GATE CS 2019 Set 1 — Question 10

MCQ+2 / -0.67MediumSpatial AptitudeGeneral AptitudeDeduction & InductionAnalytical Aptitude

General Aptitude → Analytical Aptitude → Deduction & Induction

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

Three of the five students allocated to a hostel put in special requests to the warden. Given the floor plan of the vacant rooms, select the allocation plan that will accommodate all their requests. Request by X: Due to pollen allergy, I want to avoid a wing next to the garden. Request by Y: I want to live as far from the washrooms as possible, since I am very sensitive to smell. Request by Z: I believe in Vaastu and so want to stay in the South-west wing. The shaded rooms are already occupied. WR is washroom.

Correct answer (D) [figure] Solution 1. Analyze the Layout: The compass shows North (N) is up, East (E) is right, South (S) is down, West (W) is left. WR (Washroom): Located in the top-left corner (North-West). Garden: Located along the right edge (East). 2. Analyze the Requests: Request by X: "Avoid a wing next to the garden." Since the garden is on the East, X cannot be in the East wing. Request by Y: "Live as far from the washrooms as possible." WR is in the NW corner. The farthest point diagonally is the South-East (SE) corner. Request by Z: "Stay in the South-west wing." Z must be in the SW corner. 3. Evaluate the Options: (A) Z is in the West wing, not SW. Y is in the South wing, not SE. Incorrect. (B) X is in the East wing (next to the garden). Violates X's request. Incorrect. (C) Z is in the North-West wing. Violates Z's request. Incorrect. (D) Z is in the South-West (SW) corner. (Satisfied) Y is in the South-East (SE) corner, which is farthest from the NW washroom. (Satisfied) X is in the South wing. This is not the East wing (next to the garden). (Satisfied) Therefore, option (D) is the correct allocation. Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (D) [figure] Solution 1. Analyze the Layout: The compass shows North (N) is up, East (E) is right, South (S) is down, West (W) is left. WR (Washroom): Located in the top-left corner (North-West). Garden: Located along the right edge (East). 2. Analyze the Requests: Request by X: "Avoid a wing next to the garden." Since the garden is on the East, X cannot be in the East wing. Request by Y: "Live as far from the washrooms as possible." WR is in the NW corner. The farthest point diagonally is the South-East (SE) corner. Request by Z: "Stay in the South-west wing." Z must be in the SW corner. 3. Evaluate the Options: (A) Z is in the West wing, not SW. Y is in the South wing, not SE. Incorrect. (B) X is in the East wing (next to the garden). Violates X's request. Incorrect. (C) Z is in the North-West wing. Violates Z's request. Incorrect. (D) Z is in the South-West (SW) corner. (Satisfied) Y is in the South-East (SE) corner, which is farthest from the NW washroom. (Satisfied) X is in the South wing. This is not the East wing (next to the garden). (Satisfied) Therefore, option (D) is the correct allocation.

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