Miscellaneous Problems

Puzzle (IFIC Bank—Jan 2010):

A family consists of six members P, Q, R, X, Y, Z. In this family, Q is the son of R but R is not the
mother of Q. Again, P and R are a married couple. Y is the brother of R. X is the daughter of P. Z
is the brother of P.
01. Who is the bother-in-law of R?
A. P B. Z C. Y D. X E. None of these

02. Who is the father of Q?

A. P B. Z C. R D. Cant’ be determined E. None of these

03. How many children does P have?

A. Four B. Three C. Two D. One E. None of these

04. How many female members are there in the family?

A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four E. None of these

Puzzle (Dhaka Bank Probationary Officer—July 2009):

Five bankers from different countries of the world are holding a conference in Dhaka. Each has
different language capabilities as noted below :
Mr. A speaks in Spanish and Italian
Mr. B speaks in Spanish and English
Mr. C speaks in English and Italian
Mr. D speaks in French and Spanish
Mr. E (a native Italian) can also speak in French

05. Besides Mr. E, which of the banker(s) can speak to Mr. D without an interpreter?
A. Only Mr. C B. Only Mr. E C. Both Mr. A & Mr. B D. Mr. A only
E. None of these

06. Which are the two least common languages spoken by the participants of the
conference?
A. Spanish & Italian B. English & Italian C. Spanish & French
D. English &French E. None of these

Tanvir S@ifur’s ([email protected]) Page 1

 07. Which pair(s) of bankers cannot speak without an interpreter?
A. CD & BE B. AB & CD C. CE & DE D. AE & BC E. None of these

Logical Reading:
08. If Munna is on the Finance team, then he is a member of the central committee?
A. Central Committee members are hogging all the important jobs
B. Everybody on the finance team is also a member of the central committee
C. Munna is on the central committee
D. The Finance team and the central committee are not identical bodies
E. Munna is on the Finance team

09. There are no lower bus fares from Washington D.C to New York City than those of Flash
Bus Line.
Which of the following is logically inconsistent with the above advertising claim?
(I) Long Lines Airways has a Washington D.C to New York City far that i only one half
that charge by Flash
(II) Rapid Transit Bus Company charges the same fare for a trip from Washington
D.C to New York City as Flash charges
(III) Cherokee Bus Corporation has a lower fare from New York City to Boston than
does Flash.
A. I only B. II only C. I & II only D. I, II & III E. None of these

10. “A is taller than B, P is taller than Q, Q is shorter than M. B and M are of the same
height”. On the basis of the above mentioned information, which of the following
conditions is true?
A. P is taller than M B. P is taller than A C. B is shorter than P
D. A is taller than Q E. B is shorter than Q

Puzzle on Trial & Error Method (MBM 2007):

Four people of a different nationalities live on the same side of a street in four houses, each of
a different color. Each person has a different favorite drink. The following additional
information is also given.
I. The Englishman lives in red house
II. The Italian takes tea
III. The Norwegian lives in the first house on the left
IV. In the second house from the right, they drink milk
V. The person living adjacent to blue house drinks cocoa.
Tanvir S@ifur’s ([email protected]) Page 2
 VI. The Spaniard drinks fruit juice
VII. The white house is to the right of the red house
VIII. No other description is available

11. Milk is drunk by:

A. Then Norwegian B. The Englishman C. The Italian D. none of these

12. The Norwegian drinks:

A. Milk B. Cocoa C. Tea D. Fruit Juice

13. The Color of the Norwegian’s house is:

A. White B. Red C. Blue D. Can’t be determined

14. Which of the following is not true?

A. Milk is drunk in the red house
B. The Italian lives in the blue house
C. The Spaniard lies in a corner house
D. The Italian lives next to the Spaniard

Puzzle on Trial & Error Method (MBM 2009):

The letters A, B, C, D, E, F and G not necessarily in that order, stand for seven consecutive
integers from 1 to 10.
 D is 3 less than A
 B is the middle term
 F is as much less than B as C is greater than D
 G is greater than F

15. The fifth integer is?

A) A B) C C) D D) E E) F

16. A is as much greater than F as which integer is less than G?

A) A B) B C) C D) D E) E

17. If A = 7, the sum of E and G is?

A) 8 B) 10 C) 12 D) 14 E) 16

Tanvir S@ifur’s ([email protected]) Page 3

 18. A- F = ?
A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 E) Can’t be determined

19. An integer T is as much greater than C as C is greater than E. T can be written as A+E.
What is D ?
A) 2 B) 3 C) 4 D) 5 E) Can’t be determined

20. The greatest possible value of C is how much greater than the smallest possible value of
D?
A) 2 B) 3 C) 4 D) 5 E) 6

Critical Reasoning Examples:

Example 01 :Last year a record number of new manufacturing jobs were created. Will this year
bring another record? Well, a new manufacturing job is created either within an existing
company or by the start-up of a new company. Within existing firms, new jobs have been
created this year at well below last year’s record pace. At the same time, there is considerable
evidence that the number of new companies starting up will be no higher this year than it was
last year, and surely the new companies starting up this year will create no more jobs per
company than did last year’s start-ups. Clearly, it can be concluded that the number of new
jobs created this year will fall short of last year’s record.
In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
(A) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of
the argument; the second is that main conclusion.
(B) The first is a prediction that, if accurate, would provide support for the main conclusion of
the argument; the second is a conclusion drawn in order to support that main conclusion.
(C) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second is the main conclusion of the
argument.
(D) The first is an objection that the argument rejects; the second presents a conclusion that
could be drawn if that objection were allowed to stand.
(E) The first is a claim that has been advanced in support of a position that the argument
opposes; the second is a claim advanced in support of the main conclusion of the argument.
Argument Construction
Situation Th e question posed is whether this year will, like last year, see a record number of
new manufacturing jobs. Among the evidence presented is the assertion that any new
manufacturing job is created by an existing company or as part of the start-up of a new
company. New jobs have been created by existing firms at a slower pace than last year. It is

Tanvir S@ifur’s ([email protected]) Page 4

unlikely that more new companies will be started up this year than were started last year;
further, the argument suggests that this year’s new companies are unlikely to create more jobs
per company than did last year’s new companies. For all these reasons, the argument
concludes, this year’s job creation will not equal that of last year.
Reasoning What roles do the two portions in boldface play in the argument? The first boldfaced
portion states that this year’s new companies will create no more jobs per company than did
last year’s new companies. The speaker does not know this for a fact, since it has not yet
happened; it is thus a prediction. If it turns out to be the case, it would support the idea that job
creation this year will fall short of last year’s—which is, in turn, the conclusion that the
argument reaches.
A Correct. Th is statement properly identifies the roles played in the argument by the two
portions in boldface.
B This properly identifies the role played in the argument by the first portion in boldface. Th e
second is, of course, a conclusion, but it is not drawn in order to support the main conclusion;
rather, it is the main conclusion.
C This properly identifies the role played by the second portion in boldface. Th e first portion in
boldface, however, states that companies starting up this year will create no more jobs than
last year’s start-ups. Th e argument does not reject this idea; rather, it relies on it.
D Th e first portion in boldface states that companies starting up this year will create no more
jobs than last year’s start-ups. Th e argument does not reject this idea; rather, it relies on it. The
second portion in boldface does present a conclusion, but since the first portion is not an
objection, any description that relies on that mischaracterization is in error.
E The second portion in boldface is not merely a claim; it is, rather, the main conclusion of the
argument. The first portion in boldface is a claim, but it is not advanced in support of a position
that the argument opposes; rather, it supports the argument’s main conclusion.
The correct answer is A.

Example 02:
Which of the following best completes the passage below?
The computer industry’s estimate that it loses millions of dollars when users illegally copy
programs without paying for them is greatly exaggerated. Most of the illegal copying is done by
people with no serious interest in the programs. Thus, the loss to the industry is quite small,
because______________________?
(A) many users who illegally copy programs never find any use for them
(B) most people who illegally copy programs would not purchase them even if purchasing them
were the only way to obtain them

Tanvir S@ifur’s ([email protected]) Page 5

(C) even if the computer industry received all the revenue it claims to be losing, it would still be
experiencing financial difficulties
(D) the total market value of all illegal copies is low in comparison to the total revenue of the
computer industry
(E) the number of programs that are frequently copied illegally is low in comparison to the
number of programs available for sale
Argument Construction
Situation The computer industry’s estimate of its losses due to illegally copied programs is
exaggerated—and actually quite small—because most of the illegal copying is done by people
who are not greatly interested in the programs.
Reasoning Why would the loss to the industry be said to be small? The industry’s loss due to
illegal copying of programs must be evaluated in terms of the sales lost; the actual loss to the
industry is directly related to the legitimate sales opportunities that have been lost. Would the
people illegally copying the programs buy them if they could not otherwise obtain them? If it
were true that most of them have no serious interest in the programs, they would be unlikely to
purchase them. In this case, few sales would be lost and the loss to the industry could be
considered small.
A What users do (or do not do) with programs once they have them does not help to show that
the loss to the industry is small.
B Correct.
C The greater financial difficulties of the industry do not help to show that the loss incurred
because of the illegally copied programs is small.
D This comparison is faulty: Th e loss is not being considered in the context of total industry
revenues but in the context of total sales of programs.
E This information does not provide a good reason for the claim that the loss to the industry is
small. Even if the number of programs frequently copied is low, the number of copies made
from each program might be huge (for the most popular programs).
The correct answer is B.

Example 03:
Which of the following most logically completes the argument below?
Davison River farmers are currently deciding between planting winter wheat this fall or spring
wheat next spring. Winter wheat and spring wheat are usually about equally profitable.
Because of new government restrictions on the use of Davison River water for irrigation, per
acre yields for winter wheat, though not for spring wheat, would be much lower than average.
Therefore, planting spring wheat will be more profitable than planting winter wheat,
since______________?

Tanvir S@ifur’s ([email protected]) Page 6

(A) the smaller-than-average size of a winter wheat harvest this year would not be
compensated for by higher winter wheat prices
(B) new crops of spring wheat must be planted earlier than the time at which standing crops of
winter wheat are ready to be harvested
(C) the spring wheat that farmers in the Davison River region plant is well adapted to the soil of
the region
(D) spring wheat has uses that are different from those of winter wheat
(E) planting spring wheat is more profitable than planting certain other crops, such as rye
Argument Construction
Situation Farmers in the Davison River region must choose between planting winter wheat in
the fall and planting spring wheat next spring. Th e crops tend to be equally profitable. This
year’s winter wheat crop yield is likely to be lower than average. The spring wheat yield should
not be lower than average. Th us, for these reasons (plus one that the argument omits), spring
wheat will be more profitable than winter wheat.
Reasoning Which point would logically complete the argument? What would ensure spring
wheat’s profitability over winter wheat? Since the yield per acre of winter wheat is likely to be
lower than usual, there will most likely be less winter wheat to sell. Winter wheat could match
its usual profitability if the price farmers receive for it were to rise. If its price does not rise,
however, it is unlikely to match its usual profitability. It would thus be unlikely to match spring
wheat’s profitability.
A Correct. If this is true, it would mean that smaller-than-average winter wheat yields would
translate into lower-than-usual profits on winter wheat (while spring wheat would be as
profitable as winter wheat would normally be). Th is would justify the conclusion that spring
wheat will be more profitable than winter wheat.
B This provides support for the idea that farmers must choose between planting winter wheat
and planting spring wheat, but it does not help determine which would be more profitable to
plant.
C This does not help explain why spring wheat is likely to be more profitable than winter wheat,
because it gives no information about how well winter wheat is adapted to the soil of the
region.
D That spring wheat and winter wheat have different uses is not helpful in supporting a
conclusion about which kind of wheat will be more profitable. It might help to know which of
their uses are more profitable than others.
E Since the question is whether it will be more profitable to plant winter wheat or to plant
spring wheat, the fact that spring wheat is more profitable than non-wheat crops is not
relevant.
The correct answer is A.

Tanvir S@ifur’s ([email protected]) Page 7

Example 04:
Although the earliest surviving Greek inscriptions written in an alphabet date from the eighth
century B.C., the fact that the text of these Greek inscriptions sometimes runs from right to
left and sometimes from left to right indicates that the Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at
least two centuries before these inscriptions were produced. After all, the Greeks learned
alphabetic writing from the Phoenicians, and presumably, along with the alphabet, they also
adopted the then-current Phoenician practice with respect to the direction of text. And
although Phoenician writing was originally inconsistent in direction, by the eighth century
B.C. Phoenician was consistently written from right to left and had been for about two
centuries.
In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
(A) The first and the second each describe evidence that has been used to challenge the
position that the argument seeks to establish.
(B) The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument
seeks to establish; the second is that position.
(C) The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument
seeks to establish; the second is a consideration that is introduced to counter the force of that
evidence.
(D) The first and the second each provide evidence in support of the position that the argument
seeks to establish.
(E) The first provides evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish;
the second is that position.
Argument Evaluation
Situation The oldest surviving Greek inscriptions written in an alphabet are from the eighth
century B.C. and run from both left to right and right to left. Therefore, it is likely that the
Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries before these inscriptions were made.
Th e Greeks adopted their alphabet from the Phoenicians, who wrote in both directions up until
two centuries prior to the eighth century.
Reasoning What roles do the two boldfaced portions play in the argument? Th e conclusion of
the argument is that the Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries before the
oldest surviving Greek inscriptions were written in the eighth century B.C. Th e first and second
boldfaced portions work together to support this conclusion.
A The first and second portions are not used to challenge the position the argument seeks to
establish, but to support it.
B The first is evidence for the conclusion, not for an objection to it; the second is as well.
C The first is evidence for the conclusion, not for an objection to it; the second is as well.
D Correct. Th is option correctly identifies the roles played by the boldfaced portions.

Tanvir S@ifur’s ([email protected]) Page 8

E The second boldfaced portion is not the conclusion, but evidence for that conclusion.
The correct answer is D.

Example 05:
Since it has become known that several of a bank’s top executives have been buying shares in
their own bank, the bank’s depositors, who had been worried by rumors that the bank faced
impending financial collapse, have been greatly relieved. They reason that, since top executives
evidently have faith in the bank’s financial soundness, those worrisome rumors must be false.
Such reasoning might well be overoptimistic, however, since corporate executives have been
known to buy shares in their own company in a calculated attempt to dispel negative rumors
about the company’s health.
In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
(A) The first describes evidence that has been taken as supporting a conclusion; the second
gives a reason for questioning that support.
(B) The first describes evidence that has been taken as supporting a conclusion; the second
states a contrary conclusion that is the main conclusion of the argument.
(C) The first provides evidence in support of the main conclusion of the argument; the second
states that conclusion.
(D) The first describes the circumstance that the argument as a whole seeks to explain; the
second gives the explanation that the argument seeks to establish.
(E) The first describes the circumstance that the argument as a whole seeks to explain; the
second provides evidence in support of the explanation that the argument seeks to establish.
Argument Evaluation
Situation Top executives at a bank that has been rumored to be in financial trouble have been
buying shares in the bank. Bank depositors see this as a good sign, because they believe that it
indicates that the executives have faith in the bank. However, corporate executives sometimes
do this just to dispel rumors about a company’s health.
Reasoning What is the role that the two boldfaced portions play in the argument? The first
boldfaced portion states that bank executives are buying bank shares, which the passage
indicates is taken by bank depositors to be evidence of the executives’ faith in the bank. Th e
passage then tells us what some have inferred from this, and finally offers in the second
boldfaced statement evidence that undermines this inference.
A Correct. This option correctly identifies the roles played by the boldfaced portions.
B This correctly describes the first statement’s role, but the second statement is not offered as
a conclusion—no evidence is given for it; rather it is evidence for something else.
C Again, the second statement is not offered as a conclusion; no evidence is given for it.
D The second statement is not itself offered as an explanation of why these bank executives are

Tanvir S@ifur’s ([email protected]) Page 9

investing in the bank; if it were, that would mean that the bank executives are doing so because
corporate executives are known to do such things in a calculated effort to dispel worries.
Furthermore the argument does not conclude that this other explanation (which the boldfaced
portion points to) is correct, only that the one inferred by depositors may not be.
E Again, the argument is not so much seeking to establish an explanation of its own as it is
trying to undermine that inferred by the depositors.
The correct answer is A.

Answer Key
1. B 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. C 6. D 7. A 8. B 9.D 10.D 11. B 12.B 13.D 14.D
15.B 16.D 17. B 18.C 19.E 20.D

Tanvir S@ifur’s ([email protected]) Page 10