Question 1

Find the missing term in the series: 3, 4, 7, 13, 24, 44, ?

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Find differences between consecutive terms: 4-3=1, 7-4=3, 13-7=6, 24-13=11, 44-24=20. Step 2: Find second-level differences (differences of differences): 3-1=2, 6-3=3, 11-6=5, 20-11=9. Step 3: Find third-level differences: 3-2=1, 5-3=2, 9-5=4 — these are doubling (1, 2, 4). Step 4: Next third-level difference = 8, so next second-level difference = 9+8=17, next first-level difference = 20+17=37. Step 5: Missing term = 44+37 = 81.

Question 2

PAINTER : CANVAS :: SCULPTOR : ?

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Identify the relationship. A PAINTER works on a CANVAS — it is the primary medium/surface on which a painter creates their art. Step 2: Apply to SCULPTOR. A SCULPTOR works on MARBLE (or stone/clay), which is the primary medium on which a sculptor creates their art. Step 3: Eliminate distractors. 'Chisel' is the tool used by a sculptor (not the medium), just as a 'brush' is the tool of a painter — the question asks for the medium, not the tool. 'Gallery' is where art is displayed, not the working medium. 'Studio' is the workplace, not the medium. Therefore, MARBLE is correct.

Question 3

In the English alphabet, if every alternate letter starting from B is replaced by its position number (i.e., B→2, D→4, F→6, ... and so on), then what will be the sum of all the numbers that replace the letters between the 10th and 20th positions of the original alphabet (both exclusive)?

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Identify letters at positions 10 to 20 in the English alphabet.
Positions 1–26: A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=5, F=6, G=7, H=8, I=9, J=10, K=11, L=12, M=13, N=14, O=15, P=16, Q=17, R=18, S=19, T=20, U=21...

Step 2: Letters BETWEEN 10th (J) and 20th (T) positions, both exclusive, are:
K(11), L(12), M(13), N(14), O(15), P(16), Q(17), R(18), S(19)

Step 3: The rule states every alternate letter starting from B is replaced by its position number. So B(2), D(4), F(6), H(8), J(10), L(12), N(14), P(16), R(18), T(20) are replaced. These are all EVEN-positioned letters.

Step 4: Among K(11), L(12), M(13), N(14), O(15), P(16), Q(17), R(18), S(19), identify which are even-positioned:
L=12 → replaced by 12
N=14 → replaced by 14
P=16 → replaced by 16
R=18 → replaced by 18

Step 5: Sum of replaced numbers = 12 + 14 + 16 + 18 = 60

Common mistake (Option A - 90): Candidates may include J and T (boundary positions) by not reading 'exclusive'.
Common mistake (Option C - 48): Candidates may only pick L and R (every 4th alternate), missing N and P.
Common mistake (Option D - 72): Candidates may add position numbers of odd-lettered ones (11+13+15+17+19=75, or miscalculate as 72).

Question 4

In a certain code, each letter is replaced by its position number in the English alphabet, and then the digits of each number are added together if the number has two digits (e.g., 14 → 1+4 = 5). Finally, the entire sequence of resulting numbers is reversed. Using this rule, what is the code for 'MIST'?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 – Find alphabet positions: M=13, I=9, S=19, T=20. Step 2 – Reduce two-digit numbers by summing digits: M→13→1+3=4, I→9 (single digit, stays 9), S→19→1+9=10→1+0=1, T→20→2+0=2. Step 3 – Sequence so far: 4, 9, 1, 2. Step 4 – Reverse the sequence: 2, 1, 9, 4. Final code: 2194.

SSC CHSL Verbal Reasoning Questions

SSC CHSL Verbal Reasoning — Past Exam Questions

Study by Subtopic — Verbal Reasoning

Study Next — Logical Reasoning Topics