Eight students A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H sit around a circular table, equidistant from each other, facing the centre of the table, not necessarily in the same order. B and D sit neither adjacent to C nor opposite to C. A sits in between E and D, and F sits in between B and H. Which one of the following is definitely correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) None of the above
The conditions allow more than one seating. In one valid seating C faces G but E does not face F; in another E faces F but C does not face G; and B can never sit beside A. So none of (a), (b) and (c) is definitely correct.
- A sits between E and D, so E, A, D occupy three adjacent seats; F sits between B and H, so B, F, H occupy three adjacent seats. C and G take the two seats left.
- A’s two neighbours are E and D, so B can never sit next to A — (a) is never true.
- Valid seating 1 (clockwise): A, D, G, B, F, H, C, E. B and D are neither next to nor opposite C. Here C is opposite G, but E is opposite B, not F.
- Valid seating 2 (clockwise): A, D, H, F, B, G, C, E. Again B and D are neither next to nor opposite C. Here E is opposite F, but C is opposite H, not G.
- (b) fails in seating 2 and (c) fails in seating 1, so none of the statements is definitely correct.
Remember · For ‘definitely correct’, build two valid arrangements; any option that fails in either one is out.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2022, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·