Madhya Pradesh P.S.C. (Pre.) Examination-2014 Held on 9-5-2015
Genera Studies Paper-II
1. You have formed a selecting committee for hiring office assistants. To ensure uniform and fair evaluation, you instruct the committee members to give marks out of 10 to each candidate. Some committee members refuse to do so and say that they will only give ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ to each candidate. What will you do ?
(A) You accept because you do not want to antagonize the committee members.
(B) You explain the process to the committee members and insist that they follow the procedure to ensure uniform and fair evaluation
(C) You ask everybody to give only ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and choose candidates by consensus
(D) You change the constitution of the committee so that you have members who listen to you
2. Your friend informs you about harassment at her work place. You will-
(A) tell her to forget it
(B) tell her that it is her own mistake and she should try to get along
(C) tell her to complain to the appropriate authority
(D) informally talk to the person who is harassing her and ask that the harassment be stopped
3. You are the health officer of an organization and have received complaints about stray animals causing nuisance. What action do you take ?
(A) Beat the animals till they run away
(B) Try to remove the animals to a place from where they cannot return to your campus
(C) Explain to the complaining parties that you will find a humane solution to the problem that does not involve removing the animals from their native territory
(D) Impose a fine on people who feed/help the stray animals
4. In a circular clock, the number of the Hour and Minute Hand make a right angle during 24 hours is equal to-
(A) 22
(B) 48
(C) 44
(D) 24
5. You receive a complaint from a subordinate that one of his colleagues is stealing stationary from the office stock. You will-
(A) form a committee to look into the complaint and if true, will take necessary action
(B) send a letter to the person against whom the complaint has been made, to stop stealing
(C) tell the complaint not to bother about such small issues
(D) call an office meeting and without naming the person, give a general advice not to steal office property
6. Someone has filed an RTI query and you think the information- if made public- will reflect badly on the performance of the office. What do you do ?
(A) See if there is any way you can deny giving the information
(B) Give only partial information hiding details that reflect poorly on your office
(C) Try to informally contact the person and ask him to take back the query
(D) Promptly give the appropriate information sought in the RTI query
7. Find out the missing alphabet in the following series –
A Z C ? E V
(A) Y
(B) D
(C) X
(D) B
8. Observe the pair of numbers to the left part of : :, which has certain relationship. Using the same relationship, what should be the missing numbers of the pair on the right side ?
121 : 6 : : 189 : ?
(A) 12
(B) 22
(C) 15
(D) 19
9. In the list of four items, three belong to a group and one does not. Which is the odd one ?
(A) Square
(B) Hexagon
(C) Octagon
(D) Pentagon
10. In the following series, which is the missing number ?
0 3 ? 15 24
(A) 4
(B) 7
(C) 8
(D) 5
11. A girl is facing North direction and rotates herself by 45°. The girl will now face-
(A) North-West or North-East
(B) North-West
(C) North-East
(D) South-East or South-West
12. In the list of four items, three belong to a group and one does not. Which is the odd one ?
(A) Sea
(B) River
(C) Lake
(D) Rain
13. How many triangles are there in the given figure ?
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 14
(D) 16
14. The missing number in the figure show in below is-
(A) 45
(B) 54
(C) 72
(D) 90
15. In a coding system, APPLE is represented as ZKKOV. In such system, COW will be represented as-
(A) XLD
(B) XMD
(C) WLE
(D) WDL
16. If ‘JUICE’ is coded as ’19-41-17-5-9’, then ‘TOY’ will be coded as-
(A) 39-29-49
(B) 41-31-51
(C) 13-23-3
(D) 15-25-5
17. Letters showing the names of some fruits have been rearranged. Identify the fruit which has the highest Vitamin C content –
(A) RNEGOA
(B) GAONM
(C) VAGAU
(D) PELAP
18. Out of given four choices, three are similar in a certain way and one is different. Find out the different one-
(A) HGFED
(B) PONML
(C) NLKJI
(D) TSRQP
19. What is the missing ratio in the following series ?
(A) L/14
(B) I/18
(C) I/20
(D) L/20
20. Use some rule and then find out the right option for the blank cell (?)-
(A) 34
(B) 31
(C) 29
(D) 28
21. If BHOPAL = CGPOBK, then GWALIOR = ?
(A) HVBKJNS
(B) HXBMJPS
(C) FVZKGNQ
(D) FXZMGPQ
22. If PALE is coded as 7865 and EARTH as 58432, then ALERT is-
(A) 84543
(B) 86743
(C) 86543
(D) 86453
23. How many 8’s are there in the following sequence which are preceded by 6 and followed by 9 ?
9 4 8 6 3 2 7 1 8 6 8 9 8 1 3 6 8 9 7 8 6 3 1 3 6 8 4 3 6 3 9
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 7
24. Letters are arranged in a particular order with some criterion. Find out the right one to fill in the blank-
A, CD, GHI, ……….., UVWXY
(A) LMNO
(B) NOPQ
(C) KLMN
(D) MNOP
25. In a series given below there is a specific relation in the numbers-
48, 24, 72, 36, 108, …….. .
Find out the correct answer from the given choices to fill in the blank.
(A) 180
(B) 144
(C) 72
(D) 54
26. In a class Anil ranks 7th from the top, Rohit is 7 rank ahead of Sumit and 3 ranks behind Anil. Vijay, who is 4th from the bottom is 32 ranks behind Sumit. How many students are there in the class ?
(A) 39
(B) 49
(C) 52
(D) 62
Directions-(Q. 27-29) The data on family sizes in a town is given below. Based on the figure, answer questions below-
27. The % of families with more than four family members-
(A) 10%
(B) 20%
(C) 30%
(D) 40%
28. The average family size calculated from the given data is-
(A) 2.4
(B) 3.0
(C) 3.4
(D) 4
29. The fraction of families with size less than the average family size is-
(A) 3/5
(B) 8/15
(C) 2/5
(D) 1/5
Directions- (Q. 30-32) The following Pi-chart shows the breakup of costs in running a dining hall in the hostel. Study the figure and answer questions below-
30. If the total electricity and maintenance costs are Rs 1,10,000, how much is the rent ?
(A) Rs 40,000
(B) Rs 90,000
(C) Rs 1,10,000
(D) Rs 60,000
31. If the electricity charges are Rs 40,000, the workers are p aid a total of-
(A) Rs 20,000
(B) Rs 40,000
(C) Rs 80,000
(D) Rs 1,20,000
32. If maintenance costs are Rs 60,000, the materials cost is-
(A) Rs 1,00,000
(B) Rs 2,00,000
(C) Rs 3,00,000
(D) Rs 4,00,000
33. One kg of rice, one kg of dal and 500 ml of oil costs Rs 320. Dal costs twice as much as rice. Further, 1000 ml of oil and 2 kgs of rice cost Rs 480. How much does the dal cost ?
(A) 160
(B) 120
(C) 80
(D) 40
34. A retailer buys 20 pens for Rs 40 and sells it at the rate of Rs 40 for 15 pens. What is the profit margin ?
(A) 100%
(B) 50%
(C) 33%
(D) 25%
35. A man travels 480 kms. He covers two-thirds of this distance by train, one-fifth by bus and remaining by taxi. What is the distance travelled by taxi ?
(A) 44 km
(B) 54 km
(C) 64 km
(D) 74 km
36. Which one of the following fractions is not less than 2/3?
(A) 7/12
(B) 11/18
(C) 9/15
(D) 17/24
37. If it takes 15 women to sow an acre in two days, how many women does it take to sow three acres in a day?
(A) 60
(B) 80
(C) 120
(D) 180
38. The area of a rectangular field with sides in 2 : 1 ratio is 162 m2. There is a proposal to make a 1 m wide walking track all along the perimeter of the field. How much would be the reduction in the area ?
(A) 25 m2
(B) 50 m2
(C) 75 m2
(D) 100 m2
39. If a = 3 and b * c 
then calculate a × b* for b = 7, c = 3__
(A) 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
40. The average temperature calculated from data for Monday through Wednesday is 36℃. However, when data for Thursday is included, the average increases by 1℃. What was the temperature recorded on Thursday ?
(A) 37℃
(B) 38℃
(C) 39℃
(D) 40℃
41. The average electricity bill of a household from January to June is Rs 980; for July to September is Rs 670; for October to December is Rs 720. If the family goes on vacation for June and July and no electricity is used, what average electricity bill for that year would be ?
(A) Rs 500
(B) Rs 600
(C) Rs 700
(D) Rs 800
42. Raju invests in a systematic investment plan in which he deposits Rs 1,000 per year for three years. If interest is calculated as 11% (simple interest) at the end of three years, how much is the interest earned by Mr. Raju ?
(A) Rs 550
(B) Rs 660
(C) Rs 330
(D) Rs 750
43. In the following sentence, identify the meaning of word ‘graceful’ : The dancer was graceful in her movements.
(A) Fast
(B) Strong
(C) Elegant
(D) Rhythmic
44. Mohan travels to his work place first by bus and then by metro. The average speeds of bus and metro are 30 km/hr and 60 km/hr,, respectively. The distances covered by bus and metro are in the ratio of 1 : 6. If Mr. Mohan reaches office in one hour, how far is his office ?
(A) 51.5 km
(B) 52.0 km
(C) 52.5 km
(D) 53.0 km
45. A merchant has 300 litres of coconut oil, 330 litres of groundnut oil and 420 litres of sunflower oil. He wants to store them in cans of equal volume. What is the minimum numbers of cans that he needs ?
(A) 25
(B) 30
(C) 35
(D) 40
Directions – (Q. 46-50) Read the following excerpt and answer questions asked at the end. The answers to the questions should be based on the except.
Today birds inhabit every continent. There are nearly 9000 species classified into 27 orders. Some orders have only one species. The order Passeriformes (perching birds) contains the largest number of species. The most evolved birds are found in the Passeriformes order – sparrows, finches, crows, jays etc. It has generally been found that the survival rate of the primitive orders is much poorer compared to the highly evolved ones.
The ability to fly-like m any other biological properties of living beings – came about as an adaptation to particular conditions. The variety of habitats and the varied responses to them has led to an incredible diversity of flight techniques.
Sparrows cannot glide; the larger vultures are champion gliders but cannot take-off without a run into the wind. Penguins and ostriches cannot fly; geese fly over the Himalayas. It would appear as if no two species fly exactly the same manner.
46. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above excerpt ?
(A) Ability to fly depends on the order
(B) Ability to fly depends on the continent
(C) Ability to fly is a result of adaptation to particular conditions
(D) Ability to fly depends on the ability to run
47. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above excerpt ?
(A) The order with the largest numbers of species is also the most evolved
(B) All the 27 orders have at least two species in them
(C) Biological properties of living beings is a result of diversity of flight techniques
(D) All living beings that can walk can also fly
48. Which of the following statement is FALSE?
(A) The order of perching birds contains the largest number of species
(B) There are orders of birds that have only one species in them
(C) Large vultures fly cover Himalayas by gliding
(D) The survival rates of primitive orders is low as compared to the evolved ones
49. According to the excerpt what led to the diversity of flight techniques ?
(A) The primitiveness of order
(B) Variety of habitats and varied responses to them
(C) The ability of the bird to glide
(D) Differences in ability to run
50. Which of the following statements is WRONG in the context of the above excerpt ?
(A) Ability to fly is a result of adaptation to particular conditions.
(B) The diversity of flight techniques is a result of variety of habitats and varied responses to them.
(C) Almost, all the species fly exactly in the same manner.
(D) Birds are seen in all continents.
Directions – (Q. 51-55) Read the following excerpt and answer question asked at the end. The answer to questions should be based on the excerpt.
The other challenge to the belief that science is primarily logical, comes from its own practice. First of all, the success of science cannot be explained if we look at science primarily as something logical. Science creates its concepts in ways that draws upon different types of intuition. For example, in physics some concepts are physically intuitive while some are mathematically intuitive.
Science cannot be reduced to logic. Even mathematics couldn’t be although there is much more in mathematics which is purely about logic. Descartes could not create physics that Newton did because he made one cardinal mistake : he thought that physics was reducible to mathematics and it was ‘part’ of mathematics.
51. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above excerpt ?
(A) Science and mathematics can be reduced to logic.
(B) Scientific concepts are created using different types of intuition.
(C) Success of science can be explained only if we consider it as something logical.
(D) Descartes and Newton created physics.
52. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above excerpt ?
(A) Both science and mathematics are reducible to logic.
(B) Neither science nor mathematics is reducible to logic.
(C) Science is reducible to logic but mathematics is not.
(D) Mathematics is reducible to logic while physics is not.
53. Based on the above excerpt, which of the following statement is FALSE ?
(A) Physical concepts can be created using only physical intuition.
(B) Physical concepts are created using different types of intuition.
(C) Mathematical intuitions can be used to create physical concepts.
(D) Newton created some aspects of physics.
54. According to the excerpt, what was Descartes mistake ?
(A) He thought mathematics was reducible to physics.
(B) He thought mathematics was part of physics.
(C) He thought physics was logical.
(D) He thought physics was part of mathematics.
55. Which of the following statements is WRONG in the context of above excerpt ?
(A) Some physics concepts are based on physical intuition.
(B) Physics is not part of science.
(C) Physics is not reducible to mathematics.
(D) Some physics concepts are based on mathematical logic.
56. Educational institutions have always been the most important means of transferring the wealth of tradition and knowledge from one generation to the next. The role of such institutions has become even more important today, because the role of family imparting them have weakened, owing to the development of economy. This passage best supports the statement that-for transferring the wealth of tradition and knowledge from one generation to the next.
(A) There are means other than school
(B) Several different sources must be tried
(C) Relevance of educational institutions has increased
(D) Modern technology must be put to use
57. The only true education comes through the stimulation of a child’s power by the demands of the social situations in which he/she finds himself/herself. Through these demands, he/she is stimulated at act as a member of a unity, to emerge from his/ her original narrowness of action and feeling, and to conceive himself/herself from the stand point of the welfare of the group to which he/she belong. The passage best supports the statement that real education-
(A) will take place if the children imbibe action and feeling
(B) will take place if the children are physically strong
(C) is not provided in our schools today
(D) comes through the interaction with social situations
58. There were 28 days in February 2013. This means that-
(A) all the 7 days of a week occur 4 times each
(B) some days of the week were more than 4 and some were less than 4
(C) there were 5 Sundays
(D) there were 3 Sundays
59. A large number of exit polls predict that party A is heading for landslide victory in the elections. Which of the following is true ?
(A) It is sure that party A is much ahead of others
(B) It is sure that party A will come to power with thumbing majority
(C) It will definitely get absolute majority
(D) None of the above
60. Based on the number of plane accidents in the recent past, someone makes the statement that air travel is riskier than train travel. In order to make his statement fully correct, he must-
(A) have the number of plane accidents that happened for the past several years
(B) have the data about the number of flights and train operated over a reasonable period of time, along with the number of accidents of both these modes of transport
(C) have the number of plane accidents and train accidents over the last several years
(D) number of flights operated and the number of plane accidents for last several years
61. Indian nationality is a condition for admission in a particular course that has a fixed number of seats. First class at the masters level is another requirements for the admission. In order that one gets a seat-
(A) Indian nationality is necessary, but not a sufficient condition
(B) Indian nationality is the sufficient condition
(C) Indian nationality is the necessary and first class is sufficient condition
(D) First class degree is the necessary and sufficient condition
62. To forgive a person for his/her mistakes is often considered to be a sign of weakness; in reality, it is a sign of strength. It is easy to allow oneself to be carried away by resentment and hate into an act of vengeance; but it takes a strong character to restrain those natural passions. The man who forgives an injury proves himself to be the superior of the man who wronged himself and puts the wrong-doer to shame. The passage best supports the statement that-
(A) The sufferer alone knows the intensity of his sufferings
(B) People tend to forgive the things happened in the past
(C) Mercy is the noblest form of revenge
(D) Natural passions are difficult to suppress
63. There is a shift in our economy from a manufacturing to a service orientation. The increase in service sector will require the managers to work more with people rather than with objects and things from the assembly line. Hence-
(A) managers should have a balanced mind
(B) interpersonal skills will become more important in the future work place
(C) assembly line will exist in service organizations
(D) manufacturing organizations ignore importance of people
64. Though the waste of time or expenditure on fashions is very large, yet fashions have come to stay. They will not go, whatever happens, However, what is now required is that-strong efforts should be made to displace the excessive craze for fashion from the minds of these youngsters. This passage best supports the statement that-
(A) Fashion is the need of the day
(B) The excessive craze for fashion is detrimental to one’s Personality
(C) Work and other activities should be valued more that the outward appearance
(D) The hoard for fashion should be done away with so as not to let down the constructive development
65. Michael, John, Tanya and Robert are putting together a band. They need a singer, a bass player, a drummer, and a guitarist. If Tanya can play the bass and sing, Michael can sing and drum, Robert can drum and play guitar and John can play guitar, which of the arrangements make sense ?
(A) Michael – drum, Tanya – bass, Robert – sing, John – guitar
(B) Michael – drum, Tanya – sing, Robert – bass, John – guitar
(C) Michael – sing, Tanya – bass, Robert – guitar, John – drum
(D) Michael – sing, Tanya bass, Robert – drum, John – guitar
66. Satisfaction with co-workers, promotion opportunities, the nature of work and pay go with high performance among those with strong growth needs. Among those with weak growth needs, no such relationship is present and in fact, satisfaction with promotion opportunities goes with low performance. This passage best supports the statement that-
(A) satisfaction is an inevitable organizational variable
(B) job satisfaction and performance are directly and closely related
(C) relationship between job satisfaction and performance is moderated by growth need
(D) every organization has few employees having weak growth need
67. Stacey, Carla, Julia and Rose want to take seats in a cinema. There is only I isle seat and the rest are in the same line next to it. If Rose wants to sit in the isle seat, Julia wants to sit next to Stacey and Carla doesn’t want to sit next to Julia, how will they sit (starting at the isle)?
(A) Rose, Julia, Stacey, Carla
(B) Rose, Carla, Julia, Stacey
(C) Stacey, Carla, Julia, Rose
(D) Rose, Stacey, Julia, Carla
68. I have a tiger, a lion, a bunny, a sheep, a carrot and a cabbage. The bunny and the sheep will eat the cabbage or the carrot, the lion and the tiger will eat the bunny or the sheep, and the lion will fight the tiger. If I have cages that can fit 2 animals or 2 vegetables each, what is the minimum number of cages I need to fit all of them without any fighting or eating going on ?
(A) 3 : lion and tiger, sheep and cabbage, bunny and carrot
(B) 4 : lion, tiger, sheep and bunny, cabbage and carrot
(C) 3 : lion and carrot, tiger and cabbage, sheep and bunny
(D) 3 : lion and tiger sheep and bunny, cabbage and carrot
69. A financial genius is someone who manages to earn more than his family can spend. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the above sentence ?
(A) People tend to spend more than they can afford to.
(B) One should earn as much as one needs to spend.
(C) A financial genius is one who can manage his own personal finances well.
(D) A financial genius is one who can save a little of his earnings.
Directions – (Q. 70-85) In each of the questions below is given a statement followed by two assumptions/ arguments numbered I and II. Consider the statement and decide which of the given assumptions is implicit. Please select your answer, considering one of the following-
70. Statement : Many bookshops are being closed down as their sales are going down and the shop rents are increasing.
Assumption I : Reading habit of people is coming down.
Assumption II : The bookshops’ net profit is decreasing.
(A) Only assumption I is correct
(B) Only assumption II is correct
(C) Both the assumptions are correct
(D) Neither assumption I nor assumption II is correct
71. Statement : The management of a company has asked all the employees to disclose their annual income and the total assets. But the employees’ union decided to strongly reject the demand.
Assumption I : The employees have no illegal income.
Assumption II : The union wants the top management brass to declare their assets first and set an example.
(A) Only assumption I is correct
(B) Only assumption II is correct
(C) Both the assumptions are correct
(D) Neither assumption I nor assumption II is correct
72. Statement : The medical department has asked people to use only boiled water in an attempt to prevent the spread of cholera in a town.
Assumption I : There is a doubt about the quality of water being supplied in the town.
Assumption II : There is some report of cholera in town.
(A) Only assumption I is correct
(B) Only assumption II is correct
(C) Both the assumptions are correct
(D) Neither assumption I nor assumption II is correct
73. Statement : Should school education be subsidized for everyone ?
Argument I : Yes, it will help a large number of people since a major fraction of our population is middle class or below.
Argument II : No, it is a huge burden for cash-strapped exchequer.
(A) Argument I is strong
(B) Argument II is strong
(C) Both arguments I and II are strong
(D) Neither argument I nor II is strong
74. Statement : Food shortage is going to be a serious issue because of production shortage due to climate change and population increase all over the world.
Assumption I : Food prices are likely to increase.
Assumption II : Climate change is a serious issue.
(A) Only assumption I is correct
(B) Only assumption II is correct
(C) Both the assumptions are correct
(D) Neither assumption I nor assumption II is correct
75. Statement : Should there be an urgent need to have judicial and police reforms ?
Argument I : Yes, this will bring speedy justice, which will have a big impact in the society.
Argument II : No, there are other issues which have higher priorities.
(A) Argument I is strong
(B) Argument II is strong
(C) Both arguments I and II are strong
(D) Neither argument I nor II is strong
76. Statement : Should the Government allow foreign companies to invests in power projects in India ?
Argument I : Yes, it will definitely address the acute power problem in our country.
Argument II : No, it is surrendering to foreign interests.
(A) Argument I is strong
(B) Argument II is strong
(C) Both arguments I and II are strong
(D) Neither argument I nor II is strong
77. Statement : Should we given equal importance to all sports ?
Argument I : Yes, we should not show bias to a particular sport.
Argument II : No, we should choose a few and concentrate only on them so that we can excel in them.
(A) Argument I is strong
(B) Argument II is strong
(C) Both arguments I and II are strong
(D) Neither argument I nor II is strong
78. Statement : Should cell phones be banned in colleges to tackle the problems of misuse by students ?
Argument I : Yes, banning will reduce the misuse.
Argument II : No, it will have only a very limited impact.
(A) Argument I is strong
(B) Argument II is strong
(C) Both arguments I and II are strong
(D) Neither argument I nor II is strong
79. Statement : The Chairman and Secretary of the housing society have requested society members to use water economically to help society save on water tax.
Assumption I : Majority of members of the society are likely to following the request.
Assumption II : It is desirable to reduce expenditure wherever possible.
(A) Only assumption I is implicit
(B) Only assumption II is implicit
(C) Either I or II is implicit
(D) Neither I nor II is implicit
80. Statement : Should the railways immediately stop issuing free passes to all its employees ?
Argument I : No. The employees have the right to travel free.
Argument II : Yes. This will help railways to provide better facility.
(A) Only argument I is strong
(B) Only argument II is strong
(C) Either I or II is strong
(D) Neither I nor II is strong
81. Statement : It is desirable to put the child in school at the age of 5 or so.
Assumption I : At that age child reaches appropriate level of development and is ready to learn.
Assumption II : The schools do not admit children after six years of age.
(A) Only assumption I is implicit
(B) Only assumption II is implicit
(C) Either I or II is implicit
(D) Neither I nor II is implicit
82. Statement : Double your money in five months- An advertisement.
Assumption I : The assurance is not genuine.
Assumption II : People want their money to grow.
(A) Only assumption I is implicit
(B) Only assumption II is implicit
(C) Either I or II is implicit
(D) Neither I nor II is implicit
83. Statement : Should the Government stop spending huge amounts of money on international sports ?
Assumption I : Yes. This money can be utilized for poor.
Assumption II : No. Sports persons will be frustrated and will not get international exposure.
(A) Only argument II is strong
(B) Only argument II is strong
(C) Either I or II is strong
(D) Neither I nor II is strong
84. Statement : Should education be made compulsory for all children till the age of 14 ?
Assumption I : Yes. This will help eradicate the system of forced employment of children.
Assumption II : Yes. This would increase the standard of living.
(A) Only argument II is strong
(B) Only argument II is strong
(C) Either I or II is strong
(D) Neither I nor II is strong
85. Statement : Should number of holidays of government employees be reduced ?
Argument I : Yes. Our government employees are having maximum number of holidays among the countries of the world.
Argument II : Yes. It will lead to increased productivity of government offices.
(A) Only argument II is strong
(B) Only argument II is strong
(C) Either I or II is strong
(D) Neither I nor II is strong
Latest Govt Job & Exam Updates: