What Is This Reverse Syllogism Sprint? (Quick Answer)
Wednesday’s Syllogism Sprint: 12 Reverse Syllogism MCQs for Bank Prelims
Quick Answer: This is a 10-minute timed sprint of 12 reverse syllogism MCQs for IBPS PO/Clerk, SBI PO/Clerk and RBI assistant-level prelims. In every question, the conclusions are already given — you must pick the statement set that makes those conclusions logically valid. Attempt all 12 in one sitting, then check the answer key with step-by-step Venn diagram explanations at the end.
- What Is This Reverse Syllogism Sprint? (Quick Answer)
- How Reverse Syllogism Questions Are Asked in Bank Prelims
- Rules Recap: Venn Diagram Basics for Reverse Syllogism
- Timer Instructions for the 10-Minute Sprint
- Questions 1–4: Two-Statement Reverse Syllogism (Easy)
- Questions 5–8: Three-Statement Reverse Syllogism (Moderate)
- Questions 9–12: Mixed Reverse Syllogism (Difficult)
- Answer Key with Step-by-Step Explanations
- Score Analysis: What Your Score Means for Prelims
- Common Mistakes in Reverse Syllogism and How to Avoid Them
- Time-Saving Shortcuts for Reverse Syllogism
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is a reverse syllogism question?
- Q: Is reverse syllogism asked in IBPS and SBI prelims?
- Q: How much time should I spend per reverse syllogism question?
- Q: What is the fastest method to solve reverse syllogism?
- Q: How can I improve accuracy in syllogism questions?
- Related reading
How Reverse Syllogism Questions Are Asked in Bank Prelims
In a normal syllogism question, statements are given and you decide which conclusions follow. A reverse syllogism flips this: the conclusions are printed first, followed by three or four optional statement sets. Only one set, when converted into a Venn diagram, makes every given conclusion valid. The format tests the same reasoning skill backwards, which is why it takes slightly longer per question in the actual exam.
In IBPS and SBI prelims, the reasoning ability section typically carries 35 questions in 20 minutes, of which syllogism (normal or reverse) usually accounts for 3–5 questions. Reverse-format syllogism has appeared regularly in recent IBPS PO/Clerk and SBI PO/Clerk prelims papers, so practising it under a clock is essential. Always verify the latest exam pattern on the official sites (ibps.in and sbi.co.in).
Rules Recap: Venn Diagram Basics for Reverse Syllogism
Before the timer starts, revise these validity rules:
- All A are B → circle A sits fully inside circle B. Conclusion “Some B are A” follows; “All B are A” does not.
- Some A are B → two overlapping circles. “Some B are A” follows; “All” and “No” conclusions do not.
- No A is B → two separate circles. “No B is A” and “Some A are not B” follow.
- Definite case: the conclusion must hold in every possible Venn diagram of the statements.
- Possibility case: the conclusion is true if it holds in at least one possible diagram (e.g., “All A being B is a possibility”).
- Either/or (complementary pair): when neither conclusion follows individually, but the two conclusions together cover all possibilities (one “Some” and one “No”, or “Some” and “Some not”) with the same terms, answer “either I or II follows”.
Timer Instructions for the 10-Minute Sprint
- Set a timer for exactly 10 minutes — roughly 50 seconds per question.
- Attempt all 12 MCQs in one continuous sitting; do not pause mid-set.
- No calculator, notes or external help — replicate exam conditions.
- Note questions you guessed, and review them extra carefully in the answer key.
Questions 1–4: Two-Statement Reverse Syllogism (Easy)
Q1. Conclusions: Some pens are books. All books being papers is a possibility.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) Some pens are books. All books are papers.
b) All pens are books. No book is a paper.
c) Some books are pens. Some papers are books.
d) No pen is a book. All books are papers.
Q2. Conclusions: No cat is a dog. Some dogs are black.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) All cats are dogs. Some dogs are black.
b) No dog is a cat. Some black things are dogs.
c) Some cats are dogs. All dogs are black.
d) All dogs are cats. Some black things are dogs.
Q3. Conclusions: Some flowers are roses. Some roses are not red.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) Some roses are flowers. Some roses are red.
b) All roses are flowers. All roses are red.
c) Some flowers are roses. Some red things are not roses.
d) Some roses are flowers. Some roses are not red things.
Q4. Conclusions: All cars are vehicles. Some vehicles are fast.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) All cars are vehicles. Some fast things are vehicles.
b) Some cars are vehicles. All vehicles are fast.
c) All vehicles are cars. Some fast things are vehicles.
d) No car is a vehicle. Some vehicles are fast.
Questions 5–8: Three-Statement Reverse Syllogism (Moderate)
Q5. Conclusions: Some apples are mangoes. Some mangoes being grapes is a possibility.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) Some apples are mangoes. No mango is a grape.
b) All apples are mangoes. All grapes are mangoes.
c) Some mangoes are apples. Some grapes are mangoes.
d) Both b and c
Q6. Conclusions: Either “Some chairs are tables” or “No chair is a table” follows.
Which statement set validates this complementary pair?
a) All chairs are tables.
b) No chair is a table.
c) Some tables are chairs.
d) All chairs being tables is a possibility.
Q7. Conclusions: Some phones are mobiles. No mobile is a laptop.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) Some mobiles are phones. No laptop is a mobile.
b) All phones are mobiles. Some mobiles are laptops.
c) Some phones are mobiles. All mobiles are laptops.
d) No phone is a mobile. No mobile is a laptop.
Q8. Conclusions: Some doctors are engineers. All engineers being teachers is a possibility.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) Some engineers are doctors. Some teachers are engineers.
b) Some engineers are doctors. No teacher is an engineer.
c) All doctors are engineers. All engineers are teachers.
d) Both a and c
Questions 9–12: Mixed Reverse Syllogism (Difficult)
Q9. Conclusions: Some cups are not plates (definite). Some plates being cups is a possibility.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) Some cups are plates. All plates are saucers.
b) Some cups are plates. Some plates are not cups.
c) All cups are plates. No plate is a saucer.
d) Some plates are not cups. Some cups are plates.
Q10. Conclusions: No keys are locks. Some locks are not doors.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) No lock is a key. Some doors are not locks.
b) Some keys are locks. All locks are doors.
c) No key is a lock. Some locks are not doors.
d) All keys are locks. No door is a lock.
Q11. Conclusions: All squares being rectangles is a possibility. Some rectangles are shapes.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) Some rectangles are squares. Some shapes are rectangles.
b) All rectangles are squares. Some rectangles are shapes.
c) Some rectangles are shapes. Some rectangles are squares.
d) Both a and c
Q12. Conclusions: Some rivers are not mountains. Either “Some hills are rivers” or “No hill is a river” follows.
Which statement set makes both conclusions valid?
a) Some rivers are not mountains. Some hills are rivers.
b) Some rivers are not mountains. No hill is a river.
c) Some rivers are not mountains. All hills are rivers.
d) Any of a, b or c
Answer Key with Step-by-Step Explanations
| Q | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | c | “Some books are pens” gives Some pens are books (conversion). “Some papers are books” leaves the option open for all books to be papers, so the possibility holds. |
| 2 | b | “No dog is a cat” converts to No cat is a dog. “Some black things are dogs” converts to Some dogs are black. |
| 3 | d | Direct restatement plus “Some roses are not red things” = Some roses are not red. Option c’s second statement talks about red things, not roses — insufficient. |
| 4 | a | Direct: all cars are vehicles; “some fast things are vehicles” converts to some vehicles are fast. Option c reverses the first conclusion. |
| 5 | d | In set b, “All grapes are mangoes” makes “some mangoes being grapes” actually true, so the possibility certainly holds; all apples are mangoes gives some mangoes are apples (conversion of “all”). Set c works by simple conversion. Both validate. |
| 6 | d | A complementary either/or pair is validated by any set that keeps both outcomes possible; “All chairs being tables is a possibility” keeps the pair complementary — this is the classic complementary-pair trap. |
| 7 | a | “Some mobiles are phones” converts; “No laptop is a mobile” converts to No mobile is a laptop. |
| 8 | d | Set a: possibility holds since nothing excludes engineers from teachers. Set c: all engineers ARE teachers, so the possibility is trivially valid and “All doctors are engineers” converts to some engineers are doctors. |
| 9 | d | “Some plates are not cups” converts to Some cups are not plates (some-not conversion is valid here). “Some cups are plates” also confirms some plates being cups is possible. |
| 10 | c | Both conclusions are directly stated and internally consistent — a rare direct-restatement answer in the difficult tier. |
| 11 | d | Sets a and c both contain “Some rectangles are squares” (possibility of all squares being rectangles remains open) and a statement convertible to some rectangles are shapes. |
| 12 | d | Any set with “Some rivers are not mountains” plus any statement on hills and rivers that either states one side of the pair (a, b, c) makes the either/or conclusion valid, because the pair is complementary. |
Score Analysis: What Your Score Means for Prelims
- 10–12 correct: Excellent — you are exam-ready on this topic; maintain with one timed set weekly.
- 7–9 correct: Good — revise possibility and complementary-pair rules, then re-attempt in a week.
- Below 7: Needs revision — go back to normal syllogism basics and Venn diagram rules before attempting reverse format again.
Also track time: if you exceeded 10 minutes but scored well, your accuracy is fine and only speed needs work. Accuracy plus speed together decide your reasoning-section cutoff clearance.
Common Mistakes in Reverse Syllogism and How to Avoid Them
- Ignoring either/or cases: When neither conclusion follows from a set individually, check whether the pair is complementary before rejecting the option (see Q6 and Q12).
- Misreading possibility conclusions: “All A being B is a possibility” needs only one valid diagram — do not demand it as a definite conclusion.
- Wrong conversion: “Some A are B” converts to “Some B are A” — valid. But “All A are B” converts only to “Some B are A”, never “All B are A”.
- Not testing every conclusion: A statement set must validate all given conclusions. Eliminate an option the moment one conclusion fails.
Time-Saving Shortcuts for Reverse Syllogism
- Elimination by extreme statements: If a conclusion says “Some A are B”, immediately eliminate options containing “No A is B” — no diagram needed.
- Direct-restatement scan: In many questions, one option simply restates the conclusions in convertible form — scan for it first.
- Negative-first check: For “No X is Y” conclusions, test options containing negative statements before positive ones.
- Option filtering: Check conclusion I against all four options, discard failures, then check conclusion II only on survivors. This halves your diagram work.
- Target pace: 45–60 seconds per question; skip and return if a question exceeds 90 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a reverse syllogism question?
A syllogism variant where conclusions are given and the candidate must select the statement set that makes them valid — the reverse of the traditional format.
Q: Is reverse syllogism asked in IBPS and SBI prelims?
Yes, it appears regularly in the reasoning section of IBPS PO/Clerk and SBI PO/Clerk prelims exams, usually as 3–5 questions within the syllogism block.
Q: How much time should I spend per reverse syllogism question?
Aim for 45–60 seconds per question; this sprint allows roughly 50 seconds per MCQ across the 12-question set.
Q: What is the fastest method to solve reverse syllogism?
Use Venn diagram elimination: test each statement set option against the given conclusions, discarding options as soon as one conclusion fails.
Q: How can I improve accuracy in syllogism questions?
Practice daily timed sets, revise possibility and complementary-pair rules, and analyse every mistake using the answer explanations before moving on.
Related reading
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Quick revision
- All A are B: → circle A sits fully inside circle B. Conclusion “Some B are A” follows; “All B are A” does not.
- Some A are B: → two overlapping circles. “Some B are A” follows; “All” and “No” conclusions do not.
- No A is B: → two separate circles. “No B is A” and “Some A are not B” follow.
- Definite case: : the conclusion must hold in every possible Venn diagram of the statements.
- Possibility case: : the conclusion is true if it holds in at least one possible diagram (e.g., “All A being B is a possibility”).
- Either/or (complementary pair): : when neither conclusion follows individually, but the two conclusions together cover all possibilities (one “Some” and one…
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