Laxmi is taller than Ramya but shorter than Susmitha. Ramya is as tall as Hema but taller than Avanthi. Based on these height comparisons, which of the following statements about Hema is definitely true?

Introduction / Context:
This height comparison question provides relational information about five people: Laxmi, Ramya, Susmitha, Hema, and Avanthi. We need to deduce the correct comparative position of Hema in this chain. Such questions test the ability to translate comparative statements into inequalities and then reason about their combined effect.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Laxmi is taller than Ramya.
• Laxmi is shorter than Susmitha.
• Ramya is as tall as Hema.
• Ramya is taller than Avanthi.
• Heights are consistent and transitive; there are no contradictions.

Concept / Approach:
We convert each statement into a symbolic inequality. Taller means greater in height, shorter means less. Equal height means the same value. Then we combine these relationships to place all individuals on a vertical scale. Once we know the relative positions, we can identify which of the answer statements about Hema must always hold true.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: From Laxmi is taller than Ramya we get Laxmi > Ramya.Step 2: From Laxmi is shorter than Susmitha we get Susmitha > Laxmi.Step 3: From Ramya is as tall as Hema we have Ramya = Hema.Step 4: From Ramya is taller than Avanthi we get Ramya > Avanthi, and therefore Hema > Avanthi because Hema and Ramya have equal height.Step 5: Combining these statements gives the order from tallest to shortest as: Susmitha, Laxmi, then Ramya = Hema, then Avanthi.Step 6: Therefore, Hema is shorter than Laxmi, and Hema is taller than Avanthi.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can imagine simple numeric heights to confirm. For example, set Avanthi at 150 centimetres. Then Ramya and Hema must be taller, say 160 centimetres. Laxmi is taller than Ramya, say 170 centimetres, and Susmitha is taller than Laxmi, say 180 centimetres. In this scale Hema is clearly above Avanthi but below Laxmi, which matches our derived order.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A says Hema is shorter than Avanthi, which contradicts the fact that Hema (equal to Ramya) is taller than Avanthi. Option C says Hema is taller than Susmitha, which is impossible because Susmitha is taller than Laxmi and Laxmi is taller than Hema. Option D says Hema is taller than Laxmi, again contradicting Laxmi > Ramya = Hema. Therefore, only the statement that Hema is taller than Avanthi but shorter than Laxmi is always true.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes track only part of the chain, such as focusing on Ramya and Avanthi, and forget to connect Laxmi and Susmitha. Another error is not using the equality Ramya = Hema properly. Writing the inequalities in a single line from tallest to shortest helps prevent confusion and ensures that every comparison is used.

Final Answer:
The statement that must be true about Hema is that she is taller than Avanthi but shorter than Laxmi.