QUESTION

CSAT

Medium

Reasoning

Prelims 2025

A question is given followed by two Statements I and II. Consider the Question and the Statements and mark the correct option.

Question: In a football match, team P playing against Q was behind by 3 goals with 10 minutes remaining. Does team P win the match?

Statement I: Team P scored 4 goals in the last 10 minutes. Statement II: Team Q scored a total of 4 goals in the match.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Question and the Statements?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Let’s start with what we know:

  • 10 minutes before the end, Team P was 3^3 goals behind Team Q. So, (Score of Q) − (Score of P) = 33.

We don’t know the exact score, just that Q was ahead by 3 goals.

Using Statement I:
Team P scored 4 goals in the last 10 minutes.
So, final score of P = (previous score) + 44.

But we don’t know how many goals Q scored in those last 10 minutes.
If Q scored none, P could win.
If Q scored even 1 goal, it could be a draw; if 2 or more, P could still lose.
Hence, Statement I alone is not sufficient.

Using Statement II:
Team Q scored a total of 4 goals in the whole match.
But we have no idea how many goals P scored in total.
Hence, Statement II alone is also not sufficient.

Using both Statements together:
We know Q’s final score = 4 goals.
P was 3 goals behind with 10 minutes left → possible situations before the last 10 minutes:

Before last 10 minutesP’s scoreQ’s scoreDifference
Case 1033
Case 2143
Case 3253

But total goals of Q = 4 (final).
Only Case 1 and Case 2 fit this condition (since Q = 4 at the end).

Now if we add P’s 4 late goals:

  • In Case 1 → P = 0+4=40 + 4 = 4, Q = 4 → Draw
  • In Case 2 → P = 1+4=51 + 4 = 5, Q = 4 → P wins

We still have two possible results — Draw or Win.
Hence, even both statements together don’t give a definite answer.

Therefore, the correct answer is D — The question cannot be answered even using both statements.

Trusted by 2L aspirants

Practice UPSC Prelims PYQs Smarter

Practice Now
  • Track accuracy & weak areas
  • See past trends & repeated themes
Start Practicing Now

Crack UPSC with your
Personal AI Mentor

An AI-powered ecosystem to learn, practice, and evaluate with discipline

SuperKalam is your personal mentor for UPSC preparation, guiding you at every step of the exam journey.

Download the App

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store
Follow us

ⓒ Snapstack Technologies Private Limited