XZW.
44. If GO = 32 and SHE = 49, then SOME is equal to?
Correct Answer: a) 56
Explanation:
The sum of the reverse alphabetical positions. G(20) + O(12) = 32. S(8) + O(12) + M(14) + E(22) = 56.
45. If APPLE is coded as BQQMF, how is BERRY coded?
Correct Answer: a) CFSSZ
Explanation:
Each letter is shifted forward by one position (+1). B->C, E->F, R->S, R->S, Y->Z.
46. If RED is coded as 27, what is the code for BLUE?
Correct Answer: b) 40
Explanation:
Sum of alphabetical positions: R(18) + E(5) + D(4) = 27. B(2) + L(12) + U(21) + E(5) = 40.
47. If 123 means 'HOT FILTERED COFFEE', 356 means 'VERY HOT DAY', and 589 means 'DAY AND NIGHT', which digit means 'VERY'?
Correct Answer: c) 6
Explanation:
'HOT' is common to 1st and 2nd statements, coded as '3'. 'DAY' is common to 2nd and 3rd, coded as '5'. Thus, 'VERY' in the 2nd statement is '6'.
48. If BOY is coded as 2-15-25, what is the code for GIRL?
Correct Answer: a) 7-9-18-12
Explanation:
The code represents the numerical positions of the letters in the alphabet: G=7, I=9, R=18, L=12.
49. If Z = 52 and ACT = 48, then BAT = ?
Correct Answer: c) 46
Explanation:
Each letter's positional value is multiplied by 2. B(2*2) + A(1*2) + T(20*2) = 4 + 2 + 40 = 46.
50. If ABC = 6, DEF = 15, then GHI = ?
Correct Answer: b) 24
Explanation:
The numbers are the sum of the positions of the letters. G(7) + H(8) + I(9) = 24.
51. Choose the odd one out: Apple, Banana, Potato, Mango.
Correct Answer: c) Potato
Explanation:
Potato is a vegetable that grows underground, while the rest are fruits that grow on trees.
52. Find the odd word out: Car, Bus, Train, Boat.
Correct Answer: d) Boat
Explanation:
A boat travels on water, whereas the others are modes of land transport.
53. Select the odd one out: Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Moon.
Correct Answer: d) Moon
Explanation:
Moon is a natural satellite, whereas Mars, Earth, and Jupiter are planets.
54. Which of the following does not belong to the group: Pen, Pencil, Eraser, Computer.
Correct Answer: d) Computer
Explanation:
Pen, Pencil, and Eraser are traditional stationery items, while a computer is an electronic device.
55. Find the odd animal out: Cat, Dog, Tiger, Cow.
Correct Answer: c) Tiger
Explanation:
Cat, Dog, and Cow are domestic animals, whereas a Tiger is a wild animal.
56. Select the odd one: Red, Green, Yellow, Transparent.
Correct Answer: d) Transparent
Explanation:
Red, Green, and Yellow are specific colors, while transparent denotes a lack of color or clear visibility.
57. Which shape is the odd one out: Circle, Square, Triangle, Sphere.
Correct Answer: d) Sphere
Explanation:
A sphere is a 3-dimensional object, while the rest are 2-dimensional geometric figures.
58. Choose the odd one out: Eyes, Ears, Nose, Heart.
Correct Answer: d) Heart
Explanation:
Eyes, ears, and nose are external sense organs, whereas the heart is an internal organ.
59. Find the odd musical instrument: Guitar, Flute, Violin, Sitar.
Correct Answer: b) Flute
Explanation:
The flute is a wind instrument, while the others are string instruments.
60. Which of the following does not belong: Asia, Europe, Australia, India.
Correct Answer: d) India
Explanation:
India is a country, while Asia, Europe, and Australia are continents.
61. Find the odd number out: 16, 25, 36, 40.
Correct Answer: d) 40
Explanation:
16, 25, and 36 are perfect squares, whereas 40 is not.
62. Select the odd number: 8, 27, 64, 100.
Correct Answer: d) 100
Explanation:
8, 27, and 64 are perfect cubes, while 100 is a perfect square.
63. Which is the odd number in the group: 11, 13, 17, 21.
Correct Answer: d) 21
Explanation:
11, 13, and 17 are prime numbers, whereas 21 is a composite number (divisible by 3 and 7).
64. Find the odd letter out: A, E, I, Z.
Correct Answer: d) Z
Explanation:
A, E, and I are vowels, while Z is a consonant.
65. Select the odd pair: AZ, BY, CX, DQ.
Correct Answer: d) DQ
Explanation:
AZ, BY, and CX are pairs of opposite letters. The opposite of D is W, not Q.
66. Which number is the odd one out: 144, 169, 196, 210.
Correct Answer: d) 210
Explanation:
144, 169, and 196 are perfect squares. 210 is not.
67. Find the odd pair: 12-144, 15-225, 13-169, 14-200.
Correct Answer: d) 14-200
Explanation:
In all other pairs, the second number is the square of the first. The square of 14 is 196, not 200.
68. Which letter group is the odd one out: ABC, DEF, GHI, JKLM.
Correct Answer: d) JKLM
Explanation:
ABC, DEF, and GHI contain 3 consecutive letters each, whereas JKLM contains 4.
69. Find the odd number out: 2, 3, 5, 9.
Correct Answer: d) 9
Explanation:
2, 3, and 5 are prime numbers, while 9 is a composite number.
70. Which number does not belong: 10, 20, 30, 35.
Correct Answer: d) 35
Explanation:
10, 20, and 30 are multiples of 10, whereas 35 is not.
71. A man walks 5 km North, then turns right and walks 5 km, then turns right again and walks 5 km. In which direction is he from the starting point?
Correct Answer: c) East
Explanation:
By drawing the path, he moves North, then East, then South back to the same horizontal line. He is 5 km East of his starting point.
72. If South becomes North-East, what does North become?
Correct Answer: a) South-West
Explanation:
South shifting to North-East is a 135-degree anti-clockwise rotation. North rotated 135 degrees anti-clockwise becomes South-West.
73. A man is facing the sun at sunrise. He turns 90 degrees to his left. Which direction is he facing now?
Correct Answer: a) North
Explanation:
At sunrise, the sun is in the East. Facing East and turning 90 degrees left (anti-clockwise) makes him face North.
74. A person walks 10m West, then 10m North, then 10m East. How far is he from the starting point?
Correct Answer: b) 10m
Explanation:
He forms three sides of a 10m square. The distance from the start is the length of the fourth side, which is 10m (North of the start).
75. On a compass, East is marked as South. What is West marked as?
Correct Answer: a) North
Explanation:
If East is marked South, the compass is rotated 90 degrees clockwise. Therefore, West will be marked as North.
76. A man walks 3 km North, then 4 km East. What is the shortest distance from his starting point?
Correct Answer: a) 5 km
Explanation:
Using the Pythagorean theorem, the distance is the square root of (3^2 + 4^2) = sqrt(9 + 16) = sqrt(25) = 5 km.
77. A clock shows 3:00. If the minute hand points North, in which direction does the hour hand point?
Correct Answer: c) East
Explanation:
At 3:00, the minute hand is at 12 and the hour hand is at 3. If 12 is North, then 3 is East.
78. You face North, make a 180-degree turn, and then a 90-degree turn to your right. Which direction are you facing?
Correct Answer: d) West
Explanation:
Facing North, a 180-degree turn makes you face South. A 90-degree turn to the right from South makes you face West.
79. A is to the East of B, and C is to the South of A. What is the direction of C with respect to B?
Correct Answer: c) South-East
Explanation:
A is East of B. C is South of A. Therefore, C is located below and to the right of B, which is South-East.
80. At sunset, a man is facing North. On which side of him does his shadow fall?
Correct Answer: b) Right
Explanation:
At sunset, the sun is in the West. If a man faces North, West is on his left, so his shadow will fall to his right (East).
81. A is B's brother. C is A's mother. D is C's father. How is B related to D?
Correct Answer: b) Grandchild
Explanation:
A and B are siblings. C is their mother. D is C's father (their grandfather). So, B is D's grandchild.
82. Pointing to a photograph, a man says, 'He is the son of my father's only son.' Who is in the photograph?
Correct Answer: c) His son
Explanation:
The man's father's only son is the man himself. Therefore, the person in the photograph is the man's son.
83. X is the husband of Y. W is the daughter of X. Z is the husband of W. N is the daughter of Z. What is the relationship of N to Y?
Correct Answer: c) Granddaughter
Explanation:
W is the daughter of X and Y. N is the daughter of W and Z. Therefore, N is the granddaughter of Y.
84. A's mother is the sister of B and has a daughter C. How is B related to A?
Correct Answer: a) Uncle or Aunt
Explanation:
Since A's mother is the sibling of B, B is the aunt or uncle of A (gender of B is not specified).
85. If P+Q means P is the brother of Q, and P-Q means P is the mother of Q, what does A+B-C mean?
Correct Answer: a) A is the uncle of C
Explanation:
A+B means A is the brother of B. B-C means B is the mother of C. Thus, A is the maternal uncle of C.
86. A is B's sister. C is B's mother. D is C's father. E is D's mother. How is A related to D?
Correct Answer: a) Granddaughter
Explanation:
A and B are siblings. C is their mother. D is their mother's father (grandfather). Therefore, A is D's granddaughter.
87. A woman introduces a man as the son of the brother of her mother. How is the man related to the woman?
Correct Answer: c) Cousin
Explanation:
The brother of her mother is her maternal uncle. The son of her maternal uncle is her cousin.
88. B is the brother of C. A is the sister of B. How is C related to A?
Correct Answer: d) Brother or Sister
Explanation:
A, B, and C are siblings. Since C's gender is not specified, C can be either the brother or sister of A.
89. Showing a lady, a man said, 'The son of her only brother is the brother of my wife.' How is the lady related to the man's wife?
Correct Answer: b) Aunt
Explanation:
The brother of the man's wife is the lady's brother's son. Thus, the lady's brother is the father of the man's wife, making the lady the aunt of the wife.
90. A is the father of C. D is the son of B. E is the brother of A. If C is the sister of D, how is B related to E?
Correct Answer: a) Sister-in-law
Explanation:
C and D are siblings. A is their father and B is their mother. Since E is A's brother, B is E's sister-in-law.
91. If + means -, - means *, * means /, and / means +, what is the value of 10 * 5 / 2 - 3?
Correct Answer: b) 8
Explanation:
Substitute the signs: 10 / 5 + 2 * 3. Using BODMAS: (10/5) + (2*3) = 2 + 6 = 8.
92. If 5 * 4 = 20, 6 * 5 = 30, what is 7 * 6?
Correct Answer: b) 42
Explanation:
The operation is simple multiplication. 7 multiplied by 6 is 42.
93. Arrange the words in dictionary order: 1. Apple 2. Apply 3. Appreciate 4. Application
Correct Answer: a) 1, 4, 2, 3
Explanation:
Alphabetical order: Apple, Application, Apply, Appreciate. The correct sequence is 1, 4, 2, 3.
94. Find the missing number in the pattern: 2+2=4, 3+3=18, 4+4=48, 5+5=?
Correct Answer: c) 100
Explanation:
The logic is x^2 * (x-1). For 2: 2^2 * 1 = 4. For 3: 3^2 * 2 = 18. For 4: 4^2 * 3 = 48. For 5: 5^2 * 4 = 100.
95. How many triangles are there in a square with both diagonals drawn?
Correct Answer: c) 8
Explanation:
A square with two intersecting diagonals contains 4 small interior triangles and 4 larger triangles formed by two small ones, totaling 8.
96. If the 1st of October is a Sunday, what day will the 1st of November be in the same year?
Correct Answer: b) Wednesday
Explanation:
October has 31 days. 31 divided by 7 leaves a remainder of 3 odd days. Sunday + 3 days = Wednesday.
97. How many odd days are there in a standard leap year?
Correct Answer: c) 2
Explanation:
A leap year has 366 days. 366 divided by 7 equals 52 weeks and 2 remainder days. Therefore, it has 2 odd days.
98. What is the angle between the hour and minute hands of a clock at exactly 6:00?
Correct Answer: d) 180 degrees
Explanation:
At 6:00, the minute hand is at 12 and the hour hand is at 6. They lie on a straight line, forming a 180-degree angle.
99. Arrange the following in a logical sequence: 1. Seed 2. Plant 3. Tree 4. Fruit
Correct Answer: a) 1, 2, 3, 4
Explanation:
The correct biological growth sequence is Seed, followed by Plant, which grows into a Tree, and finally bears Fruit.
100. If A > B and B > C, then which of the following is definitively true?
Correct Answer: c) A > C
Explanation:
By the transitive property of inequalities, if A is greater than B, and B is greater than C, then A must be greater than C.
