The question below is followed by two statements numbered I and II. Choose the option that describes whether the statements are sufficient to answer the question.
Each of A, B, C and D plays exactly one of the four games Chess, Caroms, Cricket and Football, and no two of them play the same game. Who plays Chess?
I. A plays Caroms.
II. D plays neither Football nor Cricket.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The question can be answered by using both statements together, but not by using either statement alone.
In data sufficiency, a statement is sufficient only if it leads to one definite answer; each statement is first tried alone, then the two together.
Statement I alone:
A plays Caroms; Chess could be played by B, C or D: not sufficient
Statement II alone:
D plays Chess or Caroms; if D plays Caroms, Chess could be played by A, B or C: not sufficient
Both together:
D plays Chess or Caroms (II), and Caroms is taken by A (I)
So D plays Chess: sufficient