CSE Preliminary Exam: Mock Test for Practice

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Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) - Part-II

Time Allowed: Two Hours
Maximum Marks: 200

1. There are 80 questions.
2. Each question carries 2.5 marks.
3. For each question, four alternatives are given. Select the most appropriate answer.

QUESTIONS 1–20
Comprehension Passage 1
A city administration decided to widen roads to reduce traffic congestion. Several residential colonies lost trees and open spaces in the process. Traffic movement improved initially, but within three years the congestion returned to previous levels because increased road capacity encouraged more private vehicles. Meanwhile, the reduction in tree cover increased local temperatures and reduced pedestrian comfort. The administration now faces criticism for addressing symptoms rather than causes of congestion.
1.
Which one of the following best captures the central idea of the passage?
(a) Tree cover is more important than road infrastructure.
(b) Increasing road capacity may not permanently solve congestion.
(c) Residential colonies should oppose road widening.
(d) Private vehicles should be banned.
2.
Which assumption most strongly underlies the criticism mentioned in the passage?
(a) Congestion is caused solely by poor road design.
(b) Environmental concerns are irrelevant in urban planning.
(c) Long-term transport demand should be considered while planning interventions.
(d) Tree cover has no relation with urban temperatures.
3.
Which of the following, if true, would strengthen the criticism?
(a) Public transport usage declined after road widening.
(b) Road construction costs were lower than expected.
(c) Residents preferred wider roads.
(d) Vehicle ownership remained unchanged.
4.
The phrase "addressing symptoms rather than causes" implies that the administration:
(a) focused on visible manifestations instead of root problems.
(b) lacked technical expertise.
(c) ignored public opinion completely.
(d) deliberately increased congestion.

5.
Five friends P, Q, R, S and T are sitting in a row facing north. Q sits immediately left of R. P sits at one end. T is not adjacent to P. S sits to the right of R.
Who sits in the middle?
(a) Q
(b) R
(c) S
(d) T
6.
If all roses are flowers, some flowers are medicinal plants, and no medicinal plant is a cactus, which conclusion necessarily follows?
(a) No rose is a cactus.
(b) Some roses are medicinal plants.
(c) Some flowers are not cacti.
(d) All flowers are medicinal plants.
7.
A clock shows 3:15. What is the smaller angle between the hour and minute hands?
(a) 0°
(b) 7.5°
(c) 15°
(d) 22.5°
8.
A train travels 180 km at 60 km/h and returns at 90 km/h. The average speed for the entire journey is:
(a) 72 km/h
(b) 75 km/h
(c) 80 km/h
(d) 78 km/h
Questions 9–11
Statements:

1. All researchers are readers.
2. Some readers are writers.
3. No writer is careless.

9.
Which conclusion definitely follows?
(a) Some researchers are writers.
(b) No researcher is careless.
(c) Some readers are not careless.
(d) All readers are careful.
10.
Which conclusion may follow?
(a) Some researchers are writers.
(b) No reader is careless.
(c) All writers are readers.
(d) No researcher is a writer.
11.
If additionally "All researchers are writers", then which conclusion follows?
(a) No researcher is careless.
(b) All readers are researchers.
(c) Some careless persons are researchers.
(d) Some writers are not readers.
12.
A code language writes:
RIVER = SJWFS
Then MANGO is coded as:
(a) NBOHP
(b) NBPHP
(c) NBOPP
(d) OBOHP
13.
A person walks 10 m north, then 24 m east, then 10 m south. How far is he from the starting point?
(a) 10 m
(b) 14 m
(c) 24 m
(d) 34 m
14.
A number is increased by 20% and then decreased by 20%. The net change is:
(a) No change
(b) 4% decrease
(c) 4% increase
(d) 2% decrease
15.
A sum becomes ₹12,000 in 2 years and ₹13,200 in 3 years at simple interest. The principal is:
(a) ₹10,800
(b) ₹9,600
(c) ₹11,000
(d) ₹10,000
Comprehension Passage 2
Technological innovation often reduces the cost of producing goods and services. However, lower costs can increase consumption, thereby offsetting some environmental gains. Improvements in fuel efficiency, for example, may encourage people to drive more. Thus, technological progress alone may not guarantee sustainability unless accompanied by behavioural and institutional changes.
16.
The passage primarily argues that:
(a) technological innovation is harmful.
(b) sustainability requires more than technological progress.
(c) fuel efficiency should be discouraged.
(d) consumption always rises with efficiency.
17.
Which statement is most consistent with the passage?
(a) Behavioural changes are unnecessary when technology improves.
(b) Technological gains can sometimes be partially offset by increased usage.
(c) Sustainability and innovation are incompatible.
(d) Institutions hinder environmental progress.
18.
If a city introduces highly efficient public buses and citizens shift from private cars to buses, the example would:
(a) weaken the argument.
(b) strengthen the argument that behaviour matters.
(c) prove technology alone is sufficient.
(d) contradict the passage entirely.
19.
In a class, the ratio of boys to girls is 5:4. If 20% of boys and 25% of girls are absent, what fraction of the class is absent?
(a) 2/9
(b) 1/5
(c) 4/15
(d) 3/10
20.
A cube is painted on all faces and then cut into 64 smaller equal cubes. How many cubes will have exactly two faces painted?
(a) 12
(b) 24
(c) 32
(d) 48
QUESTIONS 21–40
Comprehension Passage 3
A government launched a programme to improve learning outcomes in public schools by providing digital tablets to students. Initial assessments showed increased student engagement. However, subsequent evaluations revealed that improvements in learning varied considerably across schools. Researchers found that schools where teachers received training in integrating technology into classroom instruction experienced greater gains than schools where tablets were distributed without complementary support. The findings suggest that technology may act as an enabler rather than an independent driver of educational improvement.
21.
Which one of the following best expresses the central argument of the passage?
(a) Teacher training is more important than technology.
(b) Digital tablets are ineffective in improving education.
(c) Technology alone may not improve learning outcomes.
(d) Public schools should avoid technology-based interventions.
22.
Which assumption is most essential to the argument?
(a) Students prefer digital learning to textbooks.
(b) Teacher practices influence learning outcomes.
(c) Tablets are cheaper than conventional materials.
(d) Educational outcomes are determined only by schools.
23.
Which of the following would most strengthen the argument?
(a) Students reported enjoying the use of tablets.
(b) Schools with trained teachers consistently outperformed similar schools without such training.
(c) Private schools also use tablets.
(d) Tablet distribution increased internet usage.
24.
The passage implies that technology is:
(a) sufficient but not necessary.
(b) neither sufficient nor useful.
(c) valuable when supported by complementary factors.
(d) less important than school infrastructure.
25.
A, B, C, D, E and F are seated around a circular table facing the centre.

• A sits opposite C.
• B sits between A and D.
• E sits immediately clockwise of C.

Who sits opposite E?
(a) A
(b) B
(c) D
(d) F
26.
Consider the following statements:

1. Some managers are economists.
2. All economists are analysts.
3. No analyst is careless.

Which conclusion necessarily follows?
(a) No manager is careless.
(b) Some managers are not careless.
(c) All managers are analysts.
(d) Some analysts are managers.
27.
A certain code language follows:
GARDEN → HBSFEO
Then MARKET →
(a) NBSLFU
(b) NBSLFV
(c) NBSMFU
(d) NCSLFU
28.
A vessel contains milk and water in the ratio 5:3. Twenty litres of mixture are removed and replaced by water. The resulting ratio becomes 5:4. What was the initial quantity of mixture?
(a) 80 litres
(b) 100 litres
(c) 120 litres
(d) 160 litres
Questions 29–31
Study the following information:
Six books P, Q, R, S, T and U are arranged vertically.

• P is above Q.
• R is below S.
• T is above U.
• Q is immediately above R.
• S is immediately below T.

29.
Which book is at the top?
(a) P
(b) T
(c) S
(d) Cannot be determined
30.
Which book is immediately below Q?
(a) P
(b) R
(c) S
(d) T
31.
Which arrangement is correct from top to bottom?
(a) P Q R T S U
(b) T S U P Q R
(c) T S P Q R U
(d) P T S Q R U
32.
A man spends 30% of his income on food and 20% of the remainder on transport. If he is left with ₹22,400, his income is:
(a) ₹35,000
(b) ₹40,000
(c) ₹42,000
(d) ₹50,000
Comprehension Passage 4
Economic growth can expand opportunities and reduce poverty. Nevertheless, growth alone does not automatically ensure equitable outcomes. The distribution of benefits depends upon institutions, access to education, availability of healthcare and the extent to which disadvantaged groups can participate in economic activity. Consequently, policy discussions increasingly distinguish between growth and inclusive growth.
33.
The passage suggests that:
(a) economic growth is irrelevant for poverty reduction.
(b) equitable outcomes require factors beyond growth itself.
(c) institutions hinder economic progress.
(d) healthcare has no connection with development.
34.
Which one of the following is most consistent with the author's view?
(a) Growth guarantees inclusion.
(b) Inclusion can occur without any growth.
(c) Growth and inclusion are related but distinct concepts.
(d) Poverty is caused solely by weak institutions.
35.
Which statement, if true, would strengthen the passage?
(a) Regions with similar growth rates show different social outcomes depending on educational access.
(b) Economic growth increases tax revenues.
(c) Poverty levels vary across countries.
(d) Infrastructure investment stimulates demand.
36.
A clock gains 5 minutes every hour. If it is set correctly at 8:00 a.m., what time will it show when the actual time is 8:00 p.m. the same day?
(a) 12:00 a.m.
(b) 1:00 a.m.
(c) 9:00 p.m.
(d) 10:00 p.m.
Questions 37–38
A statement is followed by two assumptions.
37. Statement:
The municipal authority has appealed to citizens to segregate waste at source.
Assumptions:

1. Segregation at source can improve waste management.
2. Citizens are capable of separating waste into categories.

Which assumption(s) is/are implicit?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
38. Statement: A company has decided to allow employees to work remotely three days a week.
Assumptions:

1. At least some work can be effectively performed remotely.
2. All employees prefer remote work.

Which assumption(s) is/are implicit?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
39.
A sum of money doubles itself in 8 years at simple interest. In how many years will it become three times itself?
(a) 12 years
(b) 16 years
(c) 20 years
(d) 24 years
40.
A cube is cut into 125 equal smaller cubes. How many cubes have exactly one face painted?
(a) 54
(b) 36
(c) 24
(d) 48