- Test booklet
- प्रश्न पुस्तिका
- Booklet No.
- 3611393
- Series
- C
LIC AAO Prelims Paper 3
- 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
-
Statements:
(1) All papers are cups.
(2) Some cups are buses.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) Some papers are cups.
(II) Some papers are not cups.Answer and working
Answer A
Conclusion I holds in every diagram the statements allow. Conclusion II need not hold: every one of the papers may be cups. So: Only conclusion I follows.
-
In the English alphabet, which letter is 8th to the right of the 16th letter from the right?
Answer and working
Answer D
The 16th letter from the right is K (position 11). 8 places to the right: position 19, which is S.
-
In a certain code, TRAIN is written as RPYGL. How is CANDLE written in that code?
Answer and working
Answer E
From TRAIN → RPYGL: each letter moves 2 places back. Applied to CANDLE: AYLBJC.
-
Pointing to a man in a photograph, Harish said, ‘His father is the only son of my father.’ How is the man related to Harish?
Answer and working
Answer B
The only son of my father is me, so I am the father. So the man is Harish’s son.
-
Which number replaces the question mark? 83, 89, 97, 101, 103, 107, ?
Answer and working
Answer A
The rule: consecutive prime numbers. The missing term is 109.
-
Vijay walks 7 km towards the south. He turns left and walks 14 km. He turns left and walks 4 km. He turns left and walks 11 km. In which direction is he from the starting point?
Answer and working
Answer B
Taking east and north as positive: he ends 3 km east and 3 km south of the start, which is to the South-east.
-
Statement: Y = J ≤ R < H < K
Conclusions: I. R = Y II. R > YAnswer and working
Answer C
R and Y: the chain gives R ≥ Y, so R = Y is not definitely true. R and Y: the chain gives R ≥ Y, so R > Y is not definitely true. Together the two cover every possibility the chain allows. So: Either conclusion I or II follows.
-
Statements:
(1) Some books are rings.
(2) No leaves are rings.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) All books are leaves.
(II) Some books are leaves.Answer and working
Answer D
Conclusion I need not hold: some books may lie outside leaves. Conclusion II need not hold: books and leaves need not overlap at all. So: Neither conclusion follows.
-
D is the sister of J. J is the mother of L. B is the husband of D. How is B related to L?
Answer and working
Answer A
Follow the links out from L: J is L’s mother; D is J’s sister; B is D’s husband. So B is L’s uncle.
-
In a class, Neha ranks 30th from the top and 13th from the bottom. How many students are in the class?
Answer and working
Answer B
Neha is counted in both ranks, so the total is 30 + 13 − 1 = 42.
-
In the English alphabet, which letter is 5th to the left of the 15th letter from the right?
Answer and working
Answer E
The 15th letter from the right is L (position 12). 5 places to the left: position 7, which is G.
-
Statement: X ≥ B ≥ K = W ≥ F
Conclusions: I. F < X II. F = XAnswer and working
Answer C
F and X: the chain gives F ≤ X, so F < X is not definitely true. F and X: the chain gives F ≤ X, so F = X is not definitely true. Together the two cover every possibility the chain allows. So: Either conclusion I or II follows.
Directions for questions 13 to 17
Six friends, Arun, Bina, Chetan, Divya, Esha and Farhan, sit in a row facing north. Exactly one person sits between Esha and Bina. Chetan sits second to the right of Farhan. Bina does not sit at either end. Exactly 2 people sit between Esha and Arun. Divya sits third to the right of Farhan.-
Who sits at the extreme left end?
Answer and working
Answer B
Only one order fits every clue, from the left: Arun, Bina, Farhan, Esha, Chetan, Divya. Arun.
-
Which pair sits at the two ends of the row?
Answer and working
Answer C
Only one order fits every clue, from the left: Arun, Bina, Farhan, Esha, Chetan, Divya. Arun and Divya.
-
What is Bina’s position from the left end?
Answer and working
Answer E
Only one order fits every clue, from the left: Arun, Bina, Farhan, Esha, Chetan, Divya. 2nd.
-
How many people sit between Divya and Chetan?
Answer and working
Answer D
Only one order fits every clue, from the left: Arun, Bina, Farhan, Esha, Chetan, Divya. Between them: None.
-
Who sits second to the right of Bina?
Answer and working
Answer D
Only one order fits every clue, from the left: Arun, Bina, Farhan, Esha, Chetan, Divya. Esha.
-
If ‘+’ means ‘÷’, ‘−’ means ‘×’, ‘×’ means ‘+’, ‘÷’ means ‘−’, what is the value of 40 ÷ 8 + 8 − 6 × 12?
Answer and working
Answer B
Replace the signs: 40 − 8 ÷ 8 × 6 + 12. Division and multiplication first, then addition and subtraction: 46.
-
In a certain code, GARDEN is written as MDCQZF. How is FISH written in that code?
Answer and working
Answer C
From GARDEN → MDCQZF: the word is written backwards and each letter moves 1 back. Applied to FISH: GRHE.
-
In a certain code, SCHOOL is written as HXSLLO. How is PILLOW written in that code?
Answer and working
Answer B
From SCHOOL → HXSLLO: each letter is replaced by its opposite in the alphabet (A ↔ Z, B ↔ Y …). Applied to PILLOW: KROOLD.
-
If ‘+’ means ‘÷’, ‘−’ means ‘×’, ‘×’ means ‘+’, ‘÷’ means ‘−’, what is the value of 33 − 6 + 11 × 6 ÷ 12?
Answer and working
Answer E
Replace the signs: 33 × 6 ÷ 11 + 6 − 12. Division and multiplication first, then addition and subtraction: 12.
-
Statements:
(1) No shirts are trees.
(2) Some phones are shirts.
(3) Some roads are not phones.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) All phones are shirts.
(II) Some trees are roads.Answer and working
Answer D
Conclusion I need not hold: some phones may lie outside shirts. Conclusion II need not hold: trees and roads need not overlap at all. So: Neither conclusion follows.
-
In a class, Farhan ranks 17th from the top and 30th from the bottom. How many students are in the class?
Answer and working
Answer B
Farhan is counted in both ranks, so the total is 17 + 30 − 1 = 46.
-
Sunil walks 2 km towards the south. He turns right and walks 14 km. He turns right and walks 9 km. He turns right and walks 2 km. Which direction is he facing now?
Answer and working
Answer E
Each right turn is a quarter turn clockwise, each left anticlockwise. The last leg runs East.
-
Statement: J = E ≥ M ≤ N < Q
Conclusions: I. M > J II. N < EAnswer and working
Answer D
M and J: the chain gives M ≤ J, so M > J is not definitely true. N and E: the signs between them point both ways, so no relation can be fixed, so N < E is not definitely true. So: Neither conclusion follows.
-
Find the wrong number in the series: 17, 61, 22, 54, 31, 47, 38, 40
Answer and working
Answer D
The rule: two series alternate: 17, 24, 31 … rising by 7, and 61, 54, 47 … falling by 7. The term in place of 22 should be 24, so the wrong number is 22.
-
Sunil walks 8 km towards the east. He turns left and walks 11 km. He turns right and walks 12 km. He turns right and walks 11 km. He turns right and walks 8 km. How far, and in which direction, is he from the starting point?
Answer and working
Answer A
Taking east and north as positive: he ends 12 km east and 0 km north of the start. Distance = √(12² + 0²) = 12 km. 12 km, east.
-
Statements:
(1) Some bags are leaves.
(2) Some clouds are leaves.
(3) Some birds are not clouds.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) No leaves are birds.
(II) All leaves are birds.Answer and working
Answer D
Conclusion I need not hold: leaves and birds may overlap. Conclusion II need not hold: some leaves may lie outside birds. So: Neither conclusion follows.
-
Pointing to a man in a photograph, Manoj said, ‘He is the only son of my mother’s father.’ How is the man related to Manoj?
Answer and working
Answer E
The only son of my mother’s father is my mother’s brother. So the man is Manoj’s uncle.
-
Statements:
(1) All tables are roads.
(2) All roads are cups.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) All tables are cups.
(II) Some roads are cups.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.
-
In a certain code, DOOR is written as SPPE. How is MARKET written in that code?
Answer and working
Answer A
From DOOR → SPPE: the word is written backwards and each letter moves 1 forward. Applied to MARKET: UFLSBN.
-
Which one does not belong with the others?
Answer and working
Answer A
In the others the letters are 1 apart (DEF); in MNP the last gap is 2. The odd one is MNP.
-
Statements:
(1) Some planes are rivers.
(2) Some rivers are not pens.
(3) Some roads are pens.Conclusions:
Take the statements to be true, however odd they sound. Which conclusion follows?
(I) Some pens are roads.
(II) Some pens are not roads.Answer and working
Answer A
Conclusion I holds in every diagram the statements allow. Conclusion II need not hold: every one of the pens may be roads. So: Only conclusion I follows.
-
Statement: Z < T < F < E ≤ P
Conclusions: I. F ≤ P II. T > EAnswer and working
Answer A
F and P: the chain gives F < P, so F ≤ P is definitely true. T and E: the chain gives T < E, so T > E is not definitely true. So: Only conclusion I follows.
-
Statement: M < J = T < K < H
Conclusions: I. M < H II. M ≤ TAnswer and working
Answer E
M and H: the chain gives M < H, so M < H is definitely true. M and T: the chain gives M < T, so M ≤ T is definitely true. So: Both conclusions follow.
Part BQuantitative Aptitude
-
The incomes of P and Q are in the ratio 2 : 3 and their expenditures are in the ratio 1 : 3. If each saves ₹9,000 a month, what is P’s monthly income?
Answer and working
Answer A
Incomes 2x and 3x. (2x − 9,000) : (3x − 9,000) = 1 : 3 gives x = 6,000. P’s income = 2 × 6,000 = ₹12,000.
-
Simplify: 92 + 8 × 6 − 15 ÷ 3
Answer and working
Answer B
Division and multiplication first: 8 × 6 = 48 and 15 ÷ 3 = 5. Then 92 + 48 − 5 = 135.
-
Simplify: 3⁄8 + 2⁄3 + 7⁄10
Answer and working
Answer A
Over the common denominator 120: the sum is 209⁄120. Adding tops and bottoms separately (12/21) is the trap.
-
Section A has 20 students with an average score of 76; section B has 20 students averaging 80. What is the average score of both sections together?
Answer and working
Answer A
(20 × 76 + 20 × 80) ÷ 40 = 3120 ÷ 40 = 78. The plain mean of 76 and 80 ignores the sizes of the sections.
-
Which number replaces the question mark? 11, 53, 16, 46, 21, 39, 26, ?
Answer and working
Answer E
The rule: two series alternate: 11, 16, 21 … rising by 5, and 53, 46, 39 … falling by 7. The missing term is 32.
-
Solve both equations and compare x and y.
I. x² + 6x = 0
II. y² + 4y − 21 = 0Answer and working
Answer E
I gives x = −6 or 0. 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.
-
A is twice as efficient as B. Together they finish a job in 16 days. How long would A take alone?
Answer and working
Answer C
If B does 1 unit a day, A does 2; together 3 units a day for 16 days = 48 units. A alone: 48 ÷ 2 = 24 days.
-
Solve both equations and compare x and y.
I. x² − 2x = 0
II. y² − 8y − 33 = 0Answer and working
Answer E
I gives x = 0 or 2. II gives y = −3 or 11. Some x are bigger and some smaller than some y, so no single relation holds: x = y or no relation can be established.
-
A number is first increased by 10% and then decreased by 20%. What is the net change?
Answer and working
Answer D
Net effect = 10 − 20 − (10 × 20)/100 = −12%, so 12% decrease.
-
The present ages of Asha and her father are in the ratio 3 : 8. After 8 years, the ratio will be 1 : 2. What is Asha’s present age?
Answer and working
Answer B
Ages 3x and 8x. (3x + 8) : (8x + 8) = 1 : 2 gives x = 4. Asha is 3 × 4 = 12 years.
-
Two successive discounts of 10% and 30% are equal to a single discount of:
Answer and working
Answer D
Single discount = 10 + 30 − (10 × 30)/100 = 37%. The second discount is taken on the already reduced price, so the two do not simply add.
-
A sum of money doubles itself in 5 years at simple interest. What is the rate of interest per annum?
Answer and working
Answer A
The interest earned is 1 times the principal in 5 years. Rate = 1 × 100 / 5 = 20%.
-
Solve both equations and compare x and y.
I. x² − 10x − 24 = 0
II. y² − 5y − 24 = 0Answer and working
Answer E
I gives x = −2 or 12. II gives y = −3 or 8. Some x are bigger and some smaller than some y, so no single relation holds: x = y or no relation can be established.
-
48 litres of a mixture contains milk and water in the ratio 5 : 1. How much water must be added to make the ratio 2 : 3?
Answer and working
Answer A
Milk = 40 l, water = 8 l. For 2 : 3, water must be 40 × 3/2 = 60 l. Add 60 − 8 = 52 litres.
-
Two trains 230 m and 290 m long run on parallel tracks in opposite directions at 73 km/h and 71 km/h. How long do they take to cross each other?
Answer and working
Answer D
Relative speed = 73 + 71 = 144 km/h = 40 m/s. Distance = 230 + 290 = 520 m. Time = 520 ÷ 40 = 13 seconds.
-
Which number replaces the question mark? 1, 4, 13, 40, 121, 364, ?
Answer and working
Answer A
The rule: each term is the previous × 3 + 1. The missing term is 1,093.
Directions for questions 52 to 56
Study the table and answer the questions that follow.
Students enrolled in five coaching centres, in two successive years Centre Year 1 Year 2 Centre A 620 930 Centre B 760 798 Centre C 460 575 Centre D 700 770 Centre E 500 700 -
By what percent did Centre D’s figure change from Year 1 to Year 2?
Answer and working
Answer B
Change = 770 − 700 = 70. On Year 1: 70 ÷ 700 × 100 = 10% increase.
-
Centre A’s Year 2 figure is what percent of Centre E’s Year 2 figure?
Answer and working
Answer E
930 ÷ 700 × 100 = 132.86%.
-
What is the average Year 2 figure of the five?
Answer and working
Answer C
Sum of Year 2 = 3,773. ÷ 5 = 754.6.
-
Which one grew the most in percentage terms from Year 1 to Year 2?
Answer and working
Answer C
Growth: Centre A 50%, Centre B 5%, Centre C 25%, Centre D 10%, Centre E 40%. The highest is Centre A.
-
What is the ratio of Centre E’s Year 1 figure to Centre A’s Year 2 figure?
Answer and working
Answer A
500 : 930 = 50 : 93.
-
A shopkeeper marks his goods 50% above the cost price and allows a discount of 30%. What is his profit or loss percent?
Answer and working
Answer A
Take CP = 100. Marked price = 150. After 30% off: 150 × 70/100 = 105. So 5% profit.
-
A bag holds 7 red, 4 blue and 2 green balls. Two balls are drawn at random without replacement. What is the probability that both are red?
Answer and working
Answer E
Ways to pick 2 red: 21. Ways to pick any 2: 78. Probability = 7⁄26.
-
Find the wrong number in the series: 8, 19, 32, 85, 173, 349, 701
Answer and working
Answer C
The rule: each term is the previous × 2 + 3. The term in place of 32 should be 41, so the wrong number is 32.
-
A boat covers 80 km downstream in 4 hours and 36 km upstream in 3 hours. What is the speed of the boat in still water?
Answer and working
Answer D
Downstream speed = 80 ÷ 4 = 20 km/h; upstream = 36 ÷ 3 = 12 km/h. Boat = (20 + 12) ÷ 2 = 16 km/h.
-
What is the compound interest on ₹53,000 for 3 years at 10% per annum, compounded annually?
Answer and working
Answer E
Amount = 53,000 × (1 + 10/100)3 = ₹70,543. CI = 70,543 − 53,000 = ₹17,543.
-
Solve both equations and compare x and y.
I. x² − x − 90 = 0
II. y² + 14y + 48 = 0Answer and working
Answer E
I gives x = −9 or 10. II gives y = −8 or −6. Some x are bigger and some smaller than some y, so no single relation holds: x = y or no relation can be established.
-
The population of a town is 89,275. It grows by 20% every year. What will it be after 2 years?
Answer and working
Answer D
89,275 × (1 + 20/100)² = 89,275 × 1.44 = 1,28,556. Growing 20% on 89,275 twice, not 40% once.
-
Two trains 220 m and 270 m long run on parallel tracks in opposite directions at 70 km/h and 56 km/h. How long do they take to cross each other?
Answer and working
Answer E
Relative speed = 70 + 56 = 126 km/h = 35 m/s. Distance = 220 + 270 = 490 m. Time = 490 ÷ 35 = 14 seconds.
-
Solve both equations and compare x and y.
I. x² − 5x = 0
II. y² − 6y + 8 = 0Answer and working
Answer E
I gives x = 0 or 5. II gives y = 2 or 4. Some x are bigger and some smaller than some y, so no single relation holds: x = y or no relation can be established.
-
Which number replaces the question mark? 8, 16, 32, ?, 128, 256
Answer and working
Answer E
The rule: each term is the previous × 2. The missing term is 64.
-
What is √625 + √196 − √900?
Answer and working
Answer E
25 + 14 − 30 = 9.
-
Simplify: 85 + 11 × 6 − 10 ÷ 5
Answer and working
Answer A
Division and multiplication first: 11 × 6 = 66 and 10 ÷ 5 = 2. Then 85 + 66 − 2 = 149.
-
Find the wrong number in the series: 5, 61, 7, 55, 9, 49, 13, 43
Answer and working
Answer A
The rule: two series alternate: 5, 7, 9 … rising by 2, and 61, 55, 49 … falling by 6. The term in place of 13 should be 11, so the wrong number is 13.
-
Simplify: 43 + 2 × 10 − 56 ÷ 8
Answer and working
Answer C
Division and multiplication first: 2 × 10 = 20 and 56 ÷ 8 = 7. Then 43 + 20 − 7 = 56.
Part CEnglish Language with special emphasis on grammar, vocabulary and comprehension
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
WailAnswer and working
Answer C
Wail (verb) and Howl share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the correctly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer D
The correct spelling is countenance.
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
HeadstrongAnswer and working
Answer B
Headstrong (adjective) and Willful 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 woman who works in a dairyAnswer and working
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
HulloAnswer and working
Answer D
Hullo (noun) and Howdy share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
ZenithAnswer and working
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
NativeAnswer and working
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
NimbleAnswer and working
Answer B
Nimble (adjective) and Agile share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
SolitaryAnswer and working
Answer E
Solitary (adjective) and Lone share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
MatrimonialAnswer and working
Answer C
Matrimonial (adjective) and Marital 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.
Someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly fieldAnswer and working
Answer D
Savant: someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the correctly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer E
The correct spelling is sovereignty.
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
ComplexityAnswer and working
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
ConfidentAnswer and working
-
Select the incorrectly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer D
imprassionist is wrong; it is spelt impressionist. The others are correct.
-
Select the incorrectly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer E
volleybill is wrong; it is spelt volleyball. The others are correct.
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
OffhandAnswer and working
Answer D
Offhand (adjective) and Impromptu share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
DownstreamAnswer and working
-
Select the one word that can replace the given group of words.
A temporary rank held by young naval officers in trainingAnswer and working
-
Select the correctly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer A
The correct spelling is disobedient.
-
Select the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
BoilAnswer and working
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
GratisAnswer and working
Answer C
Gratis (adjective) and Complimentary share their main meaning. None of the other options does.
Source: WordNet 3.1
-
Select the incorrectly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer A
comentator is wrong; it is spelt commentator. The others are correct.
-
Select the incorrectly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer D
alienetion is wrong; it is spelt alienation. The others are correct.
-
Select the word closest in meaning to the given word.
UndermineAnswer and working
Answer D
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 girl who behaves in a boyish mannerAnswer and working
-
Select the one word that can replace the given group of words.
A sewer who fastens a garment with long loose stitchesAnswer and working
-
Select the correctly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer B
The correct spelling is disarray.
-
Select the incorrectly spelt word.
Answer and working
Answer B
emphatecally is wrong; it is spelt emphatically. The others are correct.
-
Select the one word that can replace the given group of words.
One whose earnings are the primary source of support for their dependentsAnswer and working
Answer D
Breadwinner: one whose earnings are the primary source of support for their dependents.
Source: WordNet 3.1