Reading comprehension passages (including poems & cartoons), Geometry &… Test for XAT: 95 Questions with Solutions & Analysis

Attempt the Reading comprehension passages (including poems & cartoons), Geometry &… test for XAT: 95 exam-level questions, detailed solutions and performance analysis. First questions free.

Paper breakdown

95 questions · 95 marks · 142.31 minutes. Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI): 28 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR): 26 · Decision Making (DM): 21 · General Knowledge (GK): 20

Free sample questions from Reading comprehension passages (including poems & cartoons), Geometry &…

Question 1 · Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) · 2023 MCQ

A painter draws 64 equal squares of 1 square inch on a square canvas measuring 64 square inches. She chooses two squares(1 square inch each) randomly and then paints them. What is the probability that two painted squares have a common side?

A.
1/18
B.
1/16
C.
1/32
D.
1/64
E.
None of the above

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a classical probability question on a grid, recognisable because we select 2 items from a structured arrangement and need a geometric condition (common side).

Step 1: Identify the grid dimensions.

64 squares on a square canvas means an $8 \times 8$ grid.

Step 2: Total ways to choose 2 squares from 64.

$n (S) = (2 64) = \frac{64 \times 63}{2} = 2016$

Step 3: Count favorable pairs (sharing a common side).

Two squares share a side if they are horizontally or vertically adjacent.

Horizontal pairs: Each of the 8 rows has 7 adjacent pairs. Total = $8 \times 7 = 56$ .
Vertical pairs: Each of the 8 columns has 7 adjacent pairs. Total = $8 \times 7 = 56$ .
Total favorable = $56 + 56 = 112$ .

Step 4: Calculate probability.

$P = \frac{112}{2016} = \frac{112 \div 112}{2016 \div 112} = \frac{1}{18}$

Common trap: Including diagonal neighbors. "Common side" means sharing an edge, not a corner.

Answer: 1/18

Question 2 · Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) · 2023 MCQ

ABCD is a trapezoid where BC is parallel to AD and perpendicular to AB. Kindly note that BC< AD. P is a point on AD such that CPD is an equilateral triangle. Q is a point on BC such that AQ is parallel to PC. If the area of the triangle CPD is $43$ , nd the area of the triangle ABQ.

A.
$43$
B.
$23$
C.
$4/3$
D.
$8/3$
E.
None of the above

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a coordinate-geometry problem involving a trapezoid and an equilateral triangle. The trigger is "equilateral triangle" + "parallel lines" + "area finding".

Step 1: Analyse $△ C P D$ .

Area $= 43$ . Formula for equilateral triangle with side $a$ : $\frac{3}{4} a^{2}$ .

$\frac{3}{4} a^{2} = 43 ⟹ a^{2} = 16 ⟹ a = 4$

So $C P = P D = C D = 4$ . Height of $△ C P D = \frac{3}{2} \times 4 = 23$ .

Step 2: Determine trapezoid height.

$B C ∥ A D$ and $A B ⊥ B C$ , so $A B$ is the height of the trapezoid.

Since $P$ is on $A D$ and $C$ is on $B C$ , the vertical distance from $C$ to $A D$ equals the trapezoid height.

In $△ C P D$ , the altitude from $C$ to $P D$ (which lies on $A D$ ) is $23$ .

Therefore, height of trapezoid $A B = 23$ .

Step 3: Set up coordinates.

Let $A = (0, 0)$ . Line $A D$ is the x-axis. Line $B C$ is $y = 23$ .

$B = (0, 23)$ (since $A B ⊥ B C$ ).

Let $P = (p, 0)$ . Since $P D = 4$ and $D$ is on $A D$ , let $D = (p + 4, 0)$ .

$C$ is above the midpoint of $P D$ at height $23$ : $C = (p + 2, 23)$ .

Step 4: Use the parallel condition $A Q ∥ P C$ .

$Q$ is on $B C$ , so $Q = (q, 23)$ .

Slope of $P C$ : from $P (p, 0)$ to $C (p + 2, 23)$ is $\frac{2 3 - 0}{( p + 2 ) - p} = \frac{2 3}{2} = 3$ .

Slope of $A Q$ : from $A (0, 0)$ to $Q (q, 23)$ is $\frac{2 3}{q}$ .

For $A Q ∥ P C$ : $\frac{2 3}{q} = 3 ⟹ q = 2$ .

So $Q = (2, 23)$ .

Step 5: Calculate area of $△ A B Q$ .

$B = (0, 23)$ , $Q = (2, 23)$ , so $B Q = 2$ .

$A B = 23$ (vertical).

$△ A B Q$ is right-angled at $B$ .

$Area = \frac{1}{2} \times A B \times B Q = \frac{1}{2} \times 23 \times 2 = 23$

Answer: $23$ (Option B).

Question 3 · Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) · 2022 MCQ

I have ve 10-rupee notes, three 20-rupee notes, and two 50-rupee notes in my wallet.

If three notes were taken out randomly and simultaneously, what is the probability that at least 90 rupees were taken out?

A.
1/20
B.
7/60
C.
1/15
D.
11/60
E.
3/20

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a selection-without-replacement problem with a sum constraint, recognisable because we pick items simultaneously and need the total value to meet a threshold.

Step 1: Inventory.

10-rupee notes: 5
20-rupee notes: 3
50-rupee notes: 2

Total = 10 notes.

Step 2: Total ways to pick 3 notes.

$n (S) = (3 10) = \frac{10 \times 9 \times 8}{6} = 120$

Step 3: Find all combinations summing to $\geq 90$ .

We need to pick 3 notes from {10, 20, 50}. Let's list valid value-combinations:

Case 1: Two 50s + one 10 → Sum = 110 $\geq 90$ ✓

Ways: $(2 2) \times (1 5) = 1 \times 5 = 5$

Case 2: Two 50s + one 20 → Sum = 120 $\geq 90$ ✓

Ways: $(2 2) \times (1 3) = 1 \times 3 = 3$

Case 3: One 50 + two 20s → Sum = 90 $\geq 90$ ✓

Ways: $(1 2) \times (2 3) = 2 \times 3 = 6$

Any other? One 50 + one 20 + one 10 = 80 < 90. No 50s: max sum = 60 < 90.

Step 4: Total favorable = $5 + 3 + 6 = 14$ .

Step 5: Probability.

$P = \frac{14}{120} = \frac{7}{60}$

Answer: 7/60

Question 4 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) · 2026 MCQ

Common Description:

Disparate as these targets might initially appear, there is a through line in the trolls’ targeting practices: the concept of exploitability. Trolls believe that nothing should be taken seriously, and therefore regard public displays of sentimentality, political conviction, and/or ideological rigidity as a call to trolling arms. In this way, lulz functions as a pushback against any and all forms of attachment, a highly ironic stance given how attached trolls are to the pursuit of lulz.

The final marker of trolling is the trolls’ insistence on and celebration of anonymity. The ability to obscure one’ s offline identity has a number of immediate behavioral implications. Most obviously, anonymity allows trolls to engage in behaviors they would never replicate in professional or otherwise public settings, either because the specific behaviors would be considered socially unacceptable, or because the trolls’ online persona would clash with their offline circumstances — for example, if the troll in question were a schoolteacher or nurse. Even if the person behind the troll avoided explicitly bigoted speech or behavior, his or her extracurricular interests would likely upset or merely baffle family members and coworkers, further reinforcing the importance, perhaps even necessity, of keeping one’ s real-life identity under wraps.

Conversely, successful trolling is often dependent on the target’s lack of anonymity, or at least their willingness to disclose real-life attachments, interests, and vulnerabilities. This, according to the troll, is grounds for immediate trolling, since in the trolls’ minds, the Internet is — at least should be — an attachment-free zone. The trolling mantra “Nothing should be taken seriously” suggests as much, and functions both as a rallying cry and post hoc justification for trollish behavior. Trolls believe that, by wearing their hearts(or political affiliations, or sexual preferences, or other aspects of identity) on their sleeves, their targets are asking to be taught a lesson.

Trolling is thus framed by trolls in explicitly pedagogical terms. Maybe next time, trolls argue, the target won’ t be so stupid. Maybe next time they won’ t be such obvious trollbait. In this way, trolls are — at least in their own minds — doing their targets a favor.

Based on the passage, what does the author BEST convey by the statement, “trolls are — at least in their own minds — doing their targets a favor?”

A.
Trolls use their online harassment as a form of corrective social conditioning.
B.
Trolls help their victims in identifying and fixing their mistakes.
C.
Trolls make their targets strong and resilient against any kind of bullying.
D.
Trolls shame their subjects to introspect and reflect on what they share online.
E.
Trolls scare away their victims from being themselves ever again online.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is an inference/implication question focused on a specific quoted phrase. It asks what the author "BEST conveys" by the statement.

Step 1: Locate the phrase: "trolls are — at least in their own minds — doing their targets a favor."

Step 2: Read the surrounding context. The passage states trolls frame their actions in "explicitly pedagogical terms." They believe the target "won't be so stupid" or "such obvious trollbait" next time.

Step 3: Interpret the troll's twisted logic. The "favor" is teaching the target a lesson: to stop sharing real-life attachments online, thereby scaring them into conforming to the troll's ideal of an "attachment-free" internet.

Step 4: Evaluate the options. Option E ("Trolls scare away their victims from being themselves ever again online") perfectly captures this coercive "lesson" that forces the victim to hide their true self.

Step 5: Eliminate others. Options B, C, and D frame the outcome as genuinely positive or constructive (fixing mistakes, making them strong, introspection), which contradicts the author's critical tone. Option A ("corrective social conditioning") is close, but the passage specifically emphasizes the outcome of making the target hide their identity (scaring them away from being themselves), making E the more precise fit for the "favor" of teaching them not to be "trollbait".

Answer: E

Question 5 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) · 2025 MCQ

Common Description:

No one argues that the rich should be rich because they were born to wealthy parents. Critics of inequality may complain that those who would abolish inheritance taxes, say, are implicitly endorsing hereditary privilege. But no one defends hereditary privilege outright or disputes the principle that careers should be open to talents. Most of our debates about access to jobs, education, and public office proceed from the premise of equal opportunity. Our disagreements are less about the principle itself than about what it requires. For example, critics of affirmative action in hiring and college admissions argue that such policies are inconsistent with equality of opportunity, because they judge applicants on factors other than merit. Defenders of affirmative action reply that such policies are necessary to make equality of opportunity a reality for members of groups that have suffered discrimination or disadvantage.

At the level of principle at least, and political rhetoric, meritocracy has won the day. In democracies throughout the world, politicians of the center-left and center-right claim that their policies are the ones that will enable all citizens, whatever their race or ethnicity, gender or class, to compete on equal terms and to rise as far as their efforts and talents will take them. When people complain about meritocracy, the complaint is usually not about the ideal but about our failure to live up to it: The wealthy and powerful have rigged the system to perpetuate their privilege; the professional classes have figured out how to pass their advantages on to their children, converting the meritocracy into a hereditary aristocracy; colleges that claim to select students on merit give an edge to the sons and daughters of the wealthy and the well-connected. According to this complaint, meritocracy is a myth, a distant promise yet to be redeemed.

Which of the following can be BEST concluded from the passage?

A.
Meritocracy is a utopian system that is difficult to implement as the wealthy rigs the system.
B.
In an unequal society, any attempt to execute meritocracy perpetuates inequality.
C.
Meritocracy is desired by everybody, but despised by those rejected by it.
D.
Meritocracy is accepted by everyone, but not understood by anyone.
E.
Everybody admires meritocracy, until it is they or their children’s career on the line.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a main conclusion question, recognizable because it asks what can "BEST be concluded" from the passage as a whole.

Step 1: Identify the author's overarching argument about meritocracy. The passage states that while meritocracy is widely accepted in principle ("has won the day"), the actual complaint is about the "failure to live up to it."

Step 2: Note the specific mechanisms of failure mentioned: "The wealthy and powerful have rigged the system to perpetuate their privilege," and "colleges... give an edge to the sons and daughters of the wealthy."

Step 3: Note the author's summary of this complaint: "meritocracy is a myth, a distant promise yet to be redeemed."

Step 4: Match with options. Option A ("Meritocracy is a utopian system that is difficult to implement as the wealthy rigs the system") perfectly synthesizes the "distant promise" (utopian/difficult to implement) and the "rigged system" elements.

Step 5: Eliminate others. Option B is too absolute ("any attempt... perpetuates inequality"). Option C ("despised by those rejected") is not supported. Option D ("not understood by anyone") is an extreme exaggeration. Option E introduces a psychological claim about admiration turning to disdain that is not in the text.

Answer: A

Question 6 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) MCQ

Assertion (A): The current political debate over affirmative action in university admissions is not a rejection of meritocracy, but rather a conflict over its operational definition.

Reason (R): Both proponents and critics of affirmative action premise their arguments on the shared belief that careers should be open to talents, differing only on the specific mechanisms required to achieve this equality of opportunity.

Based on the meritocracy consensus framework, evaluate the above statements.

A.
Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B.
Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
C.
(A) is true, but (R) is false.
D.
(A) is false, but (R) is true.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is an assertion-reason question, recognizable because it requires evaluating the truth of two statements and the logical relationship between them based on a specific theoretical framework.

Step 1: Evaluate Assertion (A). The meritocracy consensus framework posits that debates about access to jobs and education proceed from the premise of equal opportunity. Therefore, the debate is about how to achieve it, not whether to pursue it. (A) is true.

Step 2: Evaluate Reason (R). The framework explicitly states that critics argue affirmative action judges on factors other than merit, while defenders argue it is necessary to make equality of opportunity a reality for disadvantaged groups. Both sides operate from the shared baseline that careers should be open to talents. (R) is true.

Step 3: Evaluate the link. (R) directly explains why (A) is true: the shared premise (careers open to talents) is the reason the debate is about mechanisms (operational definition) rather than a rejection of the core principle.

Answer: A

Question 7 · Decision Making (DM) · 2025 MCQ

Common Description:

Aarya had always been a mediocre student. Luckily, after finishing her undergraduate degree from a tier-two engineering college, she secured a decent but modestly paying job at a reputable IT company.

However, after a year on the job, Aarya found her role mundane. When her best friend at the company, Shruti, left to pursue an MBA from a top-tier business school, citing significant career growth and potential salary increase upon graduation, Aarya felt intrigued and inspired to follow the same path. Shruti appreciated Aarya’s aspirations, telling her that doing an MBA from a top-tier business school could not only land Aarya a lucrative job but also it could fast-track her career progression. However, Aarya was concerned whether she would be able to balance between her MBA entrance exam preparation and her current job. Aarya considered resigning to focus entirely on MBA entrance exam preparation, but Shruti cautioned her that top-tier business schools might view a career break unfavourably, as they prefer continuous professional engagement.

After working hard on MBA entrance exam preparations for one year, Aarya received two admission offers: one from the two-year agribusiness program of a premier business school, and another one from a brand new, but buzzworthy, global one-year executive MBA program in General Management in a mid-tier business school. As she did not have much interest in agribusiness, Aarya opted to enrol in the one-year executive MBA program, and promptly submitted her first instalment of fees towards admission. She was very happy that she would soon embark on her MBA journey.

To her shock, a few days later, she received a call from the authorities of the mid-tier business school. They informed her that due to a technical glitch in their system, more admission offers were made than the available seats. Consequently, candidates lower on the merit list, including Aarya, were being offered a choice from the following options: a deferred admission next year to the same program, or a full refund of the fees. They also said, if interested, Aarya could right now join a similar program, starting in a newly launched campus of the same business school, where many seats were available.

Aarya considered the whole episode a breach of trust, and wondered, if it would at all be worthwhile to be associated with this business school now or in the future. Which of the following considerations will BEST restore her faith in this business school?

A.
A deferment by a year will give her a chance to build on her work experience.
B.
The business school runs many management training programs on ethical leadership for corporates.
C.
A similar incident happened three years back in another business school, and all deferred candidates eventually got good placements.
D.
Many mid-tier business schools give offers to more candidates than available seats to tackle rejections.
E.
The business school owned the mistake, and tried their best to help the affected candidates.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is an institutional trust and accountability question. The core issue is a breach of trust due to a systemic administrative error.

Step 1: Identify the protagonist's primary concern. Aarya explicitly feels a "breach of trust" and questions the school's integrity and future viability.

Step 2: Evaluate options based on whether they directly address this specific breach. Restoring faith requires the institution to demonstrate accountability, transparency, and a genuine effort to mitigate harm.

Step 3: Analyze the options. Option A focuses on a personal silver lining, ignoring the school's accountability. Option B is hypocritical if the school itself acts unethically. Option C normalizes the error by comparing it to others. Option D justifies the malpractice as a common industry tactic. Option E directly addresses the breach by showing the school took ownership and actively tried to help, which is the foundational mechanism for rebuilding trust.

Answer: E

Question 8 · Decision Making (DM) · 2024 MCQ

Common Description: Ms. Vineeta Lama, a respected gure in the small town of Jampur, found herself stranded on the road, once again, when her old small hatchback car broke down. Finding herself alone on the deserted road with no one to help, Vineeta, in desperation called Shyam Saigal, the General Manager of Balaji Motors − the only dealership in Jampur that sells Diplomatico cars, the brand that Vineeta drives. Vineeta knew Shyam from her frequent visits for getting her hatchback car serviced. Surprisingly, he arrived within fteen minutes, accompanied by a mechanic from his dealership. Further, he arranged for the vehicle to be towed and kindly offered Vineeta a ride home. On the way back, he advised Vineeta to exchange her old car with a new Sports Utility Vehicle(SUV) on a good discount from his dealership. He assured her that he would add several additional services to ensure her SUV remained in excellent condition for many years ahead. Shyam’s satisfaction from meeting the month’s quota for selling SUVs turned to dismay when one of his young executives nervously told him that he mistakenly punched an extended warranty for free to Vineeta’s purchase contract earlier that morning. This could not be reversed from the company’s system and meant a loss of Rs. 19,000 for the dealership. The executive was very sorry and was ready to take accountability.
However, the amount was too large to be borne by the executive.
Shyam was not concerned about placing accountability, but rather the recovery of the loss. He was unsure whether he should ask Vineeta for the money.
The following pieces of information are available to Shyam: A. Shyam is aware that Vineeta is very happy with the deal he gave her for the car.
B. Shyam feels that Diplomatico’s software system is complicated for new employees, which might have also played a role in the error.
C. Vineeta has a wide network and can connect Shyam with many potential customers.
D. Vineeta’s brother, a car enthusiast, has enough knowledge of how car dealers operate.
E. Shyam feels that if he maintains the current sales volume, he might be able to persuade Diplomatico to write off the amount(Rs. 19,000).
Which of the following combinations, of the above pieces of information, will MOST likely stop Shyam from trying to recover the money from Vineeta?

A.
A & B
B.
A & D
C.
C & D
D.
C & E
E.
B & E

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a B2B/B2C conflict resolution and reputation management question, recognizable because a dealership manager must decide whether to recover a financial loss from a customer caused by an internal error.

Step 1: Identify the core dilemma. Shyam wants to recover Rs. 19,000 but is unsure. We need the combination of facts that MOST likely stops him from asking, meaning the facts must highlight high risk or low reward in asking.

Step 2: Evaluate the pieces of information.

C: Vineeta has a wide network and can connect Shyam with many potential customers. (Asking for the money risks offending her, losing her goodwill, and forfeiting future high-value referrals. The potential loss of future sales outweighs Rs. 19,000).
E: Shyam feels that if he maintains current sales volume, he might persuade Diplomatico to write off the amount. (This provides a viable, internal alternative to recover the loss without confronting the customer).

Step 3: Analyze the combination C & E. Together, they show that confronting her carries a high opportunity cost (losing referrals), and there is a feasible internal path to absorb the loss (company write-off). This makes not asking the most rational business decision.

Step 4: Reject other combinations. A & B focus on internal feelings or her happiness, which don't provide a strong business rationale. A & D or C & D introduce the brother's knowledge, which might actually make her more likely to complain if asked, but doesn't provide Shyam with an internal alternative like E does.

Answer: D

Question 9 · Decision Making (DM) · 2026 MCQ

Common Description:

Business schools’(B schools) curriculums are filled with group assignments and case competitions. Even when students have just joined the B schools, corporate houses try to catch good talent early by promising them internships based on case competitions. These competitions involve comprehending the problems presented by the organizations, analyzing the challenges they currently face, and presenting solutions in a manner that convinces the organizations’ representatives who visit the B schools to evaluate various teams that present their solutions on such problems.

For students who are just joining a B school, the capability to actually solve such problems is quite limited.

Because of that, the corporate houses generally are more focused on the presentations made by groups.

Hence, the groups that communicate better, most often, win these competitions.

Abirami joins MBS, a B school. As a fresher, she believes she needs to learn a lot about how organizations work and wants to work with others who have joined MBS and have work experience.

The first step that Abirami wants to take is to join a group, having members with extensive work experience.

Meanwhile, students with prior work experience have come together and formed groups. She reaches out to one such group. However, the group members are not interested since she is a fresher. They are unsure whether she can bring any value to case competitions that involve understanding, recommending and presenting solutions to organizational problems.

Which of the following reasons, IF TRUE, will BEST convince the group members that Abirami will be a valuable member of the group for case competitions?

A.
She has closely observed her mother working and hence understands the way organizations work.
B.
The MNC, where her father is employed, floats the most popular case competition for MBS students.
C.
She is a good debater who can logically think and argue on the go.
D.
She is a good listener, and can grasp key aspects of the problem at hand very quickly.
E.
She has interned with her fathers’ firm for two weeks, during her graduation.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a group dynamics and value proposition question. The goal is to convince experienced members that a fresher adds specific value.

Step 1: Identify the group's stated concern. They are unsure if she can bring value to "understanding, recommending and presenting solutions".

Step 2: Recall the passage's explicit clue: "corporate houses generally are more focused on the presentations made by groups. Hence, the groups that communicate better, most often, win these competitions."

Step 3: Match Abirami's potential contribution to this specific need. Being a good debater who can logically think and argue on the go directly enhances the group's presentation and communication capabilities, which the passage identifies as the key to winning.

Step 4: Eliminate other options. Observing her mother (A) or a 2-week internship (E) is too weak to prove competence. Her father's MNC (B) is irrelevant to her personal skill. Being a good listener (D) is passive and doesn't directly address the active "presenting solutions" requirement as strongly as debating.

Answer: C

Question 10 · General Knowledge (GK) MCQ

Which of the following statements regarding Web3, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and Blockchain technology is IMPOSSIBLE or INCORRECT?

A.
The underlying technology of blockchain requires a central clearinghouse or a single governing authority to validate and append new transaction blocks to the distributed ledger.
B.
Smart contracts are self-executing programs stored on a blockchain that automatically enforce and verify the terms of an agreement without requiring a centralized intermediary.
C.
A Non-Fungible Token (NFT) derives its uniqueness from specific metadata and smart contract addresses on a blockchain, making it non-interchangeable on a one-to-one basis with other tokens.
D.
Fungible assets, such as standard cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, are mutually interchangeable and hold the same value regardless of which specific unit is transferred.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This question tests your precise understanding of blockchain terminology and the fundamental difference between centralized and decentralized systems.

Step 1: Evaluate Option A. The defining feature of a public blockchain is that it is a decentralized distributed ledger. It relies on consensus mechanisms (like Proof of Work or Proof of Stake) across a network of nodes, NOT a central clearinghouse or single governing authority. Therefore, this statement is incorrect (impossible).

Step 2: Evaluate Option B. Smart contracts are indeed self-executing code on the blockchain that automate agreements. This is correct.

Step 3: Evaluate Option C. NFTs are 'non-fungible' precisely because their unique metadata and contract addresses prevent them from being swapped 1:1 like a dollar bill. This is correct.

Step 4: Evaluate Option D. Fungibility means mutual interchangeability (e.g., one Bitcoin is equal to another Bitcoin). This is correct.

Since Option A describes a centralized system rather than a blockchain, it is the impossible statement.

Answer: A

Question 11 · General Knowledge (GK) MCQ

Consider the following statements regarding the mechanics and limitations of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs):

LLMs generate human-like text by statistically predicting the most probable next word in a sequence, based on patterns learned from billions of parameters.
"Hallucination" in the context of Generative AI refers to the phenomenon where the model confidently produces false, nonsensical, or ungrounded information.
Unlike traditional analytical AI, modern Generative AI systems possess intrinsic consciousness and can independently verify the real-world factual accuracy of their outputs before generation.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

A.
Only one
B.
Only two
C.
All three
D.
None

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This is a multi-statement question testing your conceptual clarity on how Generative AI actually works versus the common myths surrounding it.

Step 1: Evaluate Statement 1. LLMs do not "understand" language; they use statistical probability to predict the next token/word based on billions of parameters trained on massive datasets. This statement is correct.

Step 2: Evaluate Statement 2. "Hallucination" is the standard industry term for when a GenAI model confidently generates false or fabricated information that is not grounded in its training data or reality. This statement is correct.

Step 3: Evaluate Statement 3. Generative AI does NOT possess consciousness, sentience, or the ability to independently verify real-world facts. It is a sophisticated pattern-matching engine. This statement is incorrect.

Since Statements 1 and 2 are correct, the answer is "Only two".

Answer: B

Question 12 · General Knowledge (GK) MCQ

Which of the following statements regarding the global semiconductor supply chain and fabrication choke points is IMPOSSIBLE or INCORRECT?

A.
The global semiconductor supply chain faces a critical bottleneck in the fabrication of sub-5nm chips due to the near-monopoly of a single company, ASML, in manufacturing Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines.
B.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is the sole global supplier of both EUV lithography hardware and the foundational silicon wafers required for advanced chip packaging.
C.
India's current semiconductor fabrication ambitions primarily focus on mature nodes (28nm and above) and OSAT (Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging) facilities, as EUV technology requires massive capital and specialized supply chains.
D.
The CHIPS Act in the United States and similar initiatives in the EU aim to onshore semiconductor manufacturing to reduce geopolitical reliance on East Asian foundries.

Correct Answer:

Step-by-Step Solution

Key idea: This question tests your understanding of the highly specialized and fragmented nature of the global semiconductor supply chain, specifically the roles of different industry players.

Step 1: Evaluate Option A. ASML (Netherlands) is indeed the sole manufacturer of EUV lithography machines, which are absolutely necessary for printing circuits at sub-5nm nodes. This is correct.

Step 2: Evaluate Option B. TSMC is a 'foundry'—they manufacture chips. They buy EUV machines from ASML and buy silicon wafers from suppliers like Shin-Etsu or SUMCO. TSMC does not manufacture lithography hardware or raw silicon wafers. This statement is incorrect (impossible).

Step 3: Evaluate Option C. India's current approved fabs focus on mature nodes (e.g., 28nm) and OSAT, as setting up an EUV ecosystem from scratch is currently beyond immediate economic and technical feasibility. This is correct.

Step 4: Evaluate Option D. Western CHIPS Acts are explicitly designed to onshore fab capacity to mitigate the geopolitical risk of relying heavily on TSMC and Samsung. This is correct.

Since Option B fundamentally misrepresents the roles within the supply chain, it is the impossible statement.

Answer: B

Section-wise Paper Structure

Free Solved Questions with Step-by-Step Solutions

Unlock All 95 Questions in Real Examination Mode

More XAT Test Series

Login to view the complete test and solutions

Personalised first. High quality throughout.

Built around you, not around a syllabus PDF

Revision that hits your weak spots

Questions calibrated to the real exam

Notes written for recall, not for volume

One place for everything

Honest progress

Unlock the whole course

Reading comprehension passages (including poems & cartoons), Geometry &… Test for XAT: 95 Questions with Solutions & Analysis

Paper breakdown

Free sample questions from Reading comprehension passages (including poems & cartoons), Geometry &…

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

More XAT tests