Tables MCQs for UPSC Prelims

96 practice questions on Tables from the Data Interpretation section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus. 96 come with a written explanation and 8 are actual previous year questions. Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.

30 Easy 50 Medium 16 Hard 8 from past papers

Sample questions

Q1
Previous year question medium
The following table gives population and total income of a city for four years: Year: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 Population (in lakhs): 20, 21, 22, 23 Income (in crores of Rupees): 1010, 1111, 1225, 1345 Which one of the following statements is correct in respect of the above data?
  1. A Population increased by 5% or more every year.
  2. B Income increased by 10% or more every year.
  3. C Per capita income was always above Rs. 5,000.
  4. D Per capita income was highest in 1994.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - Per capita income was always above Rs. 5,000.

Per capita income = (Income in crores divided by Population in lakhs) multiplied by 100 rupees. This gives 1992: 1010/20 x 100 = Rs. 5050; 1993: 1111/21 x 100 = Rs. 5290; 1994: 1225/22 x 100 = Rs. 5568; 1995: 1345/23 x 100 = Rs. 5848. All four values exceed Rs. 5,000, so (c) is correct. Population growth is 5%, 4.76%, 4.55%, so not always 5% or more, ruling out (a). Income growth is 10%, 10.26%, 9.8%, so not always 10% or more, ruling out (b). The highest per capita income is in 1995, not 1994, ruling out (d).
Q2
Previous year question medium
Consider the following data:
Average marks in EnglishAverage marks in Hindi
Girls98
Boys87
Overall average marks8.8x
What is the value of x in the above table?
  1. A 7.8
  2. B 7.6
  3. C 7.4
  4. D 7.2
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - 7.8

First use the English column to find the ratio of girls to boys. Let g = number of girls, b = number of boys. The overall English average is 8.8, between girls' 9 and boys' 8: (9g + 8b) / (g + b) = 8.8 9g + 8b = 8.8g + 8.8b 0.2g = 0.8b, so g = 4b (four times as many girls as boys). Now apply this ratio to Hindi (girls 8, boys 7): x = (8g + 7b) / (g + b) = (8(4b) + 7b) / (4b + b) = (32b + 7b) / 5b = 39b / 5b = 39/5 = 7.8. So x = 7.8.
Q3
Previous year question medium
Directions: The following table gives the per capita income ($), GDP growth rate (%) and Tele-density data of 18 different States of a country in a particular year. Study the table and answer the item that follows. (In the table, higher per capita income States tend to show higher Tele-density, but States with high GDP growth rates do not consistently show either high per capita income or high Tele-density.) With reference to the above table, which of the following is/are the most logical and rational inference/inferences that can be made? 1. Higher per capita income is generally associated with higher Tele-density. 2. Higher GDP growth rate always ensures higher per capita income. 3. Higher GDP growth rate does not necessarily ensure higher Tele-density. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
  1. A 1 only
  2. B 2 and 3
  3. C 1 and 3
  4. D 3 only
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - 3 only

We can only accept inferences that the data forces, using cautious wording. Statement 1 uses 'generally associated', but the table does not show a consistent pairing of high per capita income with high Tele-density across all States, so it cannot be safely concluded as a general rule from this single-year data. Statement 2 uses the absolute word 'always', and the table contains States with high GDP growth rates but modest per capita income, so 'always' is clearly false. Statement 3 is correctly hedged: it only says a high GDP growth rate does not necessarily guarantee high Tele-density, and the table indeed shows high-growth States with varying Tele-density, supporting this. Hence only statement 3 is a valid inference, giving the answer 3 only.
Q4
Previous year question medium
Four cars are hired at the rate of Rs. 6 per km plus the cost of diesel at Rs. 40 a litre. In this context, consider the details given in the following table: Car | Mileage (km/l) | Hours | Total payment (Rs.) A | 8 | 20 | 2120 B | 10 | 25 | 1950 C | 9 | 24 | 2064 D | 11 | 22 | 1812 Which car maintained the maximum average speed?
  1. A Car A
  2. B Car B
  3. C Car C
  4. D Car D
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Car A

The total payment for each car is 6 per km hired plus the diesel cost, which equals 40 multiplied by (distance divided by mileage). For each car, set total payment = 6d + 40(d / mileage) and solve for distance d, then divide by hours to get average speed. Car A: 6d + 40(d/8) = 6d + 5d = 11d = 2120, so d = 192.7 km; speed = 192.7 / 20 = about 9.6 km per hour. Car B: 6d + 40(d/10) = 6d + 4d = 10d = 1950, so d = 195 km; speed = 195 / 25 = 7.8 km per hour. Car C: 6d + 40(d/9) = 10.44d = 2064, so d = about 197.7 km; speed = 197.7 / 24 = about 8.2 km per hour. Car D: 6d + 40(d/11) = 9.636d = 1812, so d = about 188 km; speed = 188 / 22 = about 8.5 km per hour. Car A has the highest average speed, so the answer is Car A.
Q5
Previous year question medium
The following table gives the GDP growth rate and Tele-density data of different States of a country in a particular year. (The table lists, for various States, the Per capita income in $, the GDP growth rate in % and the Tele-density.) With reference to the above table, the following assumptions have been made: 1. Nowadays, prosperity of an already high performing State cannot be sustained without making further large investments in its telecom infrastructure. 2. Nowadays, a very high Tele-density is the most essential condition for promoting the business and economic growth in a State. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?
  1. A 1 only
  2. B 2 only
  3. C Both 1 and 2
  4. D Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - Neither 1 nor 2

An assumption is something taken for granted that must be true for the data/claim to hold. Assumption 1 claims prosperity cannot be sustained 'without' further large telecom investments, and assumption 2 claims very high tele-density is 'the most essential condition' for growth. The table only shows a loose, partial association between income, growth and tele-density (some high-income States do not have the highest tele-density, and vice versa). Nothing in the data forces the strong, exclusive, necessary-condition claims made in either statement. Such extreme, absolute wording ('cannot be sustained without', 'most essential condition') goes far beyond what the figures support, so neither assumption is valid. Hence the answer is Neither 1 nor 2.
Q6
Previous year question easy
Consider the following Table: Player | Runs scored in the First Innings | Balls faced in the First Innings | Runs scored in the Second Innings | Balls faced in the Second Innings A | 61 | 99 | 14 | 76 B | 05 | 12 | 50 | 85 C | 15 | 75 | 20 | 50 D | 13 | 55 | 12 | 50 Who is the fastest run scorer in the Test Match?
  1. A A
  2. B B
  3. C C
  4. D D
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - B

The fastest run scorer is the player with the highest runs-per-ball across both innings. A: (61 + 14) / (99 + 76) = 75/175 = 0.43 runs per ball. B: (5 + 50) / (12 + 85) = 55/97 = 0.57. C: (15 + 20) / (75 + 50) = 35/125 = 0.28. D: (13 + 12) / (55 + 50) = 25/105 = 0.24. B has the best scoring rate, so option (b) is correct. A scored the most runs (75) but used far more balls, which is why options (a), (c) and (d) lose out once the rate, not the total, is compared.
Q7
Previous year question easy
Consider the following data:
YearBirth rateDeath rate
1911-192148.135.5
1921-193146.436.3
1931-194145.231.2
1941-195139.927.4
1951-196141.722.8
1961-197143.118.9
1971-198137.114.8
For which period was the natural growth rate maximum?
  1. A 1911-1921
  2. B 1941-1951
  3. C 1961-1971
  4. D 1971-1981
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - 1961-1971

Natural growth rate = birth rate - death rate. Computing for the offered options: 1911-1921: 48.1 - 35.5 = 12.6; 1941-1951: 39.9 - 27.4 = 12.5; 1961-1971: 43.1 - 18.9 = 24.2; 1971-1981: 37.1 - 14.8 = 22.3. The maximum, 24.2, occurs in 1961-1971.
Q8
Previous year question medium
The following table shows the marks obtained by two students in different subjects: Subject | Student A | Maximum Marks | Student B | Maximum Marks English | 60 | 100 | 80 | 150 Psychology | 70 | 100 | 70 | 100 History | 50 | 100 | 60 | 100 Sanskrit | 30 | 50 | 15 | 25 The difference in the mean aggregate percentage marks of the students is
  1. A 2.5%
  2. B 13.75%
  3. C 1.25%
  4. D Zero
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - Zero

Aggregate percentage = total marks obtained divided by total maximum marks, times 100. Student A: obtained = 60 + 70 + 50 + 30 = 210; maximum = 100 + 100 + 100 + 50 = 350; percentage = 210/350 = 60%. Student B: obtained = 80 + 70 + 60 + 15 = 225; maximum = 150 + 100 + 100 + 25 = 375; percentage = 225/375 = 60%. Both aggregate to 60%, so the difference is Zero.

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