UPSC CSAT Simplified | Up for the challenge? Master these CSAT questions — Practice Set 11 for Prelims 2025

Haven’t tried the previous sets yet? Check out CSAT Practice Set 1 (click here), Practice Set 2 (click here), Practice Set 3 (click here), Practice Set 4 (click here),Practice Set 5 (click here) , Practice Set 6 (click here) , Practice Set 7 (click here) , Practice Set 8 (click here) Practice Set 9 (click here) and Practice Set 10 (click here).

UPSC CSAT Practice Set 11

—Mudit Gupta

QUESTION #1

In a thriving democracy, the truth, no matter how uncomfortable, must be reflected in the discourse of political leaders and various forms of social expression. The reality must be evident through its dissemination in the media and its reasoned discussion in democratic deliberation. A media that adheres to ethical standards must convey the truth accurately and without manipulation.

Which one of the following statements best captures the essence of the above passage?

(a) The media, bound by ethical imperatives, must ensure the unadulterated transmission of reality in a well-functioning democracy.

(b) The inevitability of disinformation is an intrinsic characteristic of a vibrant democratic ecosystem.

(c) The absence of any constraints on the liberty of expression is a non-negotiable tenet of democratic governance.

(d) The unchecked proliferation of unethical media practices and political malfeasance remains a formidable challenge in democratic systems.

Explanation:

The paragraph talks about the ethical conduct of media in a democracy and an unbiased dissemination of information from the media houses. Also, the discussions on different topics should be reasoned and balanced without any manipulation.

Option a captures the essence of the paragraph aptly. The media, in a democracy, should ensure the unadulterated transmission of information.

Option b is incorrect because it motivates the spread of disinformation in a democracy. Such an essence is not captured by the paragraph.

Option c is, again, incorrect. The paragraph isn’t talking much about the restrictions but about the ethical standards.

Option d is also incorrect as the paragraph is talking about the ethical conduct of the media houses rather than the challenges to the democratic systems.

Therefore, (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION #2

A cuboid has six sides of different colours. The red side is opposite to the black. The blue side is adjacent to the white. The brown side is adjacent to the blue. The red side is at the bottom. Which one of the following would be opposite to brown?

(a) Red

(b) Black

(c) White

(d) Blue

Explanation:

Therefore, (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION #3

Two friends, X and Y, start running together for 50 m in the same direction and reach a point. X turns right and runs 60 m while Y turns left and runs 40m. Then X turns left and runs 50m and stops, while Y turns right and runs 50 m and then stops. How far are the two friends from each other now?

(a) 100 m

(b) 90 m

(c) 60 m

(d) 50 m

Explanation:

Therefore, (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION #4

How many distinct 8-digit numbers can be formed by rearranging the digits of the number 11223344 such that odd digits occupy odd positions and even digits occupy even positions?

(a) 12

(b) 18

(c) 36

(d) 72

Explanation:

We have to arrange eight digits such that even digits are at even places and odd digits are at odd places. In the question given, we have to arrange eight digits, which means that there are four even places (2, 4, 6, and 8) and four odd places (1, 3, 5, and 7). Now, at the four even places (2, 4, 6, and 8), we have to arrange four even digits, i.e. 2, 2, 4, and 4. Also, at the four odd places (1, 3, 5, and 7), we have to arrange four odd digits, i.e. 1, 1, 3, and 3.

Four even digits can be arranged at four even places is 4P4 ways (since the order is important, we will use permutation). Similarly, the four odd digits can be arranged at four odd places in 4P4 ways.

We have divided the equation by 2! X 2! X 2! X 2! to account for the repetition of digits (1 is repeated twice, two is repeated twice, three is repeated twice, and four is repeated twice).

Total number of ways – 36 Ways

Therefore, (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION #5

Let x be a positive integer such that 7x + 96 is divisible by x. How many values of x are possible? 

(a) 10

(b) 11

(c) 12

(d) Infinitely many

Explanation:

This is UPSC PYQ (CSAT 2023)

In the above expression, 7x+96, we can conclude that for all values of x, 7x is divisible by x. However, 96 is not divisible by x for all values of x. Hence, we need to find the values of x for which 96 is divisible by x.

For 96 to be divisible by x, x should be one of the factors of 96.

96 has 12 factors including 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, and 96. Hence, x can take any of these 12 values to completely divide the expression 7x+96.

Therefore, (c) is the correct answer.

(About our Expert: Mudit Gupta has been a mentor and faculty for the UPSC Civil Services exam for 8 years with expertise in CSAT, Polity, International Relations, and Current Affairs. He is known to break complex concepts into simpler ones that allow UPSC aspirants to develop a grip over the subject matter.)

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