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CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - CAT MCQ


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CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 1

Which of the following can be responsible for Emperor Penguins losing body heat?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 1

Option A : It has been mentioned that food metabolism is used to maintain body temperature. But it cannot be inferred that heat is lost due to food metabolism.
► Option B : The colder temperature of plumage results in slight heat gain from the surrounding air. Hence this option is incorrect.
► Option C : In the last paragraph of the passage, it has been mentioned that heat is very important for the breeding of Emperor Penguins. So it can be inferred that this conserved heat might be used in the reproductive process of Emperor Penguins. Hence C is the answer.
► Option D : Consider the line: "Since their outer plumage is.......thermal convection—the transfer of heat via the movement of a fluid (in this case, the air)." It is clear that the process of thermal convection is responsible for heat gain and not heat loss. Hence D is incorrect.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 2

All of the following, if true, would negate the findings of the study reported in the passage EXCEPT:

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 2

The primary findings of the study conclude that Emperor Penguins reduce the heat loss by keeping the temperature of the outer surface of their plumage lower than the surrounding air. In fact, they gain a little heat from the surrounding air through thermal convection.
Option A: If the plumage did not allow thermal convection, it would contradict the findings of the study. Hence A is not the answer.
Option B: Since the transfer of heat takes place through the plumage, variation in the average temperature of feet will not affect the conclusions of the study. Hence B is the answer.
Option C: The average temperature of plumage should be lower than that of the air. It has been mentioned in the passage that the temperatures of the plumage on their heads, chests and backs were -1.84, -7.24 and -9.76 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. If the temperature of the air is -10 degrees Fahrenheit, Penguins would not be able to gain the heat. Hence, this will negate the study findings.
► Option D: All the temperatures mentioned in this option are higher than the temperature of the air, but the study assumes the surrounding air temperature to be higher. This option will also negate the study findings.

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CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 3

Which of the following best explains the purpose of the word “paradoxically” as used by the author?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 3

The word "paradoxically" has been used by the author to indicate the two contradictory characteristics mentioned in the statement.
► Option A : This option states the exact opposite conclusion mentioned in the passage. As per the passage, penguins keep their plumage colder to keep their body warmer. Hence A is incorrect.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 4

In the last sentence of paragraph 3, “slightly warmer air” and “at a slightly colder temperature” refer to ______ AND ______ respectively:

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 4

► Option A : Consider the sentence: "As the cold Antarctic air cycles around their bodies, slightly warmer air comes into contact with the plumage and donates minute amounts of heat back to the penguins, then cycles away at a slightly colder temperature." It has been mentioned in the passage that the plumage temperature is lower than the surrounding air temperature. Hence, "slightly warmer air" refers to the Antarctica air that surrounds the plumage and "at a slightly colder temperature" refers to the fall in temperature due to heat loss.
► Option B : The process of convections and not radiation is involved in this case. Hence the first part of the option is incorrect. B is not the answer.
► Option C : The passage does not mention air trapped in plumage. Hence this option is rejected.
► Option D : "slightly warmer air" refers to the Antarctica air and not the air inside the penguins' bodies. Hence D is incorrect.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 5

Which one of the following best sums up the overall purpose of the examples of Casper and Glossier in the passage?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 5

Option A: The startups Casper and Glossier are certainly breaking the trend of choice anxiety. Yet, the author argues that they are turning into something that they intended to disrupt. Hence, this does not capture the purpose of the author.
Option B: The author argues that even these startups are targeting select few mid-range customers rather than the lower classes. Hence, this option directly contradicts the author's claim.
Option C: These startups initially started as an exception to offering a wide variety of choices. Yet, due to limited customers, and want for steep growth, they might transform into a type of company that they intended to disrupt.
Hence, this option correctly resounds the authors fear and captures his purpose of argument. Hence C is correct.
Option D: This option is largely vague and can have multiple interpretations. One interpretation can be that these startups are targeting a selected band of customers and do not have an offering for lower-class customers. Hence, there is no uniform distribution.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 6

All of the following, IF TRUE, would weaken the author’s claims EXCEPT:

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 6

Option A: Paragraph 1 says "choice fatigue is one reason so many people gravitate toward lifestyle influencers on Instagram". Hence, as per the passage, a company with a wide range of products and a lifestyle influencer is likely to perform better than a company with only wide range of products. Hence, this statement negates the claim of the author.
Option B: "As options have expanded for people with disposable income, the opportunity to buy even basic things such as fresh food or quality diapers has contracted for much of America’s lower classes." The author argues that a variety of products are offered only for a certain class of consumers other than the lower class. If the variety of options indeed helped the poor, then his argument is weakened.
Option C: "Research has consistently held that people who are presented with a few options make better, easier decisions than those presented with many". "Americans have lost the ability to sort through the sheer volume". Clearly, people are overwhelmed by options and prefer a lesser variety. Hence, option C is contradictory.
Option D: This option is largely vague and leaves unanswered questions behind. Also, the author doesn't make any comparison between the growth of these two types of companies. The author only says that, as the company targets only a few consumers, for the want of growth they are likely to expand to a variety of products. As there is no information about their growths, this option neither strengthens nor weakens the claim.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 7

Based on the passage, all of the following can be inferred about consumer behaviour EXCEPT that:

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 7

Option A: Paragraph 1 says "Since Americans have lost the ability to sort through the sheer volume of the consumer choices available to them" Since the product options are overwhelming, they are unable to sort through the options. Hence, option A can be inferred from the passage.
Option BParagraph 1 says "Research has consistently ..... industry unto itself." As people experience choice anxiety due to overwhelming options, they are unable to trust products while selecting. Hence, the look-out for celebrities and curators to make a decision.
Option C: There is no such comparison in the passage that shows people's preference for products by startups.
Hence, option C cannot be inferred.
Option DParagraph 1 says "a ghost now has to be in the retail machine, whether it’s an algorithm, an influencer, or some snazzy ad tech to help a product follow you around the internet". Due to our inability to sort, we depend on influencers or we are vulnerable to snazzy ads to purchase products. Hence, D can be inferred.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 8

A new food brand plans to launch a series of products in the American market. Which of the following product plans is most likely to be supported by the author of the passage?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 8

The author principally argues for lesser choices. He says that choice anxiety is overwhelming and people make better decisions with lesser choices.
He is also critical about companies targeting only a certain band of well-off customers and critiques them for not offering products for consumers of lower classes.
Hence, a product group with a lesser variety, and targeted to lower class customers would be most acceptable to the author.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 9

Which of the following hypothetical statements would add the least depth to the author’s prediction of the fate of start-ups offering few product options?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 9

By "Depth", the author suggests a scenario that adds value or supplies additional information which supports his claim.
Option A: If the startup products grow exponentially and are self-sufficient and do not expand to other products, this scenario directly contradicts the author's probable prediction of these companies. Hence, it would add the least depth to the author's argument. A is the correct answer.
Option BLet's consider that startups with few product options already exist. In such a case, these startups are no exceptions. For the sake of steep growth and surviving, they might have to expand into different product categories. Hence it adds some depth to the author's prediction.

Option C"There may be no way to opt-out of stuff by buying into the right thing." The author is clearly displeased with startups ending up with overwhelming variety. Losing regular customers for better growth further invigorates the author's claim against numerous choices. Hence, it adds some value to his criticism.

Option D: If the government doubles their tax rates, as these startups are dependent on select customers for income, they might have to venture into other products and varieties to accentuate their returns and keep the company afloat.

Hence, their fate would likely end up the way the author predicted it to be.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 10

In the last paragraph, the author uses the example of “Residents of upscale residential developments” to illustrate the:

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 10

"Residents of upscale residential developments have disclosed how important it is to maintain their community’s distinct identity, often by casting themselves in a superior social position and by reinforcing class and racial differences."
Option A: The option implies that the clients are made to feel at home. While the phrase “Residents of upscale residential developments” is used to capture the intent of social dominance of a particular class. Hence this option is incorrect.

Option B: The option implies that the jingoism of a certain class might lead to topophobia. The option is yet again unrelated.

Option C: Residents of upscale residential developments intend to promote their community by reinforcing sectarian differences. This exclusivism(Practice of being exclusive/important) is clearly captured in the option. Hence C is correct.

Option D: Sensitive response indicates a considerate response where other's sentiments are considered. While these residents are inconsiderate and consider themself superior. Also, the option doesn't capture the purpose clearly. Hence, incorrect

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 11

Which one of the following comes closest in meaning to the author’s understanding of topophilia?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 11

Option A: The entire passage deals with "TOPOPHILIA" and "TOPOGRAPHY" is unrelated. Also, the author says that we experience topophilia in three forms and that we are not born with it.

Option B: "Topophilia connotes a positive relationship, but it often is useful to explore the darker affiliations between people and place. Patriotism, literally meaning the love of one’s terra patria or homeland".
Despite a negative tone, the author says that one form of topophilia is patriotism. Even though not wholesome, it comes "closest" to the author's understanding of topophilia among the given options. Hence B is correct.

Option C: An illustration of topophobia doesn't represent the author's view on topophilia.

Option D: The option speaks about glossophilia(Love of language) and is unrelated to topophilia.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 12

Which one of the following best captures the meaning of the statement, “Topophilia is difficult to design for and impossible to quantify ”?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 12

"As Tuan noted, purely aesthetic responses often are suddenly revealed, but their intensity rarely is longlasting.
Topophilia is difficult to design for and impossible to quantify". The author says that people's response to aesthetics is shortlived and usually subsides over time. Hence, it is difficult to design or quantify.
Option A"Amomie" means lack of morals or ethics. It is unrelated to the passage.

Option BAn objective analysis by architects does not explain the reason why it is difficult to quantify topophilia.

Option C: This statement is in the form of an opinion and does not explain the above statement.

Option D: Since every person has different topophilic attractions and has different responses to aesthetics. Capturing topophilia in the form of design is impossible. This option elaborates and explains the reason for quantifying topophilia. Hence option D is correct.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 13

The word “topophobia” in the passage is used:

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 13

"And just as a beloved landscape is suddenly revealed, so too may landscapes of fear cast a dark shadow over a place that makes one feel a sense of dread or anxiety—or topophobia."

Option Aclearly captures the essence of the last sentence in the passage.

Option B: speaks about topography.

 Option C: speaks about dread towards people.

Option Dis unrelated to topophobia. Hence, all of them are incorrect.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 14

Which of the following statements, if true, could be seen as not contradicting the arguments in the passage?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 14

Option A: "new urbanism seeks to... Although motivated by good intentions, such attempts to create places rich in meaning are perhaps bound to disappoint." The author says new urbanism that tries to induce sense of place is bound to fail. Since there is no mention of clients, irrespectively new urbanism is going to fail. Hence, it is contradicting the author.

Option B"His 1974 book set forth a wide-ranging exploration of how the emotive ties with the material environment vary greatly from person to person and in intensity, subtlety, and mode of expression." This option is contradicting the passage yet again.

Option CThe author lists out three ways of experiencing topophilia but doesn't emphasize any one way. Hence, even though not contradictory, this option is factually misquoting the passage.

Option D"Topophilia connotes a positive relationship, but it often is useful to explore the darker affiliations between people and place. Patriotism, literally meaning the love of one’s terra patria or homeland.." Clearly, the author has a negative intonation when he says "darker affiliation". He presents patriotism as a darker manifestation of topophilia. Hence, this statement is correct and does not contradict the author. 

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 15

At a conference on folk forms, the author of the passage is least likely to agree with which one of the following views?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 15

Folk Forms and the Author's Disagreement:

A: Folk forms, in their ability to constantly adapt to the changing world, exhibit an unusual poise and homogeneity with each change.

 

  • The author is least likely to agree with this view.
  • The author mentions that folk songs exist in constant transformation.
  • According to the author, each rendition of a ballad is like an acorn falling from an oak tree, sowing the song anew.
  • The author emphasizes the tension in newness and highlights how purists were suspicious of folk songs recast in rock idioms.
  • The author's argument suggests that folk forms are not characterized by poise and homogeneity, but rather by constant change and adaptation.

 

B: The plurality and democratising impulse of folk forms emanate from the improvisation that its practitioners bring to it.

 

  • The author is likely to agree with this view.
  • The author mentions Cecil Sharp's belief that folk songs are constantly changing and being influenced by different singers.
  • This suggests that the improvisation and input from practitioners contribute to the plurality and democratising impulse of folk forms.

 

C: The power of folk resides in its contradictory ability to influence and be influenced by the present while remaining rooted in the past.

  • The author is likely to agree with this view.
  • The author mentions how folk is hip again and influences artists, clothing and furniture designers, music festivals, and more.
  • The author also highlights the obscurity and anonymity of folk music's origins, which allows for rampant imaginative fancies.
  • This implies that folk forms have the power to both influence and be influenced by the present while still retaining a connection to their historical roots.

D: Folk forms, despite their archaic origins, remain intellectually relevant in contemporary times.

 

  • The author is likely to agree with this view.
  • The author mentions how folk is celebrated at music festivals, awards ceremonies, and on TV.
  • The author also notes that folk music has been reissued on countless record labels, suggesting its continued relevance in contemporary times.
  • The author's argument throughout the passage emphasizes the ongoing influence and popularity of folk forms in modern society.

In conclusion, the author is least likely to agree with the view that folk forms exhibit an unusual poise and homogeneity with each change. The author's arguments suggest that folk forms are characterized by constant transformation, tension in newness, and the ability to influence and be influenced by the present while remaining rooted in the past.

 

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 16

The primary purpose of the reference to William Morris and his floral prints is to show:

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 16

The primary purpose of the reference to William Morris and his floral prints is to show:
- William Morris was a radical socialist and anti-capitalist conservationist.
- The phrase "Free of the taint of manufacture" is associated with his ideology.
- Morris believed in a pre-industrial golden age and opposed the capitalist system.
- The reference to his floral prints demonstrates that what was once considered radical or revolutionary can later become conformist or mainstream.
- The comparison between Morris's prints and folk music highlights the paradoxical nature of folk's current status as both fashionable and unfashionable.
- The passage suggests that folk music, like Morris's prints, has been reappropriated and commodified over time.
- The mention of Morris's influence on furniture and clothing designers further emphasizes the pervasive influence of folk on contemporary art and culture.
Therefore, the primary purpose of the reference to William Morris and his floral prints is to show that what was once regarded as radical in folk can later be seen as conformist.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 17

The author says that folk “may often appear a cosy, fossilised form” because:

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 17


The author says that folk "may often appear a cosy, fossilised form" because:
1. Nostalgic association with a pre-industrial past:
- The phrase "Free of the taint of manufacture" is heavily loaded with the ideology of anti-capitalist conservationism, which solaces itself with the vision of a pre-industrial golden age.
- This nostalgic association with a simpler, pre-industrial past gives folk a sense of being a "cosy" and traditional form.
2. Arrogation for political and cultural purposes:
- The idea of folk, including who has the right to sing it, dance it, invoke it, collect it, belong to it, or appropriate it for political or cultural ends, has always been contested territory.
- Folk has been used and arrogated for various political and cultural purposes, which can give it a fossilized appearance.
3. Debates and disagreements:
- The notion of folk has always led to debates and disagreements.
- The right to sing, dance, and appropriate folk music has been contested, creating tensions and divisions within the folk community.
- This ongoing debate and contestation can give folk a sense of being a static, fossilized form.
Therefore, the correct answer is B: Of its nostalgic association with a pre-industrial past.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 18

Which of the following statements about folk revivalism of the 1940s and 1960s cannot be inferred from the passage?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 18

Statement A: Electrification of music would not have happened without the influence of rock music.
This statement cannot be inferred from the passage. The passage mentions that in the late 1960s, purists were suspicious of folk songs recast in rock idioms, suggesting that there was resistance to electrification of folk music. However, it does not explicitly state that electrification would not have happened without the influence of rock music.
Statement B: Even though it led to folk-rock's golden age, it wasn't entirely free from critique.
This statement can be inferred from the passage. The passage mentions that the second wave of folk revivalists in the 1940s and 1960s created the conditions for folk-rock's golden age. However, it also implies that this period has become ripe for fashionable emulation and pastiche, suggesting that it is not entirely free from critique.
Statement C: It reinforced Cecil Sharp's observation about folk's constant transformation.
This statement can be inferred from the passage. The passage mentions Cecil Sharp's belief that folk songs exist in constant transformation, with each rendition sowing the song anew. It also discusses how folk revivalists in the 1940s and 1960s were part of a living example of an art form in a perpetual state of renewal.
Statement D: Freedom and rebellion were popular themes during the second wave of folk revivalism.
This statement can be inferred from the passage. The passage mentions that the second wave of folk revivalists in the 1940s was driven by communism's dream of a post-revolutionary New Jerusalem. This suggests that freedom and rebellion were popular themes during this period.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 19

All of the following are causes for plurality and diversity within the British folk tradition EXCEPT:

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 19

Plurality and Diversity within the British Folk Tradition

A: That British folk continues to have traces of pagan influence from the dark ages.

 

  • The presence of pagan influence from the dark ages adds diversity to the British folk tradition.
  • These influences give folk music an antique veneer and a connection to Britain's heathen past.

B: Paradoxically, folk forms are both popular and unpopular.

 

  • This statement is not a cause for plurality and diversity within the British folk tradition.
  • The popularity or unpopularity of folk forms does not contribute to the diversity of the tradition.

C: The fluidity of folk forms owing to their history of oral mode of transmission.

  • The oral mode of transmission allows for variations and adaptations of folk songs over time.
  • Each rendition of a ballad is compared to an acorn falling from an oak tree, sowing the song anew.
  • This fluidity leads to a constant transformation and renewal of folk songs.

D: That British folk forms can be traced to the remote past of the country.

 

  • The ability to trace British folk forms to the remote past contributes to the plurality and diversity of the tradition.
  • It shows the long history and evolution of folk music in Britain.

Based on the above analysis, the correct answer is B: Paradoxically, folk forms are both popular and unpopular as it does not contribute to the plurality and diversity within the British folk tradition.

 

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 20

All of the following serve as evidence for the character of Aladdin being based on Hanna Diyab EXCEPT:

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 20

The question asks for evidence that does not support the idea that the character of Aladdin is based on Hanna Diyab. Let's analyze each option:
A: Diyab's narration of the original story to Galland.
This option supports the idea that Diyab told Galland the story of Aladdin, which suggests that Aladdin may be based on Diyab's own experiences. Therefore, this option does serve as evidence for Aladdin being based on Diyab.
B: Diyab's humble origins and class struggles, as recounted in his travelogue.
This option provides insight into Diyab's background, which suggests that he may have drawn from his own experiences when creating the character of Aladdin. Therefore, this option does serve as evidence for Aladdin being based on Diyab.
C: Diyab's description of the wealth of Versailles in his travelogue.
This option supports the idea that Diyab was familiar with the opulence of Versailles, which is reflected in the descriptions of the palace in the Aladdin story. Therefore, this option does serve as evidence for Aladdin being based on Diyab.
D: Diyab's cosmopolitanism and cross-cultural experience.
This option highlights Diyab's exposure to different cultures and suggests that he would have been able to blend storytelling traditions from his homeland with his observations of 18th-century France, similar to how the Aladdin story combines elements from the Middle East and France. Therefore, this option does serve as evidence for Aladdin being based on Diyab.
In conclusion, all of the provided options serve as evidence for the character of Aladdin being based on Hanna Diyab. Therefore, the correct answer is a.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 21

Which of the following is the primary reason for why storytellers are still fascinated by the story of Aladdin?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 21

A: The traveller's experience that inspired the tale of Aladdin resonates even today.

  • The story of Aladdin is believed to be based on the real experiences of Hanna Diyab, a Syrian storyteller from Aleppo.
  • Diyab's travelogue, written in the mid-18th century, describes his own upbringing and his fascination with the extravagance of Versailles, which is reflected in the Aladdin story.
  • This connection between real-life experiences and the fictional tale makes Aladdin relatable and enduring.

B: The archetype of the rags-to-riches story of Aladdin makes it popular even today.

  • Aladdin's story follows the classic narrative of a character starting from humble beginnings and rising to wealth and success.
  • This archetype resonates with audiences across different cultures and time periods, as it represents the universal desire for personal transformation and success.

C: The tale of Aladdin documents the history of Europe and the Middle East.

  • Aladdin provides insights into the historical relationship between Europe and the Middle East.
  • It reflects the fascination with exotic Middle Eastern luxuries prevalent in 18th-century France, known as French Orientalism.
  • The story also highlights the experiences of Middle Easterners encountering the French culture, offering a perspective from the East rather than the typical Western viewpoint.

D: The story of Aladdin is evidence of the eighteenth-century French Orientalist attitude.

  • The story of Aladdin, as popularized by Antoine Galland's translations, is seen as a product of French Orientalism.
  • French Orientalism refers to the fascination with stereotypical exotic Middle Eastern luxuries during the 18th century.
  • This attitude influenced the portrayal of Aladdin and the depiction of Middle Eastern culture in the story.
  • Based on the passage, the primary reason for why storytellers are still fascinated by the story of Aladdin is:

A: The traveller's experience that inspired the tale of Aladdin resonates even today.

  • The connection between real-life experiences and the fictional story makes it relatable and enduring.
  • The tale captures the distinctive psychology of a young protagonist and explores the injustices and opportunities that can transform one's path.
  • It also reflects solidarity among Arabs in Paris during a time of food shortages, portraying societal issues that resonate with the present day.
CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 22

Which of the following does not contribute to the passage’s claim about the authorship of Aladdin?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 22

The passage discusses the authorship of the story of Aladdin and explores the possibility that Hanna Diyab, a Syrian storyteller, may have played a significant role in its creation. It presents evidence and arguments to support this claim. The question asks which of the following does not contribute to this claim. Let's analyze each option:

A: The narrative sensibility of Diyab's travelogue.
The passage mentions that Diyab's travelogue contains descriptions that are similar to the descriptions of the palace in Galland's version of the Aladdin story. This suggests that Diyab's personal experiences influenced the story and adds to the claim that he may have been involved in its authorship. Therefore, this option contributes to the claim.

B: Galland's acknowledgment of Diyab in his diary.
The passage states that Galland wrote in his diary that he first heard the tale of Aladdin from Diyab. This acknowledgment supports the claim that Diyab had a role in the creation of the story. Therefore, this option contributes to the claim.

C: The story-line of many French fairy tales of the 18th century.
The passage mentions that scholars initially thought that the story of Aladdin might have been inspired by French fairy tales of the same period. However, it then presents the argument that Diyab's personal experiences and storytelling traditions may have influenced the story instead. Therefore, this option does not contribute to the claim.

D: The depiction of the affluence of Versailles in Diyab's travelogue.
The passage describes how Diyab's travelogue includes descriptions of the extravagance of Versailles that are similar to the descriptions in Galland's version of the Aladdin story. This connection suggests that Diyab's experiences influenced the story's depiction of affluence. Therefore, this option contributes to the claim.
Based on the analysis, option C does not contribute to the passage's claim about the authorship of Aladdin.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 23

The author of the passage is most likely to agree with which of the following explanations for the origins of the story of Aladdin?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 23

The author of the passage is most likely to agree with the explanation that Diyab, a Syrian storyteller from Aleppo, transmitted the story of Aladdin to Galland, who included it in his translations of Arabian Nights. This can be inferred from the following statements in the passage:

  • "Galland wrote in his diary that he first heard the tale from a Syrian storyteller named Hanna Diyab."
  • "Diyab recalls telling Galland the story of Aladdin in his own travelogue."
  • "The descriptions he uses were very similar to the descriptions of the lavish palace that ended up in Galland's version of the Aladdin story."
  • "Horta believes that 'Aladdin might be the young Arab Maronite from Aleppo, marvelling at the jewels and riches of Versailles.'"

Based on these statements, it can be concluded that Diyab shared his own experiences and stories with Galland, who then incorporated them into his translations, including the story of Aladdin.
Therefore, the answer is A: Basing it on his own life experiences, Diyab transmitted the story of Aladdin to Galland who included it in Arabian Nights.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 24

Which of the following, if true, would invalidate the inversion that the phrase “flips the script” refers to?

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 24

Objective: To identify the statement that would invalidate the inversion referred to as "flipping the script."

Key Information:

  • The passage discusses the origins of the Aladdin story and suggests that the character may have been based on a real person named Hanna Diyab.
  • According to the author, the idea that Diyab based the story on his own life "flips the script" and challenges the commonly held belief that the story was a product of French Orientalism.

Analysis of Answer Choices:

  • A: Diyab's travelogue described the affluence of the French city of Bordeaux, instead of Versailles. - This statement does not directly relate to the inversion referred to as "flipping the script." It is not relevant to the argument being made.
  • B: The French fairy tales of the eighteenth century did not have rags-to-riches plot lines like that of the tale of Aladdin. - This statement does not directly relate to the inversion referred to as "flipping the script." It is not relevant to the argument being made.
  • C: The description of opulence in Hanna Diyab's and Antoine Galland's narratives bore no resemblance to each other. - This statement directly challenges the idea that Diyab based the story on his own experiences. If the descriptions of opulence in Diyab's and Galland's narratives were completely different, it would weaken the argument that Aladdin was based on Diyab's experiences.
  • D: Galland acknowledged in the published translations of Arabian Nights that he heard the story of Aladdin from Diyab. - This statement does not directly relate to the inversion referred to as "flipping the script." It is not relevant to the argument being made.

Conclusion: Based on the analysis of the answer choices, it can be concluded that choice C is the most appropriate answer. This statement directly challenges the idea that Aladdin was based on Diyab's experiences, which is the inversion referred to as "flipping the script."

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 25

InstructionsFive sentences related to a topic are given below in a jumbled order. Four of them form a coherent and unified paragraph. Identify the odd sentence that does not go with the four. Key in the number of the option that you choose.


1. ‘Stat’ signaled something measurable, while ‘matic’ advertised free labour; but ‘tron’, above all, indicated control.
2. It was a totem of high modernism, the intellectual and cultural mode that decreed no process or phenomenon was too complex to be grasped, managed and optimized.
3. Like the heraldic shields of ancient knights, these morphemes were painted onto the names of scientific technologies to proclaim one’s history and achievements to friends and enemies alike.
4. The historian Robert Proctor at Stanford University calls the suffix ‘-tron’, along with ‘-matic’ and ‘-stat’, embodied symbols.
5. To gain the suffix was to acquire a proud and optimistic emblem of the electronic and atomic age.


Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 25

It is clear that the passage is about the three morphemes, ‘stat,’ ‘matic’ and ‘tron’, their meanings and importance in the electronic and atomic age.

Let us link the sentences logically and try and find the sentence which does not link logically with the other sentences.

  • ‘Stat’, ‘matic’ and ‘tron’ are suffixes as first mentioned in sentence 4. Therefore, sentence 4 will begin the paragraph.
  • Sentence 1 follows sentence 4 by giving the meanings of the three suffixes.
  • Sentence 3 follows sentence 1 by stating that these morphemes (Stat, matic and tron) have been linked to scientific technologies to proclaim one’s history and achievements, similar to knights in ancient times wearing shields with emblems to proclaim their warrior statuses.
  • Sentence 5 extends this thought further by stating that to gain these suffixes (signifying different professions) was a mark of prestige in the modern era.

It is clear that sentence 2 is the odd sentence out of the paragraph. We are not sure as to what the pronoun “it” is referring to.
Secondly, it mentions that the modern age is characterized by the fact that no process or phenomenon is too complex to be understood or deciphered.

Therefore, Sentence 2 is completely at variance with the other sentences in the paragraph since it does not mention anything about the three suffixes (stat, matic and tron) discussed in the other sentences.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 26

InstructionsThe four sentences ( labelled 1, 2, 3, 4 ) given below, when properly sequenced would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequence of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer.


1. People with dyslexia have difficulty with print-reading, and people with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty with mind-reading.
2. An example of a lost cognitive instinct is mind-reading: our capacity to think of ourselves and others as having beliefs, desires, thoughts and feelings.
3. Mind-reading looks increasingly like literacy, a skill we know for sure is not in our genes, since scripts have been around for only 5,000-6,000 years.
4. Print-reading, like mind-reading varies across cultures, depends heavily on certain parts of the brain, and is subject to developmental disorders.


Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 26
  • The paragraph is about mind-reading and print-reading and sentence 1 seems to conclude the paragraph by giving names to people who cannot print-read or have difficulty in mind-reading – people with dyslexia have difficulty with print-reading, and people with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty with mind-reading.
  • Sentence 2 is the introductory sentence since it defines and gives the meaning of mind reading. It goes on to mention that mind-reading is a “lost cognitive instinct.”
  • Sentence 3 extends this thought of mind-reading by likening it to literacy and stating that scripts have been around for only 5000-6000 years. Therefore, literacy is not in our genes.
  • Sentence 4 with “print reading” extends this thought of scripts being around for a short human period only. Furthermore, it talks about the development of “disorders” in print-reading.

Hence, the correct sequence is 2341.
 

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 27

InstructionsThe four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4) given below, when properly sequenced would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequence of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer.


1. Metaphors may map to similar meanings across languages, but their subtle differences can have a profound effect on our understanding of the world.
2. Latin scholars point out carpe diem is a horticultural metaphor that, particularly seen in the context of its source, is more accurately translated as “plucking the day,” evoking the plucking and gathering of ripening fruits or flowers, enjoying a moment that is rooted in the sensory experience of nature, unrelated to the force implied in seizing.
3. The phrase carpe diem, which is often translated as “seize the day and its accompanying philosophy, has gone on to inspire countless people in how they live their lives and motivates us to see the world a little differently from the norm.
4. It’s an example of one of the more telling ways that we mistranslate metaphors from one language to another, revealing in the process our hidden assumptions about what we really value.


Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 27
  • Since it is difficult to clearly establish the introductory sentence, let us look for linking pairs.
  • Sentences 3 and 2 are clearly a linking pair. Both mention the phrase ‘carpe diem.’ While sentence 3 mentions carpe diem is often translated as “seize the day”, its more accurate translation in the context of its source, as mentioned in sentence 2, is “plucking the day” – evoking the plucking and gathering of flowers. Sentence 3, with “The phrase carpe diem” will come first.
  • It is clear that carpe diem is therefore a metaphor and its meaning has been changed from its original source. This is exactly what sentence 4 states and this sentence will follow sentence 2.
  • Sentence 1, at first read, appears to be the introductory sentence of the paragraph but is actually a more effective concluding sentence. It talks about the subtle differences of metaphors across languages which is exactly what sentences 3 and 2 mentions in the form of a particular phrase – carpe diem.
    Sentence 1, therefore, sums up the assertions made in the first three sentences and is the concluding sentence.

Therefore, the correct order of sentences is 3241.

CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 28

InstructionsThe four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4) given below, when properly sequenced would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequence of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer.


1. We’ll all live under mob rule until then, which doesn’t help anyone.
2. Perhaps we need to learn to condense the feedback we receive online so that 100 replies carry the same weight as just one.
3. As we grow more comfortable with social media conversations being part of the way we interact every day, we are going to have to learn how to deal with legitimate criticism.
4. A new norm will arise where it is considered unacceptable to reply with the same point that dozens of others have already.


Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 28

Reordering the sentences:



  1. We’ll all live under mob rule until then, which doesn’t help anyone. (4)

  2. Perhaps we need to learn to condense the feedback we receive online so that 100 replies carry the same weight as just one. (2)

  3. As we grow more comfortable with social media conversations being part of the way we interact every day, we are going to have to learn how to deal with legitimate criticism. (3)

  4. A new norm will arise where it is considered unacceptable to reply with the same point that dozens of others have already. (1)


Explanation:


The correct sequence of the sentences is as follows:

1. A new norm will arise where it is considered unacceptable to reply with the same point that dozens of others have already. (1)


This sentence introduces the idea that a new norm will be established where repeating the same point that others have already made will be seen as unacceptable.

2. Perhaps we need to learn to condense the feedback we receive online so that 100 replies carry the same weight as just one. (2)


This sentence suggests the need to condense online feedback to avoid repetition and ensure that each reply carries equal weight.

3. As we grow more comfortable with social media conversations being part of the way we interact every day, we are going to have to learn how to deal with legitimate criticism. (3)


This sentence highlights the increasing importance of social media conversations in our daily interactions and the need to learn how to handle valid criticism.

4. We’ll all live under mob rule until then, which doesn’t help anyone. (4)


This sentence concludes the paragraph by stating that until these changes are implemented, we will continue to live under mob rule, which is not beneficial for anyone.
Therefore, the correct sequence is 3241.
CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 29

InstructionsThe passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.

Vance Packard’s The Hidden Persuaders alerted the public to the psychoanalytical techniques used by the advertising industry. Its premise was that advertising agencies were using depth interviews to identify hidden consumer motivations, which were then used to entice consumers to buy goods. Critics and reporters often wrongly assumed that Packard was writing mainly about subliminal advertising. Packard never mentioned the word subliminal, however, and devoted very little space to discussions of “subthreshold” effects. Instead, his views largely aligned with the notion that individuals do not always have access to their conscious thoughts and can be persuaded by supraliminal messages without their knowledge.

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 29
Summary: Packard's book, "The Hidden Persuaders," discussed how advertising agencies use psychoanalytical techniques to identify hidden consumer motivations and persuade them to buy goods. Contrary to popular belief, Packard did not focus on subliminal advertising but rather on the idea that individuals can be influenced by supraliminal messages without their conscious knowledge.
Detailed Explanation:
The passage highlights the main points about Vance Packard's book, "The Hidden Persuaders," and its focus on the techniques used by advertising agencies to persuade consumers. Here is a breakdown of the passage and the correct summary:
1. Vance Packard's book, "The Hidden Persuaders," exposed the psychoanalytical techniques used by the advertising industry.
2. Advertising agencies conducted depth interviews to uncover hidden consumer motivations.
3. These hidden motivations were then used to entice consumers into buying goods.
4. Critics and reporters mistakenly associated Packard's book with subliminal advertising, but he never mentioned it.
5. Packard's book had very little discussion about "subthreshold" effects.
6. Instead, Packard's views aligned with the idea that individuals may not have access to their conscious thoughts and can be influenced by supraliminal messages without their knowledge.
Based on these points, we can conclude that the most accurate summary is option A:
- Packard held that advertising as a 'hidden persuasion' understands the hidden motivations of consumers and works at the supraliminal level, though the people targeted have no awareness of being persuaded.
CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 30

InstructionsThe passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.

A distinguishing feature of language is our ability to refer to absent things, known as a displaced reference.
A speaker can bring distant referents to mind in the absence of any obvious stimuli. Thoughts, not limited to the here and now, can pop into our heads for unfathomable reasons. This ability to think about distant things necessarily precedes the ability to talk about them. Thought precedes meaningful referential communication. A prerequisite for the emergence of human-like meaningful symbols is that the mental categories they relate to can be invoked even in the absence of immediate stimuli.

Detailed Solution for CAT 2019 Slot 1: Past Year Question Paper - Question 30

A summary of the passage would read like the following:

  • Displaced reference is the propensity to have thoughts about distant things without the absence of any obvious stimulus. Displaced reference or thoughts precede language or communication.
  • Option 1: Distorts the meaning of the paragraph by stating that thoughts precede all speech acts. This implies that we think of a particular subject before speaking about it. The passage mentions that thoughts occurred before communication or language in humans. The two interpretations are not compatible.
    Secondly, “all” speech acts is too strong an assumption to make. Therefore, option 1 is eliminated.
  • The paragraph does not mention that displaced reference is unique to humans. Eliminate option 2.
  • The paragraph does not mention that the ability to have thoughts not present in our surroundings is unique only to humans. Eliminate option 3.
  • Option 4 summarizes the paragraph correctly. The ability to think precedes human communication (as mentioned at the top of the solution). Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
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