UPSC Prelims 2020 CSAT Paper II · Q49 of 80 Mental Ability medium

What is the missing term @ in the following? ACPQ : BESU :: MNGI : @

  1. (a) NPJL
  2. (b) NOJM
  3. (c) NPIL
  4. (d) NPJM ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• Analyze the first pair ACPQ : BESU to identify the pattern.

• The first letter A (1) becomes B (2), which is +1.

• The second letter C (3) becomes E (5), which is +2.

• The third letter P (16) becomes S (19), which is +3.

• The fourth letter Q (17) becomes U (21), which is +4.

• Apply the same +1, +2, +3, +4 pattern to MNGI: M(13)+1=N, N(14)+2=P, G(7)+3=J, I(9)+4=M.

• The resulting sequence is NPJM, which corresponds to option (d).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) NPJL
The fourth letter L is incorrect; I(9) + 4 should be M(13), not L(12).
(b) NOJM
The second letter O is incorrect; N(14) + 2 should be P(16), not O(15).
(c) NPIL
The fourth letter L is incorrect; I(9) + 4 should be M(13), not L(12).

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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