Question

Four friends — A, B, C, and D got the top four ranks in a competitive examination, but A did not get the first, B did not get the second, C did not get the third, and D did not get the fourth rank. Who secured which rank?
Statement A
A. Neither A nor D were among the first 2.

Statement B
B. Neither B nor C was third or fourth.

• A. Statement A alone is sufficient but not Statement B.
• B. Statement B alone is sufficient but not Statement A
• C. Either Statement A or Statement B alone is sufficient.
• D. Both statements together are necessary but not by either statement alone.

Hint:

Look for exclusion-based clues in ranking problems. These exclusions often provide enough information to deduce the rankings directly.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Statement A and Statement B together restrict who can be in which rank. Statement A excludes A and D from the first two positions, and Statement B excludes B and C from the third and fourth ranks. However, with either statement alone, we can deduce the correct ranking. Therefore, either statement alone is sufficient to answer the question. \[ \boxed{3} \]