RCs: 21 to 30 Questions for CAT with Answers PDF

Ans: (b)
Sol: Option A: This option is incorrect because it suggests that "modern man doesn't need to learn ways of communication," which is not a theme presented in the passage. The last paragraph emphasizes the significance of skillful communication, even in technology-mediated contexts, such as phone calls and Zoom meetings. This statement contradicts the assumption that technology has completely replaced the need for traditional communication skills.
Option B: A segment of the passage states, "Under the larger discipline of rhetoric (the study of persuasion in all its forms), students in antiquity spent years acquiring a strategic understanding of how to temper logic, emotions and words with poise..." In contrast, the author suggests that such a comprehensive approach to speech training is lacking in the contemporary educational system. This sentiment aligns precisely with this option, hence, this option is correct.
Option C: The passage does not provide evidence to support the assertion that modern society primarily concentrates on technical and vocational skills to ensure a prosperous future. As such, this option is not grounded in the text and is, therefore, incorrect.
Option D: While this option may appear plausible, it is, in fact, incorrect. The passage emphasizes the importance of effective oral communication skills in a variety of contexts, not just face-to-face interactions, including phone calls and Zoom meetings. This suggests that the prevalence of written digital communication hasn't replaced the need for skillful oral communication. Thus, this option is invalid.

Ans: (c)
Sol: Statement 1: “If this sounds far-fetched, how many high-ranking executives can you recall who have poor public speaking skills?” The author does suggest that most high-ranking executives have good public speaking skills but we cannot conclude that ‘All high ranking’ officials will have good public speaking skills. Hence, this statement is extreme and is incorrect.
Statement 2: “Brilliant as you might be while toiling at your work station, and as important as your solo endeavours are, your social and team value is judged by your ability to skilfully handle phone calls, zoom meetings, sales and technical presentations, and client interactions” From the above excerpt we can understand that a person’s interaction skills determine his/her social and team value. Hence, this statement is correct.
Statement 3: The passage doesn’t make a comparison between the communication skills of an American and Asian. Hence, this statement is out of context and incorrect.
Statement 4: “Under the larger discipline of rhetoric (the study of persuasion in all its forms), students in antiquity spent years acquiring a strategic understanding of how to temper logic, emotions and words with poise. Speaking well depended upon learning how to analyse all sides of an argument and assaying all possible avenues of commonality with one’s audience be­fore expressing an opinion. Similar to our approach to reading and writing today, speech training was a comprehensive, critical approach to knowledge, with an additional emphasis on psy­chology and social interaction.” Antiquity means in ancient times.
From this excerpt we understand that the study of rhetoric was important in ancient Greece and speech training was critical in the same. Hence, this statement is correct. As Statement 2 & 4 are correct, the correct option is C.

Ans: (b)
Sol: Let us refer to the last paragraph of the passage. “Her observation holds true across virtually every advanced occupation. Brilliant as you might be while toiling at your work station, and as important as your solo endeavours are, your social and team value is judged by your ability to skilfully handle phone calls, Zoom meetings, sales and technical presentations, and client interactions. If this sounds far-fetched, how many high-ranking executives can you recall who have poor public speaking skills?” In the previous paragraphs we have established that unlike ancient Greece we don’t place emphasis on comprehensive speech training and in the last paragraph we establish the need for good public speaking skills. It helps a person gain social and team value in virtually every advanced occupation.
Now that we have developed the premise that what is the missing link between the present and past in terms of speech training, and we have also outlined the importance of public speaking skills the logical follow-up will be about the current state of communication training in today’s curriculum and what can be done to improve it as to help people work efficiently in advanced occupations. This idea is best reflected in option B.

Ans: (b)
Sol: In the text, the author delineates, "If we speak in ways that are off-putting, vague or hard to understand... people will find us difficult to understand and work with. Our usefulness to others will decline with every strained interaction." Efficacy and value, as outlined, are primarily determined through proficient communication skills.
Further, the author emphasizes, "Their take holds true today – it’s unrealistic to expect yourself to be competent, much less masterful, in an art form you’ve never been taught to practise... speech training was a comprehensive, critical approach to knowledge, with an additional emphasis on psy­chology and social interaction."
Therefore, the necessity for mastery in public speaking, an art form unemphasized in the current curriculum, is underscored.
Option A: The author makes it explicit that practising speaking skills is crucial and it needs to be inculcated and fostered, just as was done in ancient times. Hence, merely implementing a compulsory mandate would not necessarily ensure masterful speaking skills. Therefore, this option is not valid.
Option B: The author highlights that the training and practice of speaking skills will help individuals become proficient public speakers, which in turn will elevate their performance in advanced occupations. Thus, it is logically coherent to reform the curriculum to equip students with necessary speaking skills. This proposition aligns perfectly with the author's argument, making this the correct answer.
Option C: While this option might seem plausible, it lacks specificity concerning the comprehensive speech training, the primary focus of the author's argument. Therefore, this option, being too general and not directly addressing the issue at hand, is incorrect.
Option D: Despite being a creative solution, this option is irrelevant as it is not mentioned or suggested in the passage. Moreover, the emphasis in the passage is on personal skill development and practice, rather than reliance on artificial intelligence. Hence, this option is invalid.

Ans: (b)
Sol: (A) This option is incorrect because it is the opposite of what the passage states. The ancient Greeks did not believe that public speaking skills were innate or tied to one's emotional makeup. According to BANE Theory, this option is Alien, as it does not accurately represent the views of ancient Greek educators as described in the passage.
(B) This option is correct. The passage states, "From the ancient perspective, public speaking, like writing or, for that matter, military prowess, was considered an art form – teachable, learnable, and utterly unrelated to issues of innate character or emotional makeup." The ancient Greeks believed that public speaking was an art form that could be learned and taught, and was not dependent on one's innate character.
(C) This option is incorrect. The passage states that rhetoric, which includes public speaking, was a significant part of ancient education: "students in antiquity spent years acquiring a strategic understanding of how to temper logic, emotions and words with poise." This option is Narrow according to BANE Theory because it does not encompass the full scope of rhetoric in ancient education, which included not just grammar and vocabulary but also psychology and social interaction.
(D) This option is incorrect and can be easily eliminated. The passage does not suggest that modern high-ranking executives mostly have poor public speaking skills. In fact, it implies that effective communication is a critical skill in high-ranking positions: "If this sounds far-fetched, how many high-ranking executives can you recall who have poor public speaking skills?" According to BANE Theory, this option is Extreme, as it exaggerates the prevalence of poor public speaking skills among executives.