The Economist - 4 (News Based RC) | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT PDF Download

We've prepared a reading exercise based on an article from The Economist, a respected source known for its rich content. After reading, there are questions to test your understanding and critical thinking.
This exercise is beneficial for practicing reading comprehension with news articles. Reading newspapers helps you digest information faster, understand quickly, and improve your vocabulary. Our curated exercise focuses on popular news topics to enhance your skills.

Date: 15 November 2023

Passage

In "Around the World in 80 Games," Marcus du Sautoy, a British mathematician and Oxford professor, embarks on a global journey through the history of games. This narrative, organized geographically, starts with ancient games from the Middle East and concludes in Europe with contemporary ones. Du Sautoy explores a variety of games, from classics like Cluedo and Scrabble to less familiar ones like the African mancala and the Indian ganjifa. His collection also includes video games and sports, such as the Mayan ball game of pitz.
Du Sautoy's exploration is more than a mere recounting of games; it's a celebration of the mathematics underlying them. He finds joy in the challenge of solving problems within a set of rules, much like in mathematics. His insights delve into probability, game theory, and other mathematical concepts, providing practical advice for players. For instance, in Monopoly, he suggests investing in orange properties and building three houses on them. In Risk, he advises controlling North America for its risk-reward ratio. He even touches on the best strategies for backgammon and the optimal starting word in Wordle.
However, the book is not just a guide to winning games. It's a hybrid of history, travelogue, and mathematical analysis. Some sections are less about games and more about related topics like psychology and biography. Despite its structured approach, the book can be read in any order, with Du Sautoy even suggesting a game to randomize chapter sequence.
This book, like a good game, operates within fixed but arbitrary rules, produces complex outcomes, and offers insights applicable to everyday life. It's a testament to the intricate relationship between games and mathematics, and how understanding one can enhance the enjoyment and success in the other.
Du Sautoy's journey begins in the Middle East, exploring ancient games like backgammon, the Royal Game of Ur, and the Egyptian game of senet. He then moves through different cultures and times, examining games that have shaped and been shaped by their societies. The narrative is sprinkled with mathematical explanations, such as using Markov chains to explain dice rolls in Monopoly or the geometries of finite projective planes in the game of Dobble.
The book also delves into the psychological aspects of gaming, discussing how games can mirror real-life challenges and decision-making processes. Du Sautoy reflects on how games can teach valuable lessons about strategy, probability, and human behavior.
In essence, "Around the World in 80 Games" is a journey through the world of games, guided by the lens of mathematics. It's a unique blend of storytelling, cultural exploration, and mathematical analysis, offering readers a new perspective on the games they love and the strategies they employ.
Q1: What is the primary focus of Marcus du Sautoy's book "Around the World in 80 Games"?
(a) A chronological history of the most popular games worldwide
(b) The cultural significance of games in different societies
(c) The mathematical principles underlying various games
(d) A personal narrative of the author's experiences with games
Ans: (c) The mathematical principles underlying various games
Sol: The passage highlights that the book focuses on the mathematics that underlies various games, offering insights and strategies based on mathematical principles.

Q2: According to the passage, how does du Sautoy's book differ from a traditional game guide?
(a) It includes only ancient and traditional games.
(b) It focuses solely on the mathematical aspect of games.
(c) It combines history, travelogue, and mathematical analysis.
(d) It is written in a random, non-sequential order.
Ans: (c) It combines history, travelogue, and mathematical analysis.
Sol: The passage describes the book as a hybrid of history, travelogue, and mathematical analysis, differentiating it from traditional game guides that might focus solely on game rules or strategies.

Q3: What strategy does Marcus du Sautoy suggest for Monopoly in his book?
(a) Investing in the most expensive properties
(b) Building hotels on all properties as quickly as possible
(c) Buying orange properties and building three houses on them
(d) Focusing on trading properties to monopolize a color group
Ans: (c) Buying orange properties and building three houses on them
Sol: The passage mentions that du Sautoy advises investing in orange properties in Monopoly and building three houses on them, based on mathematical analysis.

Q4: What aspect of games does du Sautoy explore in addition to their mathematical foundations?
(a) The psychological impact and real-life applications of games
(b) The financial benefits of becoming a professional gamer
(c) The technological advancements in video game design
(d) The role of games in early childhood education
Ans: (a) The psychological impact and real-life applications of games
Sol: The passage indicates that du Sautoy also delves into the psychological aspects of gaming, discussing how games can mirror real-life challenges and teach valuable lessons.