GATE 2026 MT – Question 9
The Roman senator Meritorius, his brother, his son, and his daughter have varying oratory skill levels. They occupy a seating arrangement with two rows (Row 1 and Row 2) and two columns (Column 1 and Column 2), with exactly one person 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?
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Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (B) Meritorius’ brother
Explanation
The daughter and brother occupy one column, leaving the father and son in the other. Therefore, the person diagonally across from the son is either the daughter or the brother.
If that person is the daughter, her sibling is the son, so the son is worst. His row-mate is the brother, who must be best. If that person is the brother, his sibling is the father, so the father is worst. His row-mate is again the brother.
In either case, the best orator is **Meritorius’ brother (B)**.