In a group of 15 people; 7 can read French, 8 can read English while 3 of them can read neither of these two languages. The number of people who can read exactly one language is
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 9
Twelve people read at least one language. French and English readers add to 15, so 3 read both, and 12 − 3 = 9 read exactly one.
- At least one language = 15 − 3 = 12.
- Both = 7 + 8 − 12 = 3.
- Exactly one = 12 − 3 = 9 (French only 4, English only 5).
Remember · Exactly one = (at least one) − (both); get 'both' from A + B − (at least one).
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2019, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·