GATE ME 2022 Set 1 — Question 6

MCQ+2 / -0.67MediumReading ComprehensionVerbal AptitudeGeneral Aptitude

General Aptitude → Verbal Aptitude → Reading Comprehension

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

Humans are naturally compassionate and honest. In a study using strategically placed wallets that appear “lost”, it was found that wallets with money are more likely to be returned than wallets without money. Similarly, wallets that had a key and money are more likely to be returned than wallets with the same amount of money alone. This suggests that the primary reason for this behavior is compassion and empathy. Which one of the following is the CORRECT logical inference based on the information in the above passage?

Correct answer (B) Wallets with a key are more likely to be returned because people relate to suffering of others Solution The passage states that the presence of a key (an item of personal value but no monetary value to the finder) increases the likelihood of a wallet being returned. It explicitly attributes this behavior to 'compassion and empathy'. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. Returning a wallet because it contains a key implies the finder recognizes the distress or 'suffering' the owner would face by losing access to their home or property. Thus, option (B) is the most direct logical inference. Option (A) is incorrect because the study shows people do care about money (wallets with money are returned more than those without). Option (C) is not supported by the text. Option (D) is contradicted by the fact that keys increase return rates over money alone. Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (B) Wallets with a key are more likely to be returned because people relate to suffering of others Solution The passage states that the presence of a key (an item of personal value but no monetary value to the finder) increases the likelihood of a wallet being returned. It explicitly attributes this behavior to 'compassion and empathy'. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. Returning a wallet because it contains a key implies the finder recognizes the distress or 'suffering' the owner would face by losing access to their home or property. Thus, option (B) is the most direct logical inference. Option (A) is incorrect because the study shows people do care about money (wallets with money are returned more than those without). Option (C) is not supported by the text. Option (D) is contradicted by the fact that keys increase return rates over money alone.

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