Question 1

Arrange the following words in the order in which they occur in an English dictionary and select the correct sequence of roman numerals. i. Yielded ii. Yelp iii. Yeast iv. Yogurt

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks basic competence in arranging words by dictionary order, especially when all words share the same initial letter combination. The terms Yeast, Yelp, Yielded, and Yogurt all begin with Y and many start with Ye, which forces us to carefully compare subsequent letters. Such questions reward a systematic letter by letter comparison and penalise guessing based on word familiarity alone. Given Data / Assumptions: Words with roman numerals: i. Yielded ii. Yelp iii. Yeast iv. Yogurt Standard English alphabetical ordering applies. Dictionary order is determined by comparing each letter from left to right. Concept / Approach: All words start with Y, so we compare from the second letter onward. For words starting with the same second letter, such as Ye, we then examine the third, fourth, and subsequent letters until we find a difference. Once we have ordered the Ye words, we then compare them with words starting Yo, because E comes before O in the alphabet. This structured comparison ensures that we do not rely on intuitive sound or length, but on the strict dictionary rule. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Write the words clearly: Yielded, Yelp, Yeast, Yogurt. Step 2: Compare initial letters. Yeast, Yelp, and Yielded all start with Y E, while Yogurt starts with Y O. Since E comes before O, all Ye words must come before Yogurt. Step 3: Among the Ye words, compare the third letters: Yeast (Y E A), Yelp (Y E L), Yielded (Y I E). A comes before L, and both come before I, so the order among these three is Yeast, Yelp, Yielded. Step 4: Finally, add Yogurt at the end because Y O follows all Y E combinations. Therefore, the complete dictionary order is Yeast (iii), Yelp (ii), Yielded (i), Yogurt (iv) which is expressed as iii, ii, i, iv. Verification / Alternative check: We can quickly verify by listing the words and mentally scanning the alphabet: under Y, all words starting YE appear before any word starting YO. Within YE, we look at the third letters A, L, and I and note the order A, I, L or A, L, I depending on the spelling, but when fully checked, Yeast, Yelp, and Yielded fall into the correct sequence Yeast, Yelp, Yielded. Appending Yogurt at the end confirms that the roman numeral order iii, ii, i, iv is consistent and correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (ii, iii, iv, i) starts with Yelp, ignoring the fact that Yeast with early A should precede it. Option C (iv, i, ii, iii) places Yogurt first, which is incorrect because words starting with YO come after words starting with YE. Option D (i, ii, iii, iv) begins with Yielded even though the third letter I comes after both A and L in Yeast and Yelp. Option E (iii, i, ii, iv) misplaces Yielded and Yelp by putting Yielded before Yelp even though I comes after L in the alphabet. Hence, only iii, ii, i, iv follows correct dictionary rules. Common Pitfalls: Candidates often rely on how frequently they hear or use a word in daily life, which does not always match dictionary order. Another pitfall is ignoring the third or fourth letters once the first two letters match. Whenever words share a long prefix, it is essential to go further along the spelling until there is a clear difference and then apply alphabetical order precisely at that position. Final Answer: The correct dictionary order is Yeast, Yelp, Yielded, Yogurt which corresponds to the roman numeral sequence iii, ii, i, iv.

Question 2

A series of straight chain alkanes is given with one term missing. Choose the correct alternative from the options that will complete the series. ?, Hexane, Heptane, Octane

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is based on the systematic naming of straight chain alkanes in basic organic chemistry. The series lists Hexane, Heptane, and Octane, which are the alkanes with six, seven, and eight carbon atoms respectively. To find the missing term at the beginning of the list, we must recall the standard prefixes used in the IUPAC naming system and recognise the sequence of increasing carbon chain length. Given Data / Assumptions: Given series: ?, Hexane, Heptane, Octane. Hexane is the alkane with 6 carbon atoms (C6H14). Heptane is the alkane with 7 carbon atoms (C7H16). Octane is the alkane with 8 carbon atoms (C8H18). The series is arranged in increasing order of the number of carbon atoms. Concept / Approach: Straight chain alkanes follow a clear naming pattern: Methane (1), Ethane (2), Propane (3), Butane (4), Pentane (5), Hexane (6), Heptane (7), Octane (8), Nonane (9), and so on. In the given series, names with prefixes Hex, Hept, and Oct appear consecutively. Therefore, the missing name immediately before Hexane should be the alkane with 5 carbon atoms, namely Pentane. Recognising the numeric prefixes Pent, Hex, Hept, and Oct is the key step in solving this question. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Write the standard sequence of straight chain alkanes around the given range: Pentane (5), Hexane (6), Heptane (7), Octane (8), Nonane (9). Step 2: Observe that the series in the question lists Hexane, Heptane, and Octane, which correspond to 6, 7, and 8 carbon atoms respectively. Step 3: The missing term appears before Hexane, so it must be the alkane with 5 carbon atoms in the standard list. Step 4: The alkane with 5 carbon atoms is called Pentane, so Pentane is the correct term to complete the series. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify using the prefixes: Pent refers to five, Hex to six, Hept to seven, and Oct to eight. Since the series is clearly moving from lower to higher carbon numbers, there is no gap within the names provided. Checking the options, only Pentane fits exactly before Hexane within the well known sequence of alkane names. Benzene is not even an alkane, while names like Methane and Propane do not sit immediately before Hexane in that sequence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Benzene is an aromatic compound and does not belong to the straight chain alkane series at all. Nonane represents the alkane with 9 carbon atoms and would appear after Octane, not before Hexane. Methane has only one carbon atom and is far earlier in the series, not just one step before Hexane. Propane has three carbon atoms and also does not lie adjacent to Hexane in the sequence. Hence, none of these can be the missing term directly preceding Hexane in an increasing sequence. Common Pitfalls: A frequent error is to answer based on familiarity with fuel related names such as Propane or Methane without recalling the full ordered list of alkanes. Some students may also confuse Benzene with alkanes because it is a familiar hydrocarbon name, but Benzene is structurally different and not part of this simple straight chain series. Always relate the prefix to the number of carbon atoms when tackling such questions. Final Answer: The missing term before Hexane in the straight chain alkane series is Pentane.

Question 3

Arrange the following words in the order in which they occur in an English dictionary and then select the correct sequence of roman numerals. i. Examination ii. Explicit iii. Expenditure iv. Experience

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on ordering words that share a common prefix, in this case “ex”. Such problems evaluate the ability to apply strict alphabetical rules when several words begin with the same letters but diverge later. The words Examination, Explicit, Expenditure, and Experience must be arranged exactly as they would appear in a standard English dictionary, and then translated into the correct roman numeral sequence. Given Data / Assumptions: Words with roman numerals: i. Examination ii. Explicit iii. Expenditure iv. Experience All words start with the letters E X. Standard alphabetical ordering applies, letter by letter from left to right. Concept / Approach: When several words share an initial sequence like EX, we ignore that common part and compare subsequent letters. After EX, the next important group of letters in each word is A, P E, P E, and P L. Words starting with EXA will precede those starting with EXP. Among the EXP words, we then compare further letters E, E, and L to decide which of Expenditure, Experience, and Explicit comes first, second, and third. This method ensures we follow exact dictionary rules rather than intuition. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Write the words after the common prefix EX: Examination (amination), Explicit (plicit), Expenditure (penditure), Experience (perience). Step 2: Compare the third letters overall: Examination has EXA, while the other three begin with EXP. Since A comes before P, Examination must come first. Step 3: Now focus on the EXP words. Compare Expenditure and Experience, both starting with EXPE. After EXPE, Expenditure has N, and Experience has R. Since N comes before R, Expenditure comes before Experience. Step 4: Explicit starts with EXPL, and L comes after E in the alphabet when we compare the fourth letter after EXP. Therefore Explicit comes after both Expenditure and Experience. The final order is Examination (i), Expenditure (iii), Experience (iv), Explicit (ii) which is i, iii, iv, ii. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, we can mentally list them in full: Examination, Expenditure, Experience, Explicit. Many dictionaries list EXA words before EXE and EXI words. When we examine the sequences EXAM, EXPEN, EXPER, and EXPLI, the alphabetical order matches our derived order. Converting this back to roman numerals gives i, iii, iv, ii, which is one of the answer choices and consistent with correct dictionary practice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (i, iv, iii, ii) places Experience before Expenditure even though the letter N in Expenditure comes before R in Experience. Option B (i, ii, iii, iv) incorrectly puts Explicit immediately after Examination and ahead of the EXPEN and EXPER words. Option C (i, iv, ii, iii) also misorders the EXP words by placing Experience before Explicit and Expenditure. Option E (iii, i, iv, ii) starts with Expenditure, which is wrong because Examination must come first due to EXA preceding EXP. Common Pitfalls: A typical error is to rely on familiarity with word meanings instead of spelling, causing students to guess that Explicit should come earlier due to its strong sound. Another mistake is to compare only the first three letters and overlook subtle differences in later positions. For series where the first few letters are identical, always move forward until the first differing letter and base your ordering solely on that comparison. Final Answer: The correct dictionary order is Examination, Expenditure, Experience, Explicit which corresponds to the sequence i, iii, iv, ii in terms of the given roman numerals.

Question 4

A series of high Himalayan peaks is given with one term missing. Choose the correct alternative from the options that will complete the series. Nanga Parbat, Kanchenjunga, Mount Godwin Austen, ?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question belongs to the general knowledge and logical sequence category. It lists famous high peaks of the Himalayas and nearby ranges. To determine the missing term, we need to recall the relative heights and significance of these mountains. The series places three very high peaks in an increasing order of prominence and elevation, and we must identify which famous peak naturally follows them in such a sequence. Given Data / Assumptions: Given series: Nanga Parbat, Kanchenjunga, Mount Godwin Austen, ? Nanga Parbat is one of the higher peaks of the Himalayas but is lower than Kanchenjunga and Mount Godwin Austen. Kanchenjunga is among the highest peaks of the world. Mount Godwin Austen is the alternative name for K2, the second highest peak in the world. We assume that the series progresses towards the highest peak. Concept / Approach: The logic here is based on the ranking of peaks by height. Nanga Parbat is extremely high, but not in the top three globally. Kanchenjunga, however, is the third highest mountain. Mount Godwin Austen (K2) is the second highest mountain. After listing the third highest and then the second highest mountain, it is natural to expect the sequence to culminate with the highest mountain in the world. The highest mountain on Earth above sea level is Mount Everest, so this must be the missing entry if the pattern is height based progression. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that Nanga Parbat, Kanchenjunga, and Mount Godwin Austen are all very high peaks in the Himalayan and Karakoram region. Step 2: Recall that Kanchenjunga is ranked as the third highest mountain in the world after K2 and Everest. Step 3: Recognise that Mount Godwin Austen is another name for K2, which is the second highest peak in the world. Step 4: Since the series already includes the third highest (Kanchenjunga) and second highest (K2), the logical next term is the highest peak in the world, which is Mount Everest. Verification / Alternative check: As a verification, review the typical listing of the three highest peaks: Mount Everest (highest), K2 or Mount Godwin Austen (second highest), and Kanchenjunga (third highest). The question reverses the last two positions slightly by listing Nanga Parbat first, then Kanchenjunga, then K2. Even so, after K2 the next natural name in any discussion of the tallest peaks is Everest. None of the other options such as Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, or Aravalli Range match this global maximum height pattern, which confirms that Mount Everest is the correct completion of the series. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Nanda Devi and Dunagiri are important Indian peaks but they are much lower than Kanchenjunga and K2 and do not follow in any standard world ranking right after K2. The Aravalli Range is not even a single high Himalayan peak; it is an ancient low hill range in western India, so it clearly does not fit the pattern of the highest mountains. Kailash is a sacred peak, but again not the highest or next in any height based ranking after K2. Hence, these names do not maintain the logical progression towards the world's highest peak. Common Pitfalls: One common mistake is to select a mountain that is familiar from national context, such as Nanda Devi, without considering the global ranking by height. Another pitfall is not recognising that Mount Godwin Austen is K2 and that K2 is the second highest mountain. Without that knowledge, the pattern may appear random. Remembering the top three peaks and their order is a useful shortcut for many competitive exams. Final Answer: After Nanga Parbat, Kanchenjunga, and Mount Godwin Austen, the logical next high peak in the sequence is Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world.

Question 5

Arrange the following words in the order in which they appear in an English dictionary and then select the correct sequence of roman numerals. i. Beguile ii. Bigot iii. Begun iv. Bigamy

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question again tests dictionary or alphabetical ordering skills when words share a common prefix. The four words Beguile, Bigot, Begun, and Bigamy look similar but differ in the second and third letters. To arrive at the correct order, we must carefully apply the rule of comparing letters from left to right and decide which word comes first whenever letters differ at a specific position. Given Data / Assumptions: Words with roman numerals: i. Beguile ii. Bigot iii. Begun iv. Bigamy All words start with the letter B. Dictionary order uses strict alphabetical comparison of letters. Concept / Approach: We first compare the second letters of each word: Beguile and Begun begin with B E, while Bigamy and Bigot begin with B I. Words with B E will precede those with B I, because E comes before I in the alphabet. Once we have ordered the BE words, we follow the same procedure for the BI words. Within each group, if the first three letters are identical, we move to the fourth, and so on, until we can distinguish their order. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Split the words by second letter: Beguile and Begun start with B E, while Bigamy and Bigot start with B I. Step 2: Since E comes before I, Beguile (i) and Begun (iii) will come before Bigamy (iv) and Bigot (ii) in any dictionary. Step 3: Among the BE words, compare letters after B E G: Beguile (B E G U I L E) and Begun (B E G U N). After B E G U, Beguile has I and Begun has N. Since I comes before N, Beguile comes before Begun. Step 4: Among the BI words, compare Bigamy (B I G A M Y) and Bigot (B I G O T). After B I G, Bigamy has A and Bigot has O. Since A comes before O, Bigamy comes before Bigot. Therefore, the complete dictionary order is Beguile (i), Begun (iii), Bigamy (iv), Bigot (ii), which is i, iii, iv, ii. Verification / Alternative check: We can quickly check by writing the four words in alphabetical order based on their second letters. All words starting with BE must come together before those starting with BI. Then, within BE, we confirm that Beguile comes before Begun, and within BI, that Bigamy comes before Bigot. This confirms the sequence Beguile, Begun, Bigamy, Bigot. Translating back to roman numerals gives i, iii, iv, ii, matching the identified correct option. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (i, iii, ii, iv) incorrectly places Bigot before Bigamy, even though A in Bigamy comes before O in Bigot. Option C (i, ii, iii, iv) puts Bigot immediately after Beguile, ignoring both Begun and Bigamy, which is not in line with the BE and BI grouping logic. Option D (i, iv, iii, ii) misplaces Begun, which must come right after Beguile before any BI word. Option E (iii, i, iv, ii) starts with Begun instead of Beguile, even though the fifth letter I in Beguile comes before N in Begun when compared after the shared prefix. Common Pitfalls: Many students glance only at the first two or three letters and ignore later differences, especially in longer words. Others try to remember the meanings of the words rather than their spellings, which is irrelevant to dictionary order. A reliable method is always to compare the words systematically character by character until the first difference is found and then apply the alphabet rule at that position. Final Answer: The correct alphabetical order is Beguile, Begun, Bigamy, Bigot which is represented by the roman numeral sequence i, iii, iv, ii.

Question 6

Arrange the following words in the order in which they occur in an English dictionary and select the correct sequence of roman numerals. i. Aperture ii. Application iii. Appliance iv. Appeal

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In this question, four words starting with the letters A P must be arranged in exact dictionary order. Such problems test careful comparison of words that share common prefixes, in this case A P E and A P P. The candidate must notice that even though the words are all familiar, their alphabetical positions depend strictly on their letter sequence, not on meaning or frequency of use. Given Data / Assumptions: Words with roman numerals: i. Aperture ii. Application iii. Appliance iv. Appeal All words begin with A P. Standard English dictionary rules apply, comparing letters from left to right. Concept / Approach: We first examine the third letter after A P. Aperture begins with A P E, while the other three words begin with A P P. Since E comes before P, Aperture must appear before any of the words beginning with A P P. Once Aperture is placed first, we then order Appeal, Appliance, and Application among themselves by comparing each letter in sequence until a difference automatically determines the order. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Separate the words by their first three letters: Aperture (A P E), Appeal (A P P E), Appliance (A P P L), Application (A P P L). Step 2: Since E comes before P, Aperture must come first in any dictionary listing among these words. Step 3: Now consider the three words beginning with A P P. Appeal has A P P E, while Appliance and Application have A P P L. Since E comes before L, Appeal comes next, immediately after Aperture. Step 4: Between Appliance and Application, both start with A P P L I A. Application is longer and has extra letters after the common beginning, so Appliance comes before Application. Therefore, the full order is Aperture (i), Appeal (iv), Appliance (iii), Application (ii), giving i, iv, iii, ii. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify quickly by writing or visualising the words: first look at APE versus APP. All APP words must follow APE. Within APP, Appeal has an early E in the fourth position, while Appliance and Application both have L in that position. Words with E at that position must appear before those with L. Finally, among Appliance and Application, the common root works like many prefix cases: the shorter word Appliance comes first. Mapping the resulting order to roman numerals confirms i, iv, iii, ii as the correct option. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (iv, i, ii, iii) incorrectly puts Appeal before Aperture, even though Aperture has A P E while Appeal has A P P. Option C (i, iii, ii, iv) places Appliance before Appeal, ignoring that E comes before L at the critical position. Option D (i, ii, iii, iv) wrongly puts Application before Appliance, despite the prefix rule where the shorter word Appliance appears first when spellings are otherwise identical up to a certain point. Option E (iv, iii, i, ii) starts with Appeal and delays Aperture, violating the basic APE before APP rule. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to focus on the meanings, for example thinking that Appeal and Appliance are related in importance and placing them close together without doing a careful letter by letter comparison. Another error is forgetting that when one word is fully contained at the start of another, the shorter word always comes first. Taking a moment to compare the exact spelling of each word avoids these traps. Final Answer: The correct dictionary order is Aperture, Appeal, Appliance, Application which in terms of roman numerals is i, iv, iii, ii.

Question 7

A series of ancient civilizations is given with one term missing. Choose the correct alternative from the options that will complete the series. Mesopotamian civilization, Egyptian civilization, ?, Chinese civilization

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question belongs to the general knowledge and history section. It lists some of the world's earliest great civilizations. To determine the missing term, we should recall the sequence of major river valley civilizations that are usually taught together as the earliest centres of urban culture. The series begins with Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations and ends with Chinese civilization; we must identify which classical early civilization normally appears between Egypt and China in such discussions. Given Data / Assumptions: Given series: Mesopotamian civilization, Egyptian civilization, ?, Chinese civilization. Mesopotamian civilization flourished in the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys. Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile River. Chinese civilization is associated with the Huang He (Yellow River) and Yangtze river valleys. We are looking for another early river valley civilization that is normally grouped with these three. Concept / Approach: In history textbooks, the earliest urban civilizations are commonly listed as Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Indus Valley, and Chinese. These are the major Bronze Age river valley civilizations. Greek and Roman civilizations are later classical civilizations, while Persian civilization, though ancient, is not usually grouped as one of the earliest river valley centres in the same way. The missing term in the standard list between Egyptian and Chinese is therefore the Indus Valley civilization, which flourished in the region of present day Pakistan and north western India along the Indus River and its tributaries. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the standard list of early river valley civilizations: Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Indus Valley, and Chinese. Step 2: Compare this with the given series, which already includes Mesopotamian and Egyptian at the start and Chinese at the end. Step 3: Recognise that the only famous early river valley civilization missing from the sequence is the Indus Valley civilization. Step 4: Select Indus Valley civilization from the options as the term that logically fills the blank between Egyptian and Chinese civilizations. Verification / Alternative check: An alternative check is to consider approximate chronological and thematic grouping. Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations began very early in the third millennium BCE. The Indus Valley civilization flourished slightly later but is still among the earliest urban cultures. Chinese civilization also developed early but is usually placed after these when teaching the four main ancient river valley civilizations. Greek, Roman, and Persian civilizations are generally discussed in later historical units as classical or imperial powers, not as the very earliest river based urban cultures. This confirms the suitability of Indus Valley civilization as the missing term. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Greek and Roman civilizations are important but they are not part of the standard four earliest river valley civilizations. They developed later around the Mediterranean Sea and are usually classified under ancient classical civilizations rather than Bronze Age river valley cultures. Persian civilization, although ancient and powerful, is not typically grouped in the same fundamental set of earliest urban river valley civilizations either. Mayan civilization is from a completely different region and much later in time, located in Mesoamerica, and does not fit into the standard list of early Old World river valley civilizations discussed here. Common Pitfalls: Students may be tempted to choose Greek or Roman civilization simply because those names are very familiar and frequently mentioned in historical studies. Another common error is not recognising that the question is specifically hinting at the earliest river valley civilizations. Remembering the classic list Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Indus Valley, and Chinese can help avoid such confusion in many exam questions. Final Answer: The missing civilization between Mesopotamian and Egyptian on one side and Chinese on the other is the Indus Valley civilization.

Question 8

A numerical series is given with one term missing. Choose the correct alternative from the options that will complete the series. 7, 13, 21, 31, 43, 57, ?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests basic number series recognition, where each term follows a pattern derived from the previous term or terms. The series 7, 13, 21, 31, 43, 57 shows gradually increasing gaps between consecutive numbers. Identifying those gaps and recognising the pattern in the differences is essential for correctly predicting the next term in the sequence. Given Data / Assumptions: Series provided: 7, 13, 21, 31, 43, 57, ? We assume the series follows a consistent rule based on arithmetic differences. We must determine the missing next term from the given answer options. Concept / Approach: A common technique for such series is to compute the differences between consecutive terms and look for a pattern in those differences. If the differences themselves form a simple progression, we can extend that progression to find the next difference, and then add it to the last known term. Here the differences increase in a consistent way, suggesting that the rule for the sequence is based on adding consecutive even numbers to each term. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Calculate the differences between consecutive terms: 13 − 7 = 6, 21 − 13 = 8, 31 − 21 = 10, 43 − 31 = 12, 57 − 43 = 14. Step 2: Observe that the differences themselves form a clear sequence: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14. This is an arithmetic progression of even numbers increasing by 2 each time. Step 3: To continue this pattern, the next difference after 14 should be 16. Step 4: Add this next difference to the last known term: 57 + 16 = 73. Therefore, the missing term in the original series is 73. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify quickly by reconstructing the series using the difference pattern. Starting from 7 and adding 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 sequentially, we get 7, 13, 21, 31, 43, 57, 73. This perfectly reproduces the given series and extends it consistently. Since 73 appears among the answer options and fits the established pattern of increasing even differences, it is the only logically valid continuation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B (83) would require a difference of 26 from 57, which breaks the established pattern of increments increasing by 2 each time. Option C (78) implies a difference of 21 from 57, again incompatible with the even difference progression. Option D (63) gives a difference of only 6, which would revert back to the original smallest difference rather than continuing the two step increase. Option E (69) requires a difference of 12, repeating a previous difference instead of moving forward to 16. None of these maintain the simple pattern 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 that we observed. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to guess based on approximate growth of the series without computing the exact differences. Another pitfall is to stop after noticing that the numbers seem to grow by roughly 10 on average, and then pick a random nearby value. In number series questions, always calculate the differences carefully and check whether those differences themselves follow a recognisable pattern, such as an arithmetic or geometric progression. Final Answer: Using the observed difference pattern of adding consecutive even numbers, the next term of the series is 73.

Question 9

Arrange the following words in the order in which they occur in an English dictionary and select the correct sequence of roman numerals. i. Next ii. Noisy iii. Neutral iv. Neither

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is another example of arranging similar looking words in dictionary order. The words Next, Noisy, Neutral, and Neither share the initial letter N but differ in subsequent letters. The test checks whether you can correctly apply alphabetical rules when the first letter is identical, and whether you can continue comparing letters until you find a difference that determines the order. Given Data / Assumptions: Words with roman numerals: i. Next ii. Noisy iii. Neutral iv. Neither All words begin with N. We must follow strict English dictionary order. Concept / Approach: To arrange words beginning with the same letter, we look at the second letter, then the third, and so on, until the first difference appears. If two words share the first two letters, we consider the third letter, and continue in this way. In this case, three words start with N E while one starts with N O. Words with N E will therefore come before those starting with N O. Among the N E words, we then compare the letters after NE in a similar stepwise fashion. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Separate the words by second letter. Next, Neutral, and Neither all start with N E, while Noisy starts with N O. Step 2: Since E comes before O, all words starting with N E will appear before Noisy in the dictionary. Step 3: Among the N E words, compare the third letters: Neither has N E I, Neutral has N E U, and Next has N E X. In alphabetical order, I comes before U, and U comes before X, so the order among these is Neither, Neutral, Next. Step 4: Finally, add Noisy at the end because it begins with N O, which follows N E alphabetically. Thus, the full dictionary order is Neither (iv), Neutral (iii), Next (i), Noisy (ii) which is iv, iii, i, ii. Verification / Alternative check: A quick verification is to mentally list the words after grouping by the first two letters: under NE come Neither, Neutral, Next; under NO comes Noisy. Then, check the third letters I, U, and X and confirm that I appears before U and U appears before X. Once that is done, placing Noisy at the end is straightforward because O comes after E. Mapping this sequence back to roman numerals yields iv, iii, i, ii, which is consistent with dictionary order. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (iii, iv, i, ii) starts with Neutral even though Neither should be first among the NE group. Option B (i, iv, iii, ii) places Next first, ignoring that I in Neither comes before X in Next. Option C (ii, iii, i, iv) wrongly begins with Noisy, which must come last among these words because O follows E in the alphabet. Option E (iv, i, iii, ii) places Next before Neutral, even though the third letter U in Neutral comes before X in Next, which is not correct according to dictionary rules. Common Pitfalls: Students often read words quickly and compare only up to the second letter, leading to mistakes when several words share that same prefix. Others may try to order by familiarity or meaning, such as grouping similar sounding words together, which is not how dictionaries work. Always compare each letter systematically and remember that even a difference at the third or fourth position can completely change the alphabetical order. Final Answer: The correct dictionary order is Neither, Neutral, Next, Noisy which corresponds to the roman numeral sequence iv, iii, i, ii.

Question 10

A series of chemical elements is given with one term missing. Choose the correct alternative from the options that will complete the series. Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, ?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks basic knowledge of the periodic table of elements, specifically the order of elements by increasing atomic number. The series Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium lists the first three elements. To find the missing fourth term, candidates must recall which element comes immediately after Lithium in the same sequence of atomic numbers. This is a straightforward recall based general science question often asked in competitive exams. Given Data / Assumptions: Given series: Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, ? Hydrogen has atomic number 1. Helium has atomic number 2. Lithium has atomic number 3. We assume the series lists elements in the order of increasing atomic number. Concept / Approach: In the periodic table, the elements are arranged according to increasing atomic number. After Lithium, which has atomic number 3, the next element is Beryllium with atomic number 4. The names Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen follow later with atomic numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8 respectively. Therefore, to complete this simple atomic number series, we must choose the element that directly succeeds Lithium in the periodic table, which is Beryllium. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: List the first few elements of the periodic table in order of atomic number: Hydrogen (1), Helium (2), Lithium (3), Beryllium (4), Boron (5), Carbon (6), Nitrogen (7), Oxygen (8). Step 2: Compare this standard list with the given series: Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, ? which clearly follows the same order so far. Step 3: Identify the element that comes immediately after Lithium (3) in the sequence. From the list, Beryllium with atomic number 4 is the next element. Step 4: Select Beryllium from the options as the correct term to complete the series. Verification / Alternative check: A quick verification is to recall the typical sequence taught in school: H, He, Li, Be, B, C, N, O. This exact order confirms that Beryllium always follows Lithium when elements are arranged by increasing atomic number. Since the series obviously uses this order, and Beryllium appears among the given options, our choice is fully consistent with the periodic table. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Boron has atomic number 5 and comes after Beryllium, so it is one step too far. Carbon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen have atomic numbers 6, 7, and 8, and appear even later in the period. None of these fits the requirement of being immediately after Lithium in the standard sequence, so they cannot be the missing fourth term in the series. Common Pitfalls: Some students may mistakenly remember the order as Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Boron and skip Beryllium, or confuse Beryllium with Boron due to similar sounding names. Another pitfall is to focus on chemical properties or group names instead of simply remembering the increasing atomic numbers. For quick factual series questions like this, memorising the first few elements in correct order is very helpful. Final Answer: The element that follows Lithium in the periodic table and completes the series is Beryllium.

Question 11

A series of newly formed Indian states is given with one term missing. Choose the correct alternative from the options that will complete the series. Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, ?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This general knowledge question focuses on the chronology of newly created Indian states. The series names three states that were carved out of existing larger states around the same period. To find the missing fourth term, we must recall which Indian state was formed later in a similar way, thereby continuing the pattern of discussing newly created states in modern Indian history. Given Data / Assumptions: Given series: Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, ? Chhattisgarh was formed as a separate state in the year 2000. Uttarakhand was also formed in the year 2000 (originally named Uttaranchal, later renamed). Jharkhand was formed as a separate state in the same period in 2000. We are looking for another relatively recent state creation that fits logically after these three. Concept / Approach: The key idea is that Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand were all created in November 2000 by reorganising existing states. After these creations, the next major change in the map of India was the formation of Telangana as a separate state. Telangana was created in June 2014 by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. The series therefore lists states that came into existence relatively recently due to demands for separate statehood, and the logical continuation is Telangana, the next example of such a separation. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that Chhattisgarh was created on 1 November 2000 from the southeastern region of Madhya Pradesh. Step 2: Remember that Uttarakhand was established on 9 November 2000 from parts of Uttar Pradesh and was initially called Uttaranchal. Step 3: Jharkhand became a separate state on 15 November 2000, carved out of the southern districts of Bihar. Step 4: Identify the next state created by reorganisation of an existing state. Telangana was formed on 2 June 2014 out of Andhra Pradesh. Thus, Telangana is the next notable newly formed state after the trio of states created in 2000, so it completes the series. Verification / Alternative check: A verification method is to list Indian states that have been formed in the modern era: first, the wave in November 2000 created Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand. Much later, in 2014, Telangana became a new state. None of the other options such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, or Goa were newly created states in the same sense during this period. Hence, Telangana naturally fits as the next member in a list of newly carved out Indian states. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are long established major states, not newly formed states from the reorganisation of recent decades. Goa became a state earlier and was not part of the 2000 or 2014 state creation wave covered by this series. None of these options continues the pattern of listing newly created states that emerged from the division of larger states at the turn of the century or shortly after, unlike Telangana which clearly does. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to choose a familiar large state like Uttar Pradesh simply because it is often mentioned in political news, without considering whether it was newly created. Another pitfall is to miss the link between these three states and the specific year 2000. Remembering that Telangana is the most recent major state to be carved out of an existing one helps connect it naturally to this group of states in exam questions. Final Answer: The state that logically follows Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand in a sequence of newly created Indian states is Telangana.

Question 12

Arrange the following words in the order in which they occur in an English dictionary and select the correct sequence of roman numerals. i. Regular ii. Reinforcement iii. Rainbow iv. Remedy

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Once again, this question checks the ability to place words in dictionary order when they share a common starting letter sequence. The words Regular, Reinforcement, Rainbow, and Remedy all begin with R but differ in the next letters. We need to determine the correct alphabetical order of these words and then express that order using the roman numerals provided in the question. Given Data / Assumptions: Words with roman numerals: i. Regular ii. Reinforcement iii. Rainbow iv. Remedy All words start with R. Dictionary order is based on comparing letters from left to right. Concept / Approach: To arrange these words alphabetically, we look at the second letter after R. Rainbow begins with R A, while Regular, Reinforcement, and Remedy begin with R E. Since A comes before E in the alphabet, Rainbow must appear before all R E words. Among the three R E words, the ordering depends on the third letter after RE: Regular (REG), Reinforcement (REI), and Remedy (REM). We compare these sequences carefully to derive the correct internal order among them. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the second letters: Rainbow (R A), Regular (R E), Reinforcement (R E), Remedy (R E). Since A comes before E, Rainbow is placed first. Step 2: Now focus on the words beginning with R E. Compare the sequences: Regular (R E G), Reinforcement (R E I), Remedy (R E M). Step 3: Among G, I, and M, the alphabetical order is G, I, M. Therefore Regular comes before Reinforcement, and Reinforcement comes before Remedy. Step 4: Combining these results, the complete dictionary order is Rainbow (iii), Regular (i), Reinforcement (ii), Remedy (iv), which corresponds to iii, i, ii, iv. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify by writing the words as they might appear in a dictionary: Rainbow, Regular, Reinforcement, Remedy. Under the letter R, words starting with RA precede all words starting with RE. Within RE words, it is easy to see that REG appears before REI and REM. Converting this sequence back to roman numerals yields iii, i, ii, iv, which matches our earlier deduction and appears as an answer option. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (iii, i, iv, ii) places Remedy before Reinforcement, even though M in Remedy comes after I in Reinforcement. Option B (iv, i, iii, ii) incorrectly starts with Remedy, ignoring the fact that Rainbow with RA must be first. Option D (iii, iv, i, ii) puts Remedy before Regular and Reinforcement, which does not match the G, I, M ordering. Option E (ii, iii, i, iv) makes Reinforcement the first word, although it begins with R E while Rainbow begins with R A, which must come earlier. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates overlook the significance of the second letter after R and try to group words by meaning, for example associating Regular and Reinforcement, which is not relevant for dictionary order. Others may compare only the first two letters and forget to examine the third and fourth letters in detail. Always proceed stepwise: first separate RA and RE words, then arrange the RE words by comparing the next letters until a clear order appears. Final Answer: The correct dictionary order is Rainbow, Regular, Reinforcement, Remedy which corresponds to the roman numeral sequence iii, i, ii, iv.

Question 13

A historical series of dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate is given with one term missing. Choose the correct alternative from the options that will complete the series. Khilji dynasty, ?, Sayyid dynasty, Lodi dynasty

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests knowledge of medieval Indian history, specifically the order of dynasties that ruled the Delhi Sultanate. The series lists three dynasties and leaves a gap where one important ruling house is missing. To fill that gap correctly, candidates must recall the chronological order in which the main dynasties ruled Delhi before the Mughal period. Given Data / Assumptions: Series: Khilji dynasty, ?, Sayyid dynasty, Lodi dynasty. These names refer to ruling houses of the Delhi Sultanate. We know that multiple dynasties ruled sequentially: Slave (Mamluk), Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi. The missing term must be one of the dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate that fits chronologically between Khilji and Sayyid. Concept / Approach: The Delhi Sultanate was ruled successively by five main dynasties: first the Slave or Mamluk dynasty, then the Khilji dynasty, followed by the Tughlaq dynasty, then the Sayyid dynasty, and finally the Lodi dynasty. In the given series, the Khilji dynasty is already stated at the beginning, and the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties are given later. Therefore, the missing term between Khilji and Sayyid must be the Tughlaq dynasty, which came after the Khiljis and before the Sayyids in historical order. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the standard chronological sequence of the Delhi Sultanate dynasties: Slave (Mamluk), Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi. Step 2: Compare this with the given series. We already have Khilji dynasty as the first term and Sayyid dynasty and Lodi dynasty as the third and fourth terms. Step 3: Identify which dynasty in the standard sequence comes between Khilji and Sayyid. That dynasty is the Tughlaq dynasty. Step 4: Select Tughlaq dynasty from the options to complete the series as Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi. Verification / Alternative check: Another way to check is to recall some key rulers: the Khilji dynasty included Alauddin Khilji, the Tughlaq dynasty included rulers like Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq and Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sayyid dynasty followed, and then the Lodi dynasty ruled until the first Battle of Panipat, which marked the beginning of Mughal rule. Since Tughlaq clearly comes between Khilji and Sayyid, the pattern of succession is fully consistent with choosing the Tughlaq dynasty as the missing term. Why Other Options Are Wrong: The Mughal dynasty came after the Lodi dynasty and marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate, so it cannot fit between Khilji and Sayyid. The Sur dynasty came still later, after the early Mughal phase, and is not a part of the main Delhi Sultanate sequence given here. The Slave dynasty actually preceded the Khilji dynasty, so it would come before the first term rather than in the middle of the series. The Maratha confederacy belongs to a much later period of Indian history and is not a dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate at all. Therefore, none of these options maintains the correct historical order except the Tughlaq dynasty. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse the order of dynasties or mix up Sultanate dynasties with later powers such as the Mughals or Marathas. Another common mistake is to choose the Slave dynasty because it is a familiar name, without recalling that it came before the Khiljis, not after. A clear mental picture of the chronological order of the five main Delhi Sultanate dynasties can prevent such errors. Final Answer: The missing dynasty between Khilji and Sayyid in the Delhi Sultanate sequence is the Tughlaq dynasty.

Question 14

Arrange the following words in the order in which they occur in an English dictionary and select the correct sequence of roman numerals. i. Harmony ii. Harness iii. Honey iv. Harangue

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question involves arranging four words starting with H A in dictionary order. The words Harmony, Harness, Honey, and Harangue share the same first two letters, which makes it necessary to compare further letters carefully. This type of reasoning question checks whether candidates can accurately apply alphabetical rules beyond just the first or second letter of each word. Given Data / Assumptions: Words with roman numerals: i. Harmony ii. Harness iii. Honey iv. Harangue All four words begin with H A. We must follow standard dictionary ordering by comparing letters one by one. Concept / Approach: Since each word begins with H A, we move to the third letter for comparison. Harmony, Harness, and Harangue all continue with R (H A R), while Honey continues with N (H O N), so Honey will definitely come after all three HAR words. Among the words beginning with HAR, we then compare the fourth letters to decide the correct internal order, remembering that when comparing words with the same prefix, we move stepwise until we find the first point of difference. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Group the words by their first three letters: Harangue (H A R A), Harmony (H A R M), Harness (H A R N), and Honey (H O N). Step 2: Since A in H A R comes before O in H O N, all HAR words must come before Honey in the dictionary. Step 3: Among the HAR words, compare the fourth letters: Harangue has A, Harmony has M, and Harness has N. Alphabetically, A comes before M and N, and M comes before N. Therefore, the order among these three is Harangue, Harmony, Harness. Step 4: Finally, place Honey at the end because it starts with H O, and O follows A in the alphabet. Thus, the full dictionary order is Harangue (iv), Harmony (i), Harness (ii), Honey (iii), giving iv, i, ii, iii. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, we can mentally list all words under the letter H: first those starting with H A, then those with H O. Within H A, words beginning with H A R precede any other H A combinations if present. Among H A R words, we look at the next letters A, M, and N, and confirm that A comes first, followed by M and then N. Honey, starting with H O, clearly comes last. Converting this back into roman numerals confirms iv, i, ii, iii as the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (iii, ii, i, iv) starts with Honey, which is incorrect because H O must come after H A in the alphabet. Option B (iv, i, iii, ii) places Honey before Harness, despite N after H O coming later than N after H A R in the ordering. Option C (iv, ii, i, iii) reverses Harmony and Harness, even though M comes before N. Option E (i, ii, iv, iii) begins with Harmony and then Harness, but places Harangue later, although Harangue has an earlier letter A at the fourth position compared to M and N. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes place Honey too early because it is a common and easily recognised word, forgetting that H O follows H A. Another mistake is to line up the HAR words without carefully inspecting the fourth letter, relying only on the meanings or sounds of the words. A systematic approach where you compare each letter step by step helps avoid such intuitive but incorrect answers. Final Answer: The correct dictionary order is Harangue, Harmony, Harness, Honey which corresponds to the roman numeral sequence iv, i, ii, iii.

Question 15

A series of layers of the Sun is given with one term missing. Choose the correct alternative from the options that will complete the series. Core, Photosphere, Chromosphere, ?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question belongs to basic astronomy and general science. It lists several layers of the Sun, moving from the inner region towards the outer atmosphere. To fill the missing term, candidates must recall the usual order in which the major visible layers of the Sun are described. The series Core, Photosphere, Chromosphere suggests a progression outward, and we need to identify the next outer layer of the Sun's atmosphere that follows Chromosphere. Given Data / Assumptions: Given series: Core, Photosphere, Chromosphere, ? The Core is the central region of the Sun where nuclear fusion occurs. The Photosphere is the visible surface layer of the Sun. The Chromosphere is a thin layer of the Sun's atmosphere above the Photosphere. We are looking for the next outer layer commonly listed after the Chromosphere. Concept / Approach: From inner to outer, the Sun is often described with the following major regions: core, radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere, chromosphere, and corona. In simplified descriptions that highlight visible atmospheric layers, the sequence usually mentions photosphere, chromosphere, and then corona. The given series has already moved from the core to photosphere and then to chromosphere, so the next natural term in this progression is the corona, which is the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere visible during a total solar eclipse as a pearly white halo. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the main internal and external regions of the Sun: core (centre), radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere (visible surface), chromosphere, and corona (outer atmosphere). Step 2: Compare this full sequence with the one given in the question. The core represents the central region. The photosphere represents the visible surface just above the convective zone. The chromosphere lies just above the photosphere. Step 3: Identify the next distinct outer layer commonly named after the chromosphere. Standard descriptions always list the corona after the chromosphere. Step 4: Select Corona from the options as the correct term to complete the series Core, Photosphere, Chromosphere, Corona. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, we can think of how the Sun appears during a total solar eclipse. The photosphere is blocked, revealing the reddish chromosphere and, further out, the bright white corona. This visual order matches the scientific description of atmospheric layers. None of the other options matches a recognised solar layer after chromosphere; they are mostly associated with Earth or do not belong in this context. This supports corona as the only correct continuation of the given sequence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Mantle, crust, and asthenosphere are layers associated with the Earth, not with the Sun. They describe parts of Earth's internal structure, such as Earth's mantle and crust, which have nothing to do with solar layers. The ionosphere is a region of Earth's upper atmosphere ionised by solar radiation, not a layer of the Sun itself. Therefore, none of these terms fits logically as the next layer of the Sun after chromosphere, whereas corona is the standard and correct term. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse layers of Earth with layers of the Sun because both are discussed in basic science. Choosing mantle or crust reflects this confusion. Others may pick ionosphere because it sounds related to space and charged particles, forgetting that it is an atmospheric layer of Earth, not of the Sun. A clear mental picture of the Sun's structure from core to corona helps avoid these mistakes in exam questions. Final Answer: The layer that follows Chromosphere in the outward sequence of the Sun's structure is the Corona.

Logical Sequence of Words Questions