IEMCET BBA/BCA aptitude preparation: Pronouns and clear antecedents — worked example and reasoning

Problem to solve

Why can Riya told Anu that she was selected be ambiguous?

Try the problem before reading the answer. Record the requested quantity, relevant information and any interpretation choices. Keep this original practice example separate from official examination questions or previous-year papers.

Choose the governing principle

Check which noun the pronoun refers to and whether that reference is unambiguous in context.

A pronoun needs a clear referent. Agreement alone does not remove ambiguity when two candidates are possible.

Worked answer

She could refer to Riya or Anu without further context.

The answer follows the stated model and the values in this question. Preserve exact expressions when given; if you use a numerical approximation, label it and keep sufficient precision until the final step.

Audit the reasoning

Return to the wording and test the proposed answer. Check the base of a percentage, the weights in an average and the units in a rate. For language tasks, verify agreement and context without adding facts the passage never supplies.

A specific error to avoid here: Choosing the nearest noun automatically can assign a pronoun to the wrong intended person.

Explain before repeating

Write a short explanation linking the governing principle to the answer rather than copying the final line. Identify one assumption and explain how violating it would make this method unreliable. Use the linked worksheet for a new task, then return to this example after a delay and solve it without the answer visible.

Official sources and verification

Sources checked on 26 October 2026. A source’s date, programme and campus limit which claims it supports. Official pages may change after review.

1. UEM Kolkata — IEMCET 2026 syllabus and instructions

   Historical course-specific preparation guidance. Some introductory route text conflicts with the central portal.

2. IIT Guwahati — GATE 2026 General Aptitude syllabus

   General transferable aptitude topic reference, not an official detailed IEMCET BBA/BCA blueprint.

Found a discrepancy? Send the page and the official notice for correction.