- Test booklet
- प्रश्न पुस्तिका
- Booklet No.
- 8738645
- Series
- B
LIC AAO Prelims Paper 10
- Questions
- 100
- Maximum marks
- 100
- Minutes allowed
- 60
Instructions निर्देश
- This booklet has 100 questions in 3 parts: A. Reasoning Ability (35), B. Quantitative Aptitude (35), C. English Language with special emphasis on grammar, vocabulary and comprehension (30).
- Each part has its own clock. When it runs out, that part closes and the next opens.
- Each question has 5 options and one right answer. A right answer earns 1 mark. A wrong answer costs nothing. A question left blank scores nothing.
- Fill one bubble per question on the answer sheet. Unlike a real sheet, you can clear it and change your mind.
Scripting is off, so this page is a printed paper: answer on paper, then open each question’s working.
Part AReasoning Ability
-
Farah walks 12 km towards the east. She turns left and walks 10 km. She turns left and walks 7 km. She turns right and walks 15 km. She turns left and walks 5 km. How far is she from the starting point in a straight line?
Answer and working
Answer C
Taking east and north as positive: she ends 0 km east and 25 km north of the start. Straight-line distance = √(0² + 25²) = 25 km.
-
If ‘+’ means ‘×’, ‘−’ means ‘+’, ‘×’ means ‘÷’, ‘÷’ means ‘−’, what is the value of 57 ÷ 3 − 12 + 5 × 5?
Answer and working
Answer B
Replace the signs: 57 − 3 + 12 × 5 ÷ 5. Division and multiplication first, then addition and subtraction: 66.
-
Statements:
(1) All doors are stones.
(2) Some doors are books.
(3) All books are birds.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) Some stones are books.
(II) Some birds are stones.Answer and working
Answer E
Conclusion I holds in every diagram the statements allow. Conclusion II holds in every diagram the statements allow. So: Both conclusions follow.
-
Statement: U > C > B < H < F
Conclusions: I. H > C II. B < UAnswer and working
Answer B
H and C: the signs between them point both ways, so no relation can be fixed, so H > C is not definitely true. B and U: the chain gives B < U, so B < U is definitely true. So: Only conclusion II follows.
-
Which number replaces the question mark? 5, 6, ?, 19, 35, 60
Answer and working
Answer B
The rule: the differences are squares: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36. The missing term is 10.
-
Statement: U ≥ A ≤ L ≥ G ≥ C
Conclusions: I. A ≥ G II. L ≥ CAnswer and working
Answer B
A and G: the signs between them point both ways, so no relation can be fixed, so A ≥ G is not definitely true. L and C: the chain gives L ≥ C, so L ≥ C is definitely true. So: Only conclusion II follows.
-
If ‘+’ means ‘−’, ‘−’ means ‘×’, ‘×’ means ‘÷’, ‘÷’ means ‘+’, what is the value of 25 + 8 × 4 ÷ 11 − 6?
Answer and working
Answer E
Replace the signs: 25 − 8 ÷ 4 + 11 × 6. Division and multiplication first, then addition and subtraction: 89.
-
Statement: Y ≥ N < S < A = E
Conclusions: I. E ≥ Y II. A ≤ YAnswer and working
Answer D
E and Y: the signs between them point both ways, so no relation can be fixed, so E ≥ Y is not definitely true. A and Y: the signs between them point both ways, so no relation can be fixed, so A ≤ Y is not definitely true. So: Neither conclusion follows.
-
Tarun walks 14 km towards the west. He turns left and walks 6 km. He turns left and walks 8 km. He turns left and walks 6 km. How far is he from the starting point in a straight line?
Answer and working
Answer B
Taking east and north as positive: he ends 6 km west and 0 km north of the start. Straight-line distance = √(6² + 0²) = 6 km.
-
Statements:
(1) Some trees are not boxes.
(2) All buses are trees.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) All trees are buses.
(II) Some trees are boxes.Answer and working
Answer D
Conclusion I need not hold: some trees may lie outside buses. Conclusion II need not hold: trees and boxes need not overlap at all. So: Neither conclusion follows.
-
Which one does not belong with the others?
Answer and working
Answer C
97, 11, 79, 23 are prime; 77 = 7 × 11. The odd one is 77.
-
In the English alphabet, which letter is 4th to the left of the 10th letter from the left?
Answer and working
Answer D
The 10th letter from the left is J (position 10). 4 places to the left: position 6, which is F.
-
Statements:
(1) Some bottles are shirts.
(2) Some bottles are bells.
(3) Some bells are phones.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) Some bottles are not phones.
(II) Some bottles are phones.Answer and working
Answer D
Conclusion I need not hold: every one of the bottles may be phones. Conclusion II need not hold: bottles and phones need not overlap at all. So: Neither conclusion follows.
-
In a certain code, LIGHT is written as NKIJV. How is PENCIL written in that code?
Answer and working
Answer C
From LIGHT → NKIJV: each letter moves 2 places forward. Applied to PENCIL: RGPEKN.
-
Statement: D < T ≤ A < Q ≥ M
Conclusions: I. A ≥ D II. A > DAnswer and working
Answer E
A and D: the chain gives A > D, so A ≥ D is definitely true. A and D: the chain gives A > D, so A > D is definitely true. So: Both conclusions follow.
-
Statement: C < B = F > X ≥ P
Conclusions: I. X ≤ B II. B > PAnswer and working
Answer E
X and B: the chain gives X < B, so X ≤ B is definitely true. B and P: the chain gives B > P, so B > P is definitely true. So: Both conclusions follow.
-
In a row of 48 students, Anjali is 27th from the left. What is Anjali’s position from the right?
Answer and working
Answer B
Position from the right = total − position from the left + 1 = 48 − 27 + 1 = 22nd.
-
In a certain code, CHAIR is written as EFCGT. How is BASKET written in that code?
Answer and working
Answer B
From CHAIR → EFCGT: letters in odd places move 2 forward, letters in even places move 2 back. Applied to BASKET: DYUIGR.
-
Statements:
(1) All buses are bells.
(2) No birds are buses.
(3) Some birds are flowers.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) Some flowers are birds.
(II) No bells are flowers.Answer and working
Answer A
Conclusion I holds in every diagram the statements allow. Conclusion II need not hold: bells and flowers may overlap. So: Only conclusion I follows.
-
Statements:
(1) Some trees are not birds.
(2) Some bells are trees.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) All birds are bells.
(II) Some trees are not bells.Answer and working
Answer D
Conclusion I need not hold: some birds may lie outside bells. Conclusion II need not hold: every one of the trees may be bells. So: Neither conclusion follows.
-
Statement: Q < W ≥ M ≥ R < G
Conclusions: I. G ≤ Q II. W ≥ RAnswer and working
Answer B
G and Q: the signs between them point both ways, so no relation can be fixed, so G ≤ Q is not definitely true. W and R: the chain gives W ≥ R, so W ≥ R is definitely true. So: Only conclusion II follows.
-
In a row of 48 students, Lata is 8th from the left. What is Lata’s position from the right?
Answer and working
Answer D
Position from the right = total − position from the left + 1 = 48 − 8 + 1 = 41st.
-
Pointing to a man in a photograph, Farah said, ‘His father is the only son of my father.’ How is the man related to Farah?
Answer and working
Answer E
The only son of my father is my brother, so the child is my brother’s. So the man is Farah’s nephew.
-
Manoj walks 15 km towards the east. He turns left and walks 6 km. He turns left and walks 3 km. He turns right and walks 10 km. How far is he from the starting point in a straight line?
Answer and working
Answer E
Taking east and north as positive: he ends 12 km east and 16 km north of the start. Straight-line distance = √(12² + 16²) = 20 km.
-
In a certain code, PLANT is written as UOBMQ. How is COAT written in that code?
Answer and working
Answer A
From PLANT → UOBMQ: the word is written backwards and each letter moves 1 forward. Applied to COAT: UBPD.
-
Pointing to a woman in a photograph, Lata said, ‘She is the wife of my father’s only son.’ How is the woman related to Lata?
Answer and working
Answer A
My father’s only son is my brother; his wife is my sister-in-law. So the woman is Lata’s sister-in-law.
-
In a certain code, FRIEND is written as HTKGPF. How is PENCIL written in that code?
Answer and working
Answer A
From FRIEND → HTKGPF: each letter moves 2 places forward. Applied to PENCIL: RGPEKN.
-
Pointing to a woman in a photograph, Rekha said, ‘Her mother is the only daughter of my mother.’ How is the woman related to Rekha?
Answer and working
Answer E
The only daughter of my mother is me, so I am the mother. So the woman is Rekha’s daughter.
Directions for questions 29 to 33
Six friends, Arun, Bina, Chetan, Divya, Esha and Farhan, sit in a row facing north. Exactly 3 people sit between Bina and Arun. Divya sits somewhere to the right of Chetan. Bina sits at one of the two ends. Divya sits immediately to the right of Esha. Chetan sits second to the left of Farhan.-
Which pair sits at the two ends of the row?
Answer and working
Answer E
Only one order fits every clue, from the left: Chetan, Arun, Farhan, Esha, Divya, Bina. Chetan and Bina.
-
How many people sit between Esha and Arun?
Answer and working
Answer A
Only one order fits every clue, from the left: Chetan, Arun, Farhan, Esha, Divya, Bina. Between them: 1.
-
Who sits at the extreme left end?
Answer and working
Answer B
Only one order fits every clue, from the left: Chetan, Arun, Farhan, Esha, Divya, Bina. Chetan.
-
Who sits at the extreme right end?
Answer and working
Answer D
Only one order fits every clue, from the left: Chetan, Arun, Farhan, Esha, Divya, Bina. Bina.
-
What is Chetan’s position from the left end?
Answer and working
Answer A
Only one order fits every clue, from the left: Chetan, Arun, Farhan, Esha, Divya, Bina. 1st.
-
In the English alphabet, which letter is 8th to the left of the 11th letter from the left?
Answer and working
Answer D
The 11th letter from the left is K (position 11). 8 places to the left: position 3, which is C.
-
Which number replaces the question mark? 3, 6, 11, 18, ?, 38
Answer and working
Answer E
The rule: the terms are 1², 2², 3² … plus 2. The missing term is 27.
Part BQuantitative Aptitude
-
Solve both equations and compare x and y.
I. x² + 11x + 28 = 0
II. y² − 22y + 120 = 0Answer and working
Answer C
I gives x = −7 or −4. II gives y = 10 or 12. Every x is smaller than every y: x < y.
-
The population of a town is 83,300. It grows by 10% every year. What will it be after 2 years?
Answer and working
Answer D
83,300 × (1 + 10/100)² = 83,300 × 1.21 = 1,00,793. Growing 10% on 83,300 twice, not 20% once.
-
What is the compound interest on ₹34,375 for 2 years at 4% per annum, compounded annually?
Answer and working
Answer B
Amount = 34,375 × (1 + 4/100)2 = ₹37,180. CI = 37,180 − 34,375 = ₹2,805.
-
Ramesh can finish a piece of work in 55 days and Suresh can finish it in 66 days. Working together, how long will they take?
Answer and working
Answer D
In one day they do 1/55 + 1/66 = 1/30 of the work. Time = 55 × 66 ÷ (55 + 66) = 30 days.
-
Simplify: 3⁄5 + 1⁄4 + 5⁄12
Answer and working
Answer D
Over the common denominator 60: the sum is 19⁄15. Adding tops and bottoms separately (12/26) is the trap.
-
Solve both equations and compare x and y.
I. x² + 12x + 35 = 0
II. y² + 4y − 21 = 0Answer and working
Answer E
I gives x = −7 or −5. II gives y = −7 or 3. Some x are bigger and some smaller than some y, so no single relation holds: x = y or no relation can be established.
-
What is the fourth proportional to 15, 25 and 105?
Answer and working
Answer E
15 : 25 = 105 : x, so x = 25 × 105 ÷ 15 = 175.
-
What is the average of the first 23 even numbers?
Answer and working
Answer B
The first 23 even numbers add up to 23 × 24 = 552; the average is 24.
-
Which number replaces the question mark? 14, 67, 19, 60, 24, 53, 29, ?
Answer and working
Answer C
The rule: two series alternate: 14, 19, 24 … rising by 5, and 67, 60, 53 … falling by 7. The missing term is 46.
-
What is √324 + √529 − √625?
Answer and working
Answer B
18 + 23 − 25 = 16.
-
Solve both equations and compare x and y.
I. x² − 4 = 0
II. y² + 4y − 12 = 0Answer and working
Answer E
I gives x = −2 or 2. II gives y = −6 or 2. Some x are bigger and some smaller than some y, so no single relation holds: x = y or no relation can be established.
-
In what ratio must rice at ₹55/kg be mixed with rice at ₹83/kg so that the mixture is worth ₹62/kg?
Answer and working
Answer B
By alligation: cheaper : dearer = (83 − 62) : (62 − 55) = 21 : 7 = 3 : 1.
-
The sum of the present ages of a father and his son is 49 years. 2 years ago, the father was 4 times as old as the son. How old is the son now?
Answer and working
Answer C
Let the son be s. Then (49 − s − 2) = 4(s − 2), so 55 = 5s and s = 11 years.
-
What is √169 + √841 − √256?
Answer and working
Answer A
13 + 29 − 16 = 26.
-
A train 210 m long passes a signal post in 14 seconds. What is its speed in km/h?
Answer and working
Answer A
Speed = 210 ÷ 14 = 15 m/s = 15 × 18/5 = 54 km/h.
-
The simple interest on a sum for 5 years at 12% per annum is ₹15,600. What is the sum?
Answer and working
Answer A
P = SI × 100 / (R × T) = 15,600 × 100 / (12 × 5) = ₹26,000.
-
What is √196 + √576 − √900?
Answer and working
Answer C
14 + 24 − 30 = 8.
-
What is the value of 78² − 51²?
Answer and working
Answer C
a² − b² = (a + b)(a − b) = 129 × 27 = 3,483.
Directions for questions 54 to 58
Study the table and answer the questions that follow.
Books issued by five libraries, in two successive years Library Year 1 Year 2 Library A 400 600 Library B 240 264 Library C 280 364 Library D 620 775 Library E 760 950 -
Library E’s Year 2 figure is what percent of Library D’s Year 2 figure?
Answer and working
Answer D
950 ÷ 775 × 100 = 122.58%.
-
What is the average Year 2 figure of the five?
Answer and working
Answer C
Sum of Year 2 = 2,953. ÷ 5 = 590.6.
-
By what percent did Library A’s figure change from Year 1 to Year 2?
Answer and working
Answer D
Change = 600 − 400 = 200. On Year 1: 200 ÷ 400 × 100 = 50% increase.
-
What is the ratio of Library E’s Year 1 figure to Library C’s Year 2 figure?
Answer and working
Answer A
760 : 364 = 190 : 91.
-
What is the total for Library B over the two years?
Answer and working
Answer C
240 + 264 = 504.
-
Which number replaces the question mark? 7, 12, 22, 42, 82, ?
Answer and working
Answer B
The rule: each term is the previous × 2 − 2. The missing term is 162.
-
The population of a town is 64,700. It grows by 10% every year. What will it be after 2 years?
Answer and working
Answer C
64,700 × (1 + 10/100)² = 64,700 × 1.21 = 78,287. Growing 10% on 64,700 twice, not 20% once.
-
A shopkeeper marks an article 20% above its cost price and allows a discount of 20%. If the article was sold for ₹1,008, what was its cost price?
Answer and working
Answer C
SP = CP × 1.2 × 0.8 = CP × 0.96. So CP = 1,008 ÷ 0.96 = ₹1,050.
-
By selling a watch for ₹1,620, a man loses 10%. For how much should he sell it to gain 10%?
Answer and working
Answer C
CP = 1,620 × 100/90 = ₹1,800. For a 10% gain: 1,800 × 110/100 = ₹1,980.
-
Solve both equations and compare x and y.
I. x² − 6x − 16 = 0
II. y² − 14y + 45 = 0Answer and working
Answer E
I gives x = −2 or 8. II gives y = 5 or 9. Some x are bigger and some smaller than some y, so no single relation holds: x = y or no relation can be established.
-
A boat covers 60 km downstream in 5 hours and 20 km upstream in 2 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water?
Answer and working
Answer C
Downstream speed = 60 ÷ 5 = 12 km/h; upstream = 20 ÷ 2 = 10 km/h. Boat = (12 + 10) ÷ 2 = 11 km/h.
-
A bag holds 7 red, 3 blue and 4 green balls. Two balls are drawn at random without replacement. What is the probability that both are red?
Answer and working
Answer A
Ways to pick 2 red: 21. Ways to pick any 2: 91. Probability = 3⁄13.
-
Find the wrong number in the series: 11, 12, 13, 25, 41, 66, 102
Answer and working
Answer E
The rule: the differences are squares: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36. The term in place of 13 should be 16, so the wrong number is 13.
-
Two trains 180 m and 100 m long run on parallel tracks in opposite directions at 61 km/h and 65 km/h. How long do they take to cross each other?
Answer and working
Answer C
Relative speed = 61 + 65 = 126 km/h = 35 m/s. Distance = 180 + 100 = 280 m. Time = 280 ÷ 35 = 8 seconds.
-
Which number replaces the question mark? 124, 215, 342, 511, 728, ?
Answer and working
Answer D
The rule: the terms are 5³, 6³, 7³ … minus 1. The missing term is 999.
-
Solve both equations and compare x and y.
I. x² − 12x + 11 = 0
II. y² − 3y − 70 = 0Answer and working
Answer E
I gives x = 1 or 11. II gives y = −7 or 10. Some x are bigger and some smaller than some y, so no single relation holds: x = y or no relation can be established.
-
Find the wrong number in the series: 3, 11, 35, 107, 335, 971, 2,915
Answer and working
Answer D
The rule: each term is the previous × 3 + 2. The term in place of 335 should be 323, so the wrong number is 335.
Part CEnglish Language with special emphasis on grammar, vocabulary and comprehension
-
Select the incorrectly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer A
summetion is wrong; it is spelt summation. The others are correct.
-
Select the incorrectly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer C
commendetion is wrong; it is spelt commendation. The others are correct.
-
Select the correctly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer B
The correct spelling is irrational.
-
Select the incorrectly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer E
unmistakible is wrong; it is spelt unmistakable. The others are correct.
-
Select the correctly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer B
The correct spelling is inconceivable.
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
SnoozeAnswer and working
Answer C
Snooze (verb) and Doze share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
MilitantAnswer and working
Answer B
Militant (adjective) and Warlike share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
PrideAnswer and working
-
Select the one word that can replace the given group of words.
The superior of an abbey of monksAnswer and working
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
ElitistAnswer and working
-
Select the one word that can replace the given group of words.
Someone who makes predictions of the futureAnswer and working
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
OffhandAnswer and working
Answer B
Offhand (adjective) and Impromptu share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the correctly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer C
The correct spelling is hysterically.
-
Select the correctly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer D
The correct spelling is bailiff.
-
Select the incorrectly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer E
dietery is wrong; it is spelt dietary. The others are correct.
-
Select the one word that can replace the given group of words.
Someone who deliberately foments troubleAnswer and working
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
UndermineAnswer and working
Answer A
Undermine (verb) and Sabotage share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the one word that can replace the given group of words.
A cowboy who takes care of the saddle horsesAnswer and working
-
Select the correctly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer B
The correct spelling is hitchhiker.
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
BoilAnswer and working
-
Select the one word that can replace the given group of words.
One who precedes you in timeAnswer and working
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
DifferAnswer and working
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
CourageAnswer and working
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
ShamAnswer and working
Answer C
Sham (adjective) and Fictitious share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
HoorayAnswer and working
Answer E
Hooray (noun) and Hurrah share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
OptimisticAnswer and working
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
MinimiseAnswer and working
Answer B
Minimise (verb) and Downplay share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
HecticAnswer and working
Answer B
Hectic (adjective) and Feverish share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the one word that can replace the given group of words.
A person who is discontented or disgustedAnswer and working
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
ReplyAnswer and working
Answer E
Reply (noun) and Answer share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1