RCs: 31 to 40 Questions for CAT with Answers PDF

Direction: The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
In the latter half of the 20th century, a significant shift occurred in the way children spend their time. The era once heralded as the 'golden age' of children's free play has been eclipsed by a new norm, characterized by structured schedules and diminished freedom. This change, driven by a combination of increased academic demands and parental fears, has led to a marked reduction in the time children spend playing freely.
The implications of this shift are profound, affecting not only the development of individual children but also the fabric of society as a whole. As free play has waned, a troubling rise in childhood mental disorders has been observed. The correlation between these two trends is more than coincidental; it speaks to the fundamental role that play serves in the emotional and psychological development of children.
Play is not merely a leisure activity; it is a critical component of learning, fostering skills such as empathy, creativity, and problem-solving. In the absence of play, children are deprived of the opportunity to develop these essential skills in a natural and self-directed manner. The decline in play is not just a loss of a cherished childhood pastime; it is a loss of the very experiences that shape competent, resilient, and innovative adults.
As society grapples with the consequences of this shift, it is imperative to reassess the value placed on free play and to recognize its indispensable role in the holistic development of children.
Q1: According to the passage, what has led to the reduction in children's free play time?
(a) Technological advancements
(b) Increased academic demands and parental fears
(c) Lack of available play spaces
(d) Children's preference for indoor activities
Ans: (b)
Sol: The passage explicitly states that the reduction in free play time is due to "increased academic demands and parental fears," making option B the correct answer.

Q2: What is the primary implication of the decline in children's free play, as suggested by the passage?
(a) Decreased physical fitness among children
(b) Reduced social interactions
(c) Rise in childhood mental disorders
(d) Lower academic performance
Ans: (c)
Sol: The passage directly links the decline in free play to a "troubling rise in childhood mental disorders," indicating that option C is the correct answer.

Q3: The author of the passage is most likely to agree with which of the following statements?
(a) Play is an optional activity that can be replaced with structured learning.
(b) Academic achievements are more important than play in a child's development.
(c) Play is a critical component of learning and emotional development.
(d) Children today have adequate opportunities for free play.
Ans: (c)
Sol: Throughout the passage, the author emphasizes the importance of play in learning and emotional development, making option C the most aligned with the author's perspective.

Q4: Which of the following best describes the tone of the passage?
(a) Optimistic
(b) Indifferent
(c) Concerned
(d) Dismissive
Ans: (c)
Sol: The author expresses concern about the decline in free play and its implications, making option C the best description of the tone.

Q5: The passage suggests that free play contributes to the development of all the following skills EXCEPT:
(a) Empathy
(b) Creativity
(c) Memorization
(d) Problem-solving
Ans: (c)
Sol: The passage mentions empathy, creativity, and problem-solving as skills fostered by play but does not include memorization, making option C the correct answer.

Q6: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?
(a) To criticize technological advancements
(b) To highlight the benefits of structured learning
(c) To advocate for the importance of free play in child development
(d) To compare past and present childhood experiences
Ans: (c)
Sol: The author's main purpose is to emphasize the importance of free play in child development and its role in fostering essential skills, making option C the correct answer.