Tanvi, a Class 11 student in Jaipur, says little in group work, and her essays are short and plain. During a class debate, a classmate argued that since the school team had won its last three matches, it was sure to win the final. Tanvi wrote down each step of his argument and showed where one step did not follow from the one before. In her free time she solves puzzles in which each digit of a sum is replaced by a letter, trying one rule after another until every column adds up.
According to Gardner's theory, which group of people is likely to be strong in the type of intelligence that Tanvi shows most?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Scientists and Nobel Prize winners
Option (1) Philosophers and spiritual leaders — Incorrect. Philosophers and spiritual leaders are linked with <strong>intrapersonal intelligence</strong>: knowing one's own strengths, limits and feelings, and thinking about identity and the meaning of life. Tanvi tests the steps of an argument; she is not looking inward at herself.
Option (2) Pilots, sculptors and architects — Incorrect. Pilots, sculptors and architects are linked with <strong>spatial intelligence</strong>: forming, using and changing mental images. Tanvi's puzzles work with symbols and rules.
Option (3) Scientists and Nobel Prize winners — Correct. Tanvi checks whether each step of an argument follows from the last, and solves letter-for-digit sums by testing rules. This is <strong>logical-mathematical intelligence</strong>: thinking logically and critically, abstract reasoning and using symbols to solve problems. <strong>Scientists and Nobel Prize winners</strong> are likely to be strong in it.
Option (4) Psychologists and counsellors — Incorrect. Psychologists and counsellors are linked with <strong>interpersonal intelligence</strong>: understanding the motives and feelings of other people. Tanvi is quiet in group work, and nothing in her case shows this strength.
NCERT (2026-27): “Theory of Multiple Intelligences “Logical-Mathematical (an ability to think logically and critically, and solve problems) : Persons high on this type of intelligence can think logically and critically. They engage in abstract reasoning, and can manipulate symbols to solve mathematical problems. Scientists and Nobel Prize winners are likely to be strong in this component.” |