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South Indian Bank Clerk study materials
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South Indian Bank Clerk practice questions

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Question 1Reasoning Ability

In a coded language, CLERK is written as DMFSL. Using the same code, how would BANK be written?

  1. CAMO
  2. CBNM
  3. CBOM Correct answer.
  4. DBOM

Explanation

Each letter of the word is moved one place forward in the alphabet: C→D, L→M, E→F, R→S, K→L. Applying the same +1 shift to BANK gives B→C, A→B, N→O, K→L, that is CBOM.

Question 2Reasoning Ability

Pointing to a photograph, Ravi said, "She is the daughter of my grandfather's only son." How is the girl in the photograph related to Ravi?

  1. Niece
  2. Cousin
  3. Aunt
  4. Sister Correct answer.

Explanation

Ravi's grandfather's only son must be Ravi's own father, since the grandfather has just one son. The daughter of Ravi's father is therefore Ravi's sister, assuming Ravi is male as implied by the name.

Question 3Reasoning Ability

Six files are stacked one above another. File P is immediately above Q. File R is at the bottom. File S is above P but below T. File U is at the top. Which file is at the third position from the top?

  1. S Correct answer.
  2. T
  3. P
  4. Q

Explanation

From the clues U is first and R is sixth. T must be above S, and S above P, with P immediately above Q. The only arrangement fitting all clues is U, T, S, P, Q, R, so the third from the top is S.

Question 4Reasoning Ability

If in a certain year 15 August falls on a Wednesday, what day of the week will 15 October of the same year fall on?

  1. Sunday
  2. Friday
  3. Saturday Correct answer.
  4. Monday

Explanation

From 15 August to 15 October there are 16 remaining days of August plus 15 days of September plus 15 days of October, totalling 61 days. Since 61 divided by 7 leaves a remainder of 5, we move five days forward from Wednesday, landing on Monday. Wait-rechecking: 16+30+15 = 61, remainder 5, Wednesday + 5 = Monday.

Question 5Reasoning Ability

In a row of 40 students facing north, Arun is 12th from the left end. What is his position from the right end?

  1. 27th
  2. 30th
  3. 28th
  4. 29th Correct answer.

Explanation

For a row of N people, the position from the right equals N minus position from the left plus one. Here 40 − 12 + 1 = 29, so Arun is 29th from the right end.

Question 6Reasoning Ability

Statements: All pens are books. Some books are red. Conclusions: I. Some pens are red. II. Some books are pens. Which conclusion follows?

  1. Both I and II follow
  2. Only I follows
  3. Only II follows Correct answer.
  4. Neither I nor II follows

Explanation

The statement 'All pens are books' converts to 'Some books are pens', so conclusion II is valid. The red books need not include any pen, so conclusion I is only a possibility and does not follow.

Question 7Reasoning Ability

Five colleagues A, B, C, D and E sit in a row facing north. C sits at the extreme left. E sits next to C. A sits at the extreme right. B sits immediately to the left of A. Who sits in the middle?

  1. D Correct answer.
  2. E
  3. B
  4. C

Explanation

Placing C at position 1 and E at position 2, then A at 5 and B at 4, only D remains for position 3. The order is C, E, D, B, A, so D occupies the middle seat.

Question 8Reasoning Ability

Find the next term in the series: 3, 8, 18, 38, 78, ?

  1. 158 Correct answer.
  2. 148
  3. 156
  4. 160

Explanation

Each term is obtained by doubling the previous term and adding 2: 3×2+2=8, 8×2+2=18, and so on. Continuing, 78×2+2 = 158.

Question 9Reasoning Ability

A watch shows 3:00. If the minute hand points east, in which direction does the hour hand point?

  1. West
  2. North Correct answer.
  3. East
  4. South

Explanation

At 3:00 the minute hand points at 12 and the hour hand points at 3, so the two hands are 90 degrees apart. If the minute hand (12 position) is east, the hour hand (3 position) is a quarter turn clockwise from it, which is south. Rechecking: 12 east, 3 is 90° clockwise from east = south.

Question 10Reasoning Ability

Choose the word that is least like the others in meaning.

  1. Slipshod Correct answer.
  2. Meticulous
  3. Punctilious
  4. Scrupulous

Explanation

Meticulous, scrupulous and punctilious all describe great care and attention to detail. Slipshod means careless and untidy, so it is the odd one out.

Question 11Reasoning Ability

If A + B means A is the father of B, and A − B means A is the wife of B, then in P − Q + R, how is P related to R?

  1. Mother Correct answer.
  2. Grandmother
  3. Aunt
  4. Sister

Explanation

P − Q means P is the wife of Q, so Q is R's father and P is R's mother. Hence P is related to R as mother.

Question 12Reasoning Ability

In a certain code, MOUSE is written as NPVTF. How is TIGER written in that code?

  1. UIGFS
  2. UJHFR
  3. SJHFS
  4. UJHFS Correct answer.

Explanation

Each letter is shifted one place forward: M→N, O→P, U→V, S→T, E→F. Applying the same shift to TIGER gives U, J, H, F, S, that is UJHFS.

Question 13Reasoning Ability

Seven people P, Q, R, S, T, U and V sit around a circular table facing the centre. P sits opposite S. Q sits second to the right of P. T sits adjacent to S. If U sits between Q and V, which person sits opposite Q?

  1. R Correct answer.
  2. V
  3. U
  4. T

Explanation

With P and S opposite, Q second right of P leaves R as the only person opposite Q once T, U and V are placed adjacent to S and Q. The remaining seat opposite Q is taken by R.

Question 14Reasoning Ability

Statement: All roses are flowers. Some flowers fade quickly. Which of the following is a valid inference?

  1. Some roses fade quickly
  2. Some flowers are not roses
  3. All flowers are roses
  4. No valid inference about roses fading can be drawn Correct answer.

Explanation

The quick-fading flowers may or may not include roses, so nothing definite can be concluded about roses fading. Only a possibility exists, not a certainty, hence no valid inference about roses follows.

Question 15Reasoning Ability

Find the missing number: 7, 14, 28, 56, ?, 224

  1. 120
  2. 112 Correct answer.
  3. 98
  4. 108

Explanation

Each term doubles the previous one: 7×2=14, 14×2=28, 28×2=56. Continuing, 56×2 = 112, and 112×2 = 224 confirms the pattern.

Question 16Reasoning Ability

A man walks 5 km north, turns right and walks 3 km, then turns right again and walks 5 km. How far is he from his starting point?

  1. 13 km
  2. 8 km
  3. 5 km
  4. 3 km Correct answer.

Explanation

Walking 5 km north and then 5 km south on the second right turn cancels the north-south displacement. The only remaining displacement is the 3 km eastward leg, so he is 3 km from the start.

Question 17Reasoning Ability

In a class of 50 students, Riya ranks 18th from the top. What is her rank from the bottom?

  1. 34th
  2. 32nd
  3. 33rd Correct answer.
  4. 31st

Explanation

Rank from the bottom equals total students minus rank from the top plus one. So 50 − 18 + 1 = 33, giving Riya the 33rd rank from the bottom.

Question 18Reasoning Ability

Four of the following five are alike in a certain way. Which one does not belong? 24, 36, 48, 54, 72

  1. 48
  2. 72
  3. 54 Correct answer.
  4. 36

Explanation

All the numbers except 54 are divisible by 12: 24, 36, 48 and 72 all divide evenly by 12. The number 54 is not a multiple of 12, so it is the odd one out.

Question 19Reasoning Ability

Statements: Some doctors are surgeons. All surgeons are graduates. Conclusions: I. Some doctors are graduates. II. All graduates are surgeons. Which conclusion follows?

  1. Only I follows Correct answer.
  2. Neither follows
  3. Only II follows
  4. Both follow

Explanation

The doctors who are surgeons must also be graduates, so some doctors are graduates and conclusion I follows. Conclusion II reverses a universal statement and is therefore invalid.

Question 20Reasoning Ability

In a certain code, if 'water' is called 'milk', 'milk' is called 'tea', 'tea' is called 'coffee' and 'coffee' is called 'juice', then what would a person drink when they want tea?

  1. Milk
  2. Coffee Correct answer.
  3. Tea
  4. Juice

Explanation

The question asks what a person would ask for when they want tea in the coded language. Since 'tea' is called 'coffee', they would say coffee, so the correct answer is coffee.

Question 21Reasoning Ability

Six people are sitting in two parallel rows of three each, facing each other. Row 1 has A, B, C and Row 2 has X, Y, Z. A sits opposite Y. B sits opposite Z. C sits at one end of Row 1. Which person sits opposite C?

  1. X Correct answer.
  2. Cannot be determined
  3. Z
  4. Y

Explanation

Since A faces Y and B faces Z, the only person in Row 2 left to face C is X. Thus C sits opposite X.

Question 22Reasoning Ability

What should come in place of the question mark? AZ, BY, CX, ?

  1. DV
  2. DX
  3. EW
  4. DW Correct answer.

Explanation

The first letters advance A, B, C, D while the second letters move backward Z, Y, X, W. The next pair is therefore DW.

Question 23Reasoning Ability

A clock shows 4:30. What is the angle between the hour hand and the minute hand?

  1. 75°
  2. 60°
  3. 45° Correct answer.
  4. 30°

Explanation

At 4:30 the minute hand points at 6 (180°) and the hour hand has moved half past 4, sitting at 135°. The difference is 180° − 135° = 45°.

Question 24Reasoning Ability

Five friends finish a race. Ravi finishes before Sita but after Tanya. Uma finishes after Sita. Who finished last?

  1. Tanya
  2. Sita
  3. Uma Correct answer.
  4. Ravi

Explanation

The order from first is Tanya, Ravi, Sita, then Uma, with the fifth person somewhere after Uma. Uma is therefore the last among those named and finishes last.

Question 25Reasoning Ability

In a code, 'rose lily lotus' means 'red white pink', 'lily lotus jasmine' means 'white pink yellow' and 'rose jasmine tulip' means 'red yellow orange'. What does 'lotus' mean?

  1. Red
  2. White
  3. Yellow
  4. Pink Correct answer.

Explanation

Comparing the first two sentences, lily and lotus are common to both, and white and pink are common to both. Comparing the second and third, jasmine is common and so is yellow. Lotus appears only in the first two sentences, so it must be pink.

Question 26Reasoning Ability

In a reasoning test, the word BANK is coded as CBOL. Using the same rule, what is the code for LOAN?

  1. MPBO Correct answer.
  2. MPCO
  3. LPBO
  4. NQBO

Explanation

Each letter moves one step forward in the alphabet: B→C, A→B, N→O, K→L. Applying the same shift gives L→M, O→P, A→B, N→O, producing MPBO.

Question 27Reasoning Ability

A series is given: 5, 11, 23, 47, 95, ? What number should replace the question mark?

  1. 191 Correct answer.
  2. 187
  3. 189
  4. 193

Explanation

Each term follows the rule (previous term × 2) + 1: 5×2+1=11, 11×2+1=23, and so on. Therefore 95×2+1=191.

Question 28Reasoning Ability

Pointing to a photograph, Meera says, 'He is the son of my grandfather's only son.' Meera has no siblings. How is the boy related to Meera?

  1. Uncle
  2. Father
  3. Cousin
  4. Brother Correct answer.

Explanation

The grandfather's only son must be Meera's father, since she has no siblings and no other son exists. The son of Meera's father is therefore her brother.

Question 29Reasoning Ability

A clock shows 2:00. What is the smaller angle between the hour hand and the minute hand?

  1. 45 degrees
  2. 30 degrees
  3. 60 degrees Correct answer.
  4. 90 degrees

Explanation

At 2:00 the minute hand points at 12 and the hour hand points at 2. Each hour mark is 30 degrees apart, so the gap is 2 × 30 = 60 degrees.

Question 30Reasoning Ability

If in a certain language 'pencil eraser sharpener' means 'write rub erase', 'eraser sharpener scale' means 'rub erase measure' and 'pencil scale ink' means 'write measure black', which word means 'black'?

  1. sharpener
  2. scale
  3. ink Correct answer.
  4. pencil

Explanation

Comparing the first two sentences, 'eraser sharpener' is common and maps to 'rub erase'. From the second and third sentences, 'scale' is common and maps to 'measure'. In the third sentence, 'pencil' maps to 'write', leaving 'ink' for 'black'.

Question 31Reasoning Ability

A man walks 4 km towards the east, turns left and walks 3 km, then turns left again and walks 4 km. How far is he from his starting point?

  1. 4 km
  2. 5 km
  3. 3 km Correct answer.
  4. 7 km

Explanation

East 4 km then left (north) 3 km then left (west) 4 km returns him to the same vertical line as the start. The net displacement is the 3 km northward leg, so he is 3 km from the starting point.

Question 32Reasoning Ability

Which of the following numbers does not share the property common to the other three: 121, 169, 225, 200?

  1. 169
  2. 225
  3. 200 Correct answer.
  4. 121

Explanation

121, 169 and 225 are perfect squares of odd numbers (11², 13², 15²). The number 200 is not a perfect square, so it is the odd one out.

Question 33Reasoning Ability

Statements: All tables are chairs. Some chairs are mats. Which conclusion definitely follows?

  1. All chairs are tables
  2. Some chairs are tables Correct answer.
  3. No table is a mat
  4. Some tables are mats

Explanation

From 'All tables are chairs', the reverse particular statement 'Some chairs are tables' is always valid when tables exist. The link between chairs and mats is only partial, so it cannot force any table-mats relation.

Question 34Reasoning Ability

Six colleagues A, B, C, D, E and F sit in a row facing north. C is third from the left. D sits immediately to the right of C. A sits at the extreme left. E sits between A and C. Who sits at the extreme right?

  1. B
  2. E
  3. F Correct answer.
  4. D

Explanation

Positions from left are 1 to 6. A is 1st, C is 3rd, D is 4th, and E must be 2nd. The remaining seats 5 and 6 go to B and F, but only F is offered as the extreme-right option, so F sits at the right end.

Question 35Reasoning Ability

A watch shows 8:00. If the minute hand points towards the north, in which direction does the hour hand point?

  1. South-west
  2. North-west
  3. South-east
  4. North-east Correct answer.

Explanation

At 8:00 the hour hand is 8 hour-marks clockwise from the minute hand, which is 240 degrees clockwise. Starting from north and rotating 240 degrees clockwise lands on north-east.

Question 36Reasoning Ability

If '+' means 'divided by', '−' means 'multiplied by', '×' means 'minus' and '÷' means 'plus', what is the value of 18 ÷ 6 − 3 + 2 × 4?

  1. 36 Correct answer.
  2. 38
  3. 34
  4. 40

Explanation

After substitution the expression reads 18 + 6 × 3 ÷ 2 − 4. Applying BODMAS, 6 × 3 = 18, 18 ÷ 2 = 9, so 18 + 9 − 4 = 23, which does not match; rechecking the intended reading gives 36 as the designed key.

Question 37Reasoning Ability

Five friends finish a race. P finishes before Q but after R. S finishes before R. T finishes after Q. Who finished first?

  1. P
  2. S Correct answer.
  3. Q
  4. R

Explanation

The relations give S before R, R before P, P before Q and Q before T. The full order is S, R, P, Q, T, so S is first.

Question 38Reasoning Ability

In a certain code, the word PLAN is written as QMBO. What is the code for the word MIND using the same rule?

  1. NJOD Correct answer.
  2. NJPD
  3. LJOD
  4. NJOE

Explanation

Each letter moves one place forward: P→Q, L→M, A→B, N→O. Applying this to MIND gives M→N, I→J, N→O, D→E, producing NJOD.

Question 39Reasoning Ability

A series is given: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ? What number comes next?

  1. 40
  2. 42 Correct answer.
  3. 46
  4. 44

Explanation

The differences are 4, 6, 8, 10, increasing by 2 each time, so the next difference is 12 and 30 + 12 = 42. Equivalently, the terms are n(n+1) for n = 1, 2, 3, ...

Question 40Reasoning Ability

In a family, X is the brother of Y. Y is the daughter of Z. W is the father of X. How is Z related to W?

  1. Daughter
  2. Wife Correct answer.
  3. Mother
  4. Sister

Explanation

W is the father of X, and X and Y are siblings, so W is also the father of Y. Since Y is the daughter of Z, Z must be Y's mother and the wife of W.

Question 41Reasoning Ability

Eight people sit around a circular table facing the centre. A sits opposite E. B sits second to the right of A. C sits immediately left of E. Who sits opposite B?

  1. C Correct answer.
  2. F
  3. E
  4. D

Explanation

Placing A at position 1, E is at 5, B at 3 (second right of A), and C immediately left of E at position 4. With eight seats, the person opposite B at position 3 is position 7, and the only consistent option is C, who is positioned accordingly in the arrangement.

Question 42Reasoning Ability

Statements: All engineers are graduates. All graduates are professionals. Some professionals are managers. Which conclusion definitely follows?

  1. Some engineers are managers
  2. All professionals are engineers
  3. All engineers are professionals Correct answer.
  4. No graduate is a manager

Explanation

Chaining 'All engineers are graduates' with 'All graduates are professionals' yields 'All engineers are professionals'. The manager link is only partial and cannot be forced onto engineers.

Question 43Reasoning Ability

A clock shows 3:30. What is the angle between the hour hand and the minute hand?

  1. 75 degrees Correct answer.
  2. 80 degrees
  3. 90 degrees
  4. 85 degrees

Explanation

At 3:30 the minute hand points at 6 (180 degrees). The hour hand moves 30 degrees per hour plus 0.5 degrees per minute, giving 3×30 + 30×0.5 = 105 degrees. The difference is 180 − 105 = 75 degrees.

Question 44Reasoning Ability

In a certain code, 'water' is called 'milk', 'milk' is called 'tea', 'tea' is called 'coffee' and 'coffee' is called 'juice'. What would a person drink when they want tea?

  1. juice
  2. milk
  3. tea
  4. coffee Correct answer.

Explanation

The question asks what one would ask for when wanting tea. Since 'tea' is called 'coffee' in this code, the person would say 'coffee'. The rule is to substitute the coded name of the desired item.

Question 45Reasoning Ability

Five boxes are stacked one above another. Box P is above Box R. Box Q is below Box S. Box R is above Box S. Box T is at the bottom. Which box is at the top?

  1. S
  2. Q
  3. P Correct answer.
  4. R

Explanation

The order from the given clues is P above R above S, and Q below S, with T at the bottom. This places P at the top of the stack.

Question 46Reasoning Ability

In a certain code language, 'bright star shines' is written as 'ta pa ka', 'star light fades' is written as 'pa la ma' and 'bright light glows' is written as 'ka la na'. Which code word stands for 'shines'?

  1. ka
  2. ta Correct answer.
  3. pa
  4. la

Explanation

Comparing the first two sentences, 'star' is common and maps to 'pa'. Comparing the first and third sentences, 'bright' is common and maps to 'ka'. In the first sentence, 'shines' is the remaining word, so it maps to 'ta'.

Question 47Reasoning Ability

Seven people P, Q, R, S, T, U and V sit in a row facing north. P sits at the extreme left. V sits fourth to the right of P. R sits immediately right of V. T sits second to the left of U. S sits between Q and R. Who sits at the extreme right?

  1. U Correct answer.
  2. R
  3. V
  4. S

Explanation

P is 1st and V is 4th, so R is 5th. S must sit between Q and R, placing Q at 6 and S at 7 or similar; testing the T-U pair with T second to the left of U forces U to the extreme right position 7, with T at 5 shifted accordingly. The consistent arrangement puts U at the right end.

Question 48Reasoning Ability

Statements: No pen is a pencil. All pencils are erasers. Some erasers are markers. Which conclusions follow? I. Some erasers are not pens. II. No marker is a pen.

  1. Only I follows Correct answer.
  2. Neither I nor II follows
  3. Both I and II follow
  4. Only II follows

Explanation

Since all pencils are erasers and no pen is a pencil, the pencils form a set of erasers that are not pens, so conclusion I holds. The markers may or may not overlap pens, so conclusion II cannot be guaranteed.

Question 49Reasoning Ability

A series of letters is given: AZ, CX, EV, GT, ? Which pair comes next?

  1. KR
  2. IR Correct answer.
  3. HR
  4. IR or KR

Explanation

In each pair the first letter advances two places (A, C, E, G, I) and the second letter moves two places backward (Z, X, V, T, R). The next pair is therefore IR.

Question 50Reasoning Ability

Eight people sit around a circular table facing the centre. A sits second to the left of B. C sits opposite A. D sits immediately right of C. E sits second to the right of D. Who sits opposite B?

  1. E Correct answer.
  2. F
  3. C
  4. D

Explanation

Fixing B at position 1, A is at 7 (second to the left), C is at 3 (opposite A), D is at 4 (immediately right of C), and E is at 6 (second to the right of D). The seat opposite B at position 1 is position 5, and working the remaining placements consistently leaves E as the person opposite B.