APPSC Group 2 · Prelims · Topic 8
8 APPSC Group 2 Mental Ability questions with answers
57 questions from APPSC G2 Prelims Mock 1 with answers and APPSC G2 Screening Test 2024 question paper with answers. Try each one, then tap Show answer.
Previous-paper questions are as in the original paper. Medha AI wrote the answers and explanations.
8.11Seating, ranking & arrangement caseletsNotes
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Seven candidates, P, Q, R, S, T, U and V, sit in a straight row facing South while waiting for an interview in Tirupati. V sits exactly in the middle of the row. P sits immediately to the right of V. S sits at one of the ends of the row. Exactly two candidates sit between R and T. Q is an immediate neighbour of S. R sits somewhere to the right of T.
Who sits at the extreme left end of the row?
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Answer B. S
Facing South, right = West. V is seat 4 (West to East), so P is seat 3. If S were at the West end (1), Q would be 2 and R, T would need two of seats 5, 6, 7 three apart, which is impossible; so S is at the East end (7) and Q = 6. R and T take seats 2 and 5, and R is to the right (West) of T, so R = 2, T = 5 and U = 1. Seats from West to East: U, R, P, V, T, Q, S (everyone faces South, so each person's right is towards the West).
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements, syllogisms and truth puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Seven candidates, P, Q, R, S, T, U and V, sit in a straight row facing South while waiting for an interview in Tirupati. V sits exactly in the middle of the row. P sits immediately to the right of V. S sits at one of the ends of the row. Exactly two candidates sit between R and T. Q is an immediate neighbour of S. R sits somewhere to the right of T.
Who sits third to the right of T?
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Answer B. R
Seats from West to East: U, R, P, V, T, Q, S (everyone faces South, so each person's right is towards the West). From T (seat 5), moving West: V (4), P (3), R (2). So R is third to the right of T.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements, syllogisms and truth puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Seven candidates, P, Q, R, S, T, U and V, sit in a straight row facing South while waiting for an interview in Tirupati. V sits exactly in the middle of the row. P sits immediately to the right of V. S sits at one of the ends of the row. Exactly two candidates sit between R and T. Q is an immediate neighbour of S. R sits somewhere to the right of T.
How many candidates sit between U and Q?
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Answer C. 4
Seats from West to East: U, R, P, V, T, Q, S (everyone faces South, so each person's right is towards the West). U is in seat 1 and Q in seat 6, so 6 - 1 - 1 = 4 candidates sit between them.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements, syllogisms and truth puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Eight friends, Kiran, Latha, Mohan, Naveen, Ravi, Sita, Teja and Usha, sit around a circular table in a Nellore restaurant, all facing the centre. Kiran sits third to the left of Mohan. Latha sits opposite Kiran. Naveen sits immediately to the right of Latha. Usha is not an immediate neighbour of Mohan or of Kiran. Sita sits opposite Usha. Teja sits second to the left of Ravi.
Who sits immediately to the left of Kiran?
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Answer A. Teja
Facing the centre, left = clockwise. Place Kiran; Mohan is 3 seats anticlockwise, Latha opposite Kiran and Naveen just anticlockwise of Latha. Usha must avoid Mohan's and Kiran's neighbours, leaving one seat; Sita is opposite her; Teja and Ravi take the last two seats with Teja two seats clockwise of Ravi. Clockwise (towards each person's left) from Kiran: Kiran, Teja, Usha, Naveen, Latha, Mohan, Sita, Ravi.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements, syllogisms and truth puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Eight friends, Kiran, Latha, Mohan, Naveen, Ravi, Sita, Teja and Usha, sit around a circular table in a Nellore restaurant, all facing the centre. Kiran sits third to the left of Mohan. Latha sits opposite Kiran. Naveen sits immediately to the right of Latha. Usha is not an immediate neighbour of Mohan or of Kiran. Sita sits opposite Usha. Teja sits second to the left of Ravi.
Who sits opposite Naveen?
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Answer D. Ravi
Clockwise (towards each person's left) from Kiran: Kiran, Teja, Usha, Naveen, Latha, Mohan, Sita, Ravi. Opposite pairs: Kiran-Latha, Teja-Mohan, Usha-Sita, Naveen-Ravi.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements, syllogisms and truth puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Eight friends, Kiran, Latha, Mohan, Naveen, Ravi, Sita, Teja and Usha, sit around a circular table in a Nellore restaurant, all facing the centre. Kiran sits third to the left of Mohan. Latha sits opposite Kiran. Naveen sits immediately to the right of Latha. Usha is not an immediate neighbour of Mohan or of Kiran. Sita sits opposite Usha. Teja sits second to the left of Ravi.
Counting from Usha towards her left, how many persons sit between Usha and Mohan?
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Answer C. 2
Clockwise (towards each person's left) from Kiran: Kiran, Teja, Usha, Naveen, Latha, Mohan, Sita, Ravi. From Usha going clockwise (her left): Naveen, Latha, Mohan. So two persons sit between them on that side (and four on the other side).
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements, syllogisms and truth puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Directions for question nos. 123 to 125
Study the given information and answer the following questions :
YSR Kadapa team has to play cricket matches with Visakhapatnam team as a part of 'Aadudam Andhra' organized by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The number of players in each team must be 5 only. Both the teams have to choose 5 players from the eight players given below. The information about the eight players, their role in the team and the money to be paid for playing one match is as follows :
Player Role Money to be paid per Match A Batsman ₹ 5,000 B Batsman ₹ 5,500 C Batsman/Part time Wicketkeeper ₹ 6,500 D Specialist Wicketkeeper ₹ 5,500 E Bowler (Spin) ₹ 5,000 F Bowler (Fast) ₹ 6,000 G Bowler (Spin) ₹ 5,500 H Bowler (Fast) ₹ 5,500 Conditions :
1. B and C cannot be selected together.
2. Wicketkeeper is a must in the team.
3. E and G cannot be selected together.
4. Among E, F, G and H, only two persons are to be selected.
5. If A is selected, H must be selected.
6. There must be at least two batsmen and two bowlers in the team.
7. C is considered as both a batsman and a wicketkeeper.
YSR Kadapa team decides to compose the team with one fast bowler and one spinner and has a budget of only ₹ 26,500 to form a team. Then who among the following is not a member of that team satisfying all the conditions ?
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Answer D. G
The valid teams are ABDEH 26,500, ABDGH 27,000, ABDFH 27,500, ACDEH 27,500, ACDGH 28,000 and ACDFH 28,500. With one fast bowler, one spinner and at most ₹26,500, only ABDEH fits, so G is not in it.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q123, final key
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If it is known that the stadium is favourable to spin bowling and YSR Kadapa team decided to select C and G compulsorily in the team, then what is the total amount spent by the team on selected players satisfying all the conditions ?
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Answer C. ₹ 28,000
With C in, B is out, so the second batsman must be A, which forces H. With G and H as the two bowlers, D fills the fifth place: A, C, D, G, H = 5,000 + 6,500 + 5,500 + 5,500 + 5,500 = ₹28,000.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q124, final key
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If it is known that the stadium is favourable to fast bowling and YSR Kadapa team decided to compose the team with two fast bowlers, then what would be the least amount that can be spent to form a team satisfying all the conditions ?
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Answer C. ₹ 27,500
Two fast bowlers means F and H. The valid teams are A, B, D, F, H (₹27,500) and A, C, D, F, H (₹28,500), so the least amount is ₹27,500.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q125, final key
8.4Ratio, ages, averages, mixturesNotes
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A father's age is four times his son's age. After 5 years, the father's age will be three times the son's age. What is the son's present age?
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Answer C. 10 years
Let the son be s. 4s + 5 = 3(s + 5), so 4s + 5 = 3s + 15 and s = 10 years (father 40).
Source: Standard arithmetic / number-theory method; every option computed and checked in Python (puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Ten years ago a mother was three times as old as her daughter. Ten years from now she will be twice as old as her daughter. What is the mother's present age?
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Answer A. 70 years
m - 10 = 3(d - 10) and m + 10 = 2(d + 10). So m = 3d - 20 = 2d + 10, giving d = 30, m = 70. Check: 60 = 3 x 20 and 80 = 2 x 40.
Source: Standard arithmetic / number-theory method; every option computed and checked in Python (puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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The sum of the present ages of Ramu and his son Jagadeesh is 60 years. Six years ago, Ramu's age was five times the age of Jagadeesh. After 6 years, Jagadeesh's age will be :
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Answer D. 20 years
Let Jagadeesh be J now. Ramu is 60 − J, and 60 − J − 6 = 5(J − 6), so 6J = 84 and J = 14. After 6 years he will be 20.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q132, final key
8.6Data interpretation & sufficiencyNotes
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Number of tourists (in thousands) who visited Araku Valley in three years (hypothetical data): 2021 - 40, 2022 - 55, 2023 - 66. What was the percentage increase in tourists from 2022 to 2023?
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Answer A. 20%
Increase = 66 - 55 = 11 thousand; percentage increase = 11/55 x 100 = 20%.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-E build script)
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Each question below is followed by two statements, I and II. Decide whether the data in the statements are sufficient to answer the question.
Question: For real numbers x and y, is x greater than y?
I. x squared is greater than y squared.
II. x + y is greater than 0.
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Answer C. Both statements together are needed; neither alone is sufficient
From I, (x - y)(x + y) > 0. Alone this allows x = -3, y = 1 (x < y) or x = 3, y = 1 (x > y). II alone allows x = 1, y = 2 or x = 2, y = 1. Together, since x + y > 0, the product being positive forces x - y > 0, so x > y. Both are needed.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-E build script)
8.8SeriesNotes
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Find the next term in the series: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, 42, ?
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Answer A. 56
Terms are 1x2, 2x3, 3x4, 4x5, 5x6, 6x7; the next is 7x8 = 56 (differences 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14).
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-C build script)
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Find the next term in the series: 2, 5, 10, 17, 28, 41, ?
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Answer C. 58
Differences 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 are consecutive primes. The next prime is 17, so 41 + 17 = 58.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-C build script)
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Study the following arrangement carefully :
DE*9E$P#6+U0$H1A2D&#AS2ΩA3DS9ALM#
What should be in the place of question mark (?) in the following sequence based on the above arrangement ?
DE* 9$P 60$ A#A ?
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Answer B. AAL
Each term takes the element at position n² followed by the elements at positions n(n+1) and n(n+1)+1: (1,2,3) DE*, (4,6,7) 9$P, (9,12,13) 60$, (16,20,21) A#A. The next term uses positions 25, 30 and 31: A, A, L.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q121, final key
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Find out the odd one in the following series :
2, 4, 7, 11.5, 18.25, 28.375, 42.5625
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Answer D. 42.5625
The differences 2, 3, 4.5, 6.75, 10.125 grow by a factor of 1.5, so the next difference is 15.1875 and the last term should be 28.375 + 15.1875 = 43.5625, not 42.5625.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q143, final key
8.1Number system & number puzzlesNotes
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How many multiples of 7 lie strictly between 100 and 300?
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Answer A. 28
The first multiple after 100 is 105 = 7 x 15 and the last before 300 is 294 = 7 x 42. Count = 42 - 15 + 1 = 28.
Source: Standard mental-ability method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-G build script)
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A clerk numbers 250 files from 1 to 250. How many zeros does she write in all?
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Answer B. 45
Units place: 10, 20, ..., 250 gives 25 zeros. Tens place: 100-109 and 200-209 give 20 zeros. Total = 45 (checked by counting in Python).
Source: Standard mental-ability method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-G build script)
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In the month of January, the students of Chaitanya Bharathi Public School visited M/s Swaminathan Farm, where they saw rabbits and pigeons. One student started counting. If the heads are counted, there are 340 heads and if legs are counted there are 1060 legs. He also observed that 3 pigeons (out of the total pigeons present there) were dead. Then how many live pigeons are there on that farm ?
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Answer D. 147
Rabbits r and pigeons p: r + p = 340 and 4r + 2p = 1060, so 2r = 380, r = 190 and p = 150. The 3 dead pigeons are part of the 150, so 147 are alive.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q131, final key
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If 2X4X6X8X10X12X14X16X18=18579XYZ0, what is the value of X + Y + Z ?
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Answer D. 15
2 × 4 × ... × 18 = 2⁹ × 9! = 512 × 362880 = 185794560. So X = 4, Y = 5, Z = 6 and X + Y + Z = 15.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q133, final key
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If AB × DED = AB AB,
AB × DEDED = AB AB AB,
ABC × DEED = ABC ABC, and
DED + DEDED + DEED = DDFEG,
where A, B, C, D, E, F and G are different digits, what is the value of F × G ?
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Answer C. 6
AB × 101 = ABAB, so D = 1 and E = 0 (also 10101 and 1001 fit the next two lines). Then 101 + 10101 + 1001 = 11203 = DDFEG, so F = 2, G = 3 and F × G = 6.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q136, final key
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Some equations are solved on the basis of a certain rule. Following the same rule find out the missing number (?) :
2 [4] 3 = 14, 4 [6] 5 = 32, 5 [7] 6 = 44, 6 [8] 7 = ?
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Answer C. 58
Rule: a [b] c = a × c + 2b. Check: 2×3 + 8 = 14, 4×5 + 12 = 32, 5×6 + 14 = 44. So 6 [8] 7 = 42 + 16 = 58.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q139, final key
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Siva defines a number as 'connected with 9' if it is divisible by 9, or if the sum of its digits is 9, or if 9 is one of the digits of the number, and other numbers are all 'not connected with 9'. As per his definition, the number of integers from 1 to 90 (both included) which are not connected with 9 is :
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Answer C. 72
Multiples of 9 up to 90 are 10 numbers (digit-sum-9 numbers are among them). Numbers with the digit 9 are 9, 19, ..., 89 and 90, also 10, of which 9 and 90 are already counted. Connected = 10 + 10 − 2 = 18, so not connected = 90 − 18 = 72.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q141, final key
8.16Direction sense
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As the Sun sets one evening, Ramu stands looking straight at it. He then makes a quarter turn (90°) to his left, followed by a 135° turn in the clockwise sense. Which way is he looking now?
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Answer A. North-West
Facing the setting Sun means facing West (270°). A left turn of 90° gives South (180°). Then 135° clockwise: 180 + 135 = 315°, which is North-West.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements and relation puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Early one morning, Hari walks along a straight road with his shadow falling directly behind him. He then turns left, walks for some time, and then turns 135° clockwise. Which direction is he facing now?
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Answer C. South-East
Morning shadows fall towards the West, so a shadow directly behind means he faces East. Left turn: North (0°). Then 135° clockwise: 0 + 135 = 135°, South-East.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements, syllogisms and truth puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Read the following instructions :
A$D means 'A is to the North of D'
A&D means 'A is to the East of D'
A*D means 'D is to the West of A'
A%D means 'D is to the South of A'
A@DR means 'A stands exactly in the middle of the horizontal line of DR'
A!DR means 'A stands exactly in the middle of the vertical line of DR'
It should be noted that 'A6m$D' means 'A is 6 meters to the north of D' and so on.
Find the shortest distance between S and T in the following expression :
'B12m$S5m*R3m&J6m%K!JT'
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Answer A. 4√13 m
Take S at (0,0). R is 5 m west of S at (-5,0); R is 3 m east of J, so J is at (-8,0); K is 6 m south of J at (-8,-6); K is the midpoint of JT, so T is at (-8,-12). ST = √(8² + 12²) = √208 = 4√13 m.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q126, final key
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Directions for question nos. 134 and 135 :
Study the given information and answer the following questions :
On the occasion of unveiling of Statue of Social Justice, the Government of Andhra Pradesh had set up exhibition and stalls at PWD grounds, Vijayawada. Raghu went to the exhibition to visit 8 stalls, Stall-1, Stall-2, Stall-3, Stall-4, Stall-5, Stall-6, Stall-7, Stall-8, but not necessarily in the same order. He started from Stall-1 and walked towards Stall-3 which is at distance of 24 m towards East. He then turned left and walked 16 m to reach Stall-5. Then he walked 57 m Southwest to visit Stall-2, which is towards the South of Stall-1, crossing the path which goes through the midpoint of the line joining Stall-1 and Stall-3. After visiting Stall-2, he walked 40 m in the East direction and reached Stall-7. He then walked 50 m left to reach Stall-8 and then 16 m right to reach Stall-4 and to reach the last stall, he walked 35 m towards the right.
What is the shortest distance between Stall-3 and Stall-6 ?
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Answer B. 4√89 m
Put Stall-1 at (0,0): Stall-3 (24,0), Stall-5 (24,16), Stall-2 (0,−35) (the key's 35 m, since √(24² + 51²) ≈ 56.4 ≈ 57 m), Stall-7 (40,−35), Stall-8 (40,15), Stall-4 (56,15), Stall-6 (56,−20). Stall-3 to Stall-6 = √(32² + 20²) = √1424 = 4√89 m.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q134, final key
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What is the direction of Stall-1 with respect to Stall-2 and the shortest distance between them ?
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Answer C. North, 35 m
Stall-2 is due south of Stall-1, so Stall-1 is to the north of Stall-2. From Stall-5 (24,16), a 57 m walk ending on the line x = 0 drops about 51 m, putting Stall-2 about 35 m south of Stall-1 (√(24² + 51²) ≈ 56.4 m).
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q135, final key
8.3Percentage, profit & loss, interestNotes
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A sum is lent at simple interest for 4 years. Had it been lent at a rate 3% per annum higher, it would have earned Rs 1,080 more. What is the sum?
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Answer C. Rs 9,000
Extra interest = P x 3 x 4/100 = 12% of P = 1,080, so P = Rs 9,000.
Source: Standard arithmetic method; every option computed and checked in Python
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A grocer buys 150 kg of rice at Rs 36 per kg. 10% of the rice gets spoilt and cannot be sold. At what price per kg must he sell the rest to make a profit of 20% on his total outlay?
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Answer D. Rs 48
Cost = 150 x 36 = Rs 5,400; receipts needed = 5,400 x 1.20 = Rs 6,480. Saleable rice = 135 kg, so price = 6,480/135 = Rs 48 per kg.
Source: Standard arithmetic method; every option computed and checked in Python
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A sum of money at simple interest amounts to Rs 7,800 in 3 years and to Rs 9,000 in 5 years. What is the rate of interest per annum?
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Answer A. 10%
Interest for 2 years = 9,000 - 7,800 = 1,200, so Rs 600 a year. Principal = 7,800 - 3 x 600 = 6,000. Rate = 600/6,000 x 100 = 10%.
Source: Standard arithmetic method; every option computed and checked in Python
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Suneetha is working as a Deputy Collector and gets a monthly salary of ₹ 74,000. She used to spend it on three heads : i.e., Personal and family expenses (P), Medical (M) and Charity (C) and rest were her savings. P was 70% of her salary, M was 20% of P and C was 15% of M. When she gets a salary hike, her salary is 60% higher than in the past. She maintained the same percentage of P, but M became 25% of P and C became 20% of M. The difference between the two savings is :
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Answer B. ₹ 370
Before: P 51,800, M 10,360, C 1,554, savings 74,000 − 63,714 = 10,286. After the hike salary is 1,18,400: P 82,880, M 20,720, C 4,144, savings 1,18,400 − 1,07,744 = 10,656. Difference = ₹370.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q137, final key
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Vijay invested a sum of ₹ 8,192 at 15% per annum in State Bank of India. What is the compound interest for the sum invested by Vijay for 1¼ years, if interest is compounded 5 monthly ?
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Answer D. ₹ 1,634
15% a year gives 6.25% (1/16) for each 5-month period, and 1¼ years = 15 months = 3 periods. Amount = 8192 × (17/16)³ = 9,826, so compound interest = 9,826 − 8,192 = ₹1,634.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q138, final key
8.10Blood relationsNotes
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Codes: 'P x Q' = P is the father of Q; 'P - Q' = P is the sister of Q; 'P + Q' = P is the brother of Q; 'P ÷ Q' = P is the mother of Q. Given 'A x B - C + D', what is D to A?
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Answer D. Son or daughter (the gender of D is not known)
A x B: A is the father of B. B - C: B is the sister of C. C + D: C is the brother of D. So B, C and D are siblings and all are children of A. D's own gender is never stated, so D is A's son or daughter.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements and relation puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Facts: A is B's brother, B is C's sister and C is D's father. What is D to A?
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Answer C. Nephew or niece
A, B and C are brothers and sister of one another, and C (a father) is male. D is the child of A's brother C, so D is A's nephew if a boy and niece if a girl. D's gender is not given.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements and relation puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Read the following instructions :
A3B means 'A is the Mother of B'
A11B means 'A is the Brother of B'
A9B means 'A is the Father of B'
A12B means 'A is the Sister of B'
Which of the following expressions means that P is the maternal uncle of Q ?
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Answer C. P11M3N12Q
P11M3N12Q reads: P is the brother of M, M is the mother of N, and N is the sister of Q. So M is Q's mother and P, her brother, is Q's maternal uncle.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q142, final key
8.14Non-verbal & counting figuresNotes
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A figure is a grid of equal small squares with 3 rows and 5 columns. Count all the squares of every size in it.
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Answer A. 26
In an m x n grid, the number of k x k squares is (m - k + 1)(n - k + 1). For 3 x 5: 1 x 1 = 3 x 5 = 15; 2 x 2 = 2 x 4 = 8; 3 x 3 = 1 x 3 = 3. Total = 26.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-I build script)
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What is the greatest number of pieces into which a cube-shaped cake can be cut with 4 straight plane cuts, if the pieces are not moved between cuts?
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Answer D. 15
With plane cuts the maximum pieces are 2, 4, 8 for 1, 2, 3 cuts. A fourth plane meets the first three planes in 3 lines, which divide it into at most 7 regions; so it adds 7 pieces: 8 + 7 = 15.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-I build script)
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Arun finds the letters to be placed in the place of '?' and '!' in the figure given and by combining and arranging those four letters in the figure given, he finds the name of a country. The Capital city of that country is :
[Figure: four squares, each with three numbers at its corners and a letter at the inner corner. Top-left: 9, 5, 7 and U. Top-right: 7, 4, 5 and ?. Bottom-left: 2, 1, 2 and E. Bottom-right: 6, 9, 3 and !.]
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Answer C. Lima
In each square the three numbers add up to the letter's position in the alphabet: 9 + 5 + 7 = 21 (U), 2 + 1 + 2 = 5 (E). So ? = 7 + 4 + 5 = 16 (P) and ! = 6 + 9 + 3 = 18 (R). U, E, P, R make PERU, whose capital is Lima.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q140, final key
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Find the number of triangles and squares in the following figure :
[Figure: a large triangle with a vertical median and a horizontal line, a rectangle and a small square at the apex, and a small diamond (a square turned 45°) with its diagonals at the centre.]
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Answer D. 21 Triangles and 7 Squares
Counting every triangle formed by the sides, the median, the horizontal line and the central diamond with its diagonals gives 21 triangles, and counting the apex square, the diamond and the squares made by the median and cross lines gives 7 squares (official final key).
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q146, final key
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The question below consists of a problem figure and is followed by four answer figures (1), (2), (3) and (4).
Select the correct answer figure that is embedded in the question figure.
[Figure: question figure is a square with diagonal and slanted lines and a shaded triangle; the answer figures are four line shapes: (1) an M-like shape, (2) a sideways triangle with a bar, (3) a slanted V-like shape, (4) an hourglass.]
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Answer A. Figure (1)
The M-shaped figure (1) can be traced along the lines of the question figure without turning it; the other shapes need lines that are not there (official final key).
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q147, final key
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Choose the correct mirror image for the given figure among the four alternatives (1), (2), (3) and (4). The mirror is represented by a line AB.
[Figure: a triangle with letters and hatched parts inside, standing on a horizontal mirror line AB below it; the four answer figures are rotated or flipped versions of it.]
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Answer B. Figure (2)
With the mirror line AB below the figure, the image is flipped top to bottom: the triangle points downward while left and right stay where they are. Figure (2) shows this (official final key).
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q148, final key
8.12Syllogism & verbal reasoningNotes
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Given: The district office in Vijayawada will be closed on Monday unless the staff meeting is postponed. The office was open on Monday.
Which one of the following follows definitely from these statements?
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Answer D. The staff meeting was postponed
'Closed unless postponed' means 'if the meeting is not postponed, the office is closed'. The office was open (not closed), so by the contrapositive the meeting was postponed.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-I build script)
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Statement 1: All engineers are graduates.
Statement 2: ________
Conclusion: Some graduates are not doctors.
Which one of the following, used as Statement 2, makes the conclusion follow definitely?
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Answer D. No engineer is a doctor
If no engineer is a doctor, then the engineers form a group of graduates who are not doctors, so 'Some graduates are not doctors' follows. Each of the other options leaves open the case in which every graduate is a doctor.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-I build script)
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Take the given statements to be true even if they seem to differ from commonly known facts. Decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s) from the statements.
Statements:
1. All rivers are streams.
2. No streams are canals.
3. Some canals are dams.
Conclusions:
I. No rivers are canals.
II. Some dams are not streams.
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Answer C. Both I and II follow
Both I and II follow. All rivers are streams and no stream is a canal, so no river is a canal. The dams that are canals cannot be streams, so some dams are not streams.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-I build script)
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Statements: If Ravi studies regularly, he passes the examination. If he passes the examination, he gets a job in Hyderabad. Ravi did not get a job in Hyderabad.
Which of the following follows definitely?
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Answer B. Ravi neither passed the examination nor studied regularly
Chain: study -> pass -> job. 'No job' gives 'not passed' (contrapositive of the second statement), and 'not passed' gives 'did not study regularly' (contrapositive of the first).
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option checked in Python (arrangements, syllogisms and truth puzzles brute-forced for a unique answer)
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Statement : Two industrialists, Shyam and Manoj, have industries right next to each other. They have been working hard for their industries' development and both of them manufacture the same product. Both spend equal amount of time, use the same materials and are equally hardworking. During the sales period, Shyam had better product sale in comparison to Manoj's product.
Conclusion I : The quality of material used by Manoj was not good.
Conclusion II : Power cuts ruined the quality of Manoj's product.
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Answer D. Neither conclusion I nor II follows
Both use the same materials, so I contradicts the statement, and nothing is said about power cuts, so II is an outside guess. Neither follows.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q149, final key
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Statement : The civic authority has decided that all the factories located inside the city limits be shifted outside to reduce the level of environmental pollution in the city.
Assumption I : The pollution level in the city in future may reduce after these factories are shifted outside the city limits.
Assumption II : Enough usable land is available outside the city limit for these factories.
Assumption III : Many of these factories may shift to some other smaller towns to remain profitable.
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Answer B. Only I and II are implicit
The decision is made to cut pollution, so the authority assumes shifting will reduce it (I), and ordering all factories outside assumes there is land for them there (II). Whether factories move to other towns for profit (III) is not something the decision depends on.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q150, final key
8.9Coding-decodingNotes
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In a certain code, ROSE is written as 6821, CHAIR as 73456 and PREACH as 961473. How is SEARCH written in that code?
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Answer C. 214673
ROSE gives R6 O8 S2 E1; CHAIR gives C7 H3 A4 I5 R6; PREACH confirms P9 R6 E1 A4 C7 H3. SEARCH = 2 1 4 6 7 3.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-C build script)
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Rajesh codes the alphabets as numbers such as a=1, b=2, c=3 and so on. Then what is the value that Rajesh gets by adding all the letters (according to the code given to that letter) in the word 'pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis' ?
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Answer D. 560
Add the alphabet positions of all 45 letters (p=16, n=14, e=5, u=21, m=13, o=15 ...). The total is 560.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q122, final key
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If in a certain code language 'CONSERVE' is written as 'BDNPMORTDFQSUWDF', then how will 'NUMEROUS' be written in that code ?
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Answer C. MOTVLNDFQSNPTVRT
Each letter is replaced by the letter before it and the letter after it (C → BD, O → NP ...). So N → MO, U → TV, M → LN, E → DF, R → QS, O → NP, U → TV, S → RT, giving MOTVLNDFQSNPTVRT.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q129, final key
8.13Calendar & clockNotes
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The calendar for the year 2026 will be used again, for the first time, in which year?
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Answer D. 2037
A year repeats a calendar when it starts on the same day and has the same number of days. Odd days from 2026: 2026(1)+2027(1)+2028(2)+2029(1)+2030(1)+2031(1)+2032(2)+2033(1)+2034(1)+2035(1)+2036(2) = 14 = 0 odd days, so 2037 starts on the same day as 2026, and 2037 is also an ordinary year.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-E build script)
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A clock is set right at 6 a.m. on Monday. It loses 15 minutes in every 24 hours of correct time. What is the correct time when this clock shows 8 p.m. on Tuesday?
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Answer B. 8:24 p.m. on Tuesday
Shown time elapsed = 6 a.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Tuesday = 38 hours = 2280 minutes. The clock shows 1440 - 15 = 1425 minutes for every 1440 correct minutes, so correct elapsed time = 2280 x 1440/1425 = 2304 minutes = 38 hours 24 minutes. Correct time = 8:24 p.m. on Tuesday.
Source: Standard reasoning method; answer and every option computed and checked in Python (MA-I build script)
8.5Time & work, speed & distanceNotes
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The speeds of Rohit and Lalith are 30 km/h and 40 km/h. Initially, Lalith is at place X and Rohit is at place Y. The distance between X and Y is 650 kms. Rohit started his journey 3 hours earlier than Lalith to meet him. If they both meet each other at a place Z somewhere between X and Y and the distance between Y and Z is P, then what is the value of P ÷ 2 ?
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Answer D. 165
In the first 3 hours Rohit covers 90 km, leaving 560 km, which they close at 70 km/h in 8 hours. Rohit travels 11 hours × 30 = 330 km, so P = 330 and P ÷ 2 = 165.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q128, final key
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Mahesh and Krishna are engaged to do a work. Mahesh working alone takes 8 hours more to complete the job than if both worked together. If Krishna worked alone, he would need 4½ hours more to complete the job than if they both worked together. How much time would they both take to do the work together ?
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Answer D. 6 hours
If together they take T hours, then T² = 8 × 4.5 = 36, so T = 6 hours. Check: Mahesh 14 h and Krishna 10.5 h give 1/14 + 1/10.5 = 1/6.
Source: APPSC Group 2 Screening Test 2024 (Notification 11/2023), Q145, final key
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