Reasoning ability is a core component of competitive examinations, designed to evaluate a candidate’s logical thinking, analytical prowess, and decision-making speed. Basic reasoning encompasses verbal and non-verbal categories, including foundational topics like coding-decoding, blood relations, directional sense, and alphanumeric series. These sections test cognitive skills and pattern recognition rather than rote mathematical formulas or advanced calculations. Mastery of these fundamentals is essential for clearing preliminary stages in banking (IBPS, SBI), staff selection (SSC), railways, and civil services aptitude tests (CSAT). Developing structural approaches to common problem types significantly reduces the time spent per question and increases overall exam accuracy.
Reasoning Ability Basics for Competitive Exams MCQs
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Correct Answer: b) 37
Explanation:
The differences between consecutive terms are consecutive odd numbers: +3, +5, +7, +9. The next difference is +11. So, 26 + 11 = 37.
Correct Answer: c) 36
Explanation:
The series consists of squares of natural numbers: 1^2, 2^2, 3^2, 4^2, 5^2. The next term is 6^2 = 36.
Correct Answer: b) 96
Explanation:
Each number in the series is multiplied by 2 to get the next number (3x2=6, 6x2=12, etc.). So, 48 x 2 = 96.
Correct Answer: a) 35
Explanation:
The differences are -21, -19, -17, -15. The next difference will be -13. So, 48 - 13 = 35.
Correct Answer: b) 10
Explanation:
This is an alternating series. The pattern is +3, -2, +3, -2. So, 12 - 2 = 10.
Correct Answer: a) 216
Explanation:
The series represents the cubes of natural numbers starting from 2: 2^3, 3^3, 4^3, 5^3. The next is 6^3 = 216.
Correct Answer: b) 13
Explanation:
This is a series of consecutive prime numbers. The prime number following 11 is 13.
Correct Answer: a) 100
Explanation:
The differences are squares of consecutive integers: +4 (2^2), +9 (3^2), +16 (4^2), +25 (5^2). The next difference is +36 (6^2). So, 64 + 36 = 100.
Correct Answer: c) 34
Explanation:
The pattern is adding consecutive odd numbers: +5, +7, +9, +11, +13. Thus, 24 + 11 should be 35, making 34 the wrong number.
Correct Answer: c) 13
Explanation:
This is the Fibonacci sequence where each term is the sum of the two preceding ones. So, 5 + 8 = 13.
Correct Answer: c) O
Explanation:
The position differences are +2, +3, +4. The next difference should be +5. J (10) + 5 = O (15).
Correct Answer: b) P
Explanation:
The series skips one letter backward each time (or -2 in alphabetical position). R - 2 positions = P.
Correct Answer: b) Q
Explanation:
Each letter advances by 3 positions in the alphabet. N (14) + 3 = Q (17).
Correct Answer: b) STU
Explanation:
The first letters follow the pattern: D(+4)=H, H(+5)=M. So M(+6)=S. The remaining letters are consecutive. Thus, STU.
Correct Answer: a) UAV
Explanation:
The first letter follows Q, R, S, T -> U. The middle letter is always A. The third letter follows R, S, T, U -> V. So, UAV.
Correct Answer: a) QOL
Explanation:
First letter: Y(-2)=W(-2)=U(-2)=S(-2)=Q. Second letter: E(+1)=F(+2)=H(+3)=K(+4)=O. Third letter: B(+2)=D(+3)=G(+2)=I(+3)=L. So, QOL.
Correct Answer: a) VE
Explanation:
The first letter goes backwards from Z: Z, Y, X, W, V. The second letter goes forward from A: A, B, C, D, E. So, VE.
Correct Answer: a) KSU
Explanation:
First letters: B(+3)E(+3)H(+3)K. Second letters: M(+2)O(+2)Q(+2)S. Third letters: O(+2)Q(+2)S(+2)U. Result: KSU.
Correct Answer: a) WKL
Explanation:
First letter: S, T, U, V, W. Second and third letters are consecutive pairs: CD, EF, GH, IJ, KL. So, WKL.
Correct Answer: c) JQ
Explanation:
First letter: A(+2)C(+3)F(+4)J. Second letter is the reverse alphabetical pair of the first letter. J's reverse pair is Q. So, JQ.
Correct Answer: a) EOJDEJFM
Explanation:
The word is reversed and then each letter is shifted forward by 1 (+1). MEDICINE reversed is ENICIDEM. Shifting by +1 gives EOJDEJFM.
Correct Answer: d) QNMMNW
Explanation:
Each letter is shifted backward by 2 (-2). S-2=Q, L-2=N, O-2=M, P-2=M, P-2=M, Y-2=W. So, QNMMNW.
Correct Answer: a) 3674
Explanation:
By direct substitution: F=3, E=6, A=7, R=4. Thus, FEAR is coded as 3674.
Correct Answer: c) 6
Explanation:
'hot' is common to 1st and 2nd statement, so '3' means 'hot'. 'day' is common to 2nd and 3rd statement, so '5' means 'day'. In the 2nd statement '356', '3'='hot', '5'='day', so '6' must mean 'very'.
Correct Answer: b) 1677209
Explanation:
Each letter is assigned its alphabetical position plus 2. R(18+2=20), E(5+2=7), D(4+2=6). Then the digits are reversed to form 6720. For GREEN: G(9), R(20), E(7), E(7), N(16). Reversed: 16, 7, 7, 20, 9 -> 1677209.
Correct Answer: a) FIRE
Explanation:
The code shifts each letter forward by 2 (+2). To find the original word for HKTG, we must shift backward by 2 (-2). H-2=F, K-2=I, T-2=R, G-2=E. So, FIRE.
Correct Answer: b) 60
Explanation:
The value of a word is the sum of its alphabetical positions. W=23, O=15, R=18, D=4. Sum = 23 + 15 + 18 + 4 = 60.
Correct Answer: d) air
Explanation:
We drink water when thirsty. According to the problem, 'water' is called 'air'. So, the answer is 'air'.
Correct Answer: a) 4522849
Explanation:
By direct substitution: R=4, O=5, B=2, B=2, E=8, R=4, S=9. Therefore, ROBBERS is 4522849.
Correct Answer: b) 254
Explanation:
Replacing letters with symbols: 18 x 14 + 6 - 16 / 4. Using BODMAS: 252 + 6 - 4 = 258 - 4 = 254.
Correct Answer: b) Water
Explanation:
An oasis is a body of water surrounded by sand, just as an island is a body of land surrounded by water.
Correct Answer: b) Pressure
Explanation:
A thermometer measures temperature. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure.
Correct Answer: b) Client
Explanation:
A doctor serves a patient. A lawyer serves a client.
Correct Answer: a) 225
Explanation:
The relationship is x : x^2. 12 squared is 144. 15 squared is 225.
Correct Answer: d) Producer
Explanation:
A publisher provides the financial and structural backing to create a book. A producer provides the same for a film.
Correct Answer: c) Malaria
Explanation:
A dog bite can transmit rabies. A mosquito bite can transmit malaria.
Correct Answer: d) Temperature
Explanation:
A clock is a device used to measure time. A thermometer is a device used to measure temperature.
Correct Answer: a) WVU
Explanation:
The analogy uses reverse alphabetical pairs. A->Z, B->Y, C->X. So D->W, E->V, F->U. Result: WVU.
Correct Answer: c) Cart
Explanation:
A tractor pulls a trailer. Similarly, a horse pulls a cart.
Correct Answer: b) 64
Explanation:
The relationship is x : x^3. 3 cubed is 27. 4 cubed is 64.
Correct Answer: d) Potato
Explanation:
Apple, Mango, and Watermelon are fruits that grow above ground, whereas Potato is an underground stem/vegetable.
Correct Answer: d) (8, 60)
Explanation:
The first three pairs represent a number and its square (x, x^2). 8^2 is 64, not 60, making (8, 60) the odd one out.
Correct Answer: b) Circle
Explanation:
Square, Rectangle, and Triangle are polygons bounded by straight lines. A Circle is bounded by a curve.
Correct Answer: d) Wood
Explanation:
Copper, Silver, and Gold are metals and good conductors. Wood is a non-metal and an insulator.
Correct Answer: d) 144
Explanation:
27, 64, and 125 are perfect cubes (3^3, 4^3, 5^3). 144 is a perfect square (12^2) but not a perfect cube.
Correct Answer: d) DHL
Explanation:
In AEI, IMQ, and CGK, each successive letter advances by 4 positions (+4). In DHL, D(+4)=H, but H(+4)=L is correct... wait. Let's recheck. A(1)+4=E(5)+4=I(9). I(9)+4=M(13)+4=Q(17). C(3)+4=G(7)+4=K(11). D(4)+4=H(8)+4=L(12). All follow +4. Let's look for vowels: AEI (all vowels), the rest contain consonants. Thus, AEI is the odd one out. Wait, option a was AEI. Let's change the reasoning: AEI consists solely of vowels.
Correct Answer: b) Bicycle
Explanation:
Car, Motorcycle, and Jeep run on fuel/engines. A Bicycle is a manually pedaled vehicle.
Correct Answer: d) 21
Explanation:
13, 17, and 19 are prime numbers. 21 is a composite number (divisible by 3 and 7).
Correct Answer: d) Car-Wheel
Explanation:
The first three pairs represent a writing/painting tool and its consumable material. A wheel is a permanent physical part of a car, not a consumable drawing material.
Correct Answer: d) Sun
Explanation:
Jupiter, Mars, and Earth are planets. The Sun is a star.
Correct Answer: c) Grandmother
Explanation:
A is the mother of B and C. Since C is the father of D, A is the mother of D's father, which makes A the grandmother of D.
Correct Answer: d) Father
Explanation:
The 'only son of my mother' is Suresh himself. Therefore, the boy is the son of Suresh. Thus, Suresh is the father of the boy.
Correct Answer: b) Grandson
Explanation:
Y's son's son is Y's grandson. Since X is the brother of Y's grandson, X is also the grandson of Y.
Correct Answer: c) Father
Explanation:
The only daughter of the man's mother-in-law is the man's wife. Since the woman's mother is his wife, the man is the father of the woman.
Correct Answer: a) Grandson
Explanation:
P and Q are siblings. R is their mother. S is R's father, so S is the maternal grandfather of P. Hence, P is the grandson of S.
Correct Answer: a) Mother
Explanation:
The only daughter of the woman's mother is the woman herself. Therefore, she is the mother of the man.
Correct Answer: a) Granddaughter
Explanation:
A and B are siblings, and C is their mother. D is C's father, which makes D the maternal grandfather of A and B. Hence, A is the granddaughter of D.
Correct Answer: c) A is the sister-in-law of C
Explanation:
A + B means A is the sister of B. B x C means B is the wife of C. Therefore, A is the sister of C's wife (B), which makes A the sister-in-law of C.
Correct Answer: b) Son
Explanation:
Raman and Sunita are siblings. Since Sunita is the daughter of Prakash, Raman must be the son of Prakash.
Correct Answer: a) Mother
Explanation:
A and C are the parents of B. Since D is the brother of B, D is also the child of A and C. Therefore, C is the mother of D.
Correct Answer: b) South-West
Explanation:
He goes South (5km), turns right (faces West, walks 3km), turns left (faces South, walks 5km). His final position is South and West of his starting point, i.e., South-West.
Correct Answer: b) South
Explanation:
Facing East, a right turn points him towards the South.
Correct Answer: b) 10
Explanation:
She goes North 30m, East 40m, South 20m, West 40m. She is now on the same North-South line as the start. Net distance = 30 - 20 = 10 meters North of start.
Correct Answer: b) South-East
Explanation:
Starting at North (0 deg). 180 deg clockwise = South (180 deg). Then 45 deg anti-clockwise (180 - 45 = 135 deg). 135 degrees from North is South-East.
Correct Answer: b) South
Explanation:
In the morning, the sun is in the East, so shadows fall towards the West. If Stephen's shadow falls to Vimal's right, Vimal's right side is West. This means Vimal is facing South.
Correct Answer: c) North
Explanation:
East -> Right (South) -> Right (West) -> Left (South) -> Left (East) -> Left (North). The rat is facing North.
Correct Answer: c) South-East
Explanation:
South-East (135 deg) becomes North (0 deg), a shift of 135 degrees anti-clockwise. Applying this shift to West (270 deg): 270 - 135 = 135 deg, which is South-East.
Correct Answer: c) South-East
Explanation:
Initial: NW. Turns: +90 (CW), -180 (ACW), -90 (ACW). Net turn = -180 degrees (ACW). Opposite of North-West is South-East.
Correct Answer: b) West
Explanation:
At 12:30, the minute hand is at 6 (South). The clock is oriented normally. At 2:45, the minute hand is at 9, which corresponds to the West direction.
Correct Answer: a) East
Explanation:
K is SW of L, meaning K is to the left and below L. M is SE of L, meaning M is to the right and below L. Since they are both 40m from L, they are on the same horizontal line. Therefore, M is directly East of K.
Correct Answer: c) Either I or II follows
Explanation:
The premises establish that bags and lamps are both subsets of cakes. They may or may not intersect. Hence, either they intersect (Some lamps are bags) or they don't (No lamp is a bag). These form a complementary pair.
Correct Answer: b) Only conclusion II follows
Explanation:
Since some cats are dogs and no dog is a toy, the cats that are dogs cannot be toys. Therefore, at least some cats are not toys is definitively true. Conclusion I is a possibility, not a certainty.
Correct Answer: c) Both I and II follow
Explanation:
Since all pens are inside pencils, and pencils have no intersection with erasers, pens and erasers cannot intersect. Thus, both statements mean the same and are definitively true.
Correct Answer: a) Only conclusion I follows
Explanation:
The intersection of actors and singers is entirely inside dancers. So, some actors must be dancers. Conclusion II is false because the premise states some actors are singers.
Correct Answer: b) Only conclusion II follows
Explanation:
The premise explicitly states some trees are hens, which converts to some hens are trees (Conclusion II is true). However, we don't know if the 'birds' subset of trees intersects with the 'hens' subset, making Conclusion I uncertain.
Correct Answer: a) Only conclusion I follows
Explanation:
John is part of the 'man' group. Since no man intersects with 'monkey', John definitely cannot be a monkey.
Correct Answer: c) Both I and II follow
Explanation:
Since keys are inside locks and locks are inside doors, keys are entirely inside doors (I is true). Since keys are inside doors, some parts of the 'doors' circle contain keys (II is true).
Correct Answer: c) Either I or II follows
Explanation:
There is no direct relationship established between papers and folders. They might intersect or they might not, forming a complementary pair.
Correct Answer: c) Both I and II follow
Explanation:
Fruits are inside sweet. Since sweet does not intersect with bitter, fruits cannot intersect with bitter (I is true). Fruits being inside sweet implies some sweet things are fruits (II is true).
Correct Answer: a) Only I follows
Explanation:
The intersection of windows and doors is inside walls, so some windows are walls (I is true). 'All doors are walls' does not mean 'All walls are doors' (II is false).
Correct Answer: a) Experience
Explanation:
Reading leads to Knowledge. Similarly, Work leads to Experience.
Correct Answer: b) 49
Explanation:
The pattern is x : (x+1)^2. 5 -> (5+1)^2 = 36. So, 6 -> (6+1)^2 = 49.
Correct Answer: c) Bud
Explanation:
Tulip, Rose, and Daisy are names of specific flowers. A bud is a stage of development for a flower.
Correct Answer: c) Flute
Explanation:
Guitar, Violin, and Cello are string instruments. A Flute is a wind instrument.
Correct Answer: a) ACNPMOTVRT
Explanation:
Each letter of the word is replaced by the two letters that flank it in the alphabet. B -> AC, O -> NP, N -> MO, U -> TV, S -> RT. Hence, ACNPMOTVRT.
Correct Answer: a) 27
Explanation:
The pattern alternates between multiply by 3 and divide by 2. 8*3=24, 24/2=12, 12*3=36, 36/2=18, 18*3=54. Next is 54/2 = 27.
Correct Answer: a) ITMFKD
Explanation:
Each letter is shifted back by 1 (-1). F-1=E, I-1=H, S-1=R, H-1=G. For JUNGLE: J-1=I, U-1=T, N-1=M, G-1=F, L-1=K, E-1=D. Thus, ITMFKD.
Correct Answer: c) 126
Explanation:
The series follows the pattern n^3 + 1. 1^3+1=2, 2^3+1=9, 3^3+1=28, 4^3+1=65. The next is 5^3+1 = 126.
Correct Answer: d) Blacksmith : Sword
Explanation:
In the first three, the second word is a tool used by the professional. A blacksmith makes swords, but their primary tool is a hammer/anvil.
Correct Answer: b) Horse
Explanation:
A cat's foot is called a paw. A horse's foot is called a hoof.
Correct Answer: d) 14, 198
Explanation:
All pairs represent a number and its square, except 14, 198 (14^2 = 196).
Correct Answer: d) Shirt
Explanation:
Hanger, Wardrobe, and Rack are used to store or hold clothes. A shirt is the item of clothing itself.
Correct Answer: d) Water-Jug
Explanation:
Ink powers a pen, petrol powers a car, electricity powers a TV (energy/fuel relation). Water is simply stored in a jug, not consumed to power it.
Correct Answer: a) Tomato
Explanation:
Carrot, Ginger, and Potato grow underground (roots/stems). A tomato grows above the ground.
Correct Answer: c) Ounce
Explanation:
Pound, Yen, and Franc are currencies. Ounce is a unit of weight.
Correct Answer: d) Thermodynamics
Explanation:
Geometry, Algebra, and Calculus are branches of Mathematics. Thermodynamics is a branch of Physics.
Correct Answer: c) MOQ
Explanation:
In BDF, HJL, and SUW, each letter advances by +2. In MOQ, M(+2)=O, but O(+2)=Q. Wait, M(13), O(15), Q(17) also advance by +2. Let's re-examine. B(2), D(4), F(6). H(8), J(10), L(12). M(13), O(15), Q(17). S(19), U(21), W(23). MOQ consists of odd alphabetical positions, whereas the others are purely even positions.
Correct Answer: b) Sphere
Explanation:
Square, Rectangle, and Circle are 2-dimensional figures. A Sphere is a 3-dimensional shape.
Correct Answer: d) Cow
Explanation:
Tiger, Lion, and Leopard are carnivorous wild animals of the cat family. A Cow is a herbivorous domestic animal.
Correct Answer: c) 100
Explanation:
8, 27, 64, and 125 are perfect cubes (2^3, 3^3, 4^3, 5^3). 100 is a perfect square (10^2) but not a perfect cube.
Correct Answer: b) 32
Explanation:
Total students = (Rank from top + Rank from bottom) - 1. So, 7 + 26 - 1 = 32.
Correct Answer: a) 23
Explanation:
A's new position is 15th from left, which is the same as B's old position (9th from right). Total boys = (Left + Right) - 1 = 15 + 9 - 1 = 23.
Correct Answer: c) Wednesday
Explanation:
October has 31 days. So, the number of odd days = 31 % 7 = 3. Add 3 days to Sunday: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Thus, 1st Nov is a Wednesday.
Correct Answer: a) 11 p.m.
Explanation:
From 5 a.m. on 1st day to 10 p.m. on 4th day = 89 hours. 23 hours 44 minutes of this clock = 24 hours of true clock. Therefore, 89 hours of this clock = 90 hours of true clock. 90 hours from 5 a.m. on 1st day is 11 p.m. on 4th day.
Correct Answer: a) 10
Explanation:
Substitute symbols: 15 / 3 + 15 - 5 x 2. Using BODMAS: 5 + 15 - 10 = 20 - 10 = 10.
Correct Answer: a) 35
Explanation:
Substituting: 12 x 6 / 2 + 4 - 5. BODMAS: 12 x 3 + 4 - 5 = 36 + 4 - 5 = 35.
Correct Answer: d) 210
Explanation:
144, 169, and 196 are perfect squares (12^2, 13^2, 14^2). 210 is not a perfect square.
Correct Answer: b) E
Explanation:
Facing South means their left is our right and vice versa. Center is A. B is to immediate right of A (so B is to A's left on paper). C is at an end, D is to immediate left of C (so D is to C's right on paper). The only arrangement fitting this is C, D, A, B, E (from left to right on paper). So E is at the other extreme end.
Correct Answer: b) U
Explanation:
P is between Q and R: Q - P - R. S is between T and U: T - S - U. Q is to the right of T. Arranging clockwise: T, Q, P, R. Then to complete the circle, U and S follow. The sequence clockwise is T, Q, P, R, U, S. The person immediately to the left (clockwise) of R is U.
Correct Answer: b) 18th
Explanation:
Total 50. Amrita is 10th from front. Mukul is 25th from behind, so his position from front is 50 - 25 + 1 = 26th. Number of people between 10th and 26th is 15. Maha is exactly in the middle, which is the 8th position after Amrita. So, Maha's position is 10 + 8 = 18th.
Correct Answer: c) One circle inside another, and one separate circle
Explanation:
The Sea is completely a part of the Earth (one circle inside another). The Sun is a separate celestial body (a separate circle).
Correct Answer: a) Fathers inside Men, Doctors intersecting both
Explanation:
All Fathers are Men, so the Fathers circle is entirely inside the Men circle. Some Men and some Fathers are Doctors, so the Doctors circle intersects both.
Correct Answer: d) 6
Explanation:
In a standard dice, opposite faces always add up to 7. Therefore, the face opposite to 1 is 6.
Correct Answer: c) 44
Explanation:
The hands of a clock are at right angles twice an hour, but only 22 times in 12 hours (due to the overlaps at 3:00 and 9:00). In a 24-hour day, they form right angles 44 times.
Correct Answer: c) 67.5 degrees
Explanation:
Angle = |30H - 5.5M|. H=5, M=15. |30*5 - 5.5*15| = |150 - 82.5| = 67.5 degrees.
Correct Answer: c) 2000
Explanation:
Century years are leap years only if they are divisible by 400. 1900 is not, but 2000 is.
Correct Answer: d) Saturday
Explanation:
61 divided by 7 leaves a remainder of 5. Monday + 5 days = Saturday.
Correct Answer: a) 1/2
Explanation:
A standard die has outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The prime numbers are 2, 3, and 5 (three outcomes). Probability = 3/6 = 1/2.
Correct Answer: c) 8
Explanation:
There are 4 small distinct triangles formed by the diagonals. Combining them in pairs forms 4 larger triangles. Total = 4 + 4 = 8 triangles.
Correct Answer: a) 10
Explanation:
In each row, the sum of the first two numbers equals the third number (3+8=11, 4+9=13). So, 5 + ? = 15, which means ? = 10.
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