If Pen < Pencil, Pencil < Book and Book > Cap, then which one of the following is always true?

Answer: (b) Pen < Book

Pen < Pencil < Book is an unbroken chain, so Pen < Book always. Cap is tied only through Book > Cap, which says nothing about how Cap compares with Pen or Pencil.

1. Join the first two relations: Pen < Pencil < Book, so Pen < Book.
2. Book > Cap points the other way; Cap could be above or below Pen and Pencil.
3. So (a), (c) and (d) are not always true, while (b) is.

Remember · A comparison is certain only if an unbroken chain of signs points the same way between the two items.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2018, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). · Report an error