Question Details

Consider the following statements:

1. A man had a wife, two sons and two daughters in his family.

2. The daughters were invited to a feast and the male members of the family went out to take part in a picnic.

3. The man’s father did not return from his work.

Which of the following statements is true ?

Options

Only the man’s wife was left at home.

It is likely that the man’s wife was left at home.

None was left at home.

More than one person was left at home.

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option B

It is likely that the man’s wife was left at home.

Solution :

The correct option is: "It is likely that the man’s wife was left at home."

Let us analyze the statements given in the question step-by-step to understand why this option is correct:

Step 1: Identify all the members of the family mentioned in the statements.
Based on Statement 1, the family includes:
- The man
- The man's wife
- Two sons
- Two daughters
Additionally, Statement 3 introduces another family member:
- The man's father

Step 2: Track the whereabouts of each family member.
- The daughters: Statement 2 tells us that the two daughters were invited to a feast, meaning they went out.
- The male members: Statement 2 tells us that the male members of the family went out to take part in a picnic. The male members of the immediate family are the man himself and his two sons. Thus, these three went out.
- The man's father: Statement 3 tells us that the man's father did not return from his work. This means he was already out at work and remained out.
- The man's wife: She is a female member of the family, but she was not mentioned as being invited to the feast (only the daughters were). She is also not a male member, so she did not go to the picnic.

Step 3: Determine who remains at home.
Since all the male members (the man, the two sons) and the daughters went out, and the father is still at work, the only family member whose presence at home is not ruled out is the man's wife.
However, because we do not have absolute certainty about whether she went somewhere else (unrelated to the feast or picnic), we cannot state with 100% absolute certainty that she was left at home, but it is highly probable or likely. Therefore, the statement "It is likely that the man’s wife was left at home" is the most accurate and logical conclusion.