Among the following four diagrams, which one illustrates the relationships among citizens, voters and males ?
(Diagram a showing a large circle containing a smaller concentric circle, and a third separate circle)
(Diagram b showing a large circle containing two intersecting smaller circles)
(Diagram c showing two intersecting circles inside a larger circle)
(Diagram d showing two separate circles, one inside another, and a third separate circle)
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
The relationships between the sets are:
– Voters are a subset of Citizens. All voters must be citizens.
– Males are a group of people, some of whom are citizens, some are not.
– Males overlap with Voters, as some male citizens are voters.
– Males also overlap with Citizens, as some males are citizens (both voters and non-voters).
– There are also female citizens (voters and non-voters) and possibly non-citizen males and females.
The correct Venn diagram representation shows a large circle for Citizens, a smaller circle entirely inside the Citizens circle for Voters, and a third circle for Males that overlaps both the Citizens circle (representing male citizens who are not voters) and the Voters circle (representing male voters). Part of the Males circle might be outside the Citizens circle (representing male non-citizens), although the question only asks about the relationship *among* Citizens, Voters, and Males, implying the relevant universe is at least broad enough to contain all of them.
Let’s analyze the descriptions of the diagrams in the options, assuming they refer to standard diagram types:
A) A large circle containing a smaller concentric circle, and a third separate circle. This implies Citizens contain Voters, and Males are entirely separate from Citizens and Voters. This is incorrect.
B) A large circle containing two intersecting smaller circles. This implies Citizens contain two sets (Voters and Males) that intersect. This is incorrect because Voters are a subset of Citizens, but Males are not necessarily a subset of Citizens. Also, Voters are entirely within Citizens, not just intersecting it.
C) Two intersecting circles inside a larger circle. This implies the larger circle contains two intersecting sets. As discussed under B), if the large circle is Citizens and the two inside intersecting circles are Voters and Males, it incorrectly implies Males are a subset of Citizens. However, this description is the closest fit *if interpreted as* representing that within the context of Citizens, there are Voters and Males who intersect, even if the description isn’t perfectly precise about the subsets and overlap relative to non-citizens. The standard diagram for this relationship visually aligns most with what might be generically described as ‘intersecting groups within a larger context’, even with a poor description.
D) Two separate circles, one inside another, and a third separate circle. This implies Citizens contain Voters, and Males are entirely separate. This is incorrect.
Given the limitations of the descriptions, option C, describing two intersecting sets within a larger set, is the most plausible representation among the choices for Voters (subset of Citizens) and Males (intersecting Citizens and Voters), despite the flawed description implying Males are fully inside Citizens. Standard UPSC questions often use diagrams where the sets involved in the relationships are subsets of a larger implicitly defined set (e.g., Population). Within the set of Citizens, there are Male Citizens and Female Citizens. Male Citizens can be Voters or Non-voters. The intersection of Voters and Males is Male Voters, who are indeed Citizens. So, the intersection is inside Citizens. The descriptions are likely simplified representations of standard Venn diagrams.
The key is to correctly identify the relationships between the sets: Voters are a subset of Citizens, and Males are a set that overlaps with both Citizens and Voters. The chosen diagram must reflect these relationships.