Directions for Reading Comprehension: The passage given here is followed by some questions that have four answer choices; read the passage carefully and pick the option whose answer best aligns with the passage. The word 'anarchy' comes from the Greek anarkhia, meaning contrary to authority or without a ruler, and was used in a derogatory sense until 1840, when it was adopted by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon to describe his political and social ideology. Proudhon argued that organisation without government was both possible and desirable. In the evolution of political ideas, anarchism can be seen as an ultimate projection of both liberalism and socialism, and the differing strands of anarchist thought can be related to their emphasis on one or the other of these. Historically, anarchism arose not only as an explanation of the gulf between the rich and the poor in any community, and of the reason why the poor have been obliged to fight for their share of a common inheritance, but as a radical answer to the question 'What went wrong?' that followed the ultimate outcome of the French Revolution. It had ended not only with a reign of terror and the emergence of a newly rich ruling caste, but with a new adored emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, strutting through his conquered territories. The anarchists and their precursors were unique on the political Left in affirming that workers and peasants, grasping the chance that arose to bring an end to centuries of exploitation and tyranny, were inevitably betrayed by the new class of politicians, whose first priority was to re-establish a centralised state power. After every revolutionary uprising, usually won at a heavy cost for ordinary populations, the new rulers had no hesitation in applying violence and terror, a secret police, and a professional army to maintain their control. For anarchists, the state itself is the enemy, and they have applied the same interpretation to the outcome of every revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries. This is not merely because every state keeps a watchful and sometimes punitive eye on its dissidents, but because every state protects the privileges of the powerful. The mainstream of anarchist propaganda for more than a century has been anarchist communism, which argues that property in land, natural resources, and the means of production should be held in mutual control by local communities, federating for innumerable joint purposes with other communes. It differs from state socialism in opposing the concept of any central authority. Some anarchists prefer to distinguish between anarchist-communism and collectivist anarchism in order to stress the obviously desirable freedom of an individual or family to possess the resources needed for living, while not implying the right to own the resources needed by others. . . . There are, unsurprisingly, several traditions of individualist anarchism, one of them deriving from the 'conscious egoism' of the German writer Max Stirner (1806-56), and another from a remarkable series of 19th-century American figures who argued that in protecting our own autonomy and associating with others for common advantages, we are promoting the good of all. These thinkers differed from free-market liberals in their absolute mistrust of American capitalism and in their emphasis on mutualism.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: The author believes that the new ruling class of politicians betrayed the principles of the French Revolution, but does not specify in what way. In the context of the passage, which statement below is the likeliest explanation of that betrayal?
A
The new ruling class was constituted mainly of anarchists who were against the destructive impact of the Revolution on the market.
B
The anarchists did not want a new ruling class, but were not politically strong enough to stop them.
C
The new ruling class struck a deal with the old ruling class to share power between them.
D
The new ruling class rode to power on the strength of the workers’ revolutionary anger, but then turned to oppress that very class.
Correct Answer: D
Correct answer
D: The new ruling class rode to power on the strength of the workers’ revolutionary anger, but then turned to oppress that very class.
Explanation
The passage states that the French Revolution, driven by workers and peasants to end exploitation, ended with a new ruling class and Napoleon’s rise. Anarchists argue this class betrayed the revolution by re-establishing centralized power and using violence to control the same workers who supported them. Option D captures this betrayal: the new rulers gained power through the workers’ revolt but oppressed them afterward.
B: Incorrect—focuses on anarchists’ weakness, not the betrayal.
C: Incorrect—no evidence of a deal with the old class.
Report a problem
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: The author makes all of the following arguments in the passage, EXCEPT:
A
The failure of the French Revolution was because of its betrayal by the new class of politicians who emerged from it.
B
The popular perception of anarchism as espousing lawlessness and violence comes from a mainstream mistrust of collectivism.
C
Individualist anarchism is actually constituted of many streams, all of which focus on the autonomy of the individual.
D
For anarchists, the state is the enemy because all states apply violence and terror to maintain their control.
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
B: The popular perception of anarchism as espousing lawlessness and violence comes from a mainstream mistrust of collectivism.
Explanation
A: True—The author argues the French Revolution failed due to betrayal by the new ruling class, who re-established centralized power (e.g., Napoleon’s rise).
B: False—The passage doesn’t link the perception of anarchism as lawless/violent to a mistrust of collectivism. It traces anarchism’s origins and ideologies but doesn’t address mainstream perceptions or their causes.
C: True—The author mentions multiple traditions of individualist anarchism (e.g., Stirner, American thinkers), all emphasizing individual autonomy and mutualism.
D: True—The author states anarchists see the state as the enemy, as all states use violence, terror, and centralized power to maintain control.
Report a problem
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: According to the passage, what is the one idea that is common to all forms of anarchism?
A
There is no idea common to all forms of anarchism; that is why it is anarchic.
B
They all derive from the work of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon.
C
They are all opposed to the centralisation of power in the state.
D
They all focus on the primacy of the power of the individual.
Correct Answer: C
Answer Options Evaluation
A: There is no idea common to all forms of anarchism; that is why it is anarchic. This is incorrect. The passage clearly identifies a shared theme: opposition to centralized state power. While anarchism has diverse strands (communist, individualist), they converge on this idea.
B: They all derive from the work of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. This is incorrect. While Proudhon popularized anarchism, the passage mentions other influences (e.g., Max Stirner, American individualists) that developed independently. Not all forms directly derive from Proudhon’s work.
C: They are all opposed to the centralisation of power in the state. This aligns with the passage. Every form of anarchism described—whether communist or individualist—rejects centralized state power, viewing the state as an enemy that perpetuates inequality and control. This is the unifying idea across all strands.
D: They all focus on the primacy of the power of the individual. This is partially true for individualist anarchism (e.g., Stirner’s egoism, American thinkers), but not for anarchist communism, which prioritizes collective control of resources by communities. The passage does not present individual power as the universal focus of all anarchism.
Correct Answer
C: They are all opposed to the centralisation of power in the state.
This option captures the core idea common to all forms of anarchism as described in the passage, making it the best choice.
Report a problem
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: Which one of the following best expresses the similarity between American individualist anarchists and free-market liberals as well as the difference between the former and the latter?
A
Both reject the regulatory power of the state; but the former favour a people’s state, while the latter favour state intervention in markets.
B
Both prioritise individual autonomy; but the former also emphasise mutual dependence, while the latter do not do so.
C
Both are sophisticated arguments for capitalism; but the former argue for a morally upright capitalism, while the latter argue that the market is the only morality.
D
Both are founded on the moral principles of altruism; but the latter conceive of the market as a force too mystical for the former to comprehend.
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
B: Both prioritise individual autonomy; but the former also emphasise mutual dependence, while the latter do not do so.
Explanation
The passage describes American individualist anarchists as focusing on "protecting our own autonomy" while "associating with others for common advantages," promoting mutualism. Free-market liberals also value individual autonomy but trust capitalism, which the anarchists mistrust.
B: Correct—Both groups prioritize individual autonomy, but American individualist anarchists emphasize mutual dependence (mutualism), while free-market liberals focus on individual freedom without this cooperative aspect.
A: Incorrect—Neither group favors a "people’s state" or state intervention; both reject state regulation.
C: Incorrect—Individualist anarchists don’t argue for capitalism (they mistrust it); free-market liberals don’t claim the market as the "only morality."
D: Incorrect—Neither is founded on altruism; the passage doesn’t describe the market as "mystical."
Report a problem
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: Of the following sets of concepts, identify the set that is conceptually closest to the concerns of the passage.
A
Revolution, State, Strike, Egoism.
B
Revolution, State, Protection, Liberals.
C
Anarchism, State, Individual, Freedom.
D
Anarchism, Betrayal, Power, State.
Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer
D: Anarchism, Betrayal, Power, State.
Explanation
The passage focuses on anarchism's opposition to the state, the betrayal of revolutionary ideals by new ruling classes, and the state's use of power to maintain control.
D: Matches the passage's themes: anarchism as the central ideology, betrayal (e.g., post-French Revolution), power (centralized state authority), and the state as the enemy.
A: Strike is unrelated; egoism is only a small part (Stirner's influence).
B: Protection and liberals are minor; the focus is on state opposition, not protection.
C: Individual and freedom are relevant but secondary to betrayal and power, which are more central.
Report a problem
The document CAT 2020 Reading Comprehension Questions- 1 is a part of the CAT Course 250 RCs for CAT Exam.
FAQs on CAT 2020 Reading Comprehension Questions- 1
1. What is the CAT exam?
Ans. The CAT exam, also known as the Common Admission Test, is a national level entrance examination conducted in India for admission to various management programs offered by prestigious business schools.
2. What is the eligibility criteria for the CAT exam?
Ans. To be eligible for the CAT exam, a candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA. There is a relaxation of 5% for candidates belonging to reserved categories. Final year students are also eligible to apply.
3. How can I apply for the CAT exam?
Ans. To apply for the CAT exam, candidates need to visit the official website and register themselves by providing the required details. After registration, they can fill the application form, upload the necessary documents, and pay the application fee online.
4. What is the exam pattern of the CAT exam?
Ans. The CAT exam is a computer-based test consisting of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The duration of the exam is 180 minutes, with 60 minutes allotted to each section.
5. How is the CAT exam scored and what is the selection process?
Ans. The CAT exam is scored on a percentile basis, considering the raw scores obtained by the candidates. The selection process for admission to management programs includes the CAT score, Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). The weightage given to each component may vary among different institutes.
CAT 2020 Reading Comprehension Questions- 1, Objective type Questions, Free, Viva Questions, Previous Year Questions with Solutions, past year papers, practice quizzes, study material, Semester Notes, Important questions, CAT 2020 Reading Comprehension Questions- 1, shortcuts and tricks, mock tests for examination, ppt, CAT 2020 Reading Comprehension Questions- 1, Summary, video lectures, Sample Paper, pdf , Exam, MCQs, Extra Questions;
