Questions: 15 Data Sufficiency Practice Questions (30 Minutes)

Directions: Each question below is followed by 2 statements numbered (1) and

(2). The questions have to be answered in terms of choices A to E. Mark your
answer choice as;

A. If Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. If Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. If BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. If Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. If Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient

1. It takes 3.5 hours for Mathew to row a distance of X km up the stream.

Find his speed in still water.

(1) It takes him 2.5 hours to cover the distance of X km downstream.

(2) He can cover a distance of 84 km downstream in 6 hours.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
Given that Mathew rows upstream with the speed of X / 3.5km/h.
Combining both the statements, we can calculate the downstream speed.
Downstream speed = 84 / 6 = 14 km/h.
Also, downstream speed = X / 2.5.
Or, X / 2.5 = 14.
Or X = 2.5 * 14 = 35 km.
Hence the upstream speed = X / 3.5
= 35 / 3.5
= 10 km/h.
So the speed in still water = (10 + 4) / 2 = 12 km/h.
Hence we need both the statements together to solve the question.
2. A man mixes two types of glues (X and Y) and sells the mixture of X and Y
at the rate of $17 per kg. Find his profit percentage.

(1) The rate of X is $20 per kg.

(2) The rate of Y is $13 per kg.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: E

Solution:
In order to find the profit or loss, the most important information we need
to know is the ratio of X and Y. Neither of the statements provide us with
any information regarding the ratios. Both the statements give only the
rate of X and Y. Hence the given information is not sufficient to answer the
given question.

3. A bag contains 20 copper and 10 brass coins. If 9 of the coins are

removed, how many copper coins are left in the box?

(1) Of the removed coins, the ratio of the number of copper coins to that of
brass coins is 2 : 1

(2) Four of the first six coins removed are copper.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: A

Solution:
Let the number of copper and brass coins removed be 2x and x
 respectively (from first statement). Now, given that 2x + x = 9 or x = 3.
Hence we can conclude that the number of copper coins removed is 6.
Hence statement 1 alone is sufficient.
Statement 2 gives only half the information. If the information about the
other three coins (that were removed) had also been given, it would have
been possible for us to find the answer. Hence statement 2 alone is
insufficient.

4. Maria deposits $10,000 in a bank. What is the annual interest which the
bank will pay to Maria?

(1) The interest must be paid once every six months.

(2) The rate of interest is 4%.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
The only thing we need to know while calculating the annual interest is the
rate of interest which is given in only statement 2. Hence it is the only
statement which is sufficient.

5. Given that the length of the side of a square is l and that the length of the
side is increased by x%. State whether the area of the square is increased
by more than 10%.

(1) x < 10

(2) x > 5

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
 D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
According to the first statement, if x < 10, it can be any number between 0
to 9. In such case, the area may or may not increase by more than 10%.
Hence statement 1 alone is insufficient.
Now, if we take x="5," then the area increases by 10.25%. Hence for
every value of x > 5, the area has to increase by more than 10%. Hence
statement 2 alone is sufficient.

6. People in a club either speak French or Russian or both. Find the number
of people in a club who speak only French.

(1) There are three hundred people in the club and the number of people
who speak both French and Russian is 196.

(2) The number of people who speak only Russian is 58.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
Let the number of people who speak French be p, that of who speak both
be q, and that of who speak only Russian be r.
According to statement 1, p + q + r = 300 and q = 196
But we need the value of r to calculate the value of p. Hence statement 1
alone is insufficient.
Statement 2 gives only the value of r. Hence p and q cannot be found by
statement 2 alone. Hence statement 2 alone is also insufficient.
However, from both the statements, we get, p = 300 - q - r = 300 - 196 -
58 = 46. Thus the value can be found. Hence we need both the
statements together to answer the given question.
7. Joe is older to Lloyd by five years. Ten years ago, John was 10 years
older than Mary. What is Mary's age today?

(1) Mary's age today is three times the age of Joe.

(2) Lloyd today is 5 years old.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
Let the ages of Joe, Lloyd, John and Mary be p, q, r and s.
It is also given that p = q + 5, and r = s + 10. Now, we have to find the
value of s.
According to statement 1, s = 3p. However as their present ages are not
given, hence 1 alone is insufficient to find the answer.
According to statement 2, q = 5. Hence the value of p can be calculated to
be 10. However as statement 2 does not alone give any relation between
p and s, it alone is insufficient to answer the question.
Using both the statements together, we find that s = 3p = 3 * 10 = 30.
Hence we require both the statements together to answer the given
question.

8. A sum of $385 was divided among Jack, Pollock and Gibbs. Who received
the minimum amount?

(1) Jack received 2/9 of what Pollock and Gibbs together received.

(2) Pollock received 3/11 of what Jack and Gibbs together received.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.
 Correct Answer: C

Solution:
Let the amount received by Jack, Pollock and Gibbs be x, y and z
respectively.
Also, x + y + z = 385. ------- (1)
According to statement 1, x = (2/9) (y + z). -------- (2)
This gives us two equations. But there are three unknowns to be found.
Hence statement 1 alone is insufficient.
According to statement 2, y = (3/11) (x + z) ------- (3)
And x + y + z = 385 [equation ---- (1)]
Again we have two equations and three unknowns. Hence statement 2
alone is also insufficient to find the answer.
However, if we combine both the statements together, we get three
different equations and three unknowns. Hence we need both the
statements to find the answer.

9. 'n' is a natural number. State whether n (n² - 1) is divisible by 24.

(1) 3 divides 'n' completely without leaving any remainder.

(2) 'n' is odd.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
According to statement 1, n is a multiple of 3.
Now, say if we take n = 3, the expression is divisible, but in case, we put n
= 6 or 12, then the expression is not divisible by 24. Hence statement 1
alone is insufficient.
Statement 2 alone states that n is odd. Now, if we put any odd value in
place of n, we find that the expression is divisible by 24. Hence option 2
alone is sufficient.
10. A policeman spots a thief and runs after him. When will the policeman be
able to catch the thief?

(1) The speed of the policeman is twice as fast as that of the thief.

(2) The distance between the policeman and the thief is 400 meters.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: E

Solution:
Statement 1 only gives the speeds of both, the thief and the policeman,
which cannot be helpful in finding the time. Hence statement 1 alone is
insufficient.
Similarly statement 2 gives no clue about the time, it only gives the
distance between the two. Hence it alone is also insufficient.
Combining both the statements would also not help us knowing the time.
Hence the answer cannot be found from the given information.

11. Who got the highest marks among Abdul, Baig and Chiman?

(1) Chiman got half as many marks as Abdul and Baig together got.

(2) Abdul got half as many marks as Baig and Chiman together got.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
Let the marks of Abdul, Baig and Chiman be X, Y and Z respectively.
 According to statement 1, Z = ½ (X + Y) or 2Z = X + Y ------- (1)
We have only one equation but two unknowns. Hence statement 1 alone
is insufficient.
According to statement 2, X = ½ (Y + Z) or 2X = Y + Z ------- (2)
Again, we have only one equation but two unknowns. Hence statement 2
alone is also insufficient.
However, if we combine both the statements, we get two different
equations from which we can find the answer.

12. Given that side AC of triangle ABC is 2. Find the length ofBC.

(1) AB is not equal to AC

(2) Angle B is 30 degrees.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: E

Solution:
The given properties of the triangle are insufficient to provide any
relationship between the sides or the angles of the triangle. It is given that
angle Q is 30 degree and side PR is equal to 2. QR could be of any
length, which cannot be deduced from the given information.

13. 50% of the people in a certain city have a Personal Computer and an Air-
conditioner . What percent of people in the city have a personal computer
but not an Air-conditioner.

(1) 60% of the people in the city have a Personal Computer.

(2) 70% of the people in the city have an Air-conditioner.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
 alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: A

Solution:
According to statement 1, 60 - 50 = 10% of people have a Personal
Computer but not an Air-conditioner. Hence statement 1 alone is sufficient
to answer the given question.
Statement 2 only helps in finding out what percentage of people have Air-
conditioner and not the percentage of people having Personal computer.
Hence it is insufficient to derive the answer.

14. Bags I, II and III together have ten balls. If each bag contains at least one
ball, how many balls does each bag have?

(1) Bag I contains five balls more than box III.

(2) Bag II contains half as many balls as bag I.

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
From statement 1, only two combinations are possible. Bag III contains 1
and bag I contains 6 or bag III contains 2 and bag I contains 7 balls. This
information alone is insufficient to answer the given Question.
From statement 2, there are three possibilities; bag II has 1, bag I has 2;
bag II has 2, bag I has 4, and bag II has 3, bag I has 6 balls. Hence it also
is insufficient.
If both the statements are combined, we get the possible answer, bag I
has 6, bag III has 1 and bag II has 3 balls. Hence we need both the
statements together to answer the given question.

15. Given that (a + b)² = 1 and (a - b)² = 25, find the values 'a' and 'b'.
(1) Both 'a' and 'b' are integers.

(2) The value of 'a' = 2

A. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (2) ALONE is not

sufficient.
B. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient but Statement (1) ALONE is not
sufficient.
C. BOTH Statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER Statement
alone is sufficient.
D. Each Statement ALONE is sufficient.
E. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
On solving both the equations given in the main question, we get ab = - 6.
------- (1)
Now according to statement 1, a and b are integers, they can be [2, - 3]; [-
2, 3]; [1, - 6]; [6, - 1], etc. So statement 1 alone is insufficient.
According to statement 2, a = 2. Hence b = - 2 ------ [from equation ----(1)]
Hence statement 2 alone is sufficient.
Questions:15 Problem Solving Practice Questions 20 Minutes

1. A leopard spots a deer from a distance of 200 meters. As the leopard

starts chasing the deer, the deer also starts running. Given that the speed
of the deer is 10 km/h and that of the leopard is 12 km/h, how far would
have the deer run before it is caught?

A. 3 km
B. 4 km
C. 2 km
D. 1 km
E. 5 km

Correct Answer: D

Solution:
The relative speed can be given as 12 - 10 = 2 km/h. So the leopard will
catch the deer after 0.2/2 = 1/10 hour.
Hence the distance covered by the deer before it is caught can be
calculated as 10 * 1/10 = 1 km. Hence 4.

2. Paul, Quallis and Robert divide a sum of money among themselves in the
ratio 2:3:7. Find the share of Paul if the total share of Paul and Quallis
together is $1500 less than that of Robert.

A. 2000
B. 1200
C. 1400
D. 2500
E. 1500

Correct Answer: E

Solution:
Let the total amount of money they have be T
And the respective shares of Paul, Quallis and Robert be P, Q and R.
Now, P + Q + R = T ----- (1) and given that the amount is to be divided in
the ratio of 2 : 3 : 7, the total share of P and Q is $1500 less than R, i.e.,
P + Q = R - 1500 ----- (2)
From (1) and (2);
P + Q = T - R ----- (3)
Comparing equation (2) and (3)
R - 1500 = T - R;
 2 R = 1500 + T; or
R = (1500 + T) / 2 ----- (4)
But R's share is
[7 / (2 + 3 + 7)] * T = (7/12) T ----- (5)
From (4) and (5),
(1500 + T) / 2 = (7/12) T
18000 = 14 T - 12 T
T = 9000.
So total amount is $ 9000.
P's share = [2 / (2 + 3 + 7)] * 900 = $1500.
Hence 5.

3. Find the speed of a man in still water if he goes upstream at 6 km/h when
the rate of stream is 2 km/h.

A. 2 km/h
B. 8 km/h
C. 6 km/h
D. 14 km/h
E. 4 km/h

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
Speed in still water can be calculated as the actual speed upstream + the
rate or speed of stream
=6+2
= 8 km/h.
Hence 2.

4. The length of rectangle ABCD is 6/5th of its breadth. Its perimeter is 132.
Find its area.

A. 660 m²
B. 2210 m²
C. 1080 m²
D. 2160 m²
E. 460 m²

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
Let x be the length and y be the breadth of the given rectangle.
Now, given that,
x = 6/5 y -------- (1)
 and
2 x + 2 y = 132 -------- (2)
Substituting x in (2) by results in (1), we get,
2 (6/5 y) + 2 y = 132; or 12/5 y + 2 y = 132. Multiplying both sides by 5, we
get,
12 y + 10 y = 660;
22 y = 660
y = 30.
Since x = 6/5 y, x = 6/5 * 30 = 36. Therefore, area = x * y = 36 * 30 = 1080
m².
Hence 3.

5. The prices of a TV and a refrigerator are in the ratio 9:5.If the TV costs
$4,200 more than the refrigerator does, what is the price of the
refrigerator?

A. 4200
B. 5400
C. 6000
D. 5250
E. 4600

Correct Answer: D

Solution:
Let the cost of TV be x.
So, the cost of refrigerator will be x - 4200.
Given, the ratio of the cost of the TV and refrigerator is 9 : 5 Therefore,
cost of TV / cost of refrigerator = 9 / 5
or, x / (x - 4200) = 9 / 5
5 x = 9 (x - 4200)
4 x = 4200 * 9
x = 9450.
So, the cost of refrigerator is x - 4200 = 5250.
Hence 4.

6. 40% of the people of a certain locality suffer from Diabetes, 25% suffer
from Leprosy and 10% suffer from both. What percentage of the people do
not suffer from either of the diseases?

A. 30%
B. 35%
C. 40%
D. 45%
E. 50%
 Correct Answer: D

Solution:
Percentage of people suffering from Diabetes = 40.
Percentage of people suffering from Leprosy = 25.
Percentage of people suffering from both, Diabetes and Leprosy = 10.
The percentage of people suffering from either Diabetes or Leprosy = 40 +
25 - 10 = 65 - 10 = 55.
Total percentage of people in the locality = 100.
Hence the percentage of people suffering from neither of the diseases =
100 - 55 = 45.
Hence 4.

7. A bag contains balls, marbles and tops. The triple ratio of balls to marbles
to tops in the bag is 20 : 4 : 6. If there are 120 balls in the bag, find the
number of tops in the bag.

A. 66
B. 36
C. 26
D. 49
E. 12

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
Let the total number of items (balls, marbles and tops) in the bag be x.
Given that the ratio of balls to marbles to tops is 20 : 4 : 6.
Number of balls = 120.
Now, Number of balls = [20 / (20 + 4 + 6)] * x
Or, x = 120 * (30/20) = 180
Total number of items = 180
Number of tops = (6/30) * 180 = 36.
Hence 2.

8. The cost of a camera at 20% discount is $100. Find its actual price.

A. $125
B. $130
C. $225
D. $335
E. $105

Correct Answer: A
 Solution:
Let the actual price of the camera be $x.
x - 0.2 x = 100; or
0.8 x = 100; or
x = $125.
Hence 1.

9. It takes 16 days for 48 women to complete a job that requires 16 men to

complete in 24 days. 12 men initiated the work and after 14 days, 12
women joined them. How many days will they together take to complete
the job?

A. 12
B. 21
C. 6
D. 24
E. 16

Correct Answer: A

Solution:
Total work = Number of men * Number of days = Number of women *
Number of days.
Or, 16 men * 24 days = 48 women * 16 days.
Therefore, 48 women = (16 * 24) / 16 = 24 men;
or 1 man is as efficient as 2 women are.------(1).
Now, 12 men work for 14 days. The remaining work, (16 * 24) - (12 * 14) =
216 man-day.
Since 12 women, that are equivalent to 6 men join the 12 men, effective
strength = 12 + 6 = 18 men. Number of days to complete remaining 216
man-days of work = 216 / 18 = 12 days.
Hence 1.

10. Where does p lie if p² < p?

A. Between -1 and 0
B. Between -1 and 1
C. Between 0 and 1
D. It is always less than 0
E. It is always greater than 1

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
 Given that p² < p.
The first option is incorrect because if p lies between -1 and 0, p² will
never be less than p.
Statement 2 is also incorrect because for certain values of p (between - 1
and 1), the value of p² may or may not be less than p. For example, if we
take p = (- 0.6), the value of p² > p; whereas if we take p = 0 or 0.6, then
the value of p² = p or p² < p.
According to option 3, p > 0 but less than 1. This is the only range in which
for every value of p, the value of p² is always less than p.
Hence option 3 is the correct one.

11. The ratio of gasoline to edible oil in 40 liters of the mixture is 3 : 1. How
many liters of edible oil should be added in the mixture to make the ratio of
gasoline to edible oil 2 : 1?

A. 15 liters
B. 5 liters
C. 7.5 liters
D. 1.5 liters
E. 10 liters

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
The quantity of the edible oil to be added to get the required ratio is given
by [40 (3 * 1 - 1 * 2) / (3 + 1) * 2]
= 40/8
= 5 liters.
Hence 2.

12. Find the value of (p - 1)³ if p = 15/18 + 5/16 - 20/24

A. -1231/4096
B. 6
C. 0
D. 1321/4906
E. 215/126

Correct Answer: A

Solution:
p = (15/18) + (5/16) - (20/24);
p = (45 + 120 - 120) / 144 = 5/16;
(p - 1)³ = (5/16 - 1)³ = (- 11/16)³
= - 1231/4096.
 Hence 1.

13. Given that AB and CD are two chords of a circle intersecting at the point O
outside the circle, and AB = 7 m, BO = 5 m, and OD = 3 m. Find the lengt
hof OC.

A. 20 m
B. 16 m
C. 35 m
D. 6 m
E. 18 m

Correct Answer: A

Solution:
If BO = 5, then AO = 5 + 7 = 12 cm.
We also know that,
AO * BO = CO * DO
or, 12 * 5 = CO * 3
or, CO = 60 / 3 = 20
Hence 1.

14. In a class of 100 students, 20 play Football, 20 do not play Rugby, 10 play
neither of the games. Find the number of students who play both the
games.

A. 15
B. 12
C. 10
D. 9
E. 20

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
Let the number of students who play only Football be 'F'; the number of
students who play both Football and Rugby be 'B'; and the number of
students who play only Rugby be 'R'.
Since 10 students play neither Football nor Rugby, and there are 100
students in the class,
F + B + R = 100 - 10 = 90 ----- (1)
Since 20 students play Football,
F + B = 20 -------- (2)
Since 20 students do not play Rugby,
100 - 20 = 80 students play Rugby;
 r B + R = 80 -------- (3)
Solving;
F + B + R = 90 ------ (1)
F + B = 20 ------- (2)
B + R = 80 ------- (3)
Adding (2) and (3),
(F + B) + (B + R) = 20 + 80
F + B + R + (B) = 100
From (1), F + B + R = 90
Therefore,
90 + B = 100
or B = 10
Hence the number of students who play both the games is 10. Hence 3.

15. The present age of Falcon is thrice the present age of Simran who is 20.
How many years ago was the age of falcon five times that of Simran?

A. 3
B. 7.5
C. 6
D. 7
E. 10

Correct Answer: E

Solution:
Since the present age of Simran is 20 years, therefore, present age of
Falcon is 60 years.
Let us assume that x years ago the age of Falcon was 5 times that of
Simran.
Or,
60 - x = 5 (20 - x)
60 - x = 100 - 5 x
40 = 4 x
x = 10.
Hence 5.
20 Questions Sentence Correction Practice Questions 20 Minutes

Directions: This question presents a sentence, a part or the whole of which is

underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the
underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are
different. If you think that the original sentence is grammatically and structurally
correct, and is the best, choose the first answer choice; otherwise choose one of
the others.

1. Daniel was sitting with his disciples when the President, in

accompaniment with his only social secretary, entered the garden.

A. in accompaniment with his only social secretary

B. accompanying only by his social secretary
C. accompanied only by his social secretary
D. only accompanied by his social secretary
E. accompanied his social secretary only

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
The correct phrase is 'accompanied by'. This eliminates options 1 and 2. Option
4 is wrongly structured; it is the president who is accompanied, not the secretary.
Between options 3 and 4, the only difference is the placement of the modifier
'only' which is used for the secretary and not for the word 'accompanied'. Hence
option 3 is correct.

2. Needing a variety of disguises, he founded Paul Ulmann, a Jewish tailor in

Toulouse who could produce any type of uniform in a couple of days

A. he founded Paul Ulmann, a Jewish tailor in Toulouse who could

produce any type of uniform in a couple of days
B. a Jewish tailor found him in Toulouse who could produce any type of
uniform within a couple of days
C. a Jewish tailor was found by him in a couple of days who could produce
any type of uniform in Toulouse
D. he found Paul Ulmann, a Jewish tailor in Toulouse who could produce
any type of uniformin a couple of days
E. in Toulouse he founded a Jewish tailor who could produce any type of
uniform within a couple of days

Correct Answer: D

Solution:
The modifier 'needing a variety of disguises,' qualifies for the pronoun 'he'. As a
 general rule, the modifier must be placed as near to the noun or pronoun it
qualifies, as possible. Hence options 2, 3 and 5 are eliminated. Moreover, in
options 2 and 3, the relative pronoun 'who' is used at a wrong place, and in
options 1 and 5, 'founded' is used in place of 'found'. Option 4 is both,
grammatically and structurally correct.

3. Reared in a village where telephones were objects of curiosity, Urzua

today hardly gives a thought to the clean and quiet subway that people in
her building use.

A. Reared in a village where telephones were objects of curiosity

B. Curious to know that telephones were objects of curiosity in the village
she was reared up
C. Being Reared in the village where the telephone is object of curiosity
D. Reared in a village where telephones were an object of curiousness
E. Geared up in a village in which telephones are objects of curiosity

Correct Answer: A

Solution:
The 'first Principle' of sentence correction questions is, 'never make an
unnecessary correction. There is nothing wrong with the original sentence. The
modifier is correctly used and the part also follows 'subject-verb agreement'.

4. Only in the attempt to destroy them with completeness, the government

soldiers have launched a coordinated attack on rebel troops.

A. Only in the attempt to destroy them with completeness

B. attempting on to destroy them completely
C. In tempting to destroy them completely
D. In an attempt to destroy them completely
E. In the attempt destroying them complete

Correct Answer: D

Solution:
The problem here is with the modifier. The use of 'only' makes it somewhat
awkward. Moreover, use of a noun (completeness) in place of an adverb
(completely) makes it wrong. Option 2 uses preposition 'on' where it is not
required. Option 3 changes the meaning of the sentence, and is hence
eliminated. Option 5 misses a preposition and unnecessarily adds article 'the',
which makes it wrong. The only option that is correct is 4.

5. Balancing a pizza with one hand and having gripped a six-pack carton of
soft drinks with another, twenty-three year-old Alan, paused in front of a
 first floor flat in the colony.

A. Balancing a pizza with one hand and having gripped a six-pack carton
of soft drinks with another
B. Having a balance of a pizza with one hand and gripping a six-pack of
carton of soft drinks with the other
C. Balancing a pizza with one hand and gripping a pack of six soft drink
carton with the other
D. Being balanced a pizza with one hand and gripping a six-pack carton of
soft drinks with the another
E. Having balanced a pizza with one hand and having gripped a six-pack
carton of soft drinks with the other

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
A question on parallelism. Two 'actions' are being described in the part of the
sentence, and both the 'actions' must be in the same form. Only option 3 takes
care of it. (The two actions that need to be in the same form are 'balancing' and
'gripping'). Option 5 unnecessarily uses 'having' twice. Option 4 is not structured
properly and uses 'another' instead of 'other'. Option 3 is correct in every sense.

6. Armed with the talents of a great general, an actor gifted and an ingenious
criminal, Albert Guerisse played a major role in one of the unheralded
victories of the Second World War.

A. an actor gifted and an ingenious criminal,

B. an ingeniously actor and a gifted criminal,
C. a gifted actor and an ingeniously criminal,
D. a gifted actor and an ingenious criminal,
E. Though a gifted actor, but an ingenious criminal also

Correct Answer: D

Solution:
Option 1 is incorrect as it uses the adjective AFTER the noun it qualifies. Options
2 and 3 are eliminated as they use an adverb instead of an adjective. Option 5
unnecessarily uses 'though' and 'also' that makes it awkward. Hence the correct
option is 4.

7. Dr. Charles godfrey, a Canadian specialist in rehabilitation medicine,

advises against jumping and pounding exercises for people over 50
because, he says, "they have produced an epidemic of self-inflicted
injuries."
 A. Dr. Charles godfrey, a Canadian specialist in rehabilitation medicine,
advises against jumping and pounding exercises for
B. A Canadian specialist in rehabilitation medicine, Dr. Charles Godfrey
doesn't advice jumping and pounding exercises for
C. Dr. Charles godfrey, advises, who is a Canadian specialist in
rehabilitation medicine, against jumping and pounding exercises for
D. Dr. Charles godfrey, a Canadian specialist in rehabilitation of medicine,
advice against jump and pound exercises for
E. This is an advice by Dr. Charles godfrey, a Canadian specialist in
rehabilitation medicine against jumping and pounding exercises for

Correct Answer: A

Solution:
The 'first Principle' of sentence correction questions is, 'never make an
unnecessary correction'. There is nothing wrong with the original sentence. None
of other options is properly structured. Hence option 1 is correct.

8. In January 1973, the NCI outside Washington dispatched samples of the

cells of Russian to those four US scientists, who were only the Americans
authorized to experiment with them.

A. dispatched samples of the cells of Russian to those four US scientists,

who were only the Americans authorized to experiment with them
B. dispatched samples of the Russian cells to four US scientists, the only
Americans authorized to experiment with them
C. detached samples of the Russian cells to four US scientists because
only Americans were authorized to experimenting with it
D. dispatch the samples the Russian to four US scientists, the only
American cells authorized to experiment with themselves
E. dispatched the Russian cells for the sample of four US scientists, only
the Americans to be authorized for experiment with them

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
The only problem with the original sentence is its structure. 'cells of Russian'
should be replaced with 'Russian cells'. Moreover, the use of the modifier 'only' at
the appropriate place can make the sentence correct. Option 3 changes the
meaning of the sentence, and hence it is eliminated. Option 4 misses a
preposition and unnecessarily uses reflexive pronoun 'themselves'. The last
option is not structured properly. Hence option 2 is correct.

9. To prepare himself, he subjected himself to two weeks of intensive training

on the Indonesian island of Java, climbing the volcano near Bandung 25
 times, spend nights in the open and to test to see how long he could hold
out without food.

A. climbing the volcano near Bandung 25 times, spend nights in the open
and to test to see
B. climbed the volcano near Bandung 25 times, spending nights in the
open and tested to see
C. near Bandung, climbing the volcano 25 times by spending nights in the
open and to see
D. spending nights in the open by climbing the volcano and tested 25
times for seeing
E. climbing the volcano near Bandung 25 times, spending nights in the
open and testing to see

Correct Answer: E

Solution:
A question on parallelism. As the sentence has several 'actions', all the 'actions'
must be in the same form. Only option 5 takes care of it. None of other four
options follows the rule of parallelism.

10. In November 1984, the 5400-meter volcano Nevado del Ruiz, started
showing seismic activity, and later beginning belching fumes, gases and
water and rumbled with the force of millions of tones of molten rock
beneath the earth.

A. started showing seismic activity, and later beginning belching fumes,

gases and water and rumbled with
B. started showing seismic activity, and later began belching fumes, gases
and water and rumbling with
C. started to showing seismic activities, and latter began belching fumes,
gases and water and rumbling with
D. showing seismic activity started, and later began to belch fumes, gases
and water and rumbled with
E. had started the show of seismic activity, and later belching fumes,
gases and water and began to rumble with

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
Yet another question on parallelism. As the sentence has several 'actions', all the
'actions' must be in the same form. Only option 2 uses the correct forms of the
'actions' (started and began). None of the other options maintains parallelism.
11. In southern China, many banyans are planted at the end of a village or at
the border of a district, for providing excellent shade at summer, and
shelter during winter from the bitter winds.

A. for providing excellent shade at summer, and shelter during winter from
the bitter winds
B. to provide excellent shade in summer, and in winter, shelter from the
bitter winds
C. in order to provide shade in excellent summer, and shelter from the
winds of bitter winter
D. so as to excellently provide shade in summer, and bitterly in winter,
shelter from the winds
E. providing excellent shades of summer, and shelters of winter blowing
the bitter winds

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
The original sentence uses preposition 'at' instead of 'in', and is not structured
properly. Hence option 1 is eliminated. All other options, except option 2, are
improperly structured and make no sense.

12. Some of the most wrenching images of 1985 were, starving of Ethiopian
children, the 'desert' of the Sahel of Africa and famine stalking country
after country.

A. starving of Ethiopian children, the 'desert' of the Sahel of Africa and

famine
B. starvation of Ethiopian children, the 'desertification of the Sahel in Africa
and famine
C. starvation and 'desertification of Ethiopian children and the Sahel in
Africa and famine
D. starving children of Ethiopia, 'desertifying' the Sahel of Africa and
famine
E. starving Ethiopian children, the 'desertification' of the Sahel in Africa
and famine

Correct Answer: E

Solution:
A sentence that tests the knowledge of 'prepositions' and 'parallelism'. Whenever
there are more than one subjects or objects in a sentence, they should always
maintain parallelism. In this case, 'starving-children', 'desertification' and 'famine',
must all be in the same form. Only option 5 uses them appropriately. All the other
options are poorly structured.
13. General intelligence is essential for outstanding achievement because it
involves his natural ability to comprehend difficult concepts quicker and to
analyze them clearly and incisively.

A. his natural ability to comprehend difficult concepts quicker and to

analyze them clearly and incisively
B. one's natural ability to comprehension of difficult concepts quickly and
to analyze them clearly and incisively
C. your natural ability of comprehension of difficult concepts quickly and
analysis of it clearly and incisively
D. one's natural ability to comprehend difficult concepts quickly and to
analyze them clearly and incisively
E. one's inborn ability to comprehend difficult concepts quicker and to
analyze them clear and incisively

Correct Answer: D

Solution:
The determiner (pronoun) to be used here must be 'one's', and not 'his'. This
eliminates options 1 and 3. Option 2 is incorrect as it uses a noun
(comprehension) in place of a verb (comprehend) and an adjective (quicker) in
place of an adverb (quickly). Option 5 breaks the rule of parallelism. Hence the
only correct option is 4.

14. Panchayat institutions are now entrusted upon the execution of all rural
upliftment schemes and programs, and it is realized that these institutions
can help a great deal in mitigating a number of problems of the
countryside.

A. entrusted upon the execution of all rural upliftment schemes and

programs
B. entrusted with the execution of all rural uplift schemes and programs
C. entrusted with the schemes and programs of all rural upliftment
D. interested in the execution from all rural uplift programs and schemes
E. distrusted with executing the rural uplift schemes and programs

Correct Answer: B

Solution:
'entrust with' is the correct phrase. Options 1 and 4 are thus eliminated. The
phrase 'entrust with' is always followed by a purpose. The purpose in this case is
'upliftment' and not 'schemes' or 'programs'. This eliminates option 3. Option 5
changes the meaning of the sentence. Hence it is also eliminated. The only
correct option is 2.
15. Mr. Wilson was perhaps the single most effective social reformer of his
time, who had provided without a degree, money and without any logistic
support caring homes for the mentally and physically challenged.

A. who had provided without a degree, money and without any logistic
support
B. without whom, a degree, money or logistic support, provided
C. who, without a degree, money or logistic support, provided
D. who, provide without a degree, money or logistic support
E. who, provided money or logistic support, without a degree

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
First of all, the use of relative pronoun must be checked. Mr. Wilson is the subject
here, so the relative pronoun to be used here must be 'who'. Option 2 is thus
eliminated. Now comes the structure of the sentence. The original sentence, and
options 2 and 5 are inappropriately structured. Option 4 uses present tense
instead of past tense. Option 3 is properly structured and leaves no ambiguity.
Hence it is the correct option.

16. At some point in our lives, nearly all of us yearn for a second chance to do
that one thing we always dreamt about, but never got around to trying.

A. nearly all of us yearn for a second chance to do that one thing

B. all of us nearly yearn to the second chance to do one thing
C. nearly all of them yearn for a second chance of doing that only things
D. merely all of us yearn nearly for the second chance to do that one thing
E. nearby all of we yearn from a second chance to do that thing

Correct Answer: A

Solution:
The 'first Principle' of sentence correction questions is, 'never make an
unnecessary correction'. There is nothing wrong with the original sentence.
Option 2 is not structured properly. Option 3 uses 'them' which is not necessary.
Options 4 and 5 change the meaning of the original sentence. Hence these
options are eliminated.

17. To be creative, one should try to think of new ideas that germinate faster
in the loose soil of soft thinking, which finds similarities and connections
among different things or situations.

A. that germinate faster in the loose soil of soft thinking

B. which germinates faster in the loose soil than soft thinking
C. which will germinate fastest in the lose soil of soft thinking
 D. that faster germinates on the loose soil of soft thought
E. which must germinate faster in the lost soil of soft thinking

Correct Answer: A

Solution:
The 'first Principle' of sentence correction questions is, 'never make an
unnecessary correction'. There is nothing wrong with the original sentence.
Option 2 doesn't go with 'subject-verb agreement'. Option 3 unnecessarily uses
the superlative form, that too without definite article. Option 4 is not structured
properly and option 5 changes the meaning of the original sentence.

18. New research now indicate that high level of fructose exacerbate the bad
effect of copper deficiency, a factor already linked to heart problem.

A. indicate that high level of fructose exacerbate the bad effect of copper
deficiency, a factor already linked to heart problem.
B. indicated that high levels of fructose exacerbate the bad effects of
copper deficiency, a factor which is already a linking factor of heart
problems.
C. indicates that high levels of fructose exacerbate the bad effects of
copper deficiency, a factor already linked to heart problems.
D. indicates that highly levels of exacerbate fructose has bad effects of
copper deficiency, that is a factor already linked to some heart problems.
E. indicating the high level of fructose exacerbating the bad effects of
copper deficiency, a factor already linking to heart problems.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
The first flaw in the given sentence is violation of the rule of 'subject-verb
agreement'. The word 'research' is singular, and hence 'does' must be used with
the verb. Option 2 takes the sentence in the past tense and is hence eliminated.
Option 4 also violates the rule of 'subject-verb agreement'. And option 5 is
improperly structured. Option 3 makes the sentence meaningful.

19. By combining an ordinary beam of red light with a light-sensitive cancer

drug, doctors have achieved remarkable remission rates for some
extremely resistant cancers - including lung and oesophagus.

A. By combining an ordinary beam of red light with a light-sensitive cancer

drug, doctors have achieved remarkable
B. By an ordinary combing of beam of red light with a light-sensitive
cancer drug, it is achieved remarkable by doctors
C. By combining an ordinary ray of red light with a light-sensitive drug of
cancer, the doctors have to achieve remarkably
 D. Doctors have achieved an ordinary beam of red light with a light-
sensitive cancer drug, by remarkable
E. Without combining an ordinary beam of red light with a light-sensitive
cancer drug, doctor have achieved remarkable

Correct Answer: A

Solution:
The 'first Principle' of sentence correction questions is, 'never make an
unnecessary correction'. There is nothing wrong with the original sentence.
Options 2 and 5 change the meaning of the original sentence. Option 3 uses an
adverb instead of an adjective. And option 4 is not properly structured.

20. Just as present-day scientists traced the progress of vanished early

civilizations in part by changes in its ceramics, future archaeologists
discovered that in the second half of the 20th century, we began to
replace metals with new, amazingly different ceramics.

A. scientists traced the progress of vanished early civilizations in part by

changes in its ceramics, future archaeologists discovered
B. progress of vanished early civilizations in part by changes in their
ceramics by scientists, future archaeologists will discover
C. scientists trace the progress of vanished early civilizations in part by
changes in their ceramics, future archaeologists will discover
D. scientist trace the vanished progress of early civilizations in changes by
part in their ceramics, future archaeologists would discover
E. the trace of progress of vanished civilizations early in part by changes
in its ceramics by scientists, future archaeologists have discovered

Correct Answer: C

Solution:
The sentence tests the knowledge of Tenses. How can 'future archaeologists'
'discovered' something? Options 2, 4 and 5 are inappropriately structured. Hence
option 3 is correct.