Analogy & Classification MCQs for UPSC Prelims

77 practice questions on Analogy & Classification from the Logical Reasoning section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus. 77 come with a written explanation and 6 are actual previous year questions. Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.

43 Easy 25 Medium 9 Hard 6 from past papers

Sample questions

Q1
Previous year question medium
Consider the following matrix. The top row is: 3, 8, 10, 2, ?, 1 and the bottom row is: 6, 56, 90, 2, 20, 0. What is the missing number at '?' in the matrix? (a) 5 (b) 0 (c) 7 (d) 3
  1. A 5
  2. B 0
  3. C 7
  4. D 3
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - 5

In each column the bottom number equals the top number multiplied by one less than itself, i.e. n x (n - 1). Check: 3x2 = 6, 8x7 = 56, 10x9 = 90, 2x1 = 2, 1x0 = 0. For the missing entry the bottom value is 20, so n x (n - 1) = 20, which gives n = 5 (since 5x4 = 20). The missing number is 5.
Q2
Previous year question easy
Choose the group which is different from the others:
  1. A 17, 37, 47, 97
  2. B 31, 41, 53, 67
  3. C 71, 73, 79, 83
  4. D 83, 89, 91, 97
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - 83, 89, 91, 97

Options (a), (b) and (c) consist entirely of prime numbers: 17, 37, 47, 97 are prime; 31, 41, 53, 67 are prime; 71, 73, 79, 83 are prime. In option (d), 83, 89 and 97 are prime but 91 = 7 x 13 is composite, so this group breaks the pattern and is the different one. Hence (d) is correct and the other three options, being uniform groups of primes, are not the odd group.
Q3
Previous year question medium
What is the missing term @ in the following? ACPQ : BESU : MNGI : @
  1. A NPJL
  2. B NOJM
  3. C NPIL
  4. D NPJM
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - NPJM

Each letter is shifted forward by its position number: 1st letter +1, 2nd letter +2, 3rd letter +3, 4th letter +4. Check ACPQ to BESU: A+1=B, C+2=E, P+3=S, Q+4=U - correct. Apply to MNGI: M+1=N, N+2=P, G+3=J, I+4=M, giving NPJM. So the missing term is NPJM.
Q4
Previous year question medium
Directions: There are two sets of figures; the first four figures (Problem figures) follow a particular sequence. In accordance with the same sequence, which one of the four Answer figures should appear as the fifth figure? Problem figures: four circles, each containing a set of vertical line segments (bars) whose arrangement and tilt change in a regular, step-by-step manner from one circle to the next. Answer figures are labelled (a), (b), (c) and (d).
  1. A Answer figure (a).
  2. B Answer figure (b), which continues the regular change in the bars inside the circle by one more step.
  3. C Answer figure (c).
  4. D Answer figure (d).
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Answer figure (b), which continues the regular change in the bars inside the circle by one more step.

From one circle to the next the internal bars shift their position/orientation by a fixed rule. Applying the same transformation once more to the fourth figure produces the fifth figure. The option matching this next state is the answer. The official key marks option (b).
Q5
Previous year question medium
Directions: There are two sets of figures; the first four figures (Problem figures) follow a particular sequence. In accordance with the same sequence, which one of the four Answer figures should appear as the fifth figure? Problem figures: a series of four figures, each showing a small triangle with an attached flag-like marker, in which the triangle and its marker progressively rotate/reorient by a fixed amount from one figure to the next. Answer figures are labelled (a), (b), (c) and (d).
  1. A Answer figure (a).
  2. B Answer figure (b).
  3. C Answer figure (c), which continues the fixed rotational change of the triangle and its marker by one more step.
  4. D Answer figure (d).
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - Answer figure (c), which continues the fixed rotational change of the triangle and its marker by one more step.

Across the four problem figures the element rotates by a constant angle while the attached marker keeps its relative position. Extending the same rotation by one more step gives the fifth figure. The choice that correctly continues this orientation is the answer. The official key marks option (c).
Q6
Previous year question hard
Following is a matrix of certain entries. The entries follow a certain trend row-wise. Choose the missing entry (?) accordingly. 10A 3C 7B 3C 6A 9B ? 10A 13C The options for the missing entry (?) are:
  1. A 9B
  2. B 3A
  3. C 3B
  4. D 3C
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - 3B

Read each row for two rules together. Numbers: in every row the largest number equals the sum of the other two - row 1: 10 = 3 + 7; row 2: 9 = 3 + 6; so row 3: 13 = ? + 10 gives ? = 3. Letters: each row uses A, B and C exactly once - row 1 has A, C, B; row 2 has C, A, B; row 3 already shows A (10A) and C (13C), so the missing letter must be B. Combining number 3 with letter B gives 3B. (9B fails the number rule; 3A and 3C repeat a letter already present in the row.)
Q7
easy
Choose the pair that best completes the analogy: Cartographer : Map :: Lexicographer : ?
  1. A Atlas
  2. B Dictionary
  3. C Globe
  4. D Thesaurus
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Dictionary

A cartographer is a person whose professional product is a map. By the same maker-to-product relation, a lexicographer is the person who compiles a dictionary. An atlas and globe relate to a cartographer, not a lexicographer, and a thesaurus is a related but distinct work not defined as the lexicographer's defining product. So the answer is dictionary.
Q8
easy
Select the pair that exhibits the same relationship as: Cartographer : Map
  1. A Sculptor : Marble
  2. B Lexicographer : Dictionary
  3. C Reader : Book
  4. D Pilot : Aircraft
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Lexicographer : Dictionary

A cartographer is the professional whose defining work-product is a map. Analogously, a lexicographer is the professional whose defining product is a dictionary (worker : product-created). 'Sculptor : Marble' is worker : raw-material, not finished product. 'Pilot : Aircraft' is operator : tool. 'Reader : Book' is user : object. Only Lexicographer : Dictionary matches the maker-to-product relation.

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