Reasoning Questions with Answers and Explanations

Types of Reasoning Questions Asked in Competitive Exams

Reasoning is one of the most important sections in competitive exams like SSC, Banking, RRB, UPSC, CDS, NDA, and State PSC exams. It is designed to test a candidate’s logical thinking, analytical skills, and ability to make decisions under time constraints. Unlike other subjects, reasoning does not require memorization of formulas or lengthy theories. Instead, it demands practice, presence of mind, and problem-solving skills. To score well, students must be familiar with the different types of reasoning questions that appear in exams. Broadly, reasoning questions can be classified into three categories: Logical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Each category has its own set of topics and question patterns that need focused preparation.

Logical Reasoning

Logical Reasoning is a crucial part of most competitive exams. It evaluates a candidate’s ability to interpret information and draw conclusions. Common topics include:

1. Syllogisms – Questions based on conclusions drawn from given statements. Example: All cats are animals. All animals are mammals. Hence, all cats are mammals.

2. Blood Relations – Tests knowledge of family relations. Example: A is the brother of B, B is the mother of C. How is A related to C?

3. Coding-Decoding – Involves applying a certain rule to encode or decode words and numbers.

4. Seating Arrangement and Puzzles – Questions where candidates arrange people or objects according to given conditions. These may be linear, circular, or floor-based puzzles.

5. Series Completion – Number series or letter series where candidates must identify the next element in the sequence.

6. Inequalities – Questions based on mathematical symbols (<, >, =). Candidates must determine relationships between variables.

Logical reasoning requires clear understanding of rules and daily practice. Puzzles and seating arrangements may be time-consuming, but with regular practice, they become scoring topics.

Verbal Reasoning

Verbal Reasoning is word-based reasoning where the focus is on understanding and interpreting language. It plays a major role in exams like UPSC CSAT, SSC CGL, and Banking Prelims & Mains. Important topics include:

1. Analogy – Identifying relationships between words. Example: Book : Reading :: Knife : ? (Answer: Cutting)

2. Classification (Odd One Out) – Choosing the word or number that does not fit into a group.

3. Cause and Effect – Determining whether a statement is the cause or result of another.

4. Statement and Assumption – Finding out which assumptions can be logically drawn from a given statement.

5. Statement and Conclusion – Deciding which conclusion follows logically from given statements.

6. Course of Action – Identifying appropriate steps to be taken in response to a situation.

7. Direction Sense Test – Questions based on directions, distances, and movement.

Verbal reasoning improves a candidate’s comprehension and critical thinking. Practicing previous year’s papers is the best way to master this section, as the question types are often repeated in exams.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

Non-Verbal Reasoning involves problem-solving with the help of diagrams, figures, and visual patterns instead of words. These questions are generally easy but require sharp observation skills. Key topics include:

1. Mirror Images and Water Images – Determining the reflection of a given figure.

2. Paper Folding and Cutting – Predicting shapes formed after paper is folded or cut.

3. Embedded Figures – Identifying hidden shapes within a complex figure.

4. Figure Series and Completion – Finding the next figure in a given sequence or completing a missing part.

5. Pattern Recognition – Identifying patterns in symbols or diagrams.

Non-verbal reasoning is especially useful in exams like SSC, Railways, and Defence exams, where quick observation can save time and help score marks easily.

Importance of Practicing Different Types of Reasoning Questions

• Time Management: Reasoning questions can be solved quickly with the right approach, helping candidates save time for other sections.

• High Scoring: With consistent practice, reasoning becomes one of the easiest scoring sections.

• Common in All Exams: From SSC and Banking to UPSC CSAT and State PSCs, reasoning is universally tested.

• Improves Thinking Ability: Regular practice sharpens logic, decision-making, and accuracy.

Tips to Master Reasoning Questions

1. Start with Basics – Learn basic concepts of syllogisms, blood relations, and puzzles before moving to advanced problems.

2. Maintain a Formula Sheet – For quick reference to coding-decoding rules, direction sense shortcuts, and inequalities.

3. Solve Previous Year Papers – This helps identify frequently repeated question types.

4. Take Mock Tests – Practicing under timed conditions builds exam confidence.

5. Focus on Accuracy – Avoid guesswork; reasoning rewards logic, not luck.

Verbal Reasoning Questions for Competitive Exams

Verbal Reasoning is an essential component of most competitive exams such as SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Banking (IBPS, SBI, RBI), UPSC CSAT, CAT, Railway Exams, Defence Exams, and State PSCs. This section tests a candidate’s ability to understand, analyze, and logically evaluate written information. Unlike Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Reasoning does not require heavy calculation but instead focuses on comprehension, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Strong performance in Verbal Reasoning questions helps aspirants improve their overall score and enhances their problem-solving ability. Since these questions appear in nearly all government and private sector exams, mastering them is crucial for success.

What is Verbal Reasoning?

Verbal Reasoning involves solving problems expressed in words. Candidates must read statements carefully, interpret them logically, and answer questions based on reasoning. The objective is not just to test vocabulary but to check how well a candidate can think, deduce conclusions, and make judgments using language-based information. In exams, Verbal Reasoning questions are often asked in multiple-choice format, where candidates must choose the most appropriate option. Sometimes, they may also appear as paragraph-based logical reasoning or caselets.

Types of Verbal Reasoning Questions

Here are the major types of Verbal Reasoning questions that are frequently asked in competitive exams:

1. Analogy

Analogy questions test the relationship between two given words or concepts and ask candidates to identify a similar relationship.

• Example: Book : Reading :: Knife : ? (Answer: Cutting).

• These questions check logical connection skills and pattern recognition.

2. Classification (Odd One Out)

Candidates must identify the word, number, or object that does not belong to a given group.

• Example: Apple, Mango, Banana, Carrot → (Answer: Carrot, as it is a vegetable).

• This improves observation and reasoning accuracy.

3. Statement and Conclusion

A statement is given, and candidates must decide which conclusion logically follows.

• Example: Statement: All doctors are educated. Conclusion: Some educated are doctors. (True).

• This type strengthens logical deduction skills.

4. Statement and Assumption

In these questions, candidates must determine which assumptions are implied in the given statement.

• Example: Statement: “Government should reduce petrol prices.” Assumption: Petrol prices are currently high.

• Helps in testing decision-making and inference skills.

5. Cause and Effect

These questions involve two statements, and candidates need to decide if one is the cause of the other or if both are independent.

• Example: Heavy rainfall occurred in the city. Waterlogging was reported in many areas. → Cause and Effect.

6. Course of Action

Here, a situation is given, and candidates must choose the most logical course of action.

• Example: Statement: Many students are failing in Maths. Course of Action: Teachers should organize extra classes.

7. Direction Sense Test

Questions where candidates must determine directions or distances based on given movements.

• Example: A person walks 5 km north, then 3 km east. Find his position.

8. Blood Relations

These test knowledge of family relations.

• Example: A is the brother of B, B is the mother of C. How is A related to C? (Answer: Maternal Uncle).

9. Coding-Decoding (Word-Based)

Here, words are coded according to certain rules, and candidates must decode or apply the rule.

• Example: If CAT = DBU, then DOG = ? (Answer: EPH).

Importance of Verbal Reasoning in Competitive Exams

1. Common in All Exams – Verbal Reasoning is asked in almost every exam, making it an unavoidable topic.

2. Tests Critical Thinking – It evaluates how quickly candidates can think and analyze information.

3. Improves Decision-Making – Helps in developing logical judgment in real-life scenarios.

4. Scoring Section – With the right practice, Verbal Reasoning can become a high-scoring area compared to lengthy calculations in Quantitative Aptitude.

Tips to Prepare for Verbal Reasoning Questions

1. Understand the Logic First – Instead of memorizing, focus on the reasoning pattern behind each question.

2. Practice Previous Year Papers – Many questions are repeated with slight variations in exams like SSC, Banking, and Railways.

3. Solve Mock Tests – Practicing under time-bound conditions helps improve speed and accuracy.

4. Read Regularly – Improve comprehension skills by reading newspapers, editorials, and articles daily.

5. Work on Weak Areas – Focus on assumptions, conclusions, or puzzles that seem confusing.

6. Use Elimination Technique – Narrow down choices to increase accuracy in multiple-choice questions.

Example Verbal Reasoning Questions

1. Analogy – Bird : Nest :: Bee : ? (Answer: Hive).

2. Classification – Lion, Tiger, Elephant, Sparrow (Answer: Sparrow, as it is a bird).

3. Statement and Conclusion – All engineers are intelligent. Some intelligent are hardworking. → Conclusion: Some engineers are hardworking (Not necessarily true).

Practicing such examples daily sharpens logical and reasoning abilities.