Who is the lawyer ?
- (a) P
- (b) Q ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) R
- (d) S
Why the answer is (b)
• Q is the brother of P and is explicitly stated to be neither a doctor nor an artist, which leaves only the profession of lawyer for Q.
• Since the group contains exactly one doctor, one lawyer, and one artist, and Q is identified as the lawyer, the other professions must be assigned to the remaining members.
• R is not a doctor, so R must be the artist (as Q is the lawyer and P/S are students, though the prompt implies professions are held by specific individuals, the direct deduction for Q is sufficient).
• The statement that Q is neither doctor nor artist directly implies Q is the lawyer, as these are the only three professions listed for the group.
• Therefore, Q is the lawyer.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) P
- P is an unmarried student and the profession of lawyer is assigned to Q based on the elimination of doctor and artist for Q.
- (c) R
- R is not a doctor, but the lawyer is specifically identified as Q because Q is neither a doctor nor an artist.
- (d) S
- S is an unmarried student and the lawyer is Q, who is neither a doctor nor an artist.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.