Caselets & Mixed Data MCQs for UPSC Prelims

96 practice questions on Caselets & Mixed Data from the Data Interpretation section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus. 96 come with a written explanation and 6 are actual previous year questions. Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.

14 Easy 48 Medium 34 Hard 6 from past papers

Sample questions

Q1
Previous year question medium

In a survey regarding a proposed measure to be introduced, 2878 persons took part of which 1652 were males. 1226 persons voted against the proposal of which 796 were males. 1425 persons voted for the proposal. 196 females were undecided. How many males were undecided?

  1. A 31
  2. B 227
  3. C 426
  4. D 581
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - 31

Total undecided = total participants minus those against minus those for = 2878 - 1226 - 1425 = 227. Of the undecided, 196 are females, so males undecided = 227 - 196 = 31.

Q2
Previous year question medium

In a survey regarding a proposed measure to be introduced, 2878 persons took part of which 1652 were males. 1226 persons voted against the proposal of which 796 were males. 1425 persons voted for the proposal. 196 females were undecided. How many females were not in favour of the proposal?

  1. A 430
  2. B 496
  3. C 586
  4. D 1226
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - 430

Total females = 2878 - 1652 = 1226. Those not in favour means those who voted against the proposal. Total who voted against = 1226, of which 796 were males, so females against = 1226 - 796 = 430.

Q3
Previous year question medium

Read the passage given below, study the graph that follows and answer the item given below the figure. During a party, a person was exposed to contaminated water. A few days later, he developed fever and loose motion. He suffered for some days before going to a doctor for treatment. On starting the treatment, he soon became better and recovered completely a few days later. The graph plots the Number of Bacteria (vertical axis) against Time (horizontal axis). The curve is divided into successive regions labelled A, B, C, D and E: in region A the bacteria count is very low and rising slowly; in region B it rises steeply; in region C it is at its peak; in region D it falls after treatment begins; and in region E it returns to a very low level. Which region of the curve indicates that the person began showing symptoms of infection?

  1. A A
  2. B B
  3. C C
  4. D D
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - B

Symptoms such as fever and loose motion appear once the bacterial load crosses a threshold and starts multiplying rapidly. This corresponds to region B, where the curve climbs steeply. Region A is the symptom-free incubation phase, region C is the peak of full-blown illness (symptoms already present), and region D is recovery after treatment. The first appearance of symptoms therefore coincides with the steep rise, region B.

Q4
Previous year question medium

Consider the following information regarding the performance of a class of 1000 students in four different tests: Test I: Average marks = 80, Range of marks = 30 to 90 Test II: Average marks = 60, Range of marks = 45 to 75 Test III: Average marks = 70, Range of marks = 20 to 100 Test IV: Average marks = 60, Range of marks = 0 to 100 If a student scores 74 marks in each of the four tests, in which one of the following tests is her performance the best comparatively?

  1. A Test I
  2. B Test II
  3. C Test III
  4. D Test IV
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Test II

Relative performance is judged by how a score of 74 stands against the class average and the spread of marks. In Test I the average is 80, so 74 is below average - poor relative performance. In Test II the average is only 60 and the marks range merely from 45 to 75, so 74 is close to the maximum possible (75) and well above the average; this is the strongest relative standing. In Test III (average 70, range 20 to 100) and Test IV (average 60, range 0 to 100) the wide range up to 100 means 74 is far from the top and only modestly above average. Therefore the student's 74 is best comparatively in Test II, answer (b).

Q5
Previous year question medium

Read the passage given below, study the graph that follows and answer the item given below the figure. During a party, a person was exposed to contaminated water. A few days later, he developed fever and loose motion. He suffered for some days before going to a doctor for treatment. On starting the treatment, he soon became better and recovered completely a few days later. The graph plots the Number of Bacteria (vertical axis) against Time (horizontal axis). The curve is divided into successive regions labelled A, B, C, D and E: in region A the bacteria count is very low and rising slowly; in region B it rises steeply; in region C it is at its peak; in region D it falls after treatment begins; and in region E it returns to a very low level. Which region/regions of the curve correspond/corresponds to the incubation phase of the infection?

  1. A A only
  2. B B only
  3. C B and C
  4. D No part of the curve indicates the incubation phase
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - A only

Incubation is the early, symptom-free period after infection when the pathogen is present but multiplying slowly and the count is still low. That matches region A, where the bacteria number is low and only beginning to rise. Region B is the steep rise that accompanies the onset of fever and loose motion (symptomatic phase), and region C is the peak of illness, so neither belongs to incubation.

Q6
Previous year question medium

In a survey regarding a proposed measure to be introduced, 2878 persons took part of which 1652 were males. 1226 persons voted against the proposal of which 796 were males. 1425 persons voted for the proposal. 196 females were undecided. How many females voted for the proposal?

  1. A 430
  2. B 600
  3. C 624
  4. D 640
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - 600

Total females = 2878 - 1652 = 1226. Females who voted against = total against minus males against = 1226 - 796 = 430. Females undecided = 196 (given). So females who voted for = total females minus females against minus females undecided = 1226 - 430 - 196 = 600.

Q7
medium

Caselet: In a survey of 400 people, 60% liked tea and 50% liked coffee. If 30% liked both tea and coffee, how many people liked NEITHER tea nor coffee?

  1. A 80
  2. B 120
  3. C 60
  4. D 40
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - 80

Tea = 60% = 240, Coffee = 50% = 200, Both = 30% = 120. Liked at least one = Tea + Coffee - Both = 240 + 200 - 120 = 320. Neither = 400 - 320 = 80. The 120 is the 'both' count; 60 and 40 do not satisfy the inclusion-exclusion result.

Q8
medium

In a class of 200 students, 60% play cricket, 45% play football, and 25% play both games. How many students play neither cricket nor football?

  1. A 30
  2. B 40
  3. C 50
  4. D 60
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - 40

Cricket = 120, football = 90, both = 50. Students playing at least one game = 120 + 90 - 50 = 160 (inclusion-exclusion). Neither = 200 - 160 = 40, so option (b) is correct. 30 ignores part of the overlap. 50 is the count playing both games. 60 mistakes the percentage gap rather than computing the union correctly.

Practice all 96 Caselets & Mixed Data questions free

Timed practice, instant scoring, and explanations for every question. Free forever - no card, no catch.

Start practicing I am a teacher - create a test

More Data Interpretation topics

Tables 96 Line Graphs 88 Pie Charts 85 Bar Graphs 82 Data Sufficiency 73