Ashoka Aptitude Assessment · Paper 8

Logical, Quantitative & Critical Reasoning

1. Q1Data Interpretation › Pie ChartsEasy

   The pie chart given below represents the division of students in different foreign language courses offered by a university. The number of students in the Japanese and German courses combined is 36 more than the number of students in the Spanish course.

   Pie chart: Japanese 16%, Spanish 25%, French 20%, German 12%, Arabic 27%.

   How many students are there in the Arabic course?

   A972B486C324D270

   Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
2. Q2Arithmetic › AveragesEasy

   The average age of the 11 players in a cricket team is 24 years. If the captain, who is 30, and the wicketkeeper are left out, the average age of the other 9 players is 23 years. How old is the wicketkeeper?

   A24B27C28D33

   Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
3. Q3Logical Reasoning › Input-OutputEasy

   Study the pattern carefully.

   4 # 2 = 14

   3 # 3 = 6

   5 # 4 = 21

   Which of the following is equal to 9 # 7?

   A16B63C64D74

   Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
4. Q4Critical Reasoning › Assessing EvidenceEasy

   A historian argues that the spread of railways in nineteenth-century India changed the way ordinary people thought about time: punctuality, fixed timetables and clock time began to matter in daily life in a way they had not before.

   Which of the following sources would be MOST useful for her argument?

   ALetters and diaries of the period in which travellers write about timetables, clocks and the fear of missing a train.BYearly records of how many kilometres of railway track were laid.CEngineering drawings of the steam engines used on Indian lines.DAccounts of the freight income earned by the railway companies.

   Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
5. Q5Critical Reasoning › Statement & ConclusionEasy

   The introduction of personal computers into workplaces in the late 20th century vastly improved productivity in many industries. While computers automated certain administrative tasks, they also enhanced workers' ability to process information and made new types of jobs possible, such as software development and IT support. This transformation showcased how technology can enhance human capabilities, rather than simply replace workers.

   Which of the following conclusions can best be drawn from the passage above?

   AThe impact of technology on job creation is unpredictable and does not bring a net positive or negative effect.BTechnological advances have often enhanced jobs and created new types of work in many industries.CComputers increased the need for human intervention in most industries by the late 20th century.DThe digital revolution led to the elimination of most administrative or mechanical jobs.

   Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
6. Q6Logical Reasoning › PuzzlesEasy

   Prashant works in the administration department of a college. For a particular day, 4 different societies requested to book the auditorium. The timings requested are not flexible. He noted the requests as follows:

   Fine arts society: 11 AM to 1:30 PM

   Music Society: 12 PM to 3 PM

   Dance Society: 1 PM to 7 PM

   Drama Society: 4 PM to 6 PM

   Prashant wants to provide the auditorium for the MAXIMUM number of societies for the day. How many societies would this be?

   A1B2C3D4

   Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
7. Q7Critical Reasoning › Statements & InferencesEasy

   Stepwells, found mostly in the dry western parts of India, were built to reach groundwater that sank far below the surface in the months after the monsoon. Long flights of steps let people walk down to the water as its level dropped through the dry season. Many stepwells also had shaded landings at each level, where travellers rested and women gathered while collecting water.

   Which of the following can be DEFINITELY inferred from the passage?

   AThe water in a stepwell did not stay at the same level all year.BStepwells were built only by kings to show off their wealth.CStepwells were the main source of water in every region of India.DWomen were not allowed to collect water from rivers or lakes.

   Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
8. Q8Critical Reasoning › Argument StructureEasy

   A straw man argument is a type of fallacy (mistaken belief) in which one person misrepresents or exaggerates their opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack or refute. The term "straw-man" comes from the idea of creating a figurative straw-man and then attacking it, rather than addressing the actual argument.

   If you were to advocate for raising awareness about women's safety concerns in public transportation, which of the following would be a straw-man argument against your stance?

   AThe process of raising awareness is a very difficult and nuanced one.BSafety concerns can differ across classes of women based on their socio-economic status.CCiting safety concerns is a way for women to demand more protections than they already have.DThis issue needs to be tackled at the grassroots level by changing cultural norms and practices.

   Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
9. Q9Algebra › Progression & SeriesMedium

   The pattern described below consists of circles arranged in a triangular shape.

   Figure 1 has rows of 1, 3 and 5 circles; Figure 2 has rows of 1, 3, 5 and 7 circles; Figure 3 has rows of 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 circles.

   If the pattern is extended, what will be the TOTAL number of circles in Figure 12?

   A100B121C144D196

   Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
10. Q10Arithmetic › PartnershipsMedium

    Asha, Bilal and Charu start a food truck. Asha puts in ₹60,000 for the whole year. Bilal puts in ₹80,000 but joins 3 months after the start. Charu puts in ₹1,00,000 but only for the last 6 months of the year. The profit is shared in proportion to each person's investment multiplied by the number of months it was invested.

    Out of the year's profit of ₹1,53,000, what is Bilal's share?

    A₹51,000B₹54,000C₹57,000D₹60,000

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
11. Q11Algebra › InequalitiesMedium

    If $x \neq 0$, which of the following is DEFINITELY greater than $x$?

    (i) $4x$

    (ii) $x^4$

    (iii) $(4 - x)$

    Aonly i)Bonly ii)Conly i) and ii)Dnone of (i), (ii) and (iii)

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
12. Q12Logical Reasoning › Coding-DecodingEasy

    In a code language:

    'kor tam pi' means 'green tea leaves'

    'pi lu sen' means 'leaves fall slowly'

    'sen tam vo' means 'slowly brew tea'

    The code words are not necessarily in the same order as the English words. Which word is coded as 'lu'?

    AleavesBslowlyCbrewDfall

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
13. Q13Critical Reasoning › Statement & AssumptionEasy

    A college plans to stop printing course readers and instead upload all the readings as PDF files to its website. The principal says, "This will save paper, and every student will have the readings from the first day of term."

    Which of the following is an assumption behind the principal's claim that every student will have the readings?

    AEvery student can get to a device and an internet connection good enough to open the files.BPrinted course readers cost more than textbooks.CMost students prefer reading on paper to reading on a screen.DThe college has printed course readers for many years.

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
14. Q14Critical Reasoning › Statements & InferencesMedium

    The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) captures poverty through three key dimensions: education (which calculates years in schooling and school attendance), health (which studies nutrition, maternal health and child mortality), and standard of living (access to cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing, bank accounts, assets). The Niti Aayog in January 2024 released a report which indicated a substantial reduction in multidimensional poverty across India, with the most significant declines observed in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.

    Which of the following approaches would MOST LIKELY offer a solution to sustain and deepen impact for ALL three MPI indicators?

    AIncreasing spending on road connectivity and public transportation in urban areas.BDeveloping clean energy initiatives to ensure sustainable environmental and living conditions.CImplementing comprehensive nutritional programs that target both urban and rural food insecurity.DExpanding integrated holistic development programs that enhance local economies and community well-being.

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
15. Q15Geometry › Coordinate GeometryMedium

    On a town map drawn on a grid (1 unit = 1 km), three friends live at the points (0, 0), (8, 0) and (0, 6). They want to meet at a café that is the same straight-line distance from all three homes.

    At which point should the café be?

    A(4, 3)B(3, 4)C(4, 4)D$\left(\frac{8}{3}, 2\right)$

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
16. Q16Critical Reasoning › Argument StructureMedium

    A slippery slope argument is often used for effect: this is when someone argues that a particular event will set off a chain reaction of negative outcomes, without any evidence. Usually, this type of argument is used to predict dystopian futures and forecast things, and hence it might become difficult to catch.

    What is one practical way to ensure your argument does not fall in the slippery slope category?

    Aavoid forecasting or making future predictionsBestablish a logical connection between each stepCavoid using emotional appeals to argue your pointDprovide historical proof for the predicted consequences

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
17. Q17Critical Reasoning › SyllogismsMedium

    Given below are two statements followed by three conclusions.

    Statement I: No member of the chess club plays football.

    Statement II: Some members of the debate team are in the chess club.

    Conclusion (i): Some members of the debate team do not play football.

    Conclusion (ii): No member of the debate team plays football.

    Conclusion (iii): Some football players may be members of the debate team.

    Which of the conclusions logically follow from Statements I and II?

    A(i) onlyB(ii) onlyC(i) and (iii) onlyD(ii) and (iii) only

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
18. Q18Critical Reasoning › Assessing EvidenceMedium

    A gym chain advertises: "We surveyed members who have been with us for more than a year, and 92% of them said that regular workouts had improved their mood. Clearly, joining our gym improves people's mood."

    Which of the following, if true, gives the strongest reason to doubt the advertisement's conclusion?

    AMembers whose mood did not improve were more likely to cancel their membership within the first year.BDoctors widely recommend regular exercise for physical health.CThe survey did not ask members about their diet.DThe survey was carried out by an independent research firm.

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
19. Q19Modern Math › Permutation & CombinationMedium

    Travelling only along the edges and covering a distance of exactly 22 cm, how many different routes can be taken to go from corner P to corner Q of this cuboid?

    The cuboid is 10 cm long, 8 cm high and 4 cm deep, and P and Q are diagonally opposite corners.

    A10B8C6D1

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)
20. Q20Logical Reasoning › Spatial ReasoningHard

    A $6 \times 12$ grid of squares is given.

    Four figures are made of unit squares:

    (i) an L of 3 squares: two squares side by side, with one more square below the right one;

    (ii) two squares touching only at one corner (a diagonal pair);

    (iii) an L of 5 squares: one square on top of the left end of a row of four;

    (iv) 6 squares: a column of four, with two more squares to the right of its bottom two.

    Copies of a figure may be turned to face any direction. Which of the given figures can be repeatedly used to fill the grid without any gaps?

    Aonly i) and ii)Bonly ii) and iv)Conly i), ii) and iv)Donly i), iii) and iv)

    Correct answerExplanation (with Test Prep)