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Puppies Pen Placement Puzzle

XAT 2010 · Decision Making · Medium · Analytical Reasoning

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Passage / data set

Questions are based on a set of conditions. In answering some of the questions, it may be useful to draw a rough diagram. Choose the response that most accurately and completely answers each question.

In a local pet store, seven puppies wait to be introduced to their new owners. The puppies, named Ashlen, Blakely, Custard, Daffy, Earl, Fala and Gabino, are all kept in two available pens. Pen 1 holds three puppies, and pen 2 holds four puppies.

  • If Gabino is kept in pen 1, then Daffy is not kept in pen 2.
  • If Daffy is not kept in pen 2, then Gabino is kept in pen 1.
  • If Ashlen is kept in pen 2, then Blakely is not kept in pen 2.
  • If Blakely is kept in pen 1, then Ashlen is not kept in pen 1.

Question 1 of 3

Which of the following groups of puppies could be in pen 2?

  1. A.

    Gabino, Daffy, Custard, Earl.

  2. B.

    Blakely, Gabino, Ashlen, Daffy.

  3. C.

    Ashlen, Gabino, Earl, Custard.

  4. D.

    Blakely, Custard, Earl, Fala.

  5. E.

    Gabino, Ashlen, Fala, Earl.

Answer

D

Explanation

From the rules, Gabino and Daffy are together (either both in Pen 1 or both in Pen 2). Ashlen and Blakely must be in different pens. Pen 2 needs 4 puppies. In Option D: Blakely, Custard, Earl, Fala are in Pen 2 (4 puppies), while Ashlen, Gabino, Daffy are in Pen 1 (3 puppies). This satisfies all conditions.

Question 2 of 3

If Earl shares a pen with Fala, then which of the following MUST be true?

  1. A.

    Gabino is in pen 1 with Daffy.

  2. B.

    Custard is in pen 2.

  3. C.

    Blakely is in pen 2 and Fala is in pen 1.

  4. D.

    Earl is in pen 1.

  5. E.

    Gabino shares a pen with Blakely.

Answer

B

Explanation

Analysis of all consistent assignments shows that whenever Earl and Fala are in the same pen, Custard must be in Pen 2.

Question 3 of 3

If Earl and Fala are in different pens, then which of the following must NOT be true?

  1. A.

    Fala shares a pen with Custard.

  2. B.

    Gabino shares a pen with Ashlen.

  3. C.

    Earl is in a higher-numbered pen than Blakely.

  4. D.

    Blakely shares pen 2 with Earl and Daffy.

  5. E.

    Custard is in a higher numbered pen than Fala.

Answer

E

Explanation

When Earl and Fala are in different pens, testing all combinations reveals that Custard cannot be in Pen 2 while Fala is in Pen 1, meaning Custard cannot be in a higher numbered pen than Fala.

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