If B scores the least, the rank of C will be
- (a) Second
- (b) Third
- (c) Fourth
- (d) Second or third ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• If B scores the least, C cannot be the highest (then E would be the least), so F is the highest.
• Ranks 2 to 5 go to C, D, A and E. D is just above A (close competitors) and C is above A, so D and A cannot be 2nd and 3rd.
• The possible orders for ranks 2 to 5 are C, D, A, E; C, E, D, A; and E, C, D, A.
• So C is either second or third, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Second
- C need not be second: in the order F, E, C, D, A, B it is third.
- (b) Third
- C need not be third: in the order F, C, D, A, E, B it is second.
- (c) Fourth
- C cannot be fourth, because D and A would then have to take ranks 5 and 6, but rank 6 belongs to B.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.