For an obscure temple no one's heard of, Cholula (now part of Mexico) holds an impressive array of records: it's the largest pyramid on the planet, with a base four times larger than theGreat Pyramid at Gizaand nearly twice the volume. Never mind the largest pyramid - it's the largest monument ever constructed anywhere, by any civilisation, to this day. To locals it's aptly known as Tlachihualtepetl("man-made mountain"). Thanks to the church on top, it's also the oldest continuously occupied building on the continent. The story goes that until the locals began construction of an insane asylum in 1910, nobody knew it was a pyramid. Certainly, by the time the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortez and his army arrived in the 16th century, it was already a thousand years old and entirely concealed by vegetation. Despite its enormous size, very little is known about the pyramid's early history. It's thought that the construction began around 300 BC; by who exactly remains a mystery. According to myth it was built by a giant named Xelhua, after he escaped a flood in the neighbouring Valley of Mexico. Most likely, the city's inhabitants - known as the Choluteca - were a cosmopolitan mix. "It appears to have been multi-ethnic, with a great deal of migration," says David Carballo, an archaeologist at Boston University, Massachusetts. Whoever they were, they probably had a lot of money. Cholula is conveniently located in the Mexican highlands and was an important trading post for thousands of years, linking the Tolteca-Chichimeca kingdoms in the North with the Maya in the South. Cortez called it "the most beautiful city outside Spain". By the time he arrived, it was the second-largest city in the Aztec empire, though it had already exchanged hands numerous times. And here there are even more surprises. In fact it's not one pyramid at all, but a great Russian doll of a construction, consisting of no less than six, one on top of the other. It grew in stages, as successive civilisations improved on what had already beenbuilt."They made a conscious effort to maintain and in some cases display previous construction episodes. This is pretty novel, and shows deliberate efforts to link to the past," says Carballo. According to legend, when they heard the conquistadors were coming, the locals covered the precious temple with soil themselves. In fact it may have happened by accident. That's because, incredibly, the largest pyramid in the world is made ofmud."Adobe" bricks are made by mixing mud with other materials such as sand or straw, and baking it hard in the sun. To make the pyramid, the outer bricks were smoothed with more earth to create a painting surface. In its prime, the temple was covered in red, black and yellow insects. In dry climates, mud bricks are extremely durable - lasting thousands of years. In humid Mexico, the mud creation was a fertile platform for tropical jungle. Today the city has reclaimed their pyramid, which can be explored via over five miles of tunnels constructed in the early 20th Century. Nearly 500 years after the colonial conquest, the city must contend with a new invasion: tourists.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: The central idea of the passage is that:
A
The arrival of tourists could be detrimental to the Cholula temple which is of significant historical importance.
B
The Pyramid of Cholula is incorrectly classified as a pyramid; in reality it is a great Russian doll of a construction built by successive civilisations that dominated the region.
C
Even though the temple at Cholula is the largest monument ever constructed, it went unnoticed till the early 20th century because it was covered in vegetation.
D
The Choluteca were prosperous and made an effort to maintain and build upon the constructions of previous civilizations.
Correct Answer: C
Option 1 is incorrect. The passage states that “... the city must contend with a new invasion: tourists.” However, it does not imply that arrival of tourists can cause damage to the temple site. Also, the reference to tourists is to provide a contrast in the last paragraph. It is not the main concern of the passage. Eliminate 1. Option 2 is incorrect. The author does state that the structure “... is not a pyramid at all, but a great Russian doll of a construction ...” However, later in the passage the author repeatedly refers to the temple as a “pyramid”. The “Russian doll of a construction” is mentioned only to emphasize that the temple was developed in stages. It is not the central idea of the passage. Eliminate 2. Option 3 is correct. The passage starts with “For an obscure temple no one’s heard of, Cholula (now part of Mexico) holds an impressive array of records ...” This sentence clearly sets the tone of the passage by providing a contrast between the impressive records held by the temple and its relative anonymity. Throughout the passage the author highlights the fact that the pyramid was covered by forest and was discovered in the 20th century, in the year 1910. Thus, the author’s main concern is to emphasize that in spite of its impressive construction, the existence of the temple was not known till the early 20th century because it was covered in vegetation. Retain 3. Option 4 is incorrect. The author states that “...they (the natives of Cholula) probably had a lot of money.” Also, it states that “It (the temple) grew in stages, as successive civilisations improved on what had already been built.” But, these points are made to emphasize the enormity of the temple and are not the central idea of the passage. Eliminate 4.
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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: All these are true about Cholula EXCEPT:
A
It had a tradition of folklore.
B
It was a regional centre of importance.
C
It was conquered by Hernan Cortez and his army.
D
It was governed by various rulers in its history.
Correct Answer: C
Option 1 is incorrect. The passage states that “According to myth it was built by a giant named Xelhua, after he escaped a flood in the neighbouring Valley of Mexico.” Thus, we can conclude that the story of Xelhua was passed down by a tradition of myths i.e. folklore. Thus, this option is not an exception. Eliminate 1. Option 2 is incorrect. The passage states that “Cholula is conveniently located in the Mexican highlands and was an important trading post for thousands of years, linking the Tolteca-Chichimeca kingdoms in the North with the Maya in the South.” Thus, we can conclude that it was a center of regional importance. Eliminate 2. Option 3 is correct. The passage states that “Certainly, by the time the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortez and his army arrived in the 16th century, it was already a thousand years old and entirely concealed by vegetation.” We cannot deduce from the word “arrived”, whether Hernan Cortez and his army conquered Cholula or not. Thus, option 3 is not inferable. Retain 3. Option 4 is incorrect. The passage states that “By the time he [Cortez] arrived, it was the second-largest city in the Aztec empire, though it had already exchanged hands numerous
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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
Try yourself: It can be inferred from the passage that the relics of the “great Russian doll of a construction”
A
were covered with soil by the locals themselves.
B
looked like a mountain.
C
were built by a giant named Xelhua.
D
were home to insects.
Correct Answer: B
“Relics”mean remains or remnants of an historical object. Option 1 is incorrect. Second last paragraph states that “According to legend, ... the locals covered the precious temple with soil themselves. In fact it may have happened by accident.” Thus, according to the author, the legend may not be true. Eliminate 1. Option 2 is correct. The passage states that “To locals it’s aptly known as Tlachihualtepetl ("man-made mountain”).” Thus, we can infer that the relics looked like a mountain. Retain 2. Option 3 is incorrect. Paragraph 4 states that, according to myth the pyramid was built by the giant named Xelhua, not the relics. Eliminate 3. Option 4 is incorrect. According to the passage, the temple in its prime was covered by insects and not the relics. Eliminate 4.
1. What are some effective strategies for practicing Reading Comprehension passages?
Ans. Effective strategies for practicing Reading Comprehension passages include: 1. Skimming the passage before reading the questions to get a general idea of the content. 2. Underlining or highlighting key information as you read. 3. Breaking down complex sentences into smaller, more manageable parts. 4. Summarizing each paragraph in your own words to ensure understanding. 5. Practicing with a variety of passages from different sources to improve familiarity with different writing styles and topics.
2. How can I improve my speed and efficiency in answering Reading Comprehension questions?
Ans. To improve speed and efficiency in answering Reading Comprehension questions, you can: 1. Set a time limit for each passage and question set to train yourself to work quickly. 2. Practice skimming and scanning techniques to locate specific information in the passage more efficiently. 3. Focus on the main idea and key details rather than getting caught up in every minor detail. 4. Eliminate answer choices that are clearly incorrect before spending too much time analyzing each option. 5. Review and analyze your mistakes to identify any patterns or areas where you can improve your approach.
3. How can I effectively manage my time during the Reading Comprehension section of the CAT exam?
Ans. To effectively manage time during the Reading Comprehension section of the CAT exam, consider the following tips: 1. Divide your time equally among the passages to ensure you have enough time for each. 2. Set a target time for reading and understanding each passage, leaving enough time to answer the associated questions. 3. Don't get stuck on difficult questions or passages; move on and come back to them later if you have time. 4. Use the process of elimination to narrow down answer choices quickly. 5. Practice time management strategies during your preparation to build speed and efficiency.
4. Are there any specific techniques for handling difficult vocabulary in Reading Comprehension passages?
Ans. Yes, here are some techniques for handling difficult vocabulary in Reading Comprehension passages: 1. Try to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words through context clues within the passage. 2. Break down complex words into prefixes, roots, and suffixes to infer their meaning. 3. Use a dictionary or vocabulary resource to look up unfamiliar words and make note of their definitions. 4. Make flashcards or use mnemonic devices to memorize challenging vocabulary words encountered during practice. 5. Read extensively to expose yourself to a wide range of vocabulary and improve your overall comprehension skills.
5. How can I improve my overall comprehension skills to perform better in the Reading Comprehension section?
Ans. To improve overall comprehension skills for better performance in the Reading Comprehension section, consider the following strategies: 1. Read regularly, including a variety of texts such as newspapers, magazines, and books. 2. Practice summarizing passages or sections in your own words to enhance understanding and retention. 3. Engage in active reading by asking questions, making predictions, and connecting the material to your prior knowledge. 4. Discuss the content of what you read with others to gain different perspectives and deepen comprehension. 5. Take regular practice tests or attempt a sufficient number of RC passages to build familiarity and comfort with the format.
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