Chapter 01 Alphabet and Number Test 3

CHAPTER 01

Alphabet and Number Test

Alphabet and Number Tests are based on arrangement of Positions
English letters/numbers in a certain defined pattern. These In English alphabet, each letter has its corresponding
tests are also based on formation of new numbers/words and position and it is important to learn about the position
finding letter pairs and numbers between two specific letters or rank of the alphabets. Such positions of letters are of
and numbers. two types —
In this chapter, we deal with the questions in which, a group
or series of letters is given. This group can be a meaningful or 1. Forward Order Letter Position
in scrambled form. Based on that group, a candidate is asked In such order positions are counted from left to right.
to find a letters’ pair between the words or form a meaningful In other words, one starts counting from A and goes
word with different letters or find letter or number to the left towards Z.
or right of a particular letter. Before moving to the type of
Left to Right
questions, first we should learn the letters’ position of
English alphabet and various other facts related to it. A B C D E F G H I J K L M
There are 26 letters in English alphabetical series 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, First half
V, W, X, Y, Z. N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
The following diagram will give a better idea about English 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
alphabet.
Second half
English Alphabet

Capital letters Small letters

2. Backward Order Letter Position
In backward order position, counting is started from
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m,
N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z Z and is ended at A. In other words, counting is done
from right to left.
Vowels A, E, I, O, U = 5
Right to Left
Consonants B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z=21
Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N
1st half A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M = 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

2nd half N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z = 13 First half

M L K J I H G F E D C B A
Forward order A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M,
N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Backward order Z, Y, X, W, V, U, T, S, R, Q, P, O, N, Second half
or reverse order M, L, K, J, I, H, G, F, E, D, C, B, A
4 Verbal, Non-Verbal & Analytical Reasoning

Trick to Learn Position/Rank of the Alphabets

We have already discussed that there are 26 letters in the alphabet O Again the term EJOTY. The position of O is “15”.
series. P When we see water image of P, it look like Six (6). The
Now let us have a look at the tricks to learn the position of position of P is “16”.
alphabets. Q Write Q like Q7 . Here, we can see “7” on right end of Q.
A to D First four letters A to D’s, rank is 1 to 4 (easy to learn). No The position of Q is “17”.
trick is required to learn them. R Remember the term CFILORUX or when we stretch R like
E For this you have to learn one word “EJOTY”. R , it looks like 8. The position of R is “18”.
E J O T Y S We write Nineteen, UNISSS in hindi. The position of S is
“19”. 19 (S)
5 10 15 20 25
T T-20 Match
Learning this word helps you to learn the position of 5 letters Or
which are the multiple of 5. Remember the term EJOTY.
F For this you have to learn another word “CFILORUX”. The position of T is “20”.
C F I L O R U X U Again remember the term “CFILORUX”. The position of U
is 21.
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
V V for Victory.
Learning this word helps you to learn the position of 8 letters You require two fingers to represent victory.
which are the multiple of 3.
The position of “V” is “22”.
G Everybody know G-7 Nations.
W If you rotate anticlockwise the letter “W”, it looks like 3, its
The position of G is 7. position is 23.
H If you join the 2 lines of H, it will become 8 or you can say H X Remember the term CFILORUX.
looks like 8. Thus, the position of H is “8”.
Or
I “I know (9) You”. Learn this sentence and you will get position It is being divided into Four parts.
of “I”.
1
J Remember the term “EJOTY”. 2 3
The position of J is “10”. 4
K K for Kelvin and which is similar to “eleven” in Pronunciation. The position of X is 23.
The position of K is “11”. Y Remember the term “EJOTY”.
L Remember the term “CFILORUX”. The position of Y is 25.
The position of L is “12”. Z Last letter is Z. Its position is 26.
M M looks like 3 (when we rotate M as 3) After the positional values of English letters are known,
The position of M is “13”. we should learn about the position of Opposite letters
N N for November and November 14 is Children’s day. and Left and Right of a letter.
Thus, the position of N is “14”.

Opposite Letters
A letter is said to opposite of other when sum of their Trick to Remember Opposite Letters
positional values is equal to 27. AZ Remember (ZA) of ‘go’ in Hindi / AZad
e.g., Positional value of B 2, BY Remember the word ‘by’ / BoY
Positional value of Y 25 CX Remember CIX (like ‘Six’) / CraX
Required sum 2 25 27 DW Remember DW of the word / DEW.
Hence, they are opposite letter pair. EV Remember EV (Evening) / loVE
If we have to find the opposite letter of any letter, then FU Remember FU of ‘Full’ / ForU
corresponding position of that letter is subtracted from 27. GT Remember GT Road (Built by Shershah)
Let us see
HS Higher Secondary / High School
Opposite letter of A 27 Position of A
IR Indian Railway
27 1 26th letter Z
JQ Jack and Queen (in the game of cards)
Opposite letter of B 27 Position of B
KP Kevin Peterson (England cricket player) / kal-Prso
27 2 25th letter LO Remember LO of the word LOVE
Y and so on. MN Remember MN of the word MAN
Chapter 01 Alphabet and Number Test 5

Left and Right of a Letter 4. In english alphabet n n letter to the right of m m

letters from your right (m n)+n letter from right.
Letters do not have their own left and right. We decide
5. In backward order of english alphabet n n letter to
left and right of letters on the basis of ours left and right.
the right of m n letter from your left (m n)+n
In other words, the left of letters is towards our left and letter from left.
the right of letters is towards our right.
6. In backward order of english alphabet n n to the left
Let us see of m n letter from your right (m n)+n letter from
Observer right.
A BCDE FGH I J K LM NO PQR S T U VWX Y Z 7. In backward order of english alphabet n n letter to
Towards left Towards right the left of m n letter from your left (m n)+n letter
Left hand Right hand from left.
If you have to find out 4th letter to the left of T, then 8. In backward order of english alphabet n+n letter to
stand in front of T like below. the right of m+n letter from your right (m+n)+n
letter from right.
A B CD E F GH I J K L M NOP QR S T U VWX Y Z
Various types of questions asked in the examination are
Observer
as follows.
4th Towards
left
So, 4th letter to the right of T is ‘‘X’’. TYPE 01
Clearly, 4th letter to the left of T is P.
And, if you have to find out 4th letter to the right of T, Alphabet Test
then stand in front of T and find required letter as below.
In this type, the questions asked are based on–finding the
A B CD E F GH I J K L M NO P QR S T U VWX Y Z place of an English letter to the left or right of another
English letter in the alphabetical order.
Towards Sometimes the questions are based on
right
4th ●
finding the number of English letter(s) between two
Some terms related to ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ are as follows different English letters.
(i) Just Left/Immediate left It means just before.
●
finding the middle letter between two specified letters
e.g., G is the letter just left of H. and in some questions it is asked that which letters do
(ii) Just right/immediate right It means just after. not change their places after alphabetical arrangement.
e.g., Q is the letter just right of P. The detailed discussion with examples of the above
(iii) From our Left It means ‘from our left to right’ or we mentioned types of questions are as follow
can say it as ‘from letter A to Z’. i.e.,
A B C …… Y Z A. Place of a Letter in Forward Order
(iv) From our Right It means ‘from our right to left’ or we In this type of questions the exact letter has to be found
can say it as ‘from letter Z to A’. i.e., out with the help of direction and place given in the
A B C …… Y Z question.
(v) To the Left It means ‘from Z to A’. i.e.,
A B C …… Y Z Ex 01 Find the 11th letter to the left of 20th letter from left
(vi) To the Right It means ‘from A to Z’. i.e., in the English alphabet.
(a) D (b) J
A B C …… Y Z
(c) K (d) I
Solution (c) Let us see
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Important formulae to find the position of letter in A B CD E F GH I J K LM NO PQR S T U VWX Y Z
english alphabet To the left
1. In english alphabet n n letter to the right of m n 11th
letter from your left (m n)+n letter from left. From left 20th
2. In english alphabets n n letter to the left of m n Hence, 11th letter to the left of 20th letter from left is I.
letter from your right (m n)+n letter from right. Alternate Method (By formula 3)
3. In english alphabet n n letter to the left of m n In English alphabet 11th letter to the left of 20th letter from
letter from your left (m n)+n letter from left. your left (20 11)th letter from left 9th letter from left I
6 Verbal, Non-Verbal & Analytical Reasoning

Solution (a) Let us see

B. Place of Letter in Completely
Backward Order 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14
A BCD E F GH I J K LM Z Y XWV U T S RQ P ON
In such questions the order of letters is completely reversed
From left To the right
or they are counted from Z to A and then the place of letter
is asked with the help of direction. 13th 7th
The 7th letter to the right of 13th letter from our left is T.
Ex 02 If English alphabet is written in backward order,
then what will be the 13th letter to the left of the 3rd letter
from right? E. Multiple Letter Segment in
(a) P (b) N Backward Order
(c) R (d) Q
In such type of questions, no specified order of change is
Solution (a) Backward order is written as
followed in alphabetical order. They are changed according
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 to the condition given in a particular question.
Z Y XW V U T S RQ PON M L K J I HG F E DC B A
Ex 05 If first four letters of the English alphabet are
To the left written in reverse order; again next 5 letters are written in
13th
From right reverse order; again next 6 letters are written in reverse
3rd order; again next 7 letters are written in reverse order and
Now, the 13th letter to the left of the 3rd letter from right is P. finally, the remaining letters are also written in reverse
Alternate Method (By formula 6) order, then what will be the 7th letter to the left of the 8th
In backward order of alphabet, 13th letter to the left of 3rd letter from right?
letter from our right ( 3 13)th letter from right (a) M (b) N (c) O (d) L
16th letter from right P Solution (a) Let us see the arrangement
4 3 2 1 9 8 7 6 5 15 14 13 12 11 10 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 26 25 24 23
C. Place of a Letter When First Half D C B A I HG F E O N M L K J V U T S R Q P Z Y X W
is in Backward Order
From left From right
In such type of questions, only the 1st half of the order of
alphabetical series is reversed and remaining are left 7th 8th
unaltered i.e., order of A to M is reversed and then The 7th letter to the left of the 8th letter from right is M.
questions related to position of letters are asked.
F. Number of Letters Between Two
Ex 03 If 1st half of the English alphabet is written in Letters
backward order, then what will be the 7th letter to the left of
the 10th letter from your right? In this particular type of questions the candidate is asked to
(a) C (b) E calculate the total number of English letters between any
(c) D (d) J two specified letters as directed in the question.
Solution (c) Let us see Four situations can be created under these types of problems
13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 1. Required Letters
M L K J I HG FE DCB A NOP QR S T U VWX Y Z Letter from left Letter from right
To the left From right 2. Letter from left
7th 10th Required Letters
Letter from left
The 7th letter to the left of 10th letter from our right is D.
3. Letter from right

D. Place of a Letter When Second Required Letters

Letter from right
Half is in Backward Order
4. Letter from left
In such type of questions the 2nd half is reversed i.e., from N
to Z and remaining are kept as it is and then questions Required Letters
related to place of English alphabet are asked.
Letter from right
Ex 04 If 2nd half of the English alphabet is written in
backward order, then what will be the 7th letter to the right Ex 06 How many letters are there between 8th letter from
of 13th letter from your left? left and 7th letter from right in the English alphabet?
(a) T (b) U (c) V (d) S (a) 7 (b) 11 (c) 8 (d) 9
Chapter 01 Alphabet and Number Test 7
Solution (b) Let us see Clearly, we have to find the number of letters between 9th
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
letter from left and 7th letter from right.
A B CD E F GH I J K LM NOPQR S T U VWX Y Z Required number of letters 26 ( 9 7)
26 16 10
11 letters
From left From right
8th 7th
G. Middle Letter between Two Letters
There are 11 letters between 8th letter from left and 7th
letter from right. In these types of questions, the candidate is asked to find
Alternate Method the middle letter between the two specified letters of
Total number of letters in the English alphabet 26
English alphabet.
Required number of letters 26 ( 8 7) 26 15 11
Ex 10 Which letter is in the middle of 7th letter from left
Ex 07 How many number of letters are there between and 10th letter from right in the English alphabet?
22nd letter from left and 8th letter from left in the English (a) L (b) P
alphabet? (c) M (d) Q
(a) 12 (b) 15 (c) 11 (d) 13 Solution (a) Let us see
Solution (d) Let us see there are 13 such letters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
A BCD E F GH I J K LM NO PQR S T U VWX Y Z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
A BCD E F GH I J K L M NOPQR S T U VWX Y Z To the left To the right

From left 13 letters Middle

7th 10th
From left Letter between G and Q is L.
8th 22nd
Alternate Method
Alternate Method
10th letter from right 27 10 17th letter from left.
22nd letter from left (27 22) 5th letter from right. Clearly, 7 17 24
we have to find the number of letters between 8th letter Required middle letter
2 2
from left and 5th letter from right.
12th letter from left L
Required number of letters 26 ( 8 5) 26 13 13

Ex 08 Find the number of letters between 20th letter from H. Same Position of Alphabet after
right and 10th letter from right in the English alphabet. Arranging Alphabetically
(a) 9 (b) 12 (c) 7 (d) 11
Solution (a) Let us see In this type of questions, a word is given and then asked
how many letters will remain at the same position, if they
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
A B C D E F GH I J K L M NO P Q R S T U V WX Y Z are arranged in alphabetical order.
9 letters From right Ex 11 How many letters will remain at the same position in
the word ‘SURFACE’ when they are arranged in the
From right
20th 10th alphabetical order from left to right? IBPS Clerk 2017
There are 9 such letters. (a) Four (b) Three
Alternate Method (c) One (d) Two
20th letter from right (27 20) 7th letter from left (e) None of these
Clearly, we have to find the number of letters between 7th Solution (c) S U R F A C E arranged in
letter from left and 10th letter from right.
alphabetical order
Required number of letters 26 ( 7 10) 26 17 9 from left to right
A C E F R S U
Ex 09 How many letters are there between 20th letter Only one letter ‘F’ remain at the same position.
from left and 18th letter from right in the English alphabet?
(a) 15 (b) 6 (c) 10 (d) 12 Ex 12 If the vowels of the word ‘ROUTINE’ are 1st
Solution (c) Let us see arranged in alphabetical order, followed by the consonants
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 in the alphabetical order, which of the following will be 4th
A B CD E F GH I J K L M NOPQR S T U VWX Y Z from the right end after the rearrangement?
10 letters
(a) N (b) U (c) T (d) O
From left 20th
Solution (b) Original word, R O U T I N E

18th From right Rearrangement, E I O U N R T

There are 10 such letters. 4 3 2 1

Alternate Method
18th letter from right (27 18) 9th letter from left. And From right
20th letter from left (27 20) 7th letter from right. Hence, U is the correct answer.
12 Verbal, Non-Verbal & Analytical Reasoning

37. (e) Original word, T I R A D E S Letters at extreme end are C and I.

Alphabets between them are E, D, P, R.
I. Change, U H S Z E D T
45. (a) Given word, J O U R N E Y
II. Change, B C F J Q R S +1 –1 –1 +1 +1 –1 +1
III. Change, Z U T S H E D
On substituting, K N T S O D Z
Hence, T will be fourth from the right. Alphabetical order, D K N O S T Z
38. (c) Original word, T O L E R A N T
1 2 3 4 5
I. Change, S P K F Q B M S
Fifth from left
II. Change, B F K M P Q S S
The required letter is S.
III. Change, K M Q S S B F P 46. (d) I. M B E K T Y D
Clearly, B will be fourth from the right B D E K M T Y
39. (b) R A I M E N T Given word Here, third and fourth letters remain on the same position
A E I M N R T After rearrangement II. G P N A Q U S
A G N P Q S U
Hence, there are three such type of letters, i.e. I, M and T.
Here, third and fifth letters remain on the same position
40. (a) F A I N T S III. X C J R H O
A F I N S T C H J O R X
Clearly, there are two letters of such type. i.e. I and N. Here, only third letter remains on the same position.
41. (c) Given word CREATION Hence, option (d) is correct.
After arrangement A C E I N O R T 47. (c) Letters of the word EXTRAORDINARY in alphabetic order;
Required letter (E)
A AD E I NO R RR T X Y
42. (d) Original word, D O L P H I N
From left (5)
New arrangement, P O N L I H D
Letter in the fifth position 1
Here, L is not present in any option, so (d) is the correct
answer. 48. (e) If all letters at odd positions are written in serial order from
right to left, then the series will be
43. (a) M O R T I F Y YWUSQOMKIGECA
+1 –1 +1 +1 –1 +1 +1 After this even positioned letters are written in reverse order,
then the series will be
N N S U H G Z
Y WUSQ OMK IGECAZXVTR PNLJHFDB
Third from left Third from right
18th letter from left
The required letter is U. 5th to the Right of R
44. (d) P R I C E D C E D P R I Required letter is R.

TYPE 02
Letters Pair Problem
If between any two letters of a word, there exist same (iv) If you are asked to find letter pairs according to the
number of letters as in the English alphabetical series, sequence of alphabet, then you have to count only
then these two letters forms a letter pair. In this type of from left to right or in forward order.
questions, a word is given and it is asked to find the
Ex 13 How many pairs of letters are there in the word
different letter pair the word can have. ‘DECLARING’ (both backward and forward), each of which
has as many letters between them in the word as there are in
Chapter Tip the English alphabetical series? IBPS Clerk 2018
(i) A word may have more than one letter pair. (a) One (b) Three (c) Four (d) Five
(ii) A letter in a word can make more than one letter pair. (e) None of these
(iii) If you are asked to find letter pairs, according to the Solution (d)
4 5 3 12 1 18 9 14 7
English alphabet, you have to count both ways i.e., D E C L A R I N G
DE C L A R I N G
from left to right and from right to left or in forward
and in backward order. Clearly, there are five such pairs.
Chapter 01 Alphabet and Number Test 15

TYPE 03
Word Formation and Letter
Rearrangement
In this type, the questions asked can be further divided Solution (e)
into four types which are explained as under C O R R U P T I O N
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

A. Changing Letters of a Meaningful From letters C, R, O, N only one meaningful word can be
formed ‘CORN’.
Word The first letter from left is ‘C’.
In this type of questions, a meaningful word is given
followed by some directions. Based on these directions, C. Forming Meaningful Word(s) with the
we have to arrange the letters of that word and then it is Different Letters of a Meaningful Word
asked to find a letter from left or right end.
Here, the question asked is based on formation of new
The example which is given below will give a better idea word(s) from the different letters of a given words.
about the type of questions asked in the exam.
Ex 16 How many words can be formed using letters of the
Ex 14 If in the word ‘CONGREGATION’, 1st and 3rd word ‘DESIGN’ unconditionally?
letters are interchanged, 2nd and 4th letters are (a) More than 4 (b) Less than 3
interchanged, 5th and 7th letters are interchanged and this (c) Exactly 4 (d) More than 8
interchange goes on in the same manner, then find the 10th Solution (d) Let us see
letter from right in the new arrangement.
Required words DEN, DIG, DING, SIN, SING, SIGN, SIDE
(a) E (b) C DIE, SEND, SIGNED, END, ENDS and many more.
(c) G (d) P
Solution (b) The correct letter is C. Ex 17 How many meaningful English words can be formed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 by Using letters of the word ‘ALEP’? UKPSC 2016
C O N G R E G A T I O N (a) One (b) Two
(c) Three (d) More than three
3 4 1 2 7 8 5 6 11 12 9 10
Solution (d) Such meaningful words are PEAL, LEAP, PALE
and PLEA.
N G C O G A R E O N T I

10th
From right D. Suitable Word Formation
In this type of questions, a main/question word is given
Alternate Method
and candidate have to choose that word, which can or
10th letter from right in the original word ( 13 10) 3 rd
letter from left in original word N
cannot be formed from the letters of the main/question
word.
As, N is interchanged with C in the new arrangement
10th letter from right in the new arrangement C Ex 18 From the given alternative words, select the word
which cannot be formed using the letters of the given word
B. Forming a Meaningful Word with ENVIRONMENT SSC CGL Pre 2015
Selected Letters of a Word (a) ENTRANCE (b) MOVE
(c) EMINENT (d) ENTER
In this type of questions, it is asked whether a word can
be formed or not from the selected letters of a Solution (a) The word ENTRANCE cannot be formed from
the letters of the word ENVIRONMENT as letter ‘A' and ‘C’ are
meaningful word. missing in the given word.
Ex 15 If only one meaningful English word can be made Ex 19 From the given alternative words, select the words
with the first, the fourth, the ninth and the tenth letters of which cannot be formed using the letters of the given word.
the word CORRUPTION, using each letter only once, then
INTERDEPENDENT SSC GD Constable 2015
which of the first letter of the word from the left. If no such
word can be formed then your answer is X. If more than one (a) REPENT (b) RETREAT
such word can be formed then your answer is Z? (c) DEPEND (d) DEEPEN
IBPS RRB PO 2016 Solution (b) Word ‘RETREAT’ cannot be formed because
(a) X (b) Z (c) R (d) O letter ‘A’ is not present in the given word. Therefore option
(e) C (b) is correct.
16 Verbal, Non-Verbal & Analytical Reasoning

DIRECTIONS ~ (Ex- 20-21) In each of the following question, It also includes questions based on forming two
a word has been given, followed by four other words, one of meaningful words by inserting a word in between the
which can be formed by using the letters of the given word. given word.
Find that word.
Ex 23 Given below are some group of letters. Which of
Ex 20 DEMOCRACY SSC (CGL) 2014 the options can be joined at the end of these letters to
(a) SECRECY (b) MICRO make them meaningful words? SSC (CGL) 2015
(c) MARCY (d) DEMON
LEN, SAN, WOR, SEE
Solution (c) MARCY—All the letters of this word are present
in the main word. (a) A (b) D (c) B (d) K
Hence, ‘MARCY’ can be formed from the letters of the given Solution (b) Letter D is suffixed to the given words
word ‘DEMOCRACY’. LEN + D LEND
SAN + D SAND
Ex 21 COMPENSATION
(a) TINY (b) COPY WOR + D WORD
(c) MENTION (d) MOTIVE SEE + D SEED
Solution (c) MENTION—All the letters of this word are
present in the main word. Hence, ‘MENTION’ can be formed Ex 24 Which single letter can be prefixed to the following
from the letters of the given word ‘COMPENSATION’. words to form entirely new words? SSC (CGL) 2015

TILL, TABLE, PILE, TAB, PRING

E. Word Formation by Unscrambling (a) H (b) S (c) B (d) C
Letters Solution (b) Letter S is prefixed to the given words
S + TILL STILL
In this type of questions, a set of English letters is given in
a jumbled order. The candidate is required to arrange these S + TABLE STABLE
letters to form a meaningful word. S + PILE SPILE (SPILE means nail/Tip)
Note Always try to place the letters according to the numbers provided in S + TAB STAB
options rather than doing it on the basis of your vocabulary S + PRING SPRING
knowledge.

Ex 22 Select the combination of numbers that forms a

G. Choosing the Different Word After
meaningful word. RRB NTPC 2016 Rearranging the Unorganised Letters
N P O A C L M I In this type of questions, groups of unorganised letters
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 are given as options. The candidates are required to
(A) 5, 3, 2, 7, 6, 4, 8, 1 rearrange these letters to form meaningful words and
(B) 5, 3, 7, 2, 6, 4, 8, 1 then choose the word which is different from other
(C) 4, 7, 5, 1, 6, 8, 2, 3 words.
(D) 1, 7, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 5
(a) B (b) D Ex 25 Rearrange the unorganised letters to create
(c) C (d) A meaningful words and then choose one of them, which is
Solution (a) different. RRB NTPC 2016
C O M P L A I N (A) ANDOMY (B)STEAUDY
5 3 7 2 6 4 8 1 (C) DIARFY (D) DHAIOLY
(a) C (b) D
Clearly, the given letters, when arranged in the order of ‘5, 3, 7,
(c) B (d) A
2, 6, 4, 8, 1,’ form the word ‘COMPLAIN’.
Solution (b) Rearranging the unorganised letters,
F. Formation of Meaningful Word by Adding ANDOMY – MONDAY
STEAUDY – TUESDAY
Letters/words in the given Word(s)
DIARFY – FRIDAY
In this type of questions, some words are given and the DHAIOLY – HOLIDAY
candidate has to either suffix or prefix same letter in each
Here, HOLIDAY is different, because all others are names of
of the given words to make new meaningful words. days of a week.
22 Verbal, Non-Verbal & Analytical Reasoning

Ex 28 Which of the following represent the letters

TYPE 04 immediately following, (in the English alphabetical order)
the third letter of the word which is third from the right and
Questions Based on Letter's Group the second letter of the word which is second from the left of
In this type of questions, three, four or five groups of the given words? (the counting is done from left to right)
letters are given followed by some directions in each (a) H, U (b) F, R (c) R, H (d) K, N
question. The candidates are required to rearrange the (e) Y, T
groups of letters according to the given directions and Solution (a) Third letter of the word which is third from the
right ‘G’ (MUG), Second letter of the word which is second
answer the question asked.
from the left ‘T’ (ITS)
DIRECTIONS ~(Ex. Nos. 26-30) These questions are based Letter immediately following G is H and letter immediately
on five words given below. IBPS Clerk 2016 following T is U.
H, U is the answer.
ROD ITS MUG RAY SEW
Ex 29 If the given words are arranged in the order as they
Ex 26 If the third alphabet in each of the words is would appear in the dictionary from left to right, the position of
changed to next alphabet according to the English which of the following will not change when compared to the
alphabetical order, in how many words thus formed will an given positions?
alphabet appear twice? (a) Both ITS and RAY
(a) One (b) Two (c) Four (d) Three (b) The positions of all the given words would change
(d) None (c) Only MUG
Solution (a) According to the question, words are (d) Only SEW
ROE ITT MUH RAZ SEX (e) Only ROD
Only one word in which repetition of alphabet occurs i.e. ITT. Solution (d) According to the dictionary order,
arrangement will be are as follows :
Ex 27 If the third letter in each of the words becomes the ITS MUG RAY ROD SEW
first letter, the first becomes the second and the second Only SEW will not change its position.
becomes the third letter, which of the following will form
meaningful English words? Ex 30 If in each of the given words, each of the consonant
(a) Both MUG and RAY is changed to previous letter and each vowel is changed to
(b) None of the given options will form a meaningful next letter in the English alphabetical series, how many words
English word thus formed will have at least one vowel?
(c) Both ROD and SEW (a) More than three (b) None
(d) Only RAY (c) Three (d) Two
(e) Only ITS (e) One
Solution (e) According to the condition given in question, Solution (b) Given arrangement ROD ITS MUG RAY SEW
ROD ITS MUG RAY SEW New arrangement QPC JSR LVF QBX RFV
DRO SIT GMU YRA WSE No word formed.

Practice CORNER 1.4

DIRECTIONS ~ (Q. Nos. 1-5) These questions are based on appear in dictionary from left to right, which of the
five words given below. following will be second from the right end?
URN DEN MAT FOR SKI (a) SKI (b) FOR (c) DEN (d) MAT
(The new words formed after performing the (e) None of these
mentioned operations below may or may not 3. If in each of the given words, each of the consonants is
necessarily be meaningful English word). changed to previous letter and each vowel is changed to
1. If the position of the first and the second alphabet in next letter according to the English alphabetical series,
each word is interchanged, which of the following will in how many words thus formed an alphabet will
appear twice?
form a meaningful English word?
(a) Three (b) None (c) More than three
(a) Both SKI and MAT (b) Only URN
(d) One (e) Two
(c) Only DEN (d) Only FOR
(e) None of these 4. How many letters are there in the English alphabetical
series between the first letter of the word which is
2. If the letters of given words and then those words
themselves are arranged in the order as they would
 Answers WITH EXPLANATIONS
1. (c) Let us see 8. (a) From the given question,
R V Z D H L A D F I K N

+4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +3 +2 +3 +2 +3
Now, it is clear that option (c) is correct answer. Clearly, only option (a) is having the given pattern in the
2. (c) From the given question, question.
U R O L I F 9. (a) According to the question,
N Q U X B E
–3 –3 –3 –3 –3
Clearly, only option (c) has the required group of letters. +3 +4 +3 +4 +3

3. (b) Let us see Here, general rule is followed by only option (a).
M O R T V X 10. (b) From the given question,
S U X B G M
+2 +3 +2 +2 +2
Clearly, only option (b) is having a group of letters which is not +2 +3 +4 +5 +6
according to the general rule. Clearly, only option (b) is having the series according to the
4. (b) As per the question, given rule.
O M J F A 11. (c) According to the question,
E J N Q S T
–2 –3 –4 –5
Clearly, only option (b) follows the given rule. +5 +4 +3 +2 +1

5. (d) According to the question, So, option (c) is having the group of letters which follows the
S Y D H K given rule.
12. (d) Only option (d) is correct which follows the given pattern as
+6 +5 +4 +3 given below
Clearly, only option (d) is having the letters according to the I K N R W
given rule.
+2 +3 +4 +5
6. (d) From the given question,
D B Y U P
13. (b) According to the question,
B D G K P V
–2 –3 –4 –5
+2 +3 +4 +5 +6
Now, it is clear that only DBYUP is a group of letters which
follows the given rule. Hence, only option (b) is following the given pattern.
7. (a) From the given question, 14. (a) As per the question given,
K M P T Y F I N U D

+2 +3 +4 +5 +3 +5 +7 +9

Clearly, only KMPTY having the series according to the given Hence, option (a) is having the series according to the given
rule. rule.

TYPE 06 Ex 33 In the number 7524693, how many digits will

be as far away from beginning of the number, if arranged
Finding Digits After Rearrangement in ascending order as they are in the number?
PNB (Clerk) 2010
In this type of questions, a specified order or pattern is
(a) None
used to rearrange the positions of digits of the number. (b) One
Then, either the number of those digits is found whose (c) Two
positions remain unchanged after rearrangement or the (d) Three
digit at particular place from left or right of the number is (e) More than three
to be found. Solution (b) Let us see
In some questions, generally five/six numbers of three
Original number 7 5 2 4 6 9 3
digits are given and the digits of these numbers have to 2 3 4 5 6 7 9
Ascending order
be rearranged according to the question.
Finally, the candidate is required to find out a certain Hence, only one digit (i.e., 6) remains at the same place as in
the original number.
number/digit on the basis of new arrangement.
Chapter 01 Alphabet and Number Test 27

Ex 34 In the number 53261489, if first and fifth digits Solution (e)

interchange their positions, second and sixth digits Given number 7 5 9 3 8 4 6 2
interchange their positions and further changes keep going Arrange the digits in ascending order,
on in the same manner, then which digit will be 6th from
the right in the rearrangement? 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
(a) 8 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2
Solution (a) Let us see Therefore, such pair six
Original number 5 3 2 6 1 4 8 9 i.e. (7,9), (5,8), (3,6), (8,6), (5,3) and (4,2).

Ex 37 The position of how many digits will remain the

same if the digits in the number 297345618 are rearranged
New arrangement 1 4 8 9 5 3 2 6
in the descending order with in the number, from left to
6th From right right? SBI Clerk 2015
So, it is clear that 6th digit from the right after (a) None (b) Two
rearrangement is 8. (c) More than three (d) Three
(e) One
Ex 35 If in the number ‘35982476’, 1 is added to each Solution (e)
even digit and 2 is subtracted from each odd digit, then
Original Number 2 9 7 3 4 5 6 1 8
which digits will not appear twice in the number thus
New Number 9 8 7 6 5 4 32 1
obtained? SSC (Steno) 2012
Only one digit ‘7’ remains unchanged.
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 9
(c) Both ‘1’ and ‘9’ (d) Only 5
(e) None of these Ex 38 If in the following numbers, first and last digits are
interchanged, then which one of the given options will be
Solution (c) Given Number : 3 5 9 8 2 4 7 6 the least number?
– 2 –2 – 2 +1 +1 +1 – 2 +1
418 319 179 589 409
New Number : 1 3 7 9 3 5 5 7 (a) 179 (b) 589
Both ‘1’ and ‘9’ will not appear twice in the number thus (c) 319 (d) 418
obtained. (e) 409
Ex 36 How many such pairs of digits are there in the Solution (d) Let us see
number 75938462, each of which has as many digits Original numbers 4 1 8 3 1 9 1 7 9 5 8 9 4 0 9
between them in the number as they have between them
when arranged in ascending order? BOB PO 2000 New arrangement 8 1 4 9 1 3 9 7 1 9 8 5 9 0 4
(a) None (b) One (c) Two (d) Three
Least number 814 418
(e) More than three

Practice CORNER 1.6

1. The position of how many digits in the number 4. How many such pairs of digits are there in the
53269718 will remain unchanged, if the digits within number 5234816 each of which has as many digits
the number are rearranged in ascending order? between them in the number as when the digits are
(a) None (b) One (c) Two (d) Three arranged in descending order within the number?
(a) None (b) One
2. The position of how many digits in the number (c) Two (d) More than three
59164823 will remain unchanged after the digits are
rearranged in descending order within the number? 5. How many such pair of digits are there in the number
536142 each of which has as many digits between
Bank (PO) 2010
them in the number as when the digits are arranged
(a) None (b) One (c) Two (d) Three in the ascending order within the number?
(e) More than three
(a) None (b) One (c) Two (d) Three
3. How many such digits are there in the number 6. How many such pairs are there in the number 6384257
62591483 each of which is as far away from the each of which has as many digits between them in the
beginning of the number as when the digits are number as they have between them in the number
arranged in ascending order within the number? series both from backward and forward? LIC AAO 2019
(a) None (b) One (a) None (b) One (c) Two (d) Three
(c) Two (d) Three (e) More than there
32 Verbal, Non-Verbal & Analytical Reasoning

TYPE 07 Solution (c) Let us see

D 12th from the left, U 26th from the left
Letter and Number Sequence Test Middle letter between D and U
12 26
19th from left 9
2
Letter and number sequence test is based on a sequence of
letters and numbers in which a series of letters and/or Ex 42 Four of the following, three are alike in a certain
numbers with or without repetitions are given. The way based on their position in the given arrangement and so
candidates are required to find the total number of a form a group. Which is the one that does not belong to that
particular number or letter in the series applying certain group?
condition. Apart from that, the questions may be based on (a) P M 3 (b) K F E (c) 6 J * (d) 7 D 4
some series pattern, analogy, classification etc. Solution (d) As in all others the first and the third elements
are consecutive ones in the given arrangement.
Sometimes, the given sequence also includes symbols along
with numbers and letters. Such sequence is called Ex 43 How many such symbols are there in the given
‘Alphanumeric sequence’. arrangement each of which is immediately preceded by a
Let us see all types of sequence given below number but not immediately followed by a consonant?
(i) Number sequence, 4 9 6 9 4 4 6 2 2 1 5 0 3 0 3 (a) None (b) One (c) Two (d) Three
(ii) A letter sequence B A B C D L L C L B A M A N Solution (d) Let us see
× ×
(iii) Alpha-numeric sequence, 4 3 A * 1 J 5
Formats of the questions will give a better idea about B 5 R 1 @ E K 4 F 7 © D AM2 P 3 % 9 H I W 8 ¬ 6 U J $ VQ #
such type of questions.

Ex 39 How many 7s immediately preceded by 6 but not Condition fulfilled Condition not fulfilled
immediately followed by 4 are there in the following series? Clearly, there are three such symbols.
74276436753578437672406743
(a) One (b) Two
(c) Four (d) Six DIRECTIONS ~ (Example Nos. 44-48) Study the following
alphabetical sequence and answer the questions based on it.
Solution (b) Let us see
× × × × ABBCDEFEIBCAFECBBACAOBNUVW IBPS Clerk 2017

7 4 2 7 6 4 3 6 7 5 3 5 7 8 4 3 7 6 7 2 4 0 6 7 4 3
Ex 44 How many Cs are there in the alphabetical series
which are immediately preceded by a vowel and immediate
followed by consonant?
(a) One (b) Two
Condition fulfilled Condition not fulfilled.
Clearly, there are two such 7’s. (c) Three (d) More than three
(e) None of these
DIRECTIONS ~ (Example Nos. 40-43) Study the following Solution (a) A B B C D E F E I B C A F
sequence carefully and answer the questions that follow.
ECB BA CAOBNUVW
B 5 R 1@ E K 4 F 7 © D A M 2 P 3 % 9 H I W 8 * 6 U I $ V Q # Only one ‘C’ are there which is immediately preceded by a
vowel and immediately followed by a consonant.
Ex 40 Which of the following is the 7th to the left of the
17th from the left end of the above arrangement? Ex 45 If all the vowels are dropped from the series, then
(a) 7 (b) W (c) * (d) 4 which alphabet will be 8th from the left end?
Solution (a) Let us see (a) C (b) B (c) N (d) F
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 (e) None of these
B 5 R 1 @E K 4 F 7 © D A M 2 P 3
To the left
Solution (d) BBCDFBCFCBBCBNVW

From left ‘F’ is 8th from the left end.

7th 17th
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Ex 46 How many vowels are there in the alphabetical
% 9 H I W 8 * 6 U I $ V Q # series which are immediately preceded by a consonant?
Note 7th to the left of 17th from the left end (17 7) 10 th from (a) One (b) Two
left end 7 (c) Four (d) More than five
(e) None
Ex 41 Which of the following is exactly in the middle Solution (d) ABBCDEFEIBCAFECBBAC AOBNUVW
between D and U in the given arrangement?
(a) % (b) H More than five vowels are there which is immediately
(c) 9 (d) 3 preceded by a consonant.
Chapter 01 Alphabet and Number Test 33

7th to the right

Ex 47 If the position of the 1st and the 14th alphabets, 2nd
and the 15th alphabets and so on up to the 13th and the C D E F E I B C A F
26th alphabets, are interchanged, Then which alphabets will
be 7th to the right of 10th alphabets from the right end? 10th from right end
(a) A (b) C
(c) N (d) B Ex 48 How many total vowels in the alphabetical series?
(e) None of these (a) Five (b) Ten (c) Three (d) Nine
(e) None of these
Solution (b) According to the question,
Solution (b) A B B C D E F E I B C A F E C B B A C A O B N U V W
ECBBACAOBNUVWABB
There are ten vowels in the given alphabetical series.

Practice CORNER 1.7

1. Which number has come maximum time in the 9. How many Ts are both immediately preceded and
following number series? followed by ‘E’ in the following series?
5 4 3 3 5 4 8 8 3 2 5 3 6 5 5 UP Police Constable 2018

(a) 5 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 2 ETETTMEEETETETETTEETT

TEEETETETETTEETE
2. Which number comes least in the given series?
(a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 5 (d) 8
846734378344563464348
SSC (CGL) 2008 10. In the following series, how many Ks are there which
(a) 8 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 are immediately preceded by N and immediately
followed by U? SSC (CGL) 2011
3. How many 4s are there in the series which comes
between two 5s? CBI (PO) 2011]
ABCDKNLJMNKSTRZNKUANKUBWXN
KLS
344545421454574545
(a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
(a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 6 (d) 3
(e) None of these DIRECTIONS ~ (Q. Nos 11-15) Study the following sequence
4. In the sequence 1, 5, 7, 3, 5, 7, 4, 3, 5, 7 how many such and answer the given questions.
5s are there which are not immediately preceded by 3, A @ 3 4 % ENM $ 8 6 & L D S # 9 8 6 Q Y Z 1 7 % R O G @
but are immediately followed by 7? UPSC CSAT 2019 21B2U& SBI Clerk 2019
(a) 1 (b) 2 11. Which of the following element is sixth to the left of the
(c) 3 (d) None of these fourteenth from the left end of the given arrangement?
5. How many 7s are there in the given series which are (a) 6 (b) % (c) $ (d) M
immediately preceded by 6 but not immediately (e) None of these
followed by 8? SSC (CPO) 2008
12. If all the symbols are dropped from the series, which
348761567849675
element will be twelfth from the right end?
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
(a) 9 (b) Q (c) R (d) Y
6. Which digit comes in the middle of the given series? (e) None of these
24354456788956717 13. How many such numbers are there in the given series
(a) 5 (b) 7 (c) 6 (d) 9 which are immediately preceded by a symbol and
7. In the given number series, how many 4s are there followed by a letter?
which are immediately preceded by a prime number (a) None (b) One (c) Two (d) Three
but not immediately followed by a prime number? (e) Four
RBI Grade ‘B’ 2011 14. How many such letters are there in the given series
41 41 54 26 41 83 49 24 83 48 28 45 48 74 64 54 which are immediately preceded by number and
(a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 immediately followed by a symbol?
(e) None of these (a) One (b) Two
8. How many letters are immediately followed by L in the (c) Three (d) More than three
given letter series? UP B.Ed. 2011 (e) None of these
CPMLMMBLTLDESL 15. Find the odd one out.
(a) 4 (b) 5 (a) N64 (b) D86 (c) Y % 8 (d) R21
(c) 3 (d) 6 (e) 8EL