38. What comes at X and Y respectively in the following sequence? January, January, December, October, X, March, October, Y, September

1. A. July, May
2. B. July, April
3. C. June, May
4. D. June, April

Answer: B

Explanation

Let’s assign numerical values to the months (January=1, February=2, …, December=12).
The sequence is: 1, 1, 12, 10, X, 3, 10, Y, 9.
Observe the pattern of differences, considering a 12-month cycle:
* January (1) – 0 = January (1)
* January (1) – 1 = December (12) (1 – 1 = 0, which is month 12 in a cycle)
* December (12) – 2 = October (10)
* October (10) – 3 = July (7). So, X = July.
* July (7) – 4 = March (3)
* March (3) – 5 = October (10) (3 – 5 = -2, which is month 10 in a cycle, i.e., -2 + 12 = 10)
* October (10) – 6 = April (4). So, Y = April.
* April (4) – 7 = September (9) (4 – 7 = -3, which is month 9 in a cycle, i.e., -3 + 12 = 9)
The pattern involves subtracting consecutive integers (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…) from the numerical value of the month, wrapping around the 12-month cycle. Thus, X is July and Y is April. This is a logical reasoning question requiring pattern identification, common in CSAT.