MBA CET 2026 Attempt 2 Slot 1 question paper with solutions

Approach: HCF/LCM of decimals: equalise decimal places, work with integers, put the decimal back.

Solution:
Write as 36, 72, 162 hundredths (two decimal places).
36 = 2²·3², 72 = 2³·3², 162 = 2·3⁴.
HCF = 2·3² = 18 → 0.18.
LCM = 2³·3⁴ = 648 → 6.48.

Cetking shortcut: HCF must divide 0.36, so it cannot be 1.8 — kills A and D instantly; LCM must be a multiple of 1.62 and 0.72 → 6.48 (= 4 × 1.62).

Answer: B

Approach: Successive percentage growth: multiply the growth factors.

Solution:
After year 1: 18,000 × 1.15 = 20,700.
After year 2: 20,700 × 1.10 = 22,770.
After year 3: 22,770 × 1.25 = 28,462.5 ≈ 28,463.

Cetking shortcut: 1.15 × 1.10 = 1.265; × 1.25 = 1.58125; 18,000 × 1.58125 = 28,462.5.

Answer: C

Approach: Remainder with a divisor that divides the original divisor.

Solution:
N = 256k + 73.
256 = 16 × 16, so 256k leaves remainder 0 when divided by 16.
So remainder = 73 mod 16; 73 = 16 × 4 + 9 → remainder 9.

Cetking shortcut: If the new divisor is a factor of the old one, just divide the old remainder by the new divisor.

Answer: C

Approach: Reciprocal pair: x + y and xy, then x² + y² = (x + y)² − 2xy.

Solution:
y = 1/x, so xy = 1.
x + y = [(√10+√6)² + (√10−√6)²] / (10 − 6) = 2(10+6)/4 = 32/4 = 8.
x² + y² = 8² − 2 × 1 = 62.

Cetking shortcut: For (√a+√b)/(√a−√b) + reciprocal: x + y = 2(a+b)/(a−b) = 32/4 = 8 directly.

Answer: C

Approach: Maximise each value: the largest prime date of a month is 31.

Solution:
Dates of birth lie between 1 and 31; the largest prime date is 31.
The question does not require the four dates to be different, so each person can be born on the 31st.
Sum = 31 × 4 = 124; average = 124 / 4 = 31.

Why the other options are wrong:
A (25.5) is the average if the four dates had to be distinct (31, 29, 23, 19) — no such condition is given. B, C, E are not achievable maxima.

Cetking shortcut: Maximum average can never exceed the maximum single value — and it equals it when all values can be the same.

Answer: D

Approach: Find cost price of mixture from SP and profit, then alligation.

Solution:
CP of mixture = 840 / 1.20 = Rs 700 per kg.
Alligation: A (1000) and B (150) around mean 700.
A : B = (700 − 150) : (1000 − 700) = 550 : 300 = 11 : 6.

Why the other options are wrong:
B reverses the ratio; C, D, E do not reduce to 11 : 6.

Cetking shortcut: Always convert SP to CP before alligation; 840 itself is a trap mean.

Answer: A

Approach: Ratio with a multiplier k; apply the changes and solve for k.

Solution:
January: A = 3k, B = 4k, C = 5k.
February: A = 3k, B = 8k, C = 7.5k → total 18.5k.
18.5k = 5402 → k = 292.
A = 876, B = 2336, C = 7.5 × 292 = 2190.

Why the other options are wrong:
B (2187) and others fail the total 5402 or the 3 : 8 : 7.5 ratio.

Cetking shortcut: Only C sums to 5402 with A divisible by 3 and B = 8/3 of A — check sums: 876 + 2336 + 2190 = 5402.

Answer: C

Approach: Partnership: profit ∝ capital × time.

Solution:
Amar: 30,000 × 4 + 22,000 × 8 = 2,96,000.
Akbar: 30,000 × 4 + 25,000 × 8 = 3,20,000.
Anthony: 30,000 × 4 + 40,000 × 8 = 4,40,000.
Ratio 296 : 320 : 440 = 37 : 40 : 55; total 132.
Anthony = 55/132 × 1,05,000 = 5/12 × 1,05,000 = 43,750.

Cetking shortcut: Work in thousands: first 4 months are equal (120 each), so compare only the extra: 176, 200, 320 → add 120 back → 296 : 320 : 440; 440/1056 = 5/12.

Answer: C

Approach: Alternating operations series: ×3 + 1, then +2.

Solution:
7 × 3 + 1 = 22
22 + 2 = 24
24 × 3 + 1 = 73
73 + 2 = 75
75 × 3 + 1 = 226

Why the other options are wrong:
C (225) is ×3 without +1; A (150) is ×2; D, E break the pattern.

Cetking shortcut: Jumps of +2 every alternate term signal a two-operation cycle; the other step is ×3 + 1.

Answer: B

Approach: Multiplier series with the multiplier rising by 1.

Solution:
16 × 2.5 = 40
40 × 3.5 = 140
140 × 4.5 = 630
630 × 5.5 = 3465
Check: 3465 × 6.5 = 22,522.5 ✓

Cetking shortcut: A fractional last term (22522.5) hints at ×(n.5) multipliers; verify with the last term.

Answer: D

Approach: Compound interest: A = P(1 + r)ⁿ.

Solution:
88,200 / 80,000 = 1.1025.
(1 + r)² = 1.1025 → 1 + r = 1.05.
r = 5%.

Cetking shortcut: Know squares: 1.05² = 1.1025, 1.04² = 1.0816, 1.06² = 1.1236.

Answer: C

Approach: Relative speed in the same direction; distance = gap + train length.

Solution:
Relative speed = 48 − 12 = 36 km/hr = 36 × 5/18 = 10 m/s.
To pass the jogger the train covers the 300 m gap + its own 150 m = 450 m.
Time = 450 / 10 = 45 s.

Why the other options are wrong:
C (30 s) ignores the train length; A, B, E come from wrong distance or unconverted speed.

Cetking shortcut: 36 km/hr = 10 m/s is a must-know conversion.

Answer: D

Approach: Boats and streams: downstream = b + s, upstream = b − s.

Solution:
Downstream speed = 8 + 2 = 10 km/hr → 30/10 = 3 h.
Upstream speed = 8 − 2 = 6 km/hr → 30/6 = 5 h.
Total = 3 + 5 = 8 hours.

Cetking shortcut: Total time = 2bd/(b² − s²) = 2 × 8 × 30 / 60 = 8 h.

Answer: C

Approach: Inner path area = outer rectangle − inner rectangle (each side reduced by 2w).

Solution:
L = 25 m 7 dm 5 cm = 25.75 m; B = 18 m 4 dm 6 cm = 18.46 m; w = 0.35 m.
Inner rectangle = (25.75 − 0.70) × (18.46 − 0.70) = 25.05 × 17.76 = 444.888 m².
Outer = 25.75 × 18.46 = 475.345 m².
Path area = 475.345 − 444.888 = 30.457 ≈ 30.46 m².

Cetking shortcut: Inner path area = 2w(L + B) − 4w² = 0.7 × 44.21 − 0.49 = 30.947 − 0.49 = 30.46 m².

Answer: C

Approach: Unoccupied region = square joining centres − four quarter circles.

Solution:
Let r = x + 1. Adjacent coins touch, so the side of the square = 2r.
Square area = 4r². Each corner holds a quarter coin; 4 quarters = one full circle = πr².
Unoccupied area = 4r² − πr² = r²(4 − π).
With π = 3.14 and r² = x² + 2x + 1: (x² + 2x + 1)(4 − 3.14).

Why the other options are wrong:
B adds instead of subtracting; E ignores the coins. C and D are algebraically the same as r²(4 − π), but A is the form that uses the given π = 3.14.

Cetking shortcut: Region between 4 touching equal circles = (4 − π)r² ≈ 0.86r² — memorise it.

Answer: A

Approach: Find the total, then 12% of it, and match.

Solution:
Total = 67,426 + 39,068 + 19,068 + 17,160 + 17,032 = 1,59,754.
12% of 1,59,754 ≈ 19,170.
Electronic Goods = 19,068 → 19,068/1,59,754 ≈ 11.9% ≈ 12%.

Why the other options are wrong:
A ≈ 42%, B ≈ 24%, D ≈ 10.7%, E ≈ 10.7%.

Cetking shortcut: 10% of total ≈ 16,000, so 12% ≈ 19,200 — only Electronic Goods is near.

Answer: C

Approach: Percentage share = part / total × 100.

Solution:
Total = 1,59,754.
Engineering share = 67,426 / 1,59,754 × 100 ≈ 42.2%.

Cetking shortcut: 40% of 1,59,754 = 63,902; remaining 3,524 ≈ 2.2% → 42.2%.

Answer: C

Approach: Simple difference from the table.

Solution:
Gems & Jewellery + Drugs & Pharma = 17,160 + 17,032 = 34,192.
Petroleum − combined = 39,068 − 34,192 = 4,876.

Cetking shortcut: Units digit: 0 + 2 = 2, and 8 − 2 = 6 → only A ends in 6.

Answer: A

Approach: Net change = sum of individual changes; other commodities unchanged.

Solution:
Petroleum change = −8% of 39,068 = −3,125.44.
Gems change = +12% of 17,160 = +2,059.20.
Net = −3,125.44 + 2,059.20 = −1,066.24 → decrease of about 1,066.

Cetking shortcut: Sign check first: 8% of ~39k (≈3.1k) > 12% of ~17k (≈2.1k), so it is a decrease — eliminates C and E.

Answer: B

Approach: Distribute the increase in proportion to the two original values.

Solution:
Total = 1,59,754; 12% increase = 19,170.48.
Engineering + Petroleum = 67,426 + 39,068 = 1,06,494.
Petroleum's part = 19,170.48 × 39,068 / 1,06,494 ≈ 19,170 × 0.367 ≈ 7,033.
Nearest option ≈ 7,020.

Cetking shortcut: Petroleum : Engineering ≈ 39 : 67 ≈ 37% of the pair; 37% of 19,170 ≈ 7,000 → B.

Answer: B

Approach: Chase problem: head start ÷ relative speed.

Solution:
In the first 2 s the thief covers 5 × 2 = 10 m.
Relative speed = 10 − 5 = 5 m/s.
Time to close 10 m = 10 / 5 = 2 s (from when the policeman starts).

Cetking shortcut: Policeman is twice as fast, so he catches up in the same time as the head-start time (2 s).

Answer: B

Approach: Odd days: each ordinary year adds 1 day, each leap year 2.

Solution:
From 1 Jan 2010 to 1 Jan 2017 = years 2010–2016 = 7 years.
Leap years in between: 2012 and 2016 → 2 leap years, 5 ordinary.
Odd days = 5 × 1 + 2 × 2 = 9 → 9 mod 7 = 2.
Friday + 2 = Sunday.

Cetking shortcut: Odd days = number of years + number of leap years = 7 + 2 = 9 → 2.

Answer: D

Approach: Ages with two ratios: take the earlier ages as 5k and 6k.

Solution:
Two years ago: Neha = 5k, Pooja = 6k.
Four years from now (6 years later): (5k + 6)/(6k + 6) = 7/8.
40k + 48 = 42k + 42 → k = 3.
Pooja now = 6k + 2 = 18 + 2 = 20 years.

Cetking shortcut: Option check: Pooja 20 → Neha must be 17 (15 : 18 = 5 : 6 two years ago); in 4 years 21 : 24 = 7 : 8 ✓.

Answer: B

Approach: Convert the percentage equality into a ratio.

Solution:
7.5% of a = 12.5% of b → a/b = 12.5/7.5 = 5/3.
Difference = 5 − 3 = 2 parts = 1660 → 1 part = 830.
Larger number = 5 × 830 = 4150.

Cetking shortcut: The smaller percentage goes with the larger number.

Answer: D

Approach: Differences follow consecutive primes.

Solution:
Differences should be −2, −3, −5, −7, −11.
216 − 2 = 214, 214 − 3 = 211, 211 − 5 = 206, 206 − 7 = 199, 199 − 11 = 188.
The series shows 200 instead of 199, so 200 is the odd one.

Why the other options are wrong:
A, B, C, E all fit the prime-difference pattern.

Cetking shortcut: 188 fits only from 199 (199 − 11), which confirms 200 is wrong.

Answer: D

Approach: Each term = (previous − 2) ÷ 2, i.e. terms are 2ⁿ − 2.

Solution:
510 = 2⁹ − 2, 254 = 2⁸ − 2, 126 = 2⁷ − 2, next should be 2⁶ − 2 = 62.
Then 30 = 2⁵ − 2, 14 = 2⁴ − 2, 6 = 2³ − 2.
64 breaks the pattern (should be 62).

Cetking shortcut: All numbers except 64 are 2 less than a power of 2.

Answer: C

Approach: Fraction-of chain: multiply step by step.

Solution:
2/5 of 2500 = 1000.
40% of 1000 = 400.
30% of 400 = 120.

Cetking shortcut: 0.3 × 0.4 × 0.4 × 2500 = 0.048 × 2500 = 120.

Answer: D

Approach: Net work rate: inlets positive, outlets negative.

Solution:
Let n inlets, (8 − n) outlets.
n/12 − (8 − n)/36 = 1/3.
Multiply by 36: 3n − (8 − n) = 12 → 4n = 20 → n = 5.

Cetking shortcut: Option check: 5 inlets = 5/12, 3 outlets = 3/36 = 1/12 → net 4/12 = 1/3 ✓.

Answer: C

Approach: AP sum of multiples in a range.

Solution:
First multiple of 6 above 100 = 102; last below 400 = 396.
Number of terms = (396 − 102)/6 + 1 = 50.
Sum = 50/2 × (102 + 396) = 25 × 498 = 12,450.

Cetking shortcut: Sum = 6 × (17 + 18 + … + 66) = 6 × 50 × 83/2 = 12,450.

Answer: C

Approach: Compare fractions close to 1 by their gap from 1: smaller gap = larger fraction.

Solution:
1 − 97/101 = 4/101 ≈ 0.0396
1 − 48/50 = 2/50 = 0.04
1 − 89/93 = 4/93 ≈ 0.0430
1 − 76/79 = 3/79 ≈ 0.0380
Smallest gap → largest: 76/79 > 97/101 > 48/50 > 89/93.

Why the other options are wrong:
A, B, C, E put 48/50 or 97/101 ahead of 76/79, which has the smallest gap from 1.

Cetking shortcut: For a/b just below 1, compare (b − a)/b — the 'complement' method avoids long division.

Answer: D

Approach: Race starts: convert to distances run in the same time.

Solution:
When A runs 1000 m, B runs 950 m and C runs 931 m.
So B : C speed = 950 : 931.
When B runs 1000 m, C runs 1000 × 931/950 = 980 m.
B can give C a start of 1000 − 980 = 20 m.

Why the other options are wrong:
B (19 m) is the naive 69 − 50 subtraction; A, D, E do not fit the ratio.

Cetking shortcut: 931/950 = 0.98 exactly (950 × 0.98 = 931) → 20 m.

Answer: C

Approach: Count siblings excluding the person themselves.

Solution:
Let g girls and b boys.
Lata (a girl): sisters = g − 1, brothers = b → g − 1 = b.
Shyam (a boy): sisters = g, brothers = b − 1 → g = 2(b − 1).
g = 2(g − 2) → g = 4, b = 3 → total = 7.

Cetking shortcut: Option check: 4 girls + 3 boys — Lata sees 3 sisters, 3 brothers; Shyam sees 4 sisters, 2 brothers ✓.

Answer: D

Approach: Simple probability with a standard 52-card deck.

Solution:
Kings = 4, Queens = 4 → favourable = 8.
P = 8/52 = 2/13.

Cetking shortcut: Each rank is 1/13; two ranks → 2/13.

Answer: C

Approach: Simple probability with a standard 52-card deck.

Solution:
Red suits: hearts and diamonds = 26 cards.
P = 26/52 = 1/2.

Cetking shortcut: Two of four suits are red → 1/2.

Answer: A

Approach: Count numbered cards below 9 in a 52-card deck.

Solution:
Number cards less than 9: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 → 7 per suit (Ace is not treated as a number card).
Favourable = 7 × 4 = 28.
P = 28/52 = 7/13.

Why the other options are wrong:
D (8/13) counts the Ace as 1; A, B, E do not match the count.

Cetking shortcut: 7 of the 13 ranks qualify → 7/13 directly.

Answer: C

Approach: Shares: buy at market value, dividend on face value.

Solution:
Market price = 50 × 1.20 = Rs 60.
Number of shares = 18,000 / 60 = 300.
Dividend per share = 12% of 50 = Rs 6.
Total dividend = 300 × 6 = Rs 1,800.

Why the other options are wrong:
E (2,160) applies 12% to the amount invested; A, B, C come from wrong share counts or prices.

Cetking shortcut: Dividend yield on investment = 12% × 50/60 = 10% → 10% of 18,000 = 1,800.

Answer: D

Approach: Split profit into an equal part and a capital-ratio part.

Solution:
Let total profit = P. Half (P/2) is shared equally — no difference.
Other half is shared in 1,80,000 : 1,20,000 = 3 : 2.
Difference = (3 − 2)/5 × P/2 = P/10.
P/10 = 600 → P = Rs 6,000.

Cetking shortcut: Only the capital-ratio half creates the difference: 1/5 of half = 1/10 of total.

Answer: A

Approach: Count digit occurrences place by place.

Solution:
1–99: units place 2 appears 10 times (2, 12, …, 92); tens place 10 times (20–29) → 20.
100–199: same pattern → 20.
200: one more 2 → 1.
Total = 20 + 20 + 1 = 41.

Cetking shortcut: Every 100 numbers contain 20 twos (10 units + 10 tens); add the hundreds digit only for 200.

Answer: C

Approach: Convert mixed fractions to decimals and simplify (BODMAS).

Solution:
6 1/4 = 6.25; 3 1/5 = 3.2; 2.5 × 0.32 = 0.8.
1.43 + 6.25 − 3.2 + 0.88 − 0.8
= 7.68 − 3.2 + 0.88 − 0.8 = 4.48 + 0.08 = 4.56.

Cetking shortcut: Group: (1.43 + 0.88) + (6.25 − 3.2 − 0.8) = 2.31 + 2.25 = 4.56.

Answer: B

Approach: Split each mixed number into whole and fraction parts.

Solution:
Whole parts: 999 × 6 = 5994.
Fractions: (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6)/7 = 21/7 = 3.
Total = 5994 + 3 = 5997.

Cetking shortcut: Fraction pairs 1/7 + 6/7, 2/7 + 5/7, 3/7 + 4/7 each make 1 → 3.

Answer: C

Approach: Square both sides to remove the root.

Solution:
√(1.44/x) = 0.1 → 1.44/x = 0.01.
x = 1.44 / 0.01 = 144.

Cetking shortcut: Dividing by 0.01 = multiplying by 100.

Answer: C

Approach: Composite solid: cone + cylinder + hemisphere with common radius.

Solution:
r = 3.5 cm; hemisphere height = r = 3.5 cm.
Cone height = 12.8 − 6.5 − 3.5 = 2.8 cm.
πr² = 22/7 × 12.25 = 38.5.
Cylinder = 38.5 × 6.5 = 250.25; Cone = 1/3 × 38.5 × 2.8 = 35.93.
Hemisphere = 2/3 × 38.5 × 3.5 = 89.83.
V = 250.25 + 35.93 + 89.83 ≈ 376.0 cm³ → between 370 and 380.

Cetking shortcut: V = πr²(h_cyl + h_cone/3 + 2r/3) = 38.5 × (6.5 + 0.933 + 2.333) = 38.5 × 9.77 ≈ 376.

Answer: A

Approach: Angle classification by size.

Solution:
Acute < 90°, right = 90°, obtuse 90°–180°, straight = 180°.
Between 180° and 360° → reflex angle; 360° → complete angle.

Why the other options are wrong:
A (< 90°) and B (90°–180°) are too small; D is exactly 360°; E is a pair summing to 90°.

Answer: C

Approach: Volume conservation: number of balls = usable volume ÷ volume of one ball.

Solution:
Sphere volume ∝ r³: big sphere = 8³ = 512 units (unit = 4/3·π).
Lead for 1 cm balls = 40% of 512 = 204.8 units.
10% wastage applies → usable = 90% of 204.8 = 184.32 units.
Each 1 cm ball = 1³ = 1 unit → 184 balls (whole balls only).

Why the other options are wrong:
C (204) ignores the 10% wastage; B, D, E use wrong shares of the lead.

Cetking shortcut: Work in r³ units — 4/3 π cancels everywhere.

Answer: A

Approach: Equal distribution: difference in shares gives the total.

Solution:
T/14 − T/18 = 160 → T(18 − 14)/252 = 160 → T = 160 × 63 = 10,080.
Check: 10,080/14 = 720; (10,080 − 1,120)/14 = 8,960/14 = 640 = 720 − 80 ✓.

Cetking shortcut: 1,120/14 = 80 — the second statement is automatically true; use only the first. Also total must be divisible by 14 and 18 (LCM 126): 10,080 = 126 × 80.

Answer: C

Approach: Pie percentage to absolute value.

Solution:
House Rent = 18% of 33,650.
10% = 3,365; 8% = 2,692; total = 6,057.

Cetking shortcut: 1% = 336.5 → 18 × 336.5 = 6,057.

Answer: C

Approach: Monthly PF from the pie, then annualise.

Solution:
PF = 12% of 33,650 = 4,038 per month.
Annual = 4,038 × 12 = 48,456.

Why the other options are wrong:
B, D shuffle digits (48,540 / 45,480); C, E are miscalculations.

Cetking shortcut: 12% × 12 months = 144% of monthly income: 1.44 × 33,650 = 48,456.

Answer: A

Approach: Remaining share = 100% − (Rent + PF).

Solution:
Rent + PF = 18% + 12% = 30%.
Remaining = 70% of 33,650 = 23,555.

Why the other options are wrong:
A (23,545) and B (24,435) are near-miss digit traps; D, E are wrong percentages.

Cetking shortcut: 33,650 − 30% (10,095) = 23,555.

Answer: C

Approach: Add the two percentages, then convert.

Solution:
Food + Entertainment = 25% + 9% = 34%.
34% of 33,650 = 11,441.

Why the other options are wrong:
A (11,432) is a near-miss; C, D, E use wrong percentages.

Cetking shortcut: 1% = 336.5; × 34 = 11,441.

Answer: B

Approach: Difference of two pie percentages, then convert.

Solution:
Medical − Entertainment = 13% − 9% = 4%.
4% of 33,650 = 1,346.

Why the other options are wrong:
C (2,019) = 6%; D (2,355) = 7%; E (3,365) = 10%; B is a near-miss.

Cetking shortcut: 1% = 336.5 → × 4 = 1,346.

Answer: A

Approach: Main-idea question — the thesis sits in the first paragraph.

Solution: The passage opens: HRM 'has evolved from a largely administrative function into a strategic pillar of organisational success'. Earlier HR handled payroll, compliance and recruitment logistics; today it shapes culture and aligns human capital with long-term business goals. Every later paragraph (retention, performance management, diversity, constraints) elaborates this expanded strategic mandate. Hence B.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: HR has not 'replaced' operational management; it has added a strategic role.
C: 'Solely responsible' for profitability is extreme; never stated.
D: No claim of 'excessive' focus on welfare.
E: Automation is not discussed; HR has gained relevance, not lost it.

Cetking shortcut: In 'primarily emphasises' questions, match the option to the first-paragraph thesis sentence and reject extreme words like 'solely'.

Answer: B

Approach: Specific-detail (negative) question — locate the talent-retention paragraph.

Solution: Para 2: 'organisations can no longer rely solely on monetary incentives to retain employees. Instead, factors such as meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and psychological safety have gained prominence', and fairness/recognition drive engagement. So the factor presented as least effective on its own is monetary incentives alone — C.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Growth opportunities are named as having gained prominence.
B: Psychological safety is listed as important.
D: Fairness and recognition raise engagement.
E: Meaningful work is listed as important.

Cetking shortcut: Four options come straight from the 'Instead…' list — the odd one out (money) is the answer.

Answer: C

Approach: Quoted-phrase question — go to the exact sentence containing 'central dilemma'.

Solution: Final sentence: 'The central dilemma for HR… lies in balancing quantifiable outcomes with the inherently qualitative nature of human experience.' Quantifiable outcomes = measurable results; qualitative nature of human experience = qualitative human factors. C is a direct paraphrase.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Cost is a constraint mentioned, but not the dilemma itself.
B: The passage warns against reducing human behaviour to metrics — not about eliminating subjectivity.
D: Employee acceptance of evaluations is not discussed.
E: Replacing leadership decisions is never suggested.

Cetking shortcut: Search for the quoted phrase; the answer is its paraphrase.

Answer: C

Approach: Inference — combine two parts of the passage; reject anything stated as absolute.

Solution: Paras 2–4 show HR must respond to employee expectations (meaningful work, fairness, autonomy, inclusion). The last paragraph says HR's effectiveness depends on demonstrating measurable impact to a cost-conscious senior leadership. Together: modern HR professionals must balance employee expectations with organisational accountability — A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: The passage says HR moved beyond admin work, not that payroll/compliance are no longer its job.
C: No ranking of innovation over fairness.
D: Contradicts para 2 — money alone no longer suffices.
E: Passage notes concerns about subjectivity, but never calls it 'entirely unavoidable and unmanageable'.

Cetking shortcut: Words like 'no longer', 'entirely', 'primarily' signal over-statement in inference options.

Answer: A

Approach: Inference — use the 'constraints' paragraph.

Solution: Last paragraph: HRM operates within organisational hierarchies; 'strategic initiatives may be diluted if senior leadership perceives HR interventions as expenses rather than investments'. So whether HR's strategic role actually takes effect depends largely on whether senior leadership shares (is aligned with) HR's perspective — B.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 'Only when… precisely measured' is extreme; passage cautions against simplistic metrics.
C: Admin functions are not called irrelevant.
D: 'Automatically' — diversity is merely 'linked' to innovation; no guarantee.
E: Opposite — HR operates within cost constraints.

Cetking shortcut: When a question asks about HR's 'strategic role', look at what limits it — the leadership/cost paragraph.

Answer: B

Approach: Specific detail — first paragraph defines the modern concept.

Solution: Para 1: 'No longer confined to inspection or defect detection at the final stage of production, quality management today is a comprehensive philosophy that permeates every function of an organization.' That is E word for word.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Final inspection is the old, rejected view.
B: Defect detection is also the old view.
C: Para 4: quality is a shared responsibility, not the sole domain of one department.
D: Goal is to meet or exceed customer expectations, not minimum standards.

Cetking shortcut: 'No longer X… today Y' — the answer is always Y.

Answer: E

Approach: Author's-purpose question — read the sentence that states the result of alignment.

Solution: Para 3: 'When quality goals are synchronized with organizational strategy, they drive innovation and competitive advantage.' So the author stresses alignment because it turns quality into a source of competitive advantage — D.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: ISO is an example of benefits, not the reason for alignment; 'faster compliance' is not mentioned.
B: Passage stresses training skilled employees, not reducing them.
C: Standards promote documentation, not eliminate it.
E: Passage frames quality as strategic, beyond cost minimisation.

Answer: D

Approach: Inference — paraphrase the ISO 9001 sentences.

Solution: Para 3: ISO 9001 'improves internal processes' and signals reliability; 'such standards promote documentation, accountability, and systematic evaluation, thereby reducing dependence on individual discretion and increasing organizational learning'. Systematic evaluation + learning + accountability = D.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 'Guarantee defect-free' is extreme and unstated.
B: They reduce dependence on discretion, not replace judgment 'entirely'.
C: Benefits are internal too, so not 'primarily' external.
E: No restriction to manufacturing.

Cetking shortcut: Eliminate options with 'guarantee', 'entirely', 'only' — D is the one paraphrase left.

Answer: D

Approach: Tone — judge the author's attitude from the conclusion and word choice.

Solution: The author calls quality 'a critical determinant of industrial success', says neglect causes hidden costs, and concludes: 'quality management is not merely an operational requirement but a strategic imperative'. The stance is confident and positive, framed in strategic terms — strategically assertive (A).

Why the other options are wrong:
B: No caution or hedging — the author is fully confident.
C: Not neutral; the author clearly advocates quality management.
D: No criticism of quality management at all.
E: The passage goes beyond describing procedures; it argues for strategic importance.

Cetking shortcut: The final 'Thus…' line usually gives the tone: 'strategic imperative' → strategically assertive.

Answer: A

Approach: Strengthen — find the conclusion, then the option that supports it directly.

Solution: Conclusion: quality management is a 'strategic imperative'; firms that embed it 'are better equipped to adapt to change, manage risk, and sustain long-term growth', and quality systems provide the framework as industries adopt automation and data-driven decisions. B says industries with mature quality systems adapt more effectively to technological disruptions — direct evidence for the strategic, adapt-to-change claim.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Lower absenteeism is an HR/operational benefit, not strategic importance.
C: Standardisation across industries is neutral to the strategic claim.
D: Questions customer-satisfaction measurement — weakens, if anything.
E: Higher costs weaken the case.

Cetking shortcut: Strengthen the exact word in the question stem ('strategic') — pick the option that links quality to long-term adaptation/competitive edge.

Answer: B

Approach: Specific detail — go to the 'adaptive learning platforms' paragraph.

Solution: Para 2: adaptive systems 'continuously assess a learner's performance and dynamically modify instructional strategies', e.g. giving targeted remedial exercises for persistent errors. That is E: they modify instruction based on individual learner performance.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Author says AI should complement, not replace, educators.
B: Opposite — it reduces dependency on standardised curricula.
C: Examinations are not said to be replaced.
D: Cost reduction is never mentioned, let alone 'universally'.

Answer: E

Approach: Detail/inference — find 'excessive dependence on AI-driven instruction'.

Solution: Para 4: 'excessive dependence on AI-driven instruction risks diminishing the socio-emotional dimensions of learning, which are inherently nurtured through human interaction.' Hence A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: Funding is not discussed.
C: AI reduces standardisation; global curricula not raised.
D: Objective tests are graded 'with remarkable accuracy'.
E: AI frees educators' time — workload falls.

Cetking shortcut: Match the question's key phrase ('excessive reliance') to the identical phrase in the passage.

Answer: A

Approach: Agree/disagree question — test each option against the author's stated view.

Solution: The author says AI should be 'an augmentative tool that complements human expertise' rather than 'supplanting educators', and flags 'the potential erosion of human judgment' as a concern. So the author would disagree that human judgment can be entirely replaced by algorithms — D.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Author stresses ethical governance — agrees.
B: AI tailors learning to heterogeneity — agrees.
C: 'Potential to democratize access to quality education' — agrees.
E: Personalisation enhances outcomes — agrees.

Cetking shortcut: Four options are near-quotes the author endorses; the absolute one ('entirely replaced') is the answer.

Answer: D

Approach: Inference — combine ideas not stated together in one line.

Solution: The passage (i) praises personalisation, (ii) warns of bias, data misuse and surveillance if 'inadequately regulated', and erosion of human judgment and socio-emotional learning, and (iii) ends that a balanced approach is needed so AI drives 'equitable educational advancement'. Implied but unstated: without ethical and human oversight, AI personalisation may end up worsening inequity — B.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Opposite — efficacy 'depends on judicious implementation' and pedagogical integrity.
C: Admin efficiency is one benefit, not 'the principal justification'.
D: Contradicts para 4 — socio-emotional learning needs human interaction.
E: AI reduces dependency on standardised curricula; obsolescence is too extreme.

Cetking shortcut: In 'not explicitly stated' questions, prefer the cautious option ('may inadvertently') that links two stated ideas.

Answer: B

Approach: Main idea — the 'In essence' paragraph summarises the passage.

Solution: The passage covers benefits (personalisation, adaptive learning, efficiency) and challenges (privacy, ethics, loss of socio-emotional learning), concluding 'AI in education embodies both promise and paradox… its efficacy ultimately depends on judicious implementation… an augmentative tool that complements human expertise'. A captures both halves.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: Author rejects AI supplanting educators.
C: Admin automation is only one part.
D: Author is balanced, not saying challenges outweigh benefits.
E: Not claimed; AI only reduces dependency on standardised curricula.

Cetking shortcut: The correct summary usually has a 'benefit + but + condition' structure that mirrors the conclusion.

Answer: A

Approach: Specific detail — find the line about fats.

Solution: Para 2: 'fats—often misunderstood—are essential for hormone production, nutrient absorption, and maintaining cell structure.' That is D, almost verbatim.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: A balanced diet includes fats; elimination contradicts the passage.
B: Only excessive 'unhealthy fats' are criticised, not all forms.
C: Roles listed are hormones, absorption, cell structure — not 'only energy storage'.
E: Carbohydrates remain the primary energy source; no replacement suggested.

Answer: D

Approach: Inference — link the 'burden' line with the 'awareness' remedy.

Solution: Para 4: lack of nutritional awareness leads to unbalanced eating, causing obesity, hypertension and NCDs that 'impose a substantial burden on public health systems'. Para 5: creating awareness and informed choices 'reduce the risk of preventable diseases'. So nutritional awareness can lower long-term healthcare burden — E.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Passage never ranks treatment above diet; it stresses prevention.
B: It mentions non-communicable diseases, so 'only communicable' is wrong.
C: Para 3 links nutrition to psychological disorders.
D: Lifestyle diseases burden public health systems — they are linked.

Cetking shortcut: Preventive = reduce future cost; pick the option that joins cause (awareness) and effect (lower burden).

Answer: E

Approach: Weaken-the-approach question — identify the approach, then find the outcome that moves away from it.

Solution: The author's approach: a collective, preventive effort — awareness, food labels, meal planning, local nutritious food, informed choices. If unhealthy habits continue and society responds with increased reliance on advanced medical technologies to manage lifestyle diseases, the focus shifts from prevention to cure, undermining the advocated diet-first approach — A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: More nutrition research supports the approach.
C: School dietary education is exactly the awareness the author wants.
D: Locally sourced nutritious foods are recommended in para 5.
E: Reading food labels is one of the author's suggested measures.

Cetking shortcut: Four options are taken from the author's own remedy list — they cannot undermine it; the odd one out wins.

Answer: A

Approach: Specific detail — read the final paragraph.

Solution: 'Ultimately, a balanced diet is not about rigid restrictions but about informed choices that sustain health across the lifespan.' Informed choices = informed decision-making — D.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 'Strict discipline and elimination' is the 'rigid restrictions' the author rejects.
B: Medical supervision is not mentioned as the key.
C: Economic privilege not discussed; locally available food is suggested.
E: Cultural conformity not discussed.

Cetking shortcut: 'Not X but Y' — the answer is Y.

Answer: D

Approach: Main idea — the theme must cover every paragraph.

Solution: The passage defines a balanced diet, explains each nutrient's role, extends its importance to mental health, discusses barriers and burdens, and ends with collective promotion and informed choices. The unifying idea: a balanced diet is a holistic foundation of health (physical + mental + productivity) — A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: Economic productivity is a side point, not the theme.
C: Government regulation of food industries is not discussed.
D: Too narrow, and the passage does not say processed foods cause psychological disorders.
E: Nutrient roles are explained, but classification is not the theme.

Cetking shortcut: The first sentence ('fundamental to… physical health, mental well-being…') already states the theme.

Answer: A

Approach: Synonym — recall the core meaning.

Solution: 'Foster' means to encourage the development of, to nurture (e.g. fostering talent, fostering a child). 'Nurturing' carries the same idea of caring for and helping grow — D.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Safeguarding = protecting from harm, not developing.
B: Neglecting is an antonym.
C: Ignoring is an antonym.
E: Destroying is an antonym.

Cetking shortcut: Three options (B, C, E) are opposites — eliminate them, then pick 'grow' over 'protect'.

Answer: D

Approach: Synonym — direct meaning.

Solution: 'Massive' = very large and heavy; huge. E 'Huge' is the exact synonym.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 'Lump sum' is a single payment — unrelated phrase.
B: Strong refers to power, not size.
C: Little is the antonym.
D: Gaping means wide open (a gaping hole), not large in general.

Answer: E

Approach: Antonym — find the word meaning the reverse of mass departure.

Solution: 'Exodus' = a mass departure or going out of people. The opposite movement is coming in — 'entry' (B).

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Invasion adds hostility/force; it is not the neutral opposite.
C: Emigration = leaving one's country — a synonym.
D: Expulsion = forcing out — still outward movement.
E: Departure is a synonym.

Cetking shortcut: 'Ex-' = out; its opposite direction is 'in' — entry.

Answer: B

Approach: Antonym — direct meaning.

Solution: 'Malleable' = able to be shaped or bent without breaking; adaptable. The opposite is 'rigid' (unbending, inflexible) — C.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Adaptable is a synonym.
B: Flexible is a synonym.
D: Plastic (= easily moulded) is a synonym.
E: Pliable is a synonym.

Cetking shortcut: Four options are synonyms of each other — the lone odd word is the antonym.

Answer: C

Approach: Antonym — direct meaning.

Solution: 'Voracious' = wanting or devouring great quantities (a voracious eater/reader). The opposite is 'moderate' — restrained, not excessive (C).

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Greedy is a synonym.
B: Insatiable is a synonym.
D: Ravenous is a synonym.
E: Gluttonous is a synonym.

Cetking shortcut: Four synonyms + one odd word = antonym.

Answer: C

Approach: Check each word in the blank for meaning and collocation.

Solution: Sentence: 'poet Bharathiar has been ____ in a saffron turban' — i.e. shown (in a painting/image) wearing one.
I. Depicted — shown in art: fits.
II. Characterized — means described by distinguishing qualities ('characterized as/by'); 'characterized in a turban' is unidiomatic: does not fit.
III. Presented — shown/portrayed in a particular way: fits.
So I and III — B.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Includes II, which is unidiomatic.
C: Includes II.
D: I and III both fit.
E: II does not fit.

Cetking shortcut: Test 'characterized' with its natural partners 'as/by' — if they don't fit, it's out.

Answer: B

Approach: Word meaning — recall and check against context.

Solution: 'Abdicate' = to formally give up a throne, power or duty. 'The prince abdicated the crown' = he gave up the crown — A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: Selling is a commercial act; crowns are renounced, not sold.
C: 'Reinvested into' makes no sense with a crown.
D: Auctioning is a sale — wrong.
E: Leasing is renting — wrong.

Cetking shortcut: B–E are all money transactions — the only non-commercial option is A.

Answer: A

Approach: Double blank — use the contrast word 'Despite'.

Solution: 'Despite assurances' means the investors reacted against them: assurances that were given strongly/often (repeated), yet investors stayed doubtful (skeptical). 'Despite repeated assurances, investors remained skeptical' — A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: Redundant assurances + optimistic — no contrast.
C: Reluctant assurances + confident — no contrast; logic reversed.
D: Implicit + indifferent — indifference is not a reaction against assurances.
E: Vague + complacent — complacent (relaxed) fits no contrast with 'despite'.

Cetking shortcut: Fill blank 2 first: 'remained ___ about recovery' after reassurance must be negative → skeptical.

Answer: A

Approach: Usage — test each sentence for the word's actual meanings.

Solution: I. 'channel its resources toward R&D' = direct resources — correct.
II. 'a new water channel across the farmland' = a passage for water — correct.
III. 'channel his opponent' — 'channel' does not mean confront, counter or manipulate a person; the usage is incorrect.
So only I and II — C.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Ignores the valid noun use in II.
B: Ignores the valid verb use in I.
D: III is incorrect.
E: III is incorrect.

Answer: C

Approach: Spelling/context check of each bold word.

Solution: 'The committee has advised the government to adopt a more pragmatic approach to the crisis.'
A. committee — spelt correctly (double m, double t, double e).
B. has — singular verb correct for the collective noun acting as one body.
C. advised — correct verb form and spelling.
D. pragmatic approach — 'pragmatic' is correctly spelt and fits the context (practical, realistic).
Nothing is wrong — E.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Correctly spelt.
B: Committee acting as one unit takes 'has'.
C: Correct past participle.
D: Correct spelling and usage.

Cetking shortcut: 'Committee' is the classic spelling trap — mm, tt, ee; once it checks out, look for 'All correct'.

Answer: E

Approach: Check each fragment as a consequence of 'With the advancement of EVs'.

Solution: I. EVs run on lithium-ion batteries, so battery demand growing rapidly — logical.
II. More EVs need charging; infrastructure expanding — logical.
III. EVs replace petrol/diesel vehicles, so fossil-fuel use in transport 'gradually' reducing — logical and measured.
All three fit — D.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Omits valid II and III.
B: Omits valid I and III.
C: Omits valid II.
E: Omits valid I.

Cetking shortcut: Look for absolute words (all, eliminated, no longer) — none here, so all three survive.

Answer: D

Approach: Concession clause — the completion must go against the concern.

Solution: 'Despite concerns about the reliability of AI systems, ___' needs a positive outcome despite doubts.
I. AI diagnostics have improved accuracy — contrasts the concern: fits.
II. Global investment in AI has surged — progress despite doubts: fits.
III. Some AI models still require human supervision — this supports the concern, so 'despite' makes no sense: does not fit.
Answer: I and II — C.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Leaves out valid II.
B: Leaves out valid I.
D: Includes III, which agrees with the concern.
E: III alone is the one that does not fit.

Cetking shortcut: With 'despite/although', reject any fragment that agrees with the first clause.

Answer: C

Approach: Check each fragment for factual and logical soundness.

Solution: I. Private companies launching commercial satellites — true and a direct result of advancing space technology: fits.
II. Human travel to all planets 'routinely possible' — factually false and exaggerated.
III. Exploration has 'eliminated all uncertainties' about interstellar environments — absolute and false.
Only I — A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: II is false/exaggerated.
C: III is absolute and false.
D: Both II and III are invalid.
E: III is invalid.

Cetking shortcut: 'All', 'routinely', 'eliminated all' — absolute words knock out II and III instantly.

Answer: A

Approach: Check each fragment for realistic consequence.

Solution: I. Users 'no longer require any local hardware' — false; a device is still needed to access the cloud.
II. Businesses scale without heavy upfront infrastructure costs — the core benefit of cloud: fits.
III. Real-time collaboration across dispersed teams has become seamless — a well-known cloud benefit: fits.
Answer: II and III — D.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: I is an absolute, false claim.
B: Omits valid III.
C: Omits valid II.
E: Includes invalid I.

Cetking shortcut: 'No longer… any' = absolute word → eliminate.

Answer: D

Approach: Contrast clause — 'While' needs an opposing idea.

Solution: 'While interdisciplinary research is increasingly encouraged in academia, ___'.
I. Evaluation systems remain siloed in traditional disciplines — a genuine contrast: fits.
II. Collaboration has 'eliminated the need' for domain expertise — absolute and illogical (interdisciplinary work needs domain experts).
III. Funding has been adapted to support cross-disciplinary projects — supports the first clause; no contrast, so 'while' is misused.
Only I — A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: III does not contrast with the opening clause.
C: Includes III.
D: II is absolute; III gives no contrast.
E: II and III do not fit.

Cetking shortcut: Read 'while' here as 'although' — keep only the fragment that pushes back.

Answer: A

Approach: Combine without changing meaning — check each option against all four statements.

Solution: Ideas: social media influences opinion; misinformation spreads fast; users fail to verify; result — widespread confusion.
A: 'Social media influences public opinion leading to widespread confusion because misinformation spreads rapidly and users often fail to verify facts.' Keeps all four ideas with correct cause (misinformation + no verification) and effect (confusion) — A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: Says users verify facts and ends in clarity — meaning reversed.
C: Garbled ending 'leading.' — ungrammatical.
D: Reverses influence; misinformation 'spreads slowly' — wrong.
E: Users 'verify quickly' and confusion is prevented — meaning reversed.

Cetking shortcut: Check the negatives first — any option where users verify facts is out.

Answer: A

Approach: Combine preserving every idea and the logical link.

Solution: Ideas: rapid expansion; rising demand; sharp rise in operational costs; profitability affected.
A: 'The company expanded rapidly as demand for its services increased, but rising operational costs sharply affected overall profitability.' 'As' links demand to expansion; 'but' introduces the cost problem hurting profits — all ideas, correct logic.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: Demand did not increase costs per the statements; distorted causation.
C: Expansion affecting demand and profits rising — reversed.
D: Costs causing expansion and 'affecting nothing' — illogical.
E: Profitability increased — contradicts the given idea.

Answer: A

Approach: Subject–verb agreement — find the true subject.

Solution: Subject: 'The rapid growth' (singular); 'of cities' is only a modifier. So the verb must be 'has resulted', not 'have resulted'. Error in part B.
Correct: 'The rapid growth of cities has resulted in increased pressure on public infrastructure, especially in developing nations.'

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Correct noun phrase.
C: Correct preposition and noun.
D: Correct modifier.
E: There is an error in B.

Cetking shortcut: Cover the 'of + noun' phrase and read 'The rapid growth have…' — the error jumps out.

Answer: B

Approach: Subject–verb agreement — 'One of…' structure.

Solution: Subject: 'One' (of the main reasons) — singular. Also the complement 'the lack of coordination' is singular. So 'were' must be 'was'. Error in part C.
Correct: 'One of the main reasons for the project's failure was the lack of coordination among various departments.'

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 'One of the main reasons' is correct.
B: Possessive 'project's' is correct.
D: 'Among' correctly used for many departments.
E: There is an error in C.

Cetking shortcut: 'One of the ___s' → always a singular verb.

Answer: C

Approach: Correlative conjunction + inversion rule.

Solution: Rule: Hardly / Scarcely + had + subject + past participle + when + past simple.
A: 'Hardly had the meeting begun when several members left early.' — correct inversion and correct pairing.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: 'Hardly… than' is wrong; 'than' goes with 'No sooner'.
C: No inversion after 'Hardly' — 'Hardly the meeting had begun' is wrong.
D: Wrong word order — subject must come between 'had' and 'begun'.
E: 'Hardly… and' — wrong correlative.

Cetking shortcut: Hardly → when; No sooner → than. Then check inversion.

Answer: A

Approach: Correlative conjunction + inversion + tense consistency.

Solution: Rule: No sooner + had + subject + past participle + than + past simple.
C: 'No sooner had the bell rung than the students rushed out of the classroom.' — inversion, correct pair, both clauses in past.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 'Rush' is present tense — breaks the past sequence.
B: 'No sooner… when' — wrong correlative.
D: Missing inversion ('the bell had rung').
E: Wrong word order — 'had rung the bell'.

Cetking shortcut: No sooner → than; then make sure the second verb is past simple.

Answer: C

Approach: Subject–verb agreement — the number / a number rule.

Solution: 'The number of applicants' refers to one figure (the count) → singular verb 'has'. C: 'The number of applicants has increased sharply this year.' — correct.
('A number of applicants' means many applicants → plural verb, and a count cannot 'increase' that way.)

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 'The number… have' — verb should be singular.
B: 'A number of… has' — 'a number of' needs a plural verb, and the meaning (count rose) needs 'the number'.
D: 'applicant' must be plural after 'number of'; 'have' also wrong.
E: 'applicant' singular after 'a number of' — wrong.

Cetking shortcut: THE number → singular (it's a statistic); A number → plural (it means 'many').

Answer: C

Approach: Idiom meaning — match the idiom to 'accept a challenging assignment'.

Solution: 'Bite the bullet' = to force oneself to face a difficult situation bravely. 'She decided to bite the bullet and accept the challenging assignment' — fits perfectly (A).

Why the other options are wrong:
B: 'Bite the dust' = to die/fail — wrong.
C: 'Hit the nail on the head' (incomplete here) = to be exactly right — wrong.
D: 'Break the ice' = ease social tension — wrong.
E: 'Face the music' = face criticism/punishment for one's own mistakes — wrong context.

Answer: A

Approach: Idiom meaning — the sentence describes a bold, irreversible decision despite criticism.

Solution: 'Cross the Rubicon' (from Julius Caesar) = to pass a point of no return. 'Despite criticism, he decided to cross the Rubicon and launch his startup' — a decisive, irreversible step: A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: 'Kick the bucket' = to die.
C: 'Spill the beans' = reveal a secret.
D: 'Break the ice' = ease initial awkwardness.
E: 'Beat around the bush' = avoid the main point.

Answer: A

Approach: Same idiom in every option — find the means that matches its meaning.

Solution: 'Sweep the issue under the carpet' = conceal or ignore a problem hoping it goes unnoticed. Only 'by ignoring it completely' (C) describes that.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Appointing an independent inquiry brings the issue out — contradiction.
B: Openly addressing it is the opposite.
D: Exposing corruption is the opposite.
E: Bringing media attention is the opposite.

Cetking shortcut: When the idiom is fixed, test only the 'by…' ending — four endings expose, one hides.

Answer: C

Approach: Same idiom in every option — find the ending that matches its meaning.

Solution: 'Let the cat out of the bag' = disclose a secret carelessly or prematurely. 'By accidentally revealing the merger details' (A) is exactly that.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: Safeguarding information is the opposite.
C: Refusing to comment reveals nothing.
D: Misleading reporters is deception, not revealing a secret.
E: Delaying an announcement reveals nothing.

Answer: A

Approach: Same idiom in every option — match the 'by…' ending.

Solution: 'Moving the goalposts' = changing the criteria/conditions mid-way so the other side cannot succeed. 'By changing conditions repeatedly' (B) fits exactly.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Demanding clarity does not change the rules.
C: Agreeing to fixed terms is the opposite.
D: Reaching a compromise is cooperation, not shifting terms.
E: Concluding talks early is unrelated.

Answer: B

Approach: Subject–verb agreement — head noun 'series'.

Solution: In 'A series of lectures', the subject is 'series' (one set) → singular verb. B: 'A series of lectures was scheduled for the semester.' — correct.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 'were' — plural verb wrong.
C: 'are' — plural verb wrong.
D: 'have been' — plural verb wrong.
E: 'were being' — plural verb wrong.

Cetking shortcut: Four options share a plural verb; the one singular verb is the answer.

Answer: B

Approach: Conditional sentences — match the tense pair.

Solution: For an imagined past condition with a past result: If + past perfect, would have + past participle. C: 'If he had worked harder, he would have succeeded.' — perfect third conditional.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 'would succeed yesterday' — present conditional with a past time word.
B: Past condition with a present result ('would succeed now') mixes the tenses; the expected pair for a past unreal condition is 'would have succeeded'.
D: 'works' (present) cannot pair with 'would have succeeded'.
E: 'was working… will succeed' — tense clash.

Cetking shortcut: 'had + V3' in the if-clause → 'would have + V3' in the main clause.

Answer: C

Approach: Fixed preposition after an adjective.

Solution: 'Proficient' is followed by 'in' (proficient in English, proficient in data analysis). B: 'She is proficient in data analysis tools.' — correct.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: 'proficient with' — not the standard collocation.
C: 'proficient at' goes with activities (proficient at analysing data); with a field or tools the standard pair is 'in'.
D: 'proficient on' — incorrect.
E: 'proficient for' — incorrect.

Cetking shortcut: Learn the pair: proficient in, adept at, skilled in.

Answer: B

Approach: Alternate-end digit removal.

Solution:
589654237 → drop first digit (5) → 89654237
89654237 → drop last digit (7) → 8965423
8965423 → drop first digit (8) → 965423
965423 → next drop is the last digit (3) → 96542

Why the other options are wrong:
A (58965), C (89654), E (38965): contain digits (5/8) already removed from the front.
B (65423): drops the first digit again; the pattern alternates, so the last digit goes now.

Cetking shortcut: Compare lengths: each term is one digit shorter, so the answer must be 5 digits starting with 9 — only D.

Answer: D

Approach: Difference series with alternating signs.

Solution:
125 → 126 (+1) → 124 (−2) → 127 (+3) → 123 (−4) → next should be 123 + 5 = 128.
The series shows 129, so 129 is the wrong term.

Why the other options are wrong:
A, B, C, E: 126, 124, 123, 125 all fit +1, −2, +3, −4.

Cetking shortcut: Write the differences first: 1, −2, 3, −4, 6 — the 6 breaks the 1-2-3-4-5 run.

Answer: D

Approach: Track each letter position separately.

Solution:
1st letters: S, R, Q, P → O (−1 each step)
2nd letters: H, I, J, K → L (+1)
3rd letters: G, F, E, D → C (−1)
Next term = OLC

Why the other options are wrong:
A NME, B NLB: first letter should be O, not N.
C OLE: third letter should be C, not E.
E SRQ: repeats a different pattern entirely.

Cetking shortcut: First letter must be O (eliminates A, B, E); third must be C → D.

Answer: D

Approach: Split the term into first letter, number and last letter.

Solution:
Numbers: 2, 4, 7, ?, 16, 22 → differences +2, +3, +4, +5, +6 → missing = 7 + 4 = 11.
Last letters: Z, X, V, ?, R, P → each −2 → missing = T.
First letters alternate: odd terms J, I, H (−1); even terms K, ?, M (+1) → missing = L.
Missing term = L11T

Why the other options are wrong:
A I11T: first letter should be L (even-position sub-series).
B L11S, E L12S: last letter must be T.
C L12T: number must be 11, not 12.

Cetking shortcut: The number 11 and the letter T alone leave only A and D; the even-position letter K→?→M gives L.

Answer: D

Approach: Break the series into groups.

Solution:
m n o | n o p q | o p q r s | ...
Groups start at m, n, o → next group starts at p.
The next group therefore starts at p; among the options, the five-letter block that begins correctly is p q r s t.

Why the other options are wrong:
A mnopq, E mnono: restart from m — the start letter moves forward each group.
B oqrst: skips p and repeats o.
D qrstu: starts at q, one step too far.

Cetking shortcut: Each group starts one letter later than the previous one (m, n, o) — only C starts with p.

Answer: C

Approach: Test divisibility and parity.

Solution:
363: digit sum 12, odd → odd multiple of 3.
489: digit sum 21, odd → odd multiple of 3.
579: digit sum 21, odd → odd multiple of 3.
471: digit sum 12 → divisible by 3, and odd → matches.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 562 (sum 13), C 382 (sum 13), D 281 (sum 11): not divisible by 3.
E 666: divisible by 3 but even, unlike the set.

Cetking shortcut: Digit-sum test for 3 eliminates A, C, D at once; parity removes E.

Answer: B

Approach: Look at the last digit and the digit sum of each number.

Solution:
733 → last digit 3 (prime), digit sum 13 (prime).
845 → last digit 5 (prime), digit sum 17 (prime).
632 → last digit 2 (prime), digit sum 11 (prime).
992 → last digit 2 (prime) (its digit sum 20 is the exception in the set).
425 → last digit 5 (prime), digit sum 11 (prime) → matches.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 114: last digit 4 not prime, sum 6 not prime.
B 326: sum 11 is prime but last digit 6 is not prime.
D 947: last digit 7 prime but sum 20 is not prime.
E 858: last digit 8 not prime, sum 21 not prime.

Cetking shortcut: Check the last digit first — only 425 and 947 end in a prime; the digit sum then picks 425.

Answer: C

Approach: First digit + second digit = the rest of the number.

Solution:
134 → 1 + 3 = 4; 246 → 2 + 4 = 6; 358 → 3 + 5 = 8.
4610 → 4 + 6 = 10 → matches.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 3725: 3 + 7 = 10, not 25.
C 5720: 5 + 7 = 12, not 20.
D 6845: 6 + 8 = 14, not 45.
E 4693: 4 + 6 = 10, not 93.

Cetking shortcut: Options are 4-digit, so look for a pair of digits summing to a 2-digit tail — 4 + 6 = 10.

Answer: B

Approach: n : n × (n + 1).

Solution:
5 × 6 = 30.
7 × 8 = 56.

Why the other options are wrong:
D 42: 7 × 6 copies the multiplier, not the rule.
A 70, C 72, E 37: fit no rule linking 5 and 30.

Cetking shortcut: 30 = 5² + 5, so the answer is 7² + 7 = 56.

Answer: B

Approach: Check each group for vowels.

Solution:
ALIDJ → A, I; ACZXV → A; FASJE → A, E; RSQOP → O.
NDWVS → no vowel → odd one.

Why the other options are wrong:
A, B, C, E: each contains at least one vowel.

Cetking shortcut: With random-looking letter groups, test vowels/consonants first.

Answer: D

Approach: Prime check.

Solution:
43, 53, 73, 83 are all prime.
63 = 7 × 9 → composite → odd one.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 43, B 53, D 73, E 83: all prime.

Cetking shortcut: Digit sum of 63 is 9 → divisible by 3 instantly.

Answer: C

Approach: Check the last digit (parity).

Solution:
2384, 1592, 3756, 4298 end in 4, 2, 6, 8 → even.
3629 ends in 9 → odd → odd one.

Why the other options are wrong:
A, B, C, D: all even numbers.

Cetking shortcut: Look at last digits first.

Answer: E

Approach: Check for vowels.

Solution:
PBQTX, DRYSN, CGHKV, HLWZP → no vowels.
MEWGN contains E → odd one.

Why the other options are wrong:
B, C, D, E: all consonant-only groups.

Cetking shortcut: Scan for A, E, I, O, U first.

Answer: A

Approach: Split each word into two blocks of 3 and map positions.

Solution:
LOCATE: LOC → OCL (2-3-1), ATE → TAE (2-1-3).
EXAMIN: EXA → XAE (2-3-1), MIN → IMN (2-1-3).
COWARD: COW → OWC (2-3-1), ARD → RAD (2-1-3).
ALWINS: ALW → LWA (2-3-1), INS → NIS (2-1-3).
PLENTY: PLE → LEP (2-3-1), but NTY → TYN (2-3-1) — second block breaks the 2-1-3 rule → odd one.

Why the other options are wrong:
A, B, D, E: second block follows 2-1-3 (swap first two letters).

Cetking shortcut: The first blocks all match; compare only the last three letters of each code.

Answer: C

Approach: Rule for each 3-letter half: (3rd)(1st)(2nd + 1).

Solution:
SUNDAY: SUN → N S V; DAY → Y D B → NSVYDB ✓
PARENT: PAR → R P B; ENT → T E O → RPBTEO ✓
MOSTLY: MOS → S M P; TLY → Y T M → SMPYTM ✓
SIMPLE: SIM → M S J; PLE → E P M → MSJEPM ✓
MOTHER: MOT → T M P; HER → R H F, but code shows R H D → odd one.

Why the other options are wrong:
A, C, D, E: both halves follow the rule exactly.

Cetking shortcut: Only the shifted letters (3rd and 6th of the code) need checking: V, B / P, D(✗) / B, O / P, M / J, M.

Answer: B

Approach: Compare BASIC with DDULE letter by letter.

Solution:
B+2=D, A+3=D, S+2=U, I+3=L, C+2=E → pattern +2, +3, +2, +3, +2.
LEADER: L+2=N, E+3=H, A+2=C, D+3=G, E+2=G, R+3=U → NHCGGU.

Why the other options are wrong:
A NGCFGT: uses +2 throughout.
C OGDFHT, D OHDGHU: start with +3.
E BASLEA: no rule.

Cetking shortcut: First two letters decide it: L→N (+2), E→H (+3) — only B starts with NH.

Answer: B

Approach: Compare statements with common words.

Solution:
256 = red colour chalk; 254 = white colour chalk.
Common words colour, chalk ↔ common digits 2, 5.
So red = 6 and white = 4.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 2, C 5: shared by colour/chalk.
D 8: from green/flower.
E 6: red.

Cetking shortcut: Two statements differing in one word differ in one digit — 6 vs 4.

Answer: B

Approach: Express each code as a multiple of a signed combination of the letters' alphabet positions.

Solution:
Positions: Z = 26, I = 9, P = 16, A = 1, V = 22.
ZIP = 198 = 6 × 33, and 33 = 26 − 9 + 16 (first − second + third).
Check with ZAP: 26 − 1 + 16 = 41; 41 × 6 = 246 ✓
Rule: code = 6 × (1st − 2nd + 3rd).
VIP: 22 − 9 + 16 = 29; 29 × 6 = 174.

Why the other options are wrong:
B 222: treats the first letter with the wrong sign (adds 6 × 4 instead of subtracting it when Z becomes V).
C 888, D 990, E 642: fit no rule consistent with ZIP and ZAP.

Cetking shortcut: Both given codes are multiples of 6; divide: 198 → 33, 246 → 41. Only the middle letter changes (I → A, 9 → 1), and 33 → 41 means the middle letter is subtracted. Then V is 4 below Z, so 33 − 4 = 29 → 29 × 6 = 174.

Answer: A

Approach: Substitute the real answer by its code name.

Solution:
Birds fly in the sky.
'Sky' is called 'star' → answer Star.

Why the other options are wrong:
B Sky: the real word, not the coded one.
A Cloud: code of 'star'.
D Tree, E Book: codes of earth/tree.

Cetking shortcut: Find the real answer first, then read its 'is called' link once.

Answer: C

Approach: Substitute the real answer by its code name.

Solution:
Water is drawn from a well.
'Well' is called 'island' → answer Island.

Why the other options are wrong:
A Well: real word, not the code.
C Sky: code of island.
D Air: the new name for sand. E Sand: not where water is drawn from.

Cetking shortcut: Real answer → one hop forward in the chain.

Answer: B

Approach: Decode the phrase from the inside out.

Solution:
His mother's only daughter = his sister.
His sister is Asha's mother → the man is Asha's maternal uncle.
Asha (female) is his niece.

Why the other options are wrong:
A Nephew: wrong gender.
B Sister: his sister is Asha's mother, not Asha.
C Wife, E Grand daughter: one generation off / not linked.

Cetking shortcut: 'Mother's only daughter' = sister; then it's a one-generation gap.

Answer: D

Approach: Work from Kunal's son.

Solution:
Kunal's son's uncle = Kunal's brother.
The old man's son is Kunal's brother → the old man is Kunal's father.

Why the other options are wrong:
A Brother: the brother is the old man's son.
B Uncle, D Grandfather: one generation off.
E Nephew: wrong direction.

Cetking shortcut: Son's uncle = my brother → his father = my father.

Answer: C

Approach: Decode step by step.

Solution:
Her uncle's father = her grandfather.
Grandfather's daughter = her mother (or aunt).
Son of her mother = her brother (cousin is not offered).

Why the other options are wrong:
B Son, D Son-in-law: wrong generation.
C Uncle: the boy is a grandchild of the grandfather, same generation as the girl.
E Nephew: one generation below.

Cetking shortcut: Grandfather's daughter's son is in the girl's own generation → brother.

Answer: A

Approach: Identify the only daughter.

Solution:
The man speaks to a woman: 'only daughter of your father' = the woman herself.
His (the person's) mother = the woman → she is his mother.

Why the other options are wrong:
A Aunt: would need a sister, but she is the only daughter.
C Wife, D Daughter, E Grandmother: wrong generation/relation.

Cetking shortcut: 'Only daughter of your father' addressed to a woman always means 'you'.

Answer: B

Approach: Decode the chain.

Solution:
This man's son's sister = this man's daughter.
She is the woman's mother-in-law → mother of the woman's husband.
So the husband is the son of the man's daughter → the man's grandson.

Why the other options are wrong:
B Son: the husband's mother is the man's daughter.
C Son-in-law: that is the husband's father.
D Nephew, E Brother: not linked this way.

Cetking shortcut: Mother-in-law → husband's mother; count down one generation from the man's daughter.

Answer: A

Approach: List every allowed 3-subject combination, then match subject totals.

Solution:
Rules: A ⇔ B; A ✗ E; C or D ✗ F.
With A (so B too): third subject from C, D, F (not E) → ABC, ABD, ABF.
Without A/B: choose 3 from C, D, E, F; F cannot go with C or D, so F is out → CDE.
Permitted combinations: ABC, ABD, ABF, CDE = 4.

Why the other options are wrong:
B 5, C 6, D 7, E 12: count combinations that break A⇔B, A✗E or the F rule (e.g. CEF, DEF, ABE).

Cetking shortcut: Fix the A-B pair first; the only combination without them is CDE.

Answer: A

Approach: List every allowed 3-subject combination, then match subject totals.

Solution:
Rules: A ⇔ B; A ✗ E; C or D ✗ F.
With A (so B too): third subject from C, D, F (not E) → ABC, ABD, ABF.
Without A/B: choose 3 from C, D, E, F; F cannot go with C or D, so F is out → CDE.
Totals: F = 35 → ABF = 35. E = 70 → CDE = 70.
C = 90 = ABC + CDE → ABC = 20. D = 85 = ABD + CDE → ABD = 15.
Check: A = 20 + 15 + 35 = 70 ✓
Total = ABC + ABD + ABF + CDE = 20 + 15 + 35 + 70 = 140.

Why the other options are wrong:
D 380, E 440: not the total — adding all subject totals gives 420, which counts every candidate three times (420 ÷ 3 = 140).

Cetking shortcut: Sum of subject totals = 70+70+90+85+70+35 = 420; each candidate takes 3 subjects → 420 ÷ 3 = 140.

Answer: C

Approach: List every allowed 3-subject combination, then match subject totals.

Solution:
Rules: A ⇔ B; A ✗ E; C or D ✗ F.
With A (so B too): third subject from C, D, F (not E) → ABC, ABD, ABF.
Without A/B: choose 3 from C, D, E, F; F cannot go with C or D, so F is out → CDE.
Totals: F = 35 → ABF = 35. E = 70 → CDE = 70.
C = 90 = ABC + CDE → ABC = 20. D = 85 = ABD + CDE → ABD = 15.
Check: A = 20 + 15 + 35 = 70 ✓
A + B + C = 20.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 15: that is ABD.
C 35: ABF.
D 70: CDE or total A.
E 100: no combination.

Answer: B

Approach: List every allowed 3-subject combination, then match subject totals.

Solution:
Rules: A ⇔ B; A ✗ E; C or D ✗ F.
With A (so B too): third subject from C, D, F (not E) → ABC, ABD, ABF.
Without A/B: choose 3 from C, D, E, F; F cannot go with C or D, so F is out → CDE.
C and D appear together only in CDE; E = 70 and E occurs only in CDE → C + D = 70.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 15 (ABD), B 20 (ABC), C 35 (ABF): other combinations.
E 120: no combination.

Cetking shortcut: E occurs only in CDE, so CDE = E total = 70.

Answer: D

Approach: List every allowed 3-subject combination, then match subject totals.

Solution:
Rules: A ⇔ B; A ✗ E; C or D ✗ F.
With A (so B too): third subject from C, D, F (not E) → ABC, ABD, ABF.
Without A/B: choose 3 from C, D, E, F; F cannot go with C or D, so F is out → CDE.
F occurs only in ABF → B and F together = F total = 35.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 15 (ABD), B 20 (ABC), D 70 (CDE / total B).
E 240: no combination.

Cetking shortcut: F can only sit with A and B, so B + F = 35 directly.

Answer: C

Approach: Track east-west and north-south separately.

Solution:
West 15 → turn left (facing west, left = south) 20 → east 25 → turn left (facing east, left = north) 20.
North-south: −20 + 20 = 0.
East-west: −15 + 25 = 10 km east.
Distance from house = 10 km.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 5 km: subtracts wrongly.
C 40 km: adds the two 20 km legs.
D 80 km: total distance walked.
E 60 km: no link.

Cetking shortcut: The two 20 km legs cancel; answer = 25 − 15 = 10.

Answer: B

Approach: Place B at the origin.

Solution:
A is south of B → A at (0, −y).
C is east of B → C at (x, 0).
From C, A is to the west and to the south → south-west.

Why the other options are wrong:
A North-east: direction of C from A (reversed).
B North-west, C South-east: one axis wrong.
E West: ignores the south component.

Cetking shortcut: A is left-and-down of C → south-west.

Answer: D

Approach: Place B at the origin.

Solution:
A: 40 m SW → (−a, −a). C: 40 m SE → (a, −a).
Same y-coordinate, C has larger x → C is due east of A.

Why the other options are wrong:
B West: A is west of C, not C of A.
C North-east, E North-west: both points are at the same level.
D South: they differ only east-west.

Cetking shortcut: Equal SW and SE legs are mirror images about the N-S line → the points are level.

Answer: A

Approach: Fix R and place the others.

Solution:
Partners sit opposite: P opposite R, S opposite Q.
R faces west → R's right side is north → S sits on the north side, facing south.
Q sits opposite S (south side) and faces the board → north.

Why the other options are wrong:
B South: that is S's facing direction.
C East: P's facing direction.
D West: R's direction.
E North-east: players face straight across the board.

Cetking shortcut: Facing west, right = north; Q opposite S faces the opposite way to S.

Answer: A

Approach: Let the first northward leg be x.

Solution:
North x → left (west) 1 km → left (south) 2 km.
Final position: (−1, x − 2). It is exactly 1 km west of start → x − 2 = 0.
x = 2 km.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 1 km: would leave him 1 km south-west.
C 3 km, D 5 km, E 11 km: leave him north/south of the start line.

Cetking shortcut: 'Exactly west' means no north-south gap: north leg = south leg = 2 km.

Answer: B

Approach: Rectangle = wheat, square = gram, circle = maize, triangle = rice; check which shapes enclose each region.

Solution:
Region map: 1 = rice only; 2 = maize + rice; 3 = maize only; 4 = wheat + maize; 5 = wheat only; 6 = wheat + maize + gram; 7 = all four; 8 = wheat + maize + rice; 9 = maize + gram + rice; 10 = maize + gram; 11 = gram only.
Region 7 lies inside the rectangle, the square, the circle and the triangle → 7.

Why the other options are wrong:
B 8: above the square (no gram).
C 9: right of the rectangle edge (no wheat).
D 2: maize + rice only.
E 1: rice only.

Cetking shortcut: Look for the region that is inside the square AND left of the rectangle's right edge AND above the triangle's base.

Answer: A

Approach: Rectangle = wheat, square = gram, circle = maize, triangle = rice; check which shapes enclose each region.

Solution:
Region map: 1 = rice only; 2 = maize + rice; 3 = maize only; 4 = wheat + maize; 5 = wheat only; 6 = wheat + maize + gram; 7 = all four; 8 = wheat + maize + rice; 9 = maize + gram + rice; 10 = maize + gram; 11 = gram only.
Region 4 is inside the rectangle and the circle only → 4.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 8: also rice.
B 6: also gram.
C 5: wheat only.
E 3: maize only.

Answer: D

Approach: Rectangle = wheat, square = gram, circle = maize, triangle = rice; check which shapes enclose each region.

Solution:
Region map: 1 = rice only; 2 = maize + rice; 3 = maize only; 4 = wheat + maize; 5 = wheat only; 6 = wheat + maize + gram; 7 = all four; 8 = wheat + maize + rice; 9 = maize + gram + rice; 10 = maize + gram; 11 = gram only.
Region 1 is the tip of the triangle outside every other shape → 1.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 5: wheat only.
C 2: rice + maize.
D 11: gram only.
E 3: maize only.

Answer: B

Approach: Rectangle = wheat, square = gram, circle = maize, triangle = rice; check which shapes enclose each region.

Solution:
Region map: 1 = rice only; 2 = maize + rice; 3 = maize only; 4 = wheat + maize; 5 = wheat only; 6 = wheat + maize + gram; 7 = all four; 8 = wheat + maize + rice; 9 = maize + gram + rice; 10 = maize + gram; 11 = gram only.
Region 3 is inside the circle only → 3.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 10: maize + gram.
B 2: maize + rice.
D 4: maize + wheat.
E 11: gram only.

Answer: C

Approach: Rectangle = wheat, square = gram, circle = maize, triangle = rice; check which shapes enclose each region.

Solution:
Region map: 1 = rice only; 2 = maize + rice; 3 = maize only; 4 = wheat + maize; 5 = wheat only; 6 = wheat + maize + gram; 7 = all four; 8 = wheat + maize + rice; 9 = maize + gram + rice; 10 = maize + gram; 11 = gram only.
Region 2 is inside the circle and the triangle only → 2.

Why the other options are wrong:
A 9: also gram.
B 8: also wheat.
D 7: all four.
E 5: wheat only.

Answer: C

Approach: Write the new series: A–M in odd positions, N–Z in the gaps.

Solution:
Arrangement: A N B O C P D Q E R F S G T H U I V J W K X L Y M Z (positions 1–26).
7th from left = D.
Third to the right of D (position 7) = position 10 = R.

Why the other options are wrong:
A C: position 5.
B O: position 4 (counting left).
D S: position 12.
E A: position 1.

Cetking shortcut: Odd positions hold A–M: position 2k − 1 = k-th letter; even position 2k = (13 + k)-th letter. Position 10 → 13 + 5 = 18th = R.

Answer: C

Approach: Write the new series: A–M in odd positions, N–Z in the gaps.

Solution:
Arrangement: A N B O C P D Q E R F S G T H U I V J W K X L Y M Z (positions 1–26).
D is at position 7, K at position 21.
Middle position = (7 + 21) ÷ 2 = 14 → letter at 14 = T.

Why the other options are wrong:
A S: position 12.
C V: position 18.
D W: position 20.
E B: position 3.

Cetking shortcut: Even position 14 → (13 + 7)th letter = T.

Answer: B