Test: Paragraph Construction- 1 (June 28) - CAT MCQ

Reading the four sentences cursorily gives us a hint that they are about algorithm of collaborative filtering. Since the statement (d) introduces the topic and briefly explains collaborative algorithm, this is the first sentence in the sequence. The next sentence will be (a) because it gives the example of collaborative filtering along with the first hand experience to the readers. The next statement should talk about the problem with these algorithms. This statement is (b). The only one option is left now. This is option (c) and it follows the sequence by giving an example of the problem with these algorithms.

At its first glance all the five options look related. Therefore, we will begin sequencing each sentence step by step.
Statement (e) looks like the opening statement: For millennia, people with hearing impairments encountered marginalization because it was believed that language could only be learned by hearing the spoken word. The idea is further expanded in sentence (c).
Marginalization is a form of prejudice. So the next sentence will be option (d) which speaks against this prejudice: Pushback against this prejudice began in the 16th century when Pushback against this prejudice began in the 16th century when Pedro Ponce de León created a formal sign language for the hearing impaired.
The next sentence will be sentence (a) because it begins with ‘his’. It is used for Pedro Ponce de León. So the sentence will be: His idea to use sign language was not a completely new idea as Native Americans used hand gestures to communicate with other tribes.
From above, option (b) is left out as an odd one out. This will be our answer.

When we begin looking for an opening sentence, we find only sentence (d) appears like an opening sentence. The other sentences are in need of some meaningful claim before them. They are abrupt and not clear unless some meaningful sentence precedes them. The sentence (d) talks about three suffix as symbols. These three suffix as symbols are further explained in sentence (a). Therefore (d) and (a) will form a sequence. Something more on suffix is added by statement (e), that is, to gain the suffix was to acquire a proud and optimistic emblem of the electronic and atomic age. From here, we can see that something more is further added to explain or discuss suffix (morphemes). Thus the sequence we get is daec. Option (b) emerges as the odd one out. It is unrelated to the passage and speaks of something entirely different out of the blue. Therefore answer is (b).

1 could be either in the beginning or in the end because it is in the nature of introduction or conclusion. However, it will not come in the beginning because it starts off by differentiating print-reading and mind reading. We must have these terms explained before this sentence. If you notice the statement (d), it has discussed these terms. Therefore, it is clear that 1 will follow (d). That is (d) will come first and then (a) will be there. Therefore, we have (d, a) sequences. Our opening sentence can be either (b) or (c). It may be noted that (b) has a better introductory tone which should be followed by statement (c) because this statement explains what mind reading is. Immediately after mind reading, we have the statement on print reading, which should follow statement (c).
The final sequence we have now is (b, c, d, a). This is the correct answer.

The passage is about pure science and applied science with specific examples of physics and engineering. The passage makes a further claim that engineers may find some theories of physics useful even when they are not validated by physics. The passage also discusses about the challenges of validating a theory in physics.
Option (a) is completely off the mark. According to this option relationship between pure and applied science is strictly linear, with the pure science directing applied science. In the passage we actually find that pure science is not always directing the applied science. The theories that are false in pure science are used in the applied science. Option (c) does not capture the sense of the passage. It says “The unique task of the engineer is to identify, understand, and interpret the design constraints to produce a successful result.” This is not the complete sense of the passage because the passage talks about the relationship between the pure science and the applied science. Option (d) distorts the meaning of the passage. It says Engineering and physics fundamentally differ on matters like building a bridge or a nuclear reactor. The passage talks about the broad differences and the relationship between pure and applied science. Option (d) is just a specific example, so it can be eliminated.
Option (b) captures the essence of the passage. It says “Though engineering draws heavily from pure science, it contributes to knowledge, by incorporating the constraints and conditions in the real world.” Therefore, it is the correct choice.

If we read the passage carefully, we can tone it down to few essential elements. These are: 1. Language and displaced reference 2. Ability to think about distant things precedes the ability to speak about them. (c). Mental categories can be invoked even in the absence of immediate stimuli.
Option (a) This option makes the mistake of claiming that only humans have the ability to think about objects not present in their surroundings. Even if this claim is true, this assertion is nowhere made in the passage.
Option (c) This option can be ruled out because displaced reference is a distinguishing feature of language, not of humans. (For example: This may not have been true of primitive humans who had not developed a language).
Option (d) Option (d) can be ruled out because this option claims that thoughts precede all speech acts, while the passage claims that “Thought precedes meaningful referential communication”. There is a difference between the two. Option (b) This option is exact and to the point. It does not clash with anything made out in the passage.

If you read the options carefully, you will understand that you need to have a clear understanding of “hidden persuasion”, “subliminal level”, “supraliminal level” etc. You can find the essence of the passage in the conclusion, which is: “individuals do not always have access to their conscious thoughts and can be persuaded by supraliminal messages without their knowledge.” Now your task is to find the statement that is closest to this statement.
Option (a) talks about subliminal level, so we can eliminate it. Option (c) also talks about subliminal level, so we can eliminate it. Now the choice is between option (b) and option (d).
However, we will have to eliminate option (b) because it says that “the people targeted are aware of being persuaded,” while the truth according to the passage is “individuals do not always have access to their conscious thoughts and can be persuaded by supraliminal messages without their knowledge”. Option (d) is closest to this view because it maintains that “though the people targeted have no awareness of being persuaded.” So option (d) is the correct choice.

If you read the statements as given in the question, you will note that they are all about the phrase carpe diem. The first sentence therefore, has to be the one that explains the phrase. The statement (c) explains the phrase, so it will come first. The second sentence/statement has to be the one that digs its background or history. This statement is the second statement. That is (c) is followed by (b), so we get (cb). The next statement may be about its example or about the problems with phrases when translating from one language to the other. So, the next statement will be (d). The sequence we get now is (cbd). Since (a) is the only one left, it will automatically come there. We can also note that (a) is in the form of a conclusion or general statement. Therefore, the sequence we get now is (cbda).

If you read the four sentences randomly, you will realize it is about social media and our response to it. Statement (c) is the introductory sentence because it opens the discussion by making a claim that we must be open to legitimate criticism as we learn to live with social media. This is a sentence about what we need to learn. The next related sentence is also about what we need to learn more. This is about responding to feedbacks. This is given out in sentence (b). The next related sentence is about new norms emerging due to increased social media interaction. This is statement (d). Finally we are left with sentence one (a). This is in the form of the conclusion or a generalized statement. Therefore, the sequence is (cbda).

together, odd one out (a)
Statement (d) looks like an introductory sentence on the topic of identity.  Statement (c) is closely related to (d) as it expands the notion of identity by claiming that some organizations have complex and multidimensional identities. Therefore (d) and (c) will come together. The next sentence will be (e) because it explains the opinion of some people on complex identities and their advantages to an organization. Statement (b) follows (e) because it explains the opinion of others on complex identity and how it can be disadvantageous to an organization. Therefore, we are left with only (a). This statement is totally unrelated to the four statements that are related. So (a) is the odd one out.