Verbal for XAT 2023 | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT PDF Download
Q1: Read the following statements.
The leave policy is bound to be unpopular either with the management or among workers. If the leave policy is unpopular with the management, it should be modified.
We should adopt a new policy if it is unpopular with workers.
If the above statements are true, which one of the following MUST also be true?
(a) We should attempt to popularize the leave policy among either the management or workers.
(b) We should modify the leave policy only if this will not reduce its popularity among workers
(c) If the leave policy is popular with the management, then we should adopt a new policy
(d) We should modify the leave policy if modification will not reduce its popularity with the management.
(e) If the leave policy is popular among workers, then we should adopt a new policy
View AnswerAns: (c)
In this question, the statements say that the leave policy is bound to be unpopular either with the management or among workers.
In Option (c), it is given that the leave policy is popular with the management => it should be unpopular among the workers.
The statement says that we should adopt a new policy if it is unpopular with workers.
Therefore, Option (c) is correct.
Q2: Arrange the following into a meaningful sequence:
1. I’m not sure when I first became aware of the Singularity.
2. In the almost half century that I've immersed myself in computer and related
technologies, I've sought to understand the meaning and purpose of the continual upheaval that I have witnessed at many levels.
3. Gradually, I've become aware of a transforming event looming in the first half of the twenty first century.
4. I'd have to say it was a progressive awakening.
5. Just as a black hole in space dramatically alters the patterns of matter and energy accelerating toward its event horizon, this impending Singularity in our future is increasingly transforming every institution and aspect of human life, from sexuality to spirituality.
(a) 3,1,2,4,5
(b) 1,3,4,5,2
(c) 4,3,1,5,2
(d) 1,2,3,4,5
(e) 4,1,2,3,5
View AnswerAns: (b)
1 introduces the author's uncertainty about when their awareness of the Singularity began and 3 builds on the first one, indicating that the author's awareness has developed gradually, and it specifies that the transforming event (the Singularity) is expected in the first half of the twenty-first century. 4 further emphasizes the gradual nature of the author's awareness, describing it as a "progressive awakening". 5 expands on the analogy of a black hole, drawing a parallel between a black hole's impact on space and the Singularity's transformative effect on various aspects of human life. 2 provides background information, explaining that over almost half a century, the author has been immersed in computer and related technologies, seeking to understand the meaning and purpose behind the continual upheaval witnessed.
Q3: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.
More people signed up for Harvard’s online courses in a year, for example, than have attended the university in its 377 years of existence. In the same spirit, there are more unique visits each month to the WebMD network, a collection of health websites, than to all the doctors working in the United States. In the legal world, three times as many disagreements each year amongst eBay traders are resolved using ‘online dispute resolution’ than there are lawsuits filed in the entire US court system. On its sixth birthday, the Huffington Post had more unique monthly visitors than the website of the New York Times, which is almost 164 years of age. The British tax authorities use a fraud-detection system that holds more data than the British Library (which has copies of every book ever published in the UK). In 2014, the US tax authorities received electronic tax returns from almost 48 million people who had used online tax preparation software rather than a tax professional to help them. The architectural firm Gramazio & Kohler used a group of autonomous flying robots to assemble a structure out of 1500 bricks. The consulting firm Accenture has 750 hospital nurses on its staff, while Deloitte, founded as an audit practice 170 years ago, now has over 200,000 professionals and its own full-scale corporate university set in a 700,000-square-foot campus in Texas.
The author of the above paragraph is trying to conclude something by citing different pieces of evidence. What could the author be trying to prove?
(a) How new organizational forms are emerging
(b) How automation is taking away jobs traditionally done by humans.
(c) How professionals are getting replaced by technology
(d) How old firms are dying.
(e) What old firms can do to survive.
View AnswerAns: (a)
The passage provides various examples of how technological advancements and online platforms are changing traditional ways of doing things, such as education, healthcare, legal dispute resolution, news consumption, tax preparation, architecture, and the structure of organizations. The examples collectively suggest a shift toward new organizational forms and approaches.
Therefore, Option (a) is the correct choice.
Q4: When facing various challenges, people in today’s digital world heavily rely on private, online information-seeking behaviour. Individuals who experience depression will often attempt to understand their predicament and seek remedy by searching the Internet for depression-related information and treatment. A recent report says that there exists evidence of many searches comprising the word depression, during and just after the elections, in country Y. So, it can be concluded that the election is experienced by many people in country Y as a truly psychologically traumatizing event—and as such as being potentially depressionogenic.
Which of the following statements MOST seriously weakens the conclusion drawn in the passage?
(a) Election is a festival in some countries, people happily choose their leader by casting votes.
(b) A survey in country Y shows that an election can cause a significant increase in the average level of depression.
(c) Depression-related advertisements are on the rise during and just after the election in country Y.
(d) Many people do not use the Internet in country X.
(e) Per day sale of anti-depression drugs is constant across the years in country Y.
View AnswerAns: (e)
If the sale of anti-depression drugs remains constant across the years in country Y, it suggests that there is no significant increase in the demand for such drugs during and after the elections. The conclusion in the passage is based on the premise that the election is a psychologically traumatizing event, leading to increased searches related to depression.
In summary, Option (e) weakens the conclusion by providing evidence that contradicts the expected increase in the demand for anti-depression drugs during and after the elections in country Y.
Q5: Read the following sentences carefully.
1. The boss accused her employee for stealing information.
2. The boss had better discuss the issue with the employee concerned.
3. The India of 2022 is very different from the India of 1947.
4. The government is committed to providing people with food.
5. He is good in playing the piano.
From the following, identify the option with INCORRECT sentences.
(a) 1, 2
(b) 4, 5
(c) 1, 5
(d) 2, 3
(e) 3, 4
View AnswerAns: (c)
Statement-1: The correct preposition to use with "accused" is "of" instead of "for." The sentence should be: "The boss accused her employee of stealing information."
Statement-5: The correct preposition to use with "good" in this context is "at" instead of "in." The sentence should be: "He is good at playing the piano."
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Q6: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.
As a generation, we are rethinking what we are to others. Our technological prowess has become a wireless lifeline for others. Some of us apply ourselves to innovation: hackathons and other forms of technological creativity. Our families look to us to know how to use technology both to waste time and to make meaning. Some of us set up Facetime for those denied face-to-face time. We show them it will be OK, that digital relationships are real relationships - though in fact we are not always sure.
Which of the following will be the most MEANINGFUL conclusion of the passage?
(a) Technological advancement helps society derive meaning from work
(b) The Pandemic has increased societal dependence on technology
(c) Technology is destroying families and communities
(d) Technology usage has changed social relations for this generation
(e) Change is the only constant in life, so people must embrace technology
View AnswerAns: (d)
The passage discusses how the current generation is rethinking its role in relation to others, emphasizing the impact of technological prowess as a lifeline, the role of innovation, and the use of technology in both wasting time and making meaning. Additionally, the passage highlights the setting up of FaceTime for remote interactions and the assertion that digital relationships are real, though uncertainties exist. This suggests a transformation in social relations due to technology use.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
Q7: Read the following sentences carefully.
1. The exam will begin from 2:00 p.m. on January 8th.
2. While entering into the college building, he saw the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
3. The government has entered into a discussion with the local bodies for keeping the streets clean.
4. I will start my world tour from Sri Lanka.
5. Amitabh Bacchan is married with Jaya Bacchan
6. I have been working on this project for three weeks.
From the following, choose the option having all the CORRECT sentences.
(a) 4, 5, 6
(b) 3, 4, 6
(c) 1, 2, 5
(d) 2, 3, 5
(e) 1, 3, 4
View AnswerAns: (b)
Sentence-1: The correct sentence would be, "The exam will begin at 2:00 p.m. on January 8th."
Sentence-2: The correct preposition to use with "entering" is "the." The sentence should be: "While entering the college building, he saw the statue of "Mahatma Gandhi."
Statement-5: The correct preposition to use with "married" is "to." The sentence should be: "Amitabh Bacchan is married to Jaya Bacchan."
Therefore, 3,4 and 6 are the correct sentences.
Q8: Arrange the following into a meaningful sequence:
1. Our knowledge about life developed over the centuries thanks to the many philosophers, physicists, chemists and biologists, who examined such complex matters according to their different points of view.
2. Out of this long history, I wish to quote here only one date, the year 1953.
3. In that year, Miller and Urey carried out their famous experiment about the primordial universal soup, whose foundations had already been expounded by the Russian chemist Alexandre Oparin in 1924.
4. From a mixture of five gases, methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and water vapor, and an electric discharge as the source of energy, complex molecules were produced, including amino acids.
(a) 1,4,2,3
(b) 1,3,4,2
(c) 2,3,1,4
(d) 3,1,2,4
(e) 1,2,3,4
View AnswerAns: (d)
1 sets the stage by acknowledging the collective efforts of various thinkers over centuries. 2 introduces a specific date, 1953, suggesting a pivotal moment in the history of our understanding. 3 provides context for the significance of 1953, mentioning the experiment conducted by Miller and Urey and its relation to the ideas proposed by Alexandre Oparin in 1924. 4 details the experiment conducted in 1953 and its outcomes, contributing to the development of knowledge about the origin of life.
Q9: Fill up the blanks with appropriate words.
Oil painting did to appearance what capital did to social____________. It reduced everything to the __________of objects. Everything became __________because everything became a commodity. All reality was mechanically__________ by its materiality
(a) Construction, minuteness, commercial, evaluated
(b) Relations, equality, exchangeable, measured
(c) Setup, understanding, useless, identified
(d) Reality, randomness, saleable, located
(e) Justice, level, expensive, understood
View AnswerAns: (b)
Option (b) is the correct answer because it accurately fills the blanks with terms that align with the context and convey the intended meaning. The sentence draws a parallel between the impact of oil painting on appearance and the impact of capital on social relations.The term "relations" aptly describes the complexity of social connections, while "exchangeability" aligns with the idea that both oil painting and capital reduce diverse elements to a commercial, commodified form. "Measured" effectively concludes the sentence, emphasizing the mechanistic quantification of reality based on its material aspects. This option provides a coherent and contextually fitting completion.
Q10: Read the following excerpt carefully.
In the future, hydrogen may form a significant part of our energy systems. Today it is mostly used in oil refineries and fertiliser but in the future hydrogen could power our cars, heat our homes, and fuel industry. A recent McKinsey study suggested that in less than 25 years, hydrogen could account for 18% of global energy consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from current levels by some 6 gigatons….
Which of the following sentences will MOST logically complete the above excerpt?
(a) The impact of such a change in the energy system would be huge, potentially generating $2,500 billion in revenue globally and creating more than 30 million jobs.
(b) Germany unsuccessfully experimented with trains fuelled by hydrogen.
(c) Hydrogen can be made through reformation, electrolysis, or pyrolysis, comes labelled in different colours from simple green to more complicated turquoise, can be stored as a gas, cryogenic liquid, converted to ammonia or even borane and then finally made useful through a fuel cell, engine, or burner.
(d) Despite the potential, 90% of the general population knew nothing about hydrogen technology.
(e) Earlier, experts thought that hydrogen fuel would be too expensive.
View AnswerAns: (a)
Option (a) is the correct answer because it logically extends the information provided in the excerpt about the future potential of hydrogen in energy systems. The excerpt discusses how hydrogen may play a significant role in our energy systems, and Option (a) complements this by introducing the potential impact of such a change. It mentions the economic aspects, stating that the impact could be huge, potentially generating $2,500 billion in revenue globally and creating more than 30 million jobs. This additional information aligns with the broader implications of adopting hydrogen as a significant part of energy systems, making Option (a) the most logical completion of the excerpt.
Q11: Which of the following sentences have the CORRECT usage of punctuation?
(a) Italy is famous for its composers and musicians. France, for its chefs and philosophers. Poland for its mathematicians and logicians.
(b) Italy is famous for its composers and musicians, France, for its chefs and philosophers, Poland for its mathematicians and logicians.
(c) Italy is famous for their composers and musicians; France, for their chefs and philosophers; Poland for their mathematicians and logicians
(d) Italy is famous for their composers and musicians; France, for their chefs and philosophers; Poland for their mathematicians and logicians.
(e) Italy is famous for its composers and musicians, France, for its chefs and philosophers, and Poland, for its mathematicians and logicians.
View AnswerAns: (e)
Option (e) is the correct answer because it effectively uses commas to separate items in a series, providing clarity and proper punctuation. Each country and its associated notable figures are appropriately delineated by commas within the overall series, ensuring a clear and grammatically correct presentation.
Q12: Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows.
The fundamental laws that govern the smallest constituents of matter and energy, when applied to the Universe over long enough cosmic timescales, can explain everything that will ever emerge. This means that the formation of literally everything in our Universe, from atomic nuclei to atoms to simple molecules to complex molecules to life to intelligence to consciousness and beyond, can all be understood as something that emerges directly from the fundamental laws underpinning reality, with no additional laws and forces.
Which of the following can be BEST inferred from the paragraph above?
(a) Everything in the Universe fundamentally occurs randomly.
(b) Fundamental laws undergo a change from atom to the Universe.
(c) Fundamental laws operating in the Universe and in an atom are the same.
(d) All phenomena in the Universe are fundamentally dependent on long cosmic timescales.
(e) All phenomena in the Universe fundamentally occur spontaneously.
View AnswerAns: (c)
The paragraph suggests that the fundamental laws governing the smallest constituents of matter and energy, when applied to the Universe over long enough cosmic timescales, can explain everything that will ever emerge. This implies a continuity and consistency of fundamental laws from the smallest constituents, like atoms, to the entire Universe. Option (c) best captures this inference.
- Option (a): The paragraph does not state or imply that everything in the Universe occurs randomly.
- Option (b): The paragraph suggests continuity in fundamental laws from the smallest constituents to the entire Universe, not a change.
- Option (d): The paragraph doesn't imply that all phenomena are dependent on long cosmic timescales.
- Option (e): The paragraph does not use the term "spontaneously" but emphasizes emergence from fundamental laws, suggesting a more structured process.
Q13 to 15: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Interpretation in our own time, however, is even more complex. For the contemporary zeal for the project of interpretation is often prompted not by piety toward the troublesome text (which may conceal an aggression), but by an open aggressiveness, an overt contempt for appearances. The old style of interpretation was insistent, but respectful; it erected another meaning on top of the literal one. The modern style of interpretation excavates, and as it excavates, destroys; it digs “behind” the text, to find a sub-text which is the true one. The most celebrated and influential modern doctrines, those of Marx and Freud, actually amount to elaborate systems of hermeneutics, aggressive and impious theories of interpretation. All observable phenomena are bracketed, in Freud’s phrase, as manifest content. This manifest content must be probed and pushed aside to find the true meaning—the latent content beneath. For Marx, social events like revolutions and wars; for Freud, the events of individual lives (like neurotic symptoms and slips of the tongue) as well as texts (like a dream or a work of art)—all are treated as occasions for interpretation. According to Marx and Freud, these events only seem to be intelligible. Actually, they have no meaning without interpretation. To understand is to interpret. And to interpret is to restate the phenomenon, in effect to find an equivalent for it.
Thus, interpretation is not (as most people assume) an absolute value, a gesture of mind situated in some timeless realm of capabilities. Interpretation must itself be evaluated, within a historical view of human consciousness. In some cultural contexts, interpretation is a liberating act. It is a means of revising, of transvaluing, of escaping the dead past. In other cultural contexts, it is reactionary, impertinent, cowardly and stifling.
Q13: What does the author mean by “Thus, interpretation is not…a gesture of mind situated in some timeless realm of capabilities?”
(a) Interpretation is being evaluative of the meaning created by an authority.
(b) Interpretation is an act of mind which is situated in a changeless domain.
(c) Interpretation is about erecting another meaning on top of the literal one.
(d) Interpretation is act of understanding, developed by timeless experts.
(e) Interpretation is about revisiting and reinventing meanings.
View AnswerAns: (e)
The phrase "interpretation is not…a gesture of mind situated in some timeless realm of capabilities" implies that interpretation is not a static or unchanging mental process. Instead, it is a dynamic and context-dependent activity that involves revisiting and reinventing meanings based on the historical and cultural context. Option (e) best expresses the idea that interpretation is about engaging with and reshaping meanings in response to evolving contexts, aligning well with the author's intent in the passage.
- Option (a): The passage does not specifically discuss evaluation in terms of authority but emphasizes the act of interpretation itself.
- Option (b): The passage suggests the opposite, highlighting the dynamic and historical nature of interpretation.
- Option (c): represents the old style of interpretation, which the passage contrasts with the modern style of excavation and destruction.
- Option (d): The passage does not attribute interpretation to timeless experts but rather explores its historical and cultural variability.
Q14: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT an act of interpretation?
(a) Searching for underlying themes in a historical document
(b) Finding underlying causes of a social evil described in a book
(c) Labelling a text as blasphemous
(d) Critical appreciation of a literary text
(e) Investigating class-conflict in Charles Dicken’s novels
View AnswerAns: (c)
Option (c) is the correct answer because labeling a text as blasphemous is not an act of interpretation in the context discussed in the passage. The passage emphasizes a dynamic and context-dependent approach to interpretation, involving the exploration and excavation of meanings within texts. Labelling a text as blasphemous is more of a judgment or categorization based on personal or cultural beliefs, and it does not align with the nuanced and exploratory nature of interpretation as described in the passage. Interpretation, as presented in the passage, involves a deeper engagement with the content, seeking underlying themes, causes, or appreciating the complexity of literary texts rather than simply assigning a label.
Q15: Which of the following BEST differentiates manifest content from the latent content?
(a) Manifest content is apparent whereas latent content is hidden
(b) Manifest content is loaded whereas latent content is elusive
(c) Manifest content is natural whereas latent content is cultural
(d) Manifest content is obscure whereas latent content is lucid
(e) Manifest content is a superset whereas latent content is a subset
View AnswerAns: (a)
Option (a) is correct because it accurately differentiates between manifest content and latent content as described in the passage. Manifest content refers to the apparent, surface-level content, while latent content is hidden, requiring interpretation. The words "apparent" and "hidden" effectively capture this distinction, making Option (a) the best choice.
- Option (b) mischaracterizes manifest content and latent content by introducing terms like "loaded" and "elusive" that do not align with the passage's description.
- Option (c) The passage doesn't make a distinction based on natural or cultural elements but focuses on the visibility and hidden nature of the content.
- Option (d) misinterprets the nature of manifest and latent content; manifest content is not necessarily obscure, and latent content is not inherently lucid.
- Option (e) They are not hierarchical in a superset-subset relationship but rather represent different layers of meaning in interpretation.
Q16 to 18: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Socrates believed that akrasia (meaning procrastination) was, strictly speaking, impossible, since we could not want what is bad for us; if we act against our own interests, it must be because we don’t know what’s right. Loewenstein, similarly, is inclined to see the procrastinator as led astray by the “visceral” rewards of the present. As the nineteenthcentury Scottish economist John Rae put it, “The prospects of future good, which future years may hold on us, seem at such a moment dull and dubious, and are apt to be slighted, for objects on which the daylight is falling strongly, and showing us in all their freshness just within our grasp.” Loewenstein also suggests that our memory for the intensity of visceral rewards is deficient: when we put off preparing for that meeting by telling ourselves that we’ll do it tomorrow, we fail to take into account that tomorrow the temptation to put off work will be just as strong.
Ignorance might also affect procrastination through what the social scientist Jon Elster calls “the planning fallacy.” Elster thinks that people underestimate the time “it will take them to complete a given task, partly because they fail to take account of how long it has taken them to complete similar projects in the past and partly because they rely on smooth scenarios in which accidents or unforeseen problems never occur.”
Q16: According to the passage, in regard to time, which of the following statements gives the BEST reason for procrastination?
(a) Time is estimated according to the new task
(b) Time is taken as linear in the task
(c) Time is not planned according to the task
(d) Time is underestimated for a particular task
(e) Time is not taken into account
View AnswerAns: (d)
The passage suggests that procrastination can be influenced by the tendency of individuals to underestimate the time required to complete a given task. This underestimation is attributed to a failure to consider past experiences with similar projects and a reliance on overly optimistic scenarios where potential obstacles or unforeseen problems are not taken into account. Therefore, the passage implies that one of the reasons for procrastination is a systemic miscalculation of the time needed for specific tasks, making Option (d) the most accurate and comprehensive choice.
The passage doesn't emphasize estimation based on the novelty of the task (Option (a)) nor does it discuss a linear perception of time within a task (Option (b)).
- Option (c): The passage discusses the planning fallacy, where time is inadequately planned, not the absence of planning.
- Option (d): The passage highlights the planning fallacy, indicating that time is considered but often underestimated for specific tasks.
Q17: Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred from the passage about procrastination?
(a) It is a success of self-regulation and planning.
(b) It is a mistake that happens due to myopic vision and linear thinking.
(c) It is an act against our own interests because of our ignorance.
(d) It is a tendency of postponing the present work to the future.
(e) It is an irrational delay of task despite potentially negative consequences.
View AnswerAns: (c)
Option (c) is a correct inference based on the passage's discussion of Socrates' perspective on akrasia (procrastination). The passage suggests that Socrates believed procrastination to be strictly impossible because individuals would not willingly choose what is bad for them. Instead, procrastination, according to this view, is attributed to ignorance of what is right. Therefore, the inference that procrastination is an act against our own interests due to ignorance aligns with the passage's exploration of philosophical perspectives on the phenomenon.
- Option (a): The passage emphasizes the planning fallacy and underestimation of time, portraying procrastination as a failure in planning rather than a success.
- Option (b): While myopic vision and linear thinking are discussed, the passage suggests that procrastination involves more than just a simple mistake, encompassing complex psychological factors.
- Option (d) is somewhat accurate but lacks the depth of understanding that procrastination involves irrational delays influenced by various factors beyond simple postponement.
- Option (e), while generally accurate, does not highlight the ignorance aspect as explicitly as Option (c).
Q18: Which of the following is the meaning that comes CLOSEST to “our memory for the intensity of visceral rewards is deficient” as suggested by Loewenstein?
(a) Our brain does not differentiate memories of different rewards we get by procrastinating.
(b) Our brain does not support us with memories which can stop us from procrastinating further.
(c) Our brain partially captures the memory of rewards we get by procrastination.
(d) Our brain does not support us in recalling intense memories while procrastinating further.
(e) Our brain does not capture the intensity of pleasure we get by procrastination.
View AnswerAns: (b)
Option (b) aligns with the idea that Loewenstein suggests: deficient memory for the intensity of visceral rewards. It implies that our brain lacks the support or ability to furnish memories that would act as deterrents to further procrastination. In other words, the deficiency in memory inhibits our capacity to recall negative aspects or consequences associated with past procrastination experiences, potentially contributing to the continuation of procrastinating behavior. While it doesn't explicitly address the deficient memory for the pleasure intensity, it captures the impact of this deficiency on our ability to use memories as a deterrent to procrastination.
Q19 to 20: Read the poem and answer the questions that follow.
The slow person you left behind when, finally,
you mastered the world, and scaled the heights you now command,
where is he while you
walked around the shaved lawn in your plus fours,
organizing with an electric clipboard
your big push to tomorrow?
Oh, I have come across him, yes, I have, more than once,
coaxing his battered grocery cart down the freeway meridian,
Others see in you sundry mythic types distinguished
not just in themselves but by the stories
we put in with beginnings, ends, surprises:
the baby Oedipus on the hillside with his broken feet
or the dog whose barking saves the grandmother
flailing in the millpond beyond the weir,
dragged down by her woolen skirt.
He doesn’t see you as a story, though.
He feels you as his atmosphere. When your sun shines,
he chorteles. When your barometric pressure drops
and the thunder heads gather,
he huddles under the overpass and writes me long letters with
the study little pencil he steals from the public library.
He asks me to look out for you.
Q19: Which of the following BEST captures the theme of the poem?
(a) The poem is exploring the lives of the rich and the poor
(b) The poem is examining a loss of trust between old friends
(c) The poem is meaninglessly brooding over the past
(d) The poem is analysing a person’s past and present
(e) The poem is celebrating success and moaning losses
View AnswerAns: (d)
Option (d) is the correct answer because the poem primarily focuses on analyzing the past and present of a person who has achieved success. The narrative explores the contrast between the current state of success, as depicted by images of walking around a shaved lawn and organizing with an electric clipboard, and the past where the person left someone less fortunate behind. The poem reflects on the consequences of success, the disparity between the two individuals, and the emotional impact on both. It doesn't merely celebrate success or moan losses but provides a thoughtful analysis of the dynamics between the successful person and the one left behind, making Option (d) the most fitting choice.
Q20: Which of the following statements BEST interprets the lines “He doesn’t see you as a story, though/He feels you as his atmosphere”?
(a) You are haunted by your past
(b) You are larger than life
(c) You are not a narrative of the past
(d) Your present subsumes your past
(e) You are an extension of the past
View AnswerAns: (d)
The lines "He doesn’t see you as a story, though/He feels you as his atmosphere" suggest that the person in question is not perceived as a narrative or story but is rather felt as a pervasive and ever-present influence akin to an atmosphere. This implies that the present experience and impact of the person are more significant than a retrospective narrative, aligning with the idea that the present subsumes the past. Therefore, Option (d) is the correct answer.
- Option (a): The lines don't imply a sense of haunting; instead, they emphasize the person's present influence.
- Option (b): While the person may have achieved success, the lines focus on their immediate impact, not necessarily portraying them as larger than life.
- Option (c): This options oversimplifies the message the author is trying to convey.
- Option (e): The lines emphasize the person's present impact, suggesting a more immediate and encompassing influence rather than being merely an extension of the past.
Q21 to 23: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Corporations continue to ignore the threat of global warming, probably because global warming is a hyper-object, very difficult to touch and feel. Because hyper-objects have much wider time-space boundaries than human beings, we tend to consider hyper-objects as given and non-existent. Therefore, it is very difficult to deal with hyper-objects as their common understanding is lacking. Some of us continue to believe that global warming is blown out of proportion-it is not a serious threat. Even those who understood hyper-objects have yet to figure out right response to them.
The lack of understanding and response from corporations to “climate change” is evident from the fact that most of businesses have remained largely human-centric. Some businesses have adopted green practices- voluntarily, or involuntary. These efforts attempt to reduce emissions through better energy efficiency. Though laudable, the efforts have failed to make any significant dent at the global level; the planet continues to get warmer. Moreover, most of the efforts are still in the sphere of “business as usual” and “what is good for us”.
Business as usual, the current model of economic production and distribution is deeply flawed as it is based mainly on the capitalistic ethos of free-market legitimized through private property, competition, and unlimited consumption. The word “free” has come to mean that there are no constraints on individuals, and the word market has come to mean that buying and selling are the primary mechanisms, and everything is a transaction. Private property gives individuals/nations a chance to create legal rights to own more and more, subject to very little constraints. It is evident in income inequalities witnessed across the world. The very notion of ownership is control-oriented and human-centric that promotes unlimited extraction from environment, hyper-nationalism, and hyper-individualism. The extraction and exploitation of the environment has served our economic interests, and led to the growth and survival of businesses. However, it has also led to the destruction of environment. Global warming is the response of nature to human actions driven by businesses operating on the principles of surplus, predictability, control, hyper-rationality, linearity, and quantification. In other words, “business as usual” has yet to dance to the rhythm of nature.
Q21: According to the passage, which of the following will be closest to the idea of hyper-object?
(a) How temperature fluctuates because of seasons.
(b) How regular exercise makes our body healthy.
(c) How hard work leads to better grades for students.
(d) How the Earth, over centuries, takes less time to revolve around the Sun.
(e) How a technology company contributed to the development of a mobile phone technology.
View AnswerAns: (d)
Option (d) is the correct answer because it aligns with the concept of a hyper-object as described in the passage. A hyper-object is characterized by extensive time-space boundaries that are challenging for humans to fully comprehend. The changing orbit of the Earth over centuries involves a broad time-scale and complex spatial dynamics, making it closer to the idea of a hyper-object compared to the other options.
- Option (a) involves a cyclical and relatively more immediate phenomenon, not reflecting the extensive time-space boundaries associated with hyper-objects.
- Option (b) is a more localized cause-and-effect relationship, lacking the complexity and broader scope of a hyper-object.
- Option (c) represents a specific cause-and-effect scenario within a limited context, not meeting the criteria of a hyper-object.
- Option (e) involves a specific and relatively more immediate technological contribution, not encompassing the extensive time-space boundaries characteristic of hyper-objects.
Q22: Based on the passage, which of the following is NOT an example of human-centric statement?
(a) We should respect nature for its inherent intelligence.
(b) We should use natural resources for economic growth.
(c) We should plant trees as they provide us with Oxygen.
(d) We should preserve nature for our future generations.
(e) We should not cut trees as it causes excessive floods, destroying crops and human habitats.
View AnswerAns: (a)
The passage criticizes a human-centric perspective that prioritizes human interests and exploits nature for economic growth.
- Option (a), on the other hand, suggests an approach that values nature for its inherent intelligence, emphasizing a more intrinsic and non-exploitative perspective. Therefore Option (a) is the correct answer.
- Option (b) reflects a human-centric perspective by emphasizing the utilization of natural resources for economic gain, which is in line with the passage's critique of human-centric approaches contributing to environmental degradation.
- Option (c) is incorrect as while promoting tree planting for oxygen is environmentally positive, the statement still centers on the benefit to humans, aligning with a human-centric viewpoint.
- Option (d), although advocating for preservation, is still framed in terms of human interests, focusing on the well-being of future generations.
- Option (e), despite addressing environmental consequences, is ultimately centered around the negative impacts on humans.
Q23: Which of the following statement(s) is NOT in consonance with the author’s views, as expressed in the passage?
1. Patents should be respected.
2. Trading of shares on the free stock markets should be promoted.
3. Building a beautiful resort on a hilltop.
(a) 1 & 3 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 & 3
(d) 1 & 2 only
(e) 2 & 3 only
View AnswerAns: (c)
- Statement 1: The passage does not explicitly discuss patents, and there is no clear indication of the author's view on this matter. Without information on the author's stance, it cannot be concluded whether this statement is in consonance with the author's views or not.
- Statement 2: The passage criticises the flaws in the current economic model, particularly the capitalist ethos of free-market trading, suggesting that it contributes to environmental problems. Therefore, this statement is not in line with the author’s views either.
- Statement 3: This is also not in line with the author’s views as the passage implies a critique of human-centric activities that exploit nature for economic gain, and building a resort on a hilltop could be seen as an example of such exploitation.
- Therefore the correct answer is Option (c) : 1,2 and 3
Q24 to 26: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
It is harder and harder to make sense of life. Everything is changing, all the time, at a faster and faster pace. Our civilization is struggling to keep up with exponential technology and disruptive change. Our age-old institutions, politics, economics, ethics, religion and laws, even our environment, are so fundamentally challenged, that we risk collapse. Our stories have gotten so divorced from reality, so divisive, so inflexible and so inept to adapt to and explain our present, let alone guide us towards a better future, that we often feel like helpless passengers on a Titanic spaceship Earth. No wonder Aristotle observed that “When the storytelling goes bad in a society, the result is decadence.”
But why is this the case? And, perhaps more importantly, how is it that bad storytelling can keep, if not bring, a whole society down? Is that not simply overstating the power of story? Literary theorist Kenneth Burke famously noted: “Stories are equipment for human living. We need storytelling in order to make certain sense out of life.” If that is true then our equipment for living has gone obsolete. And unless we upgrade it we are going to go obsolete too.
It was this process that Fred Polak had in mind in 1961 while observing: Any student of the rise and fall of cultures cannot fail to be impressed by the role played in this historical succession by the image of the future. The rise and fall of images precede or accompany the rise and fall of cultures. As long as a society’s image is positive and flourishing, the flower of culture is in full bloom. Once the image begins to decay and lose its vitality, however, the culture does not long survive.
That is why we desperately need a new story. A story that will not only help us make sense of the world today but also unite us as a species of human beings. A story that will motivate us to stop bickering and resolve our common problems. A story that will inspire us to achieve our common goals and guide us towards a better future for all sentient beings on our planet.
We have to rewrite the human story. Because the old stories that brought us thus far are no longer useful. They’ve lost their vision and grandeur. They’ve become petty and short-sighted. They’re stuck in a past that never was at the expense of a future that can be. They divide us and keep us bickering while our civilization is facing unprecedented diversity and depth of existential challenges. Those stories are not simply our history. They are now our chains. And unless we break them, they will be our death sentence.
So, it is worth exploring if or how new stories, good stories can bring us up. The human story that brought us into the 21st century was written and rewritten several times. The latest major update was perhaps during the industrial revolution. It is time to rewrite it again. We need a new story. A brave story. An unreasonable story. A story that can inspire, unite and motivate us to break free from the past and create the best possible future.
Q24: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT associated with bad storytelling in a society?
(a) It’s inability to create a future image that is positive and flourishing.
(b) They were written before 21st Century.
(c) It cannot stop bickering.
(d) It is inclusive.
(e) Its ability to create a compelling goal for some sections.
View AnswerAns: (d)
Option (d) is the correct answer because the passage does not attribute bad storytelling in a society to its lack of inclusivity. The passage highlights issues with existing stories, such as their inability to create a positive future image, their divisiveness leading to bickering, and their outdated nature. However, the concept of inclusivity is not explicitly linked to the problems associated with bad storytelling. Instead, the passage emphasizes the need for a new, unifying narrative to address societal challenges and inspire collaborative efforts. Therefore, the absence of inclusivity as a problem aligns with the passage's context and makes Option (d) the correct choice.
Options A, B, C and D have been mentioned in the passage and hence can be associated with bad storytelling.
Q25: Which of the following options BEST captures the essence of a GOOD STORY?
(a) Everyone and I are a part of the universe.
(b) Compared to other nations, our nation has played a special role in progress of humanity.
(c) Laying of railways led to economic and industrial development of India.
(d) Life is full of sorrows and only death can provide a solution.
(e) India has a glorious past, it had 25% share of global economy before arrival of the British.
View AnswerAns: (a)
- Option (a) is the correct answer as it captures the essence of a good story by emphasizing the theme of universal interconnectedness. A compelling narrative often transcends individual perspectives, fostering a sense of unity and shared experience among diverse individuals. This option implies a broader, inclusive worldview, aligning with the idea that a good story should resonate with the common humanity that connects everyone, highlighting the interconnected nature of individuals and the universe. It reflects a positive and unifying theme, which is a characteristic often associated with powerful and impactful storytelling.
- Option (b) emphasizes a national perspective, which might not resonate universally and could be seen as exclusive rather than inclusive.
- Option (c) focuses on a specific event and its consequences, lacking the universal and inclusive nature often associated with a broader, impactful narrative.
- Option (d) eans towards a pessimistic perspective, lacking the uplifting and unifying qualities typically associated with a good story.
- Option (e) highlights a specific historical aspect, but its emphasis on a national achievement may not encompass a universally resonant theme, potentially excluding a global audience.
Q26: Read the following statements:
1. A story without connections and coherence.
2. A story that talks about recreating the past glory.
3. A story may not be factually true.
4. A story that is meaningful and compelling for humanity
Which of the above statements can be ASSOCIATED with the meaning of “unreasonable story”, as used in the passage?
(a) 1 & 2
(b) 2 & 3
(c) 2 & 4
(d) 1 & 3
(e) 3 & 4
View AnswerAns: (e)
Statement 3 aligns with the concept of an "unreasonable story" because an unreasonable story may prioritize emotional or symbolic truth over strict factual accuracy. It suggests a departure from conventional or rational narratives, allowing for creative or unconventional interpretations that might not strictly adhere to factual details.
Statement 4 is associated with an "unreasonable story" as the passage calls for a new, unreasonable narrative that inspires and unites humanity. An unreasonable story, in this context, goes beyond conventional or predictable narratives and seeks to be compelling in a way that motivates positive action and fosters a sense of shared purpose among diverse individuals.
Therefore the correct answer is Option (e) 3 & 4.
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