Sample Questions – Reasoning Puzzles

The following sample questions cover the major types of Reasoning Puzzles generally asked in competitive examinations. The questions are arranged according to the structure of the puzzle, including classification, seating and placing arrangement, grouping and team formation, comparison, sequential order, family-based puzzles, and miscellaneous puzzles.

In most sets, a common set of information is followed by two or more questions. The best approach is to first organise the given information and then answer each question using the same logical structure.

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Type 1: Classification-Based Puzzles

In classification puzzles, persons or objects are associated with different qualities, categories, or properties. The information should be organised systematically so that the required classification can be identified.

A table is generally the most convenient representation for this type of puzzle.

Directions (Questions 1-4)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below.

Seven students A, B, C, D, E, F and G possess one or more of the following qualities: Intelligent, Hardworking, Honest and Creative.

• A is Intelligent and Hardworking.
• B is Honest and Creative.
• C is Intelligent and Honest.
• D is Hardworking and Creative.
• E is Intelligent, Hardworking and Honest.
• F is Creative but neither Intelligent nor Honest.
• G is Honest but neither Hardworking nor Creative.

Question 1

Who among the following is both Intelligent and Honest?

(a) A    (b) B    (c) C    (d) D

Answer: (c) C

Explanation: C possesses both Intelligent and Honest qualities.

Question 2

Who among the following is neither Intelligent nor Honest?

(a) D    (b) E    (c) F    (d) G

Answer: (c) F

Explanation: F is Creative but is specifically stated to be neither Intelligent nor Honest.

Question 3

Which student possesses all three qualities: Intelligent, Hardworking and Honest?

(a) A    (b) C    (c) E    (d) G

Answer: (c) E

Explanation: E possesses all three qualities.

Question 4

Which of the following students is Hardworking but not Intelligent?

(a) A    (b) B    (c) D    (d) E

Answer: (c) D

Explanation: D is Hardworking and Creative, while no Intelligent quality is assigned to D.

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Type 2: Linear Seating / Placing Arrangement

In linear arrangement puzzles, persons or objects are placed in a straight line. Clues may involve position, immediate neighbours, left or right relationships, and additional attributes.

Directions (Questions 5-8)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below.

Six friends A, B, C, D, E and F are sitting in a row facing north. Each occupies a different position.

• B sits second to the left of E.
• A sits immediately to the right of B.
• D sits at one of the extreme ends.
• F sits immediately to the left of D.
• C is not an immediate neighbour of E.

From the first two conditions, A and B form the arrangement B-A-E with one position between B and E. Since F is immediately to the left of D and D is at an extreme end, F-D must occupy positions 5-6. Therefore B-A-E occupy positions 1-2-3 and C occupies position 4.

The final arrangement from left to right is:

Question 5

Who sits immediately to the right of A?

(a) B    (b) C    (c) E    (d) F

Answer: (c) E

Question 6

Who sits at the extreme right end?

(a) A    (b) D    (c) E    (d) F

Answer: (b) D

Question 7

What is the position of C with respect to A?

(a) Second to the right    (b) Third to the right    (c) Second to the left    (d) Immediate left

Answer: (a) Second to the right

Question 8

Which pair sits at the two extreme ends of the row?

(a) A and D    (b) B and D    (c) B and F    (d) C and D

Answer: (b) B and D

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Type 2A: Circular Seating Arrangement

Circular arrangement is another important form of placing puzzle. In such questions, the reference direction and the facing direction must be interpreted carefully.

Directions (Questions 9-12)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below.

Eight persons A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting around a circular table facing the centre.

• A sits opposite E.
• B sits second to the left of A.
• C sits immediately to the left of B.
• D sits immediately to the right of E.
• F sits second to the right of E.
• G sits between A and B.

Taking A as the reference point and moving clockwise, the arrangement is:

Question 9

Who sits opposite A?

(a) B    (b) C    (c) D    (d) E

Answer: (d) E

Question 10

Who sits immediately to the right of E?

(a) C    (b) D    (c) F    (d) H

Answer: (b) D

Question 11

Who sits second to the right of A?

(a) B    (b) C    (c) G    (d) F

Answer: (b) C

Question 12

How many persons sit between A and C when counted clockwise from A?

(a) One    (b) Two    (c) Three    (d) Four

Answer: (b) Two

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Type 3: Conditions, Grouping and Team Formation

In grouping and team-formation puzzles, the major task is to determine which persons or objects can or cannot be selected together. Conditional statements are particularly important in this type of puzzle.

Directions (Questions 13-17)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below.

A committee of four members is to be selected from seven persons P, Q, R, S, T, U and V, subject to the following conditions:

• If P is selected, Q must also be selected.
• P and R cannot both be selected.
• S must be selected if T is selected.
• U and V cannot both be selected.
• Q cannot be selected unless S is selected.

Question 13

If P is selected, which of the following must also be selected?

(a) R    (b) Q    (c) U    (d) V

Answer: (b) Q

Explanation: The first condition directly states P → Q.

Question 14

Which of the following pairs cannot be selected together?

(a) P and Q    (b) Q and S    (c) P and R    (d) T and S

Answer: (c) P and R

Question 15

If T is selected, which of the following must be selected?

(a) P    (b) Q    (c) S    (d) V

Answer: (c) S

Question 16

If P is selected, which of the following could be the complete committee?

(a) P, Q, R, S

(b) P, Q, S, U

(c) P, R, S, V

(d) P, Q, U, V

Answer: (b) P, Q, S, U

Explanation: P requires Q, Q requires S, and P cannot be with R. U and V are not both selected. Therefore option (b) satisfies all conditions.

Question 17

If Q is not selected, which of the following must be true?

(a) P is selected

(b) P is not selected

(c) S is not selected

(d) T is selected

Answer: (b) P is not selected

Explanation: P requires Q. Therefore, if Q is not selected, P cannot be selected.

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Type 4: Comparison and Ranking Puzzles

Comparison puzzles require the given entities to be arranged according to a measurable property such as age, height, income, marks, weight, or rank. Symbols such as >, <, and = can make the comparison easier.

Directions (Questions 18-22)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below.

Six employees P, Q, R, S, T and U have different monthly salaries.

• P earns more than Q but less than R.
• S earns more than R.
• T earns less than Q.
• U earns more than S.

Therefore, the salary order is:

Question 18

Who earns the highest salary?

(a) R    (b) S    (c) T    (d) U

Answer: (d) U

Question 19

Who earns the least salary?

(a) P    (b) Q    (c) T    (d) R

Answer: (c) T

Question 20

Who earns more than P but less than U?

(a) Q    (b) R    (c) T    (d) S

Answer: (b) R and (d) S

Note: Since two persons satisfy the condition, the question demonstrates that a comparison should be checked against the complete ranking rather than assuming that only one entity must qualify.

Question 21

How many employees earn less than R?

(a) 2    (b) 3    (c) 4    (d) 5

Answer: (b) 3

Explanation: T, Q and P earn less than R.

Question 22

Which of the following represents the correct order from highest to lowest salary?

(a) U-S-R-P-Q-T

(b) U-R-S-P-Q-T

(c) S-U-R-P-T-Q

(d) U-S-P-R-Q-T

Answer: (a) U-S-R-P-Q-T

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Type 5: Sequential Order Puzzles

In sequential-order puzzles, persons or events have to be arranged according to time, date, day, occurrence, or some other sequence. The source describes this type as requiring the candidate to frame the correct sequence from the given clues.

Directions (Questions 23-27)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below.

Seven presentations P, Q, R, S, T, U and V are scheduled from Monday to Sunday, one presentation on each day.

• Q is scheduled on Wednesday.
• R is scheduled immediately after T.
• There are exactly two days between P and S.
• U is scheduled before P.
• V is scheduled after S.
• T is not scheduled on Monday.

The valid sequence is:

Question 23

On which day is P scheduled?

(a) Tuesday    (b) Thursday    (c) Friday    (d) Saturday

Answer: (c) Friday

Question 24

Which presentation is scheduled immediately after T?

(a) P    (b) Q    (c) R    (d) S

Answer: (c) R

Question 25

How many presentations are scheduled between U and P?

(a) Two    (b) Three    (c) Four    (d) One

Answer: (b) Three

Question 26

Which presentation is scheduled on Sunday?

(a) P    (b) S    (c) U    (d) V

Answer: (d) V

Question 27

Which of the following pairs represents presentations scheduled on consecutive days?

(a) P and S    (b) T and R    (c) Q and V    (d) U and Q

Answer: (b) T and R

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Type 6: Family-Based Puzzles

Family puzzles combine relationships such as father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband and wife. They may also contain professions, age, or other attributes. The safest technique is to construct a family tree before answering the question.

Directions (Questions 28-32)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below.

There are seven members A, B, C, D, E, F and G in a family consisting of three generations.

• A is the father of B.
• B is the mother of C and D.
• C is the brother of D.
• E is the husband of B.
• F is the daughter of C.
• G is the son of D.

The basic family structure is:

Question 28

How is A related to C?

(a) Father    (b) Grandfather    (c) Uncle    (d) Brother

Answer: (a) Father

Question 29

How is C related to D?

(a) Father    (b) Brother    (c) Son    (d) Uncle

Answer: (b) Brother

Question 30

How is F related to B?

(a) Daughter    (b) Granddaughter    (c) Niece    (d) Sister

Answer: (b) Granddaughter

Question 31

How is G related to C?

(a) Brother    (b) Nephew    (c) Cousin    (d) Son

Answer: (b) Nephew

Question 32

How many generations are represented in the family?

(a) One    (b) Two    (c) Three    (d) Four

Answer: (c) Three

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Type 6A: Family + Profession Puzzle

Directions (Questions 33-35)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below.

Six members P, Q, R, S, T and U belong to the same family. There are two married couples.

• P is the father of Q and R.
• S is the wife of P.
• Q is the husband of T.
• R is unmarried.
• T is a doctor.
• P is an engineer.
• S is a teacher.
• R is a student.

Question 33

Who is the wife of Q?

(a) P    (b) R    (c) S    (d) T

Answer: (d) T

Question 34

What is the profession of P?

(a) Doctor    (b) Engineer    (c) Teacher    (d) Student

Answer: (b) Engineer

Question 35

Who is the student in the family?

(a) Q    (b) R    (c) T    (d) U

Answer: (b) R

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Type 7: Miscellaneous Multi-Attribute Puzzles

Miscellaneous puzzles combine three or more types of information. For example, persons may have different colours, professions, hobbies, cities, or other attributes. These puzzles are generally solved using a matrix or cross-reference table. The old source also uses a mixed puzzle involving persons, shirt colours and hobbies.

Directions (Questions 36-40)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below.

Five friends A, B, C, D and E live in five different cities Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur and Chennai. Each has a different hobby: Reading, Singing, Painting, Cricket and Writing. Each also wears a different shirt colour: Red, Blue, Green, White and Yellow.

• A lives in Delhi and likes Reading.
• The person who likes Reading wears Blue.
• B does not live in Mumbai or Pune.
• C lives in Mumbai and wears Red.
• The person who likes Cricket lives in Pune.
• D likes Writing.
• E does not like Singing or Painting.
• The person who lives in Jaipur wears Green.
• The person who likes Painting wears White.
• B likes Singing.

From the information:

• A = Delhi + Reading + Blue.
• C = Mumbai + Red.
• B = Singing and cannot be in Mumbai or Pune, so B is in Jaipur or Chennai.
• Cricket = Pune.
• Jaipur = Green.
• Painting = White.
• D = Writing.
• E is neither Singing nor Painting.

The remaining possibilities lead to the following valid arrangement:

Question 36

Which city does A live in?

(a) Mumbai    (b) Delhi    (c) Pune    (d) Jaipur

Answer: (b) Delhi

Question 37

What is the shirt colour of B?

(a) Blue    (b) Red    (c) Green    (d) White

Answer: (c) Green

Question 38

Who likes Writing?

(a) A    (b) B    (c) C    (d) D

Answer: (d) D

Question 39

Which person lives in Pune?

(a) B    (b) C    (c) D    (d) E

Answer: (d) E

Question 40

Which of the following combinations is correct?

(a) A - Delhi - Reading - Blue

(b) B - Chennai - Singing - Yellow

(c) C - Pune - Cricket - Red

(d) D - Jaipur - Writing - Green

Answer: (a) A - Delhi - Reading - Blue

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Type 7A: Miscellaneous Arrangement + Attribute Puzzle

Directions (Questions 41-44)

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below.

Four persons K, L, M and N are sitting in a row facing north. Each has a different profession: Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher and Engineer.

• K sits to the left of L.
• The Doctor sits at the extreme left.
• M is a Teacher.
• N sits immediately to the right of L.
• K is not the Lawyer.
• The Engineer sits immediately to the right of the Teacher.

The arrangement is:

Since M is Teacher and the Engineer sits immediately to the right of the Teacher, M must be in position 3 and the Engineer in position 4. The remaining professions can then be assigned using the remaining clues.

Question 41

Who sits immediately to the right of L?

(a) K    (b) M    (c) N    (d) Cannot be determined

Answer: (c) N

Question 42

Who is the Teacher?

(a) K    (b) L    (c) M    (d) N

Answer: (c) M

Question 43

Who is the Engineer?

(a) K    (b) L    (c) M    (d) N

Answer: (d) N

Question 44

Which profession belongs to the person sitting at the extreme left?

(a) Doctor    (b) Lawyer    (c) Teacher    (d) Engineer

Answer: (a) Doctor

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Mixed Question Types: Important Examination Patterns

Apart from direct questions, reasoning-puzzle examinations frequently ask questions that require a particular type of logical testing. The same puzzle may therefore produce several different question forms.

1. Direct Identification

These questions ask for a directly determined fact.

Examples:

• Who sits in the centre?
• Who attends on Wednesday?
• Who earns the least?
• Which person is the Doctor?

2. Relative Position

These questions ask for the position of one entity with respect to another.

• Who sits immediately to the left of A?
• What is the position of B with respect to C?
• Who sits opposite D?

3. Attribute Identification

These questions ask for an associated property.

• What colour shirt does A wear?
• Which city does B belong to?
• What is C's profession?
• Who likes Reading?

4. Counting Questions

These questions require counting the number of entities satisfying a condition.

• How many persons sit between A and B?
• How many members earn less than R?
• How many people are selected in Group 1?

5. "Who Among the Following" Questions

These questions require selecting one entity from several possibilities.

The fastest approach is usually to eliminate options using the strongest clues first.

6. "Which of the Following is True?" Questions

Each option should be checked against the complete set of conditions. The correct option is the one that satisfies all relevant conditions.

7. "Which of the Following Could Be True?" Questions

Only one valid arrangement is required. An option should be accepted if it can exist without violating any condition.

8. "Which of the Following Cannot Be True?" Questions

An option must be rejected if it produces a contradiction with even one compulsory condition.

9. "Which of the Following Must Be True?" Questions

The statement must hold in every valid arrangement. A statement that is merely possible is not sufficient.

10. "Data Inadequate" Questions

Sometimes the clues do not provide enough information to determine a unique answer. In such cases, do not make an assumption simply to select an option.

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Master Practice Set: Identify the Correct Technique

Question 45

Five objects are divided into groups according to their properties. Which technique is most suitable?

(a) Family tree    (b) Classification table    (c) Circular diagram    (d) Ranking chain

Answer: (b) Classification table

Question 46

Eight people are sitting around a circular table facing the centre. Which representation is most suitable?

(a) Timeline    (b) Ranking chain    (c) Circular arrangement    (d) Family tree

Answer: (c) Circular arrangement

Question 47

Six candidates have to be selected for a team subject to several inclusion and exclusion conditions. Which technique should be used first?

(a) Selection and exclusion rules    (b) Family tree    (c) Salary ranking    (d) Circular positioning

Answer: (a) Selection and exclusion rules

Question 48

Seven events have to be arranged according to their order of occurrence. Which representation is most suitable?

(a) Family tree    (b) Timeline    (c) Circular table    (d) Classification matrix

Answer: (b) Timeline

Question 49

Seven family members belonging to three generations are described using several relationships. What is the most reliable method?

(a) Ranking chain    (b) Classification table    (c) Family tree    (d) Circular arrangement

Answer: (c) Family tree

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Common Logical Traps in Reasoning Puzzles

Trap 1: Ignoring the Word "Immediately"

"Immediately before" means consecutive positions. It cannot be treated as simply "before".

Trap 2: Reversing Conditional Statements

If A → B, it does not automatically mean B → A.

Trap 3: Assuming Missing Information

If the puzzle does not state that two people have the same property, do not assume equality.

Trap 4: Confusing Left and Right in Circular Arrangements

Always check the facing direction before interpreting left and right.

Trap 5: Stopping After Finding a Possible Arrangement

For a "must be true" question, one possible arrangement is not enough. The statement must hold in every valid arrangement.

Trap 6: Forgetting Negative Conditions

Words such as not, never, cannot, neither, nor, except often provide important elimination clues.

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Quick Answering Framework

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Final Takeaway

The purpose of these sample questions is not only to practise individual puzzles but also to develop the ability to recognise the underlying logical structure quickly.

The major types covered in this chapter are:

1. Classification-Based Puzzles
2. Linear Seating and Placing Arrangement
3. Circular Seating Arrangement
4. Conditions, Grouping and Team Formation
5. Comparison and Ranking
6. Sequential Order
7. Family-Based Puzzles
8. Family + Profession Puzzles
9. Miscellaneous Multi-Attribute Puzzles
10. Mixed Arrangement and Attribute Puzzles

A single well-designed puzzle can generate several different question types, including direct identification, relative position, attribute identification, counting, possibility, impossibility, necessity, and data-inadequacy questions.

With regular practice, the same techniques can be applied to increasingly complex puzzle sets where several conditions and attributes are combined.