Match List-I with List-II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Relationship category) List-II (Communication type) A. Between cricket captain and team members 1. Informal and firm B. Between judge and lawyers in court 2. Informal and open-ended C. Between Vice Chancellor and Deputy Registrar 3. Formal and open-ended D. Between peers and coworkers 4. Formal and firm

Q 1 / 5

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026

Match List-I with List-II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:

List-I (Relationship category)	List-II (Communication type)
A. Between cricket captain and team members	1. Informal and firm
B. Between judge and lawyers in court	2. Informal and open-ended
C. Between Vice Chancellor and Deputy Registrar	3. Formal and open-ended
D. Between peers and coworkers	4. Formal and firm

EXPLANATION

The correct option is B - A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2.

[as per provisional answerkey]

Why this is correct

This question requires matching the social/professional context of a relationship with the most appropriate communication style.
A. Cricket captain and team members (1): While professional, sports teams operate in a high-intensity, personal environment. The captain is a leader among equals, making the communication informal (personal/camaraderie-based) yet firm (decisive for strategy).
B. Judge and lawyers in court (4): This is a strictly regulated environment governed by legal protocols. The communication is formal (procedural) and firm (authoritative and binding).
C. Vice Chancellor and Deputy Registrar (3): This is an administrative hierarchy. Communication is formal (official channels) but often open-ended (involving discussions, reports, and administrative deliberations).
D. Peers and coworkers (2): Among equals in a workplace, communication is typically informal (casual/direct) and open-ended (collaborative/brainstorming).

Why the other options are incorrect

Option (a) - A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2: This incorrectly suggests that communication between a judge and lawyers is "open-ended." In a courtroom, the judge’s communication is definitive and bound by strict rules, not open-ended.
Option (c) - A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1: This suggests that a cricket captain's communication is "open-ended" (A-2) and peers/coworkers are "firm" (D-1). In reality, a captain must be firm to lead, and peers usually have a more flexible, open-ended rapport.
Option (d) - A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1: This incorrectly pairs the Vice Chancellor (C) with "formal and firm" (usually reserved for judicial or disciplinary contexts) and peers (D) with "informal and firm," which contradicts the collaborative nature of peer interaction.

Key Concept

Contextual Communication: Matching the level of formality (formal vs. informal) and the nature of authority (firm vs. open-ended) to the specific hierarchy and setting of the interaction.