The GATE Grind

GATE 2026 CE (CE2) – Question 9

General Aptitude · Analytical Aptitude: Logical Reasoning and Deduction · 2 marks · Multiple choice

The Roman senator Meritorius, his brother, his son, and his daughter have varying oratory skill levels. They are seated in rows and columns as shown in the figure with exactly one person sitting in each box. It is known that

(i) Meritorius' daughter and his brother are seated in the same column.

(ii) His son is seated diagonally across the sibling of the worst orator.

(iii) The best and worst orators are seated in the same row.

Who is the best orator?

A seating arrangement of 2 rows and 2 columns, labelled Row 1, Row 2, Column 1 and Column 2, with all four boxes empty.
  1. Meritorius
  2. Meritorius' brother
  3. Meritorius' son
  4. Meritorius' daughter

Practise this question in The GATE Grind →

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (B) Meritorius' brother

Explanation

By (i) the daughter and the brother share a column, so Meritorius and his son share the other column. The person diagonally across the son therefore sits in the daughter-brother column, so by (ii) it is the daughter or the brother. If it is the daughter, she is the sibling of the worst orator, so the son is the worst orator. The son's row partner is then the brother, so by (iii) the brother is the best orator. If it is the brother, he is the sibling of the worst orator, so Meritorius is the worst. Meritorius' row partner is again the brother, so the brother is the best orator. Either way the best orator is Meritorius' brother.