Two men, Anil and David, and two women, Shabnam and Rekha are in a sales group. Only two speak Tamil. The other two speak Marathi. Only one man and one woman can drive a car. Shabnam speaks Marathi. Anil speaks Tamil. Both Rekha and David can drive. Which of the following statements is true ?
- (a) Both the Tamil speakers can drive a car.
- (b) Both the Marathi speakers can drive a car.
- (c) Both of those who can drive a car speak Marathi.
- (d) One of those who can drive a car speaks Tamil. ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Only one man and one woman can drive, and Rekha and David can drive, so the two drivers are David and Rekha; Anil and Shabnam do not drive.
• Anil speaks Tamil and Shabnam speaks Marathi. Since exactly two speak each language, one of David and Rekha speaks Tamil and the other Marathi.
• So of the two drivers, one speaks Tamil and one speaks Marathi — option (d).
• Hence option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Both the Tamil speakers can drive a car.
- The drivers are David and Rekha, and only one of them speaks Tamil.
- (b) Both the Marathi speakers can drive a car.
- Only one of the two drivers speaks Marathi.
- (c) Both of those who can drive a car speak Marathi.
- One driver speaks Tamil, so they do not both speak Marathi.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.