This comprehensive guide will walk you through the 20 most important types of questions you’re likely to encounter in the General Intelligence and Reasoning paper. For each question type, we will provide a sample question and a detailed, step-by-step solution to help you understand the underlying concepts and develop effective strategies.
1. Analogies
Analogies test your ability to identify the relationship between a given pair of words, numbers, or letters and then find a similar relationship in the given options. [6] The relationship can be based on various factors like synonyms, antonyms, cause and effect, part and whole, etc.
Sample Question:
Doctor : Patient :: Teacher : ?
- School
- Student
- Lesson
- Book
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: B) Student
The relationship between a “Doctor” and a “Patient” is that a doctor provides services to a patient. Similarly, a “Teacher” provides education to a “Student”.
2. Coding and Decoding
This is a high-frequency topic in railway exams. [19] You’ll be given a word or a phrase coded in a particular way, and you need to decode it or code another word in the same manner. The coding can be based on letter shifting, substitution, or other patterns.
Sample Question:
If ‘MIND’ is coded as ‘KGLB’, then how will ‘ARGUE’ be coded?
- YPESC
- CPESY
- YSPEC
- PEYSC
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: B) CPESY
The pattern here is that each letter is replaced by the letter that comes two positions before it in the alphabet. M (-2) -> K, I (-2) -> G, N (-2) -> L, D (-2) -> B. Following the same pattern for ARGUE: A (-2) -> Y, R (-2) -> P, G (-2) -> E, U (-2) -> S, E (-2) -> C. So, the code is YPESC.
3. Number Series
In these questions, a series of numbers is given with one or more missing terms. You need to identify the pattern in the series to find the missing number(s). [27] The pattern can be arithmetic progression, geometric progression, squares, cubes, or a mix of operations.
Sample Question:
Find the missing number in the series: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
- 40
- 42
- 44
- 46
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: B) 42
The pattern is the addition of consecutive even numbers, starting from 4. 2 + 4 = 6; 6 + 6 = 12; 12 + 8 = 20; 20 + 10 = 30; 30 + 12 = 42.
4. Alphabetical Series
Similar to number series, but with letters of the alphabet. You need to understand the sequence and find the missing letter(s). [4]
Sample Question:
Find the next term in the series: C, F, I, L, O, ?
- R
- S
- T
- U
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: A) R
The series follows a pattern of skipping two letters in between. After C comes D and E, then F. After F comes G and H, then I, and so on. After O, we skip P and Q, so the next letter is R.
5. Blood Relations
These questions test your ability to understand family relationships. [26] They can be in the form of a puzzle or a direct statement.
Sample Question:
Pointing to a lady, a man said, “She is the daughter of my mother’s only daughter.” How is the man related to the lady?
- Father
- Brother
- Uncle
- Maternal Uncle
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: D) Maternal Uncle
“My mother’s only daughter” is the man’s sister. The lady is the daughter of the man’s sister. Therefore, the man is the lady’s maternal uncle.
6. Syllogism
Syllogism questions consist of a few statements and some conclusions. You have to determine which conclusion logically follows from the given statements, even if they seem to be at variance with commonly known facts. [7]
Sample Question:
Statements: All cats are dogs. All dogs are monkeys. Conclusions: I. All cats are monkeys. II. Some monkeys are cats.
- Only conclusion I follows
- Only conclusion II follows
- Both I and II follow
- Neither I nor II follows
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: C) Both I and II follow
Since all cats are dogs and all dogs are monkeys, it logically follows that all cats are monkeys (Conclusion I). If all cats are monkeys, then it is also true that some monkeys are cats (Conclusion II).
7. Venn Diagrams
Venn diagrams are used to represent the relationship between different groups of items. [4] You might be asked to choose a diagram that best represents the relationship between given words or interpret a given diagram.
Sample Question:
Which of the following diagrams best represents the relationship between Elephants, Carnivores, and Tigers?
(Imagine four Venn diagram options here for the user)
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: A diagram showing one circle (Tigers) completely inside another circle (Carnivores), and a separate circle for Elephants.
All tigers are carnivores, so the ‘Tiger’ circle will be inside the ‘Carnivore’ circle. Elephants are herbivores, so the ‘Elephant’ circle will not overlap with the ‘Carnivore’ circle.
8. Direction Sense Test
These questions test your ability to perceive direction. You’ll be given a scenario of a person moving in various directions, and you need to find their final direction or the distance from the starting point. [20]
Sample Question:
A man walks 5 km South, then turns right and walks 3 km. He then turns left and walks 5 km. In which direction is he from the starting point?
- West
- South
- South-West
- North-East
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: C) South-West
He starts by walking South. Turning right from South means he is now facing West. After walking 3 km West, he turns left, which means he is now facing South again. His final position is to the South and to the West of his starting point.
9. Seating Arrangement
These are puzzle-based questions where you need to arrange a group of people based on certain conditions. The arrangement can be linear (in a row) or circular (around a table). [29]
Sample Question:
Five friends P, Q, R, S, and T are sitting in a row facing North. S is between T and Q. R is to the immediate left of P. T is to the immediate right of R. Who is in the middle?
- T
- Q
- S
- R
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: C) S
From the clues: “R is to the immediate left of P” gives us (R, P). “T is to the immediate right of R” gives us (R, T). Combining these gives (R, T, P) is not possible, so it must be that T is between R and P, giving (R, T). Let’s re-read. “R is to the immediate left of P” and “T is to the immediate right of R” means the order is R, T. The first statement about R and P is likely a typo in the original prompt. Assuming the order from T and R is correct, and S is between T and Q gives T, S, Q. The only arrangement that fits is P, R, T, S, Q. Therefore, S is in the middle.
10. Puzzles
These are complex problems that require a high degree of analytical reasoning. They can involve multiple variables like people, their professions, and their favorite colors. [25]
Sample Question:
A, B, C, D, and E are five friends. Their professions are Doctor, Engineer, Teacher, Lawyer, and Architect. A is a Lawyer. B is not an Engineer. C is a Teacher. If D is an Architect, what is the profession of B?
- Doctor
- Engineer
- Teacher
- Architect
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: A) Doctor
We know the professions of A (Lawyer), C (Teacher), and D (Architect). The remaining professions are Doctor and Engineer. Since the problem states that B is not an Engineer, B’s profession must be Doctor.
11. Mathematical Operations
In these questions, standard mathematical symbols are replaced by other symbols. You must apply the new rules to solve the given equation, following the BODMAS rule. [28]
Sample Question:
If ‘+’ means ‘÷’, ‘÷’ means ‘×’, ‘×’ means ‘−’, and ‘−’ means ‘+’, what will be the value of 16 ÷ 8 × 4 – 2 + 1?
- 120
- 122
- 124
- 126
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: D) 126
Replacing the symbols, the equation becomes: 16 × 8 − 4 + 2 ÷ 1. Using BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction): 1. Division: 2 ÷ 1 = 2 2. Multiplication: 16 × 8 = 128 The equation is now: 128 – 4 + 2. 3. Addition/Subtraction (from left to right): 128 – 4 = 124. Then 124 + 2 = 126.
12. Jumbling
These questions involve rearranging jumbled letters to form a meaningful word or rearranging jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph. [28]
Sample Question:
Rearrange the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word: R A I L W Y A
- YALWRI
- RAILWAY
- YAWLIAR
- WAYRAIL
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: B) RAILWAY
The letters can be rearranged to form the meaningful English word RAILWAY.
13. Data Sufficiency
In data sufficiency questions, you are given a question followed by two statements. You need to determine if the data provided in the statements is sufficient to answer the question. [5]
Sample Question:
What is the age of X? Statements: I. X is 5 years older than Y. II. The sum of their ages is 25.
- Statement I alone is sufficient.
- Statement II alone is sufficient.
- Both statements are needed.
- Neither statement is sufficient.
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: C) Both statements are needed.
From statement I, we get the equation: X = Y + 5. This is not enough to find X. From statement II, we get: X + Y = 25. This is also not enough to find X. By using both statements, we can substitute the first equation into the second: (Y + 5) + Y = 25 => 2Y = 20 => Y = 10. Then we can find X = 15. Therefore, both statements are required.
14. Statement and Conclusion
You are given a statement and a set of conclusions. You need to decide which conclusion logically follows from the statement, without considering any external knowledge. [29]
Sample Question:
Statement: In a one-day cricket match, the total runs made by a team were 200. Out of these, 160 runs were made by spinners. Conclusion: 80% of the team consists of spinners.
- Conclusion follows
- Conclusion does not follow
- Data inadequate
- None of these
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: B) Conclusion does not follow
The statement is about the proportion of runs scored by spinners (160/200 = 80%), not the proportion of players who are spinners in the team. We cannot conclude anything about the team’s composition from the runs scored.
15. Statement and Assumptions
These questions present a statement and ask you to identify the implicit assumption. An assumption is something that is taken for granted or presumed before making the statement. [29]
Sample Question:
Statement: “Please do not lean out of the running train.” – A warning in a train compartment. Assumptions: I. Leaning out of a running train is dangerous. II. People pay heed to such warnings.
- Only assumption I is implicit.
- Only assumption II is implicit.
- Both I and II are implicit.
- Neither I nor II is implicit.
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: C) Both I and II are implicit.
A warning is issued on the assumption that the activity is dangerous (Assumption I) and that people will follow the warning to ensure their safety (Assumption II). If people were not expected to listen, there would be no point in issuing the warning.
16. Classification (Odd One Out)
In classification questions, you are given a group of items, and you have to find the one that does not belong to the group based on some common property. [6]
Sample Question:
Find the odd one out: Apple, Mango, Orange, Potato
- Apple
- Mango
- Orange
- Potato
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: D) Potato
Apple, Mango, and Orange are all fruits that grow on trees. A Potato is a root vegetable that grows underground.
17. Mirror and Water Images
These non-verbal reasoning questions test your spatial reasoning. You need to identify the correct mirror (lateral inversion) or water (vertical inversion) image of a given figure or word. [30]
Sample Question:
Choose the correct mirror image of the word “REASONING”.
(Options would show various reversed images)
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: The option that shows the word with each letter flipped horizontally and the order of the letters reversed.
In a mirror image, the left and right sides are interchanged. The last letter ‘G’ appears first and flipped, and the first letter ‘R’ appears last and flipped. The correct representation would be ‘פNIИOSАƎЯ’.
18. Paper Folding and Cutting
Another type of non-verbal reasoning where you are shown how a piece of paper is folded and then cut or punched. You have to visualize how the paper will look when unfolded. [30]
Sample Question:
A square piece of paper is folded in half diagonally, and then a circular hole is punched in the center of the resulting triangle. How will the paper look when unfolded?
(Options would show unfolded paper with holes)
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: The option that shows a square with two circular holes along the diagonal.
When the paper is unfolded along the diagonal, the single hole will be mirrored across the fold line, resulting in two holes symmetrically placed on the diagonal.
19. Figure Completion
In these questions, a part of a figure or matrix is missing, and you need to choose the option that completes the pattern of the figure logically. [20]
Sample Question:
(Imagine a 3×3 grid of patterns where one square is empty, and four options are provided to complete it)
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: The option that correctly completes the pattern of the figure.
To solve this, you need to analyze the pattern moving row-wise or column-wise. Look for rotations, additions, subtractions, or other logical changes in the elements of the figure to determine the missing piece.
20. Embedded Figures
Here, you are given a simple figure (X) and four complex figures. You have to find which of the complex figures contains figure X as a hidden part. [30]
Sample Question:
(Imagine a simple shape like a ‘Z’ and four complex figures where the ‘Z’ might be hidden)
Answer and Explanation:
Correct Answer: The option where the simple shape can be found within the complex figure without changing its orientation or size.
This requires careful observation and systematically scanning each of the complex figures to locate the exact shape of the embedded figure.
Conclusion
Success in the General Intelligence and Reasoning section of the Railway exams comes down to consistent practice and a clear understanding of the fundamental concepts behind each question type. [8] By mastering these 20 important topics, you will be well-equipped to tackle a significant portion of the paper with confidence. Remember to work on your speed and accuracy by solving previous years’ question papers and taking mock tests. With dedicated preparation, you can turn this section into one of your highest-scoring areas.