Five people A, B, C, D and E are compared by weight. The weight of A is more than the weight of C, and A has the second highest weight among all five. The weight of E is more than the weight of A. The weight of B is more than the weight of D. Based on this information, who is the heaviest person?

Introduction / Context:
This reasoning question is about comparing the weights of five individuals, labelled A, B, C, D and E. Instead of exact numerical weights, you are given relative information such as second highest and more than. The problem asks you to identify which person is the heaviest. Such questions help develop skills in working with partial orders and ranking based on comparative statements.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- People: A, B, C, D and E. - A is heavier than C. - A has the second highest weight among all five people. - E is heavier than A. - B is heavier than D. - All weights are distinct, and the term second highest refers to the rank when ordered from heaviest to lightest.

Concept / Approach:
The crucial statement is that A has the second highest weight. That means exactly one person is heavier than A, and the remaining three are lighter. We are also told that E is heavier than A, which immediately indicates that E must be the one person above A in the ranking. Therefore, E must be heaviest. The information about B being heavier than D and A being heavier than C helps to position B, C and D below A, but does not affect the identity of the heaviest individual once we know that someone is heavier than the person in second place.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Since A has the second highest weight, exactly one person is heavier than A and three people are lighter than A. Step 2: The statement that E is heavier than A means E is above A in the weight ranking. Step 3: Because only one person can be heavier than A, E must be that single person. Therefore, E is heaviest among all five. Step 4: The statements that A is heavier than C and that B is heavier than D position C and D somewhere below A. They also indicate that B is above D, but all of these persons remain below A and therefore below E as well. Step 5: No other person can be heavier than A, so no one can be heavier than E either. Hence, E is the heaviest.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can assign sample weights consistent with the description to check the logic. For instance, suppose E weighs 80 units, A weighs 75 units, B weighs 70 units, D weighs 65 units and C weighs 60 units. Here, A is heavier than C, A is second heaviest, E is heavier than A, and B is heavier than D. In this arrangement, E is clearly the heaviest. Any other assignment that respects the same inequalities will still have E above A, and A in second place, so E must always remain the top ranked by weight.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- A cannot be the heaviest, because the question explicitly states that A is second heaviest and that E is heavier than A. - B and D are only compared to each other, and both are not given any relation that places them above A. Since A is second heaviest, B and D must be below A and thus below E. - C is lighter than A, which means C also cannot be the heaviest. Only E can occupy the highest position in the weight order.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students misinterpret second highest as second in some arbitrary order rather than second in the descending list of weights. Another common mistake is to ignore the strong implication of A having the second highest weight and to focus instead on weaker comparisons like B heavier than D. Remember that once you know someone is second, anyone strictly heavier than that person must be first. Recognising this makes the solution straightforward.

Final Answer:
The heaviest person among the five is E.