CAT 2025 VARC Slot 3 Paper
Q. 1 Five jumbled sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5), related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd sentence out and key in the number of that sentence as your answer.
1. About half of all the oxygen we breathe is made near the surface of the ocean by phytoplankton that photosynthesize just like land-dwelling plants.
2. A team of scientists that includes Boston University experts has discovered they also produce oxygen on the seafloor.
3. The research team used deep-sea chambers that land on the seafloor and enclose the seawater, sediment, polymetallic nodules, and living organisms.
4. The discovery is a surprise considering oxygen is typically created by plants and organisms with help from the sun—not by rocks on the ocean floor.
5. The deep-sea rocks, called polymetallic nodules, don’t only host a surprising number of sea critters.
Check Solution
Ans: 3
Explanation:The topic of the paragraph is the discovery of oxygen production on the seafloor. Sentences 1, 2, 4, and 5 form a coherent narrative: sentence 1 establishes the known source of oxygen from phytoplankton. Sentence 2 introduces the surprising discovery of seafloor oxygen production by a scientific team. Sentence 4 highlights the unexpected nature of this discovery, contrasting it with the usual role of sunlight in oxygen creation. Sentence 5 provides further detail about the seafloor rocks (polymetallic nodules) and their inhabitants. Sentence 3, however, focuses solely on the methodology used by the research team to collect samples, which is a supporting detail rather than a core element of the discovery itself and disrupts the flow of the narrative. Therefore, sentence 3 is the odd one out.
Final_Answer:3
Q. 2 The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
The return to the tailor is the juxtaposition of three key things for the mindful Indian shopper. The first is the conscious shift away from the homogeneity of fast fashion, the idea of a hundred other people owning exactly the same Zara trench coat or H&M pleated skirt. The second is an actual understanding of the waste behind the fast fashion market, and wanting not to contribute to that anymore. The last is the shift toward customisation and fit—the idea of having imaginations brought to life and to have them fit exactly; without paying exorbitant rates for that bespoke tailoring. For the individual with a keen fashion sense and a genuine desire to move away from the waste and uniformity of fast fashion without paying the premium for it that indie brands would invariably demand, the tailor is the perfect crossover.
Check Solution
Ans: B
Explanation:The passage highlights three key reasons for the return of mindful Indian shoppers to the tailor. These are: a move away from the uniformity of fast fashion, a desire to reduce fashion waste, and a preference for customisation and good fit at reasonable prices. Option B accurately captures all these essential elements: “shifting away from convenience and uniformity of clothing, and waste in fashion, to customisation and less exorbitantly priced clothing.”
Option A is partially correct as it mentions less expensive and fashionable, but it misses the crucial aspect of waste reduction and customisation.
Option C is incorrect because it makes a generalization about “all Indian shoppers” and doesn’t reflect the nuance of the passage which focuses on “mindful Indian shoppers” and the “perfect crossover” for those with a “keen fashion sense.” It also implies a direct opposition to specific brands, whereas the passage talks about the *homogeneity* of fast fashion.
Option D is incorrect because while it mentions branded clothes being wasteful, it doesn’t fully encompass the other drivers like uniformity and the desire for customisation and fit at a better price. It also states that people *believe* expensive branded clothes are wasteful, whereas the passage states they *understand the waste behind the fast fashion market*.
Correct_Option:B
Q. 3 Instructions
The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.
In 1982, a raging controversy broke out over a forest act drafted by the Government of India. This act sought to strengthen the already extensive powers enjoyed by the forest bureaucracy in controlling the extraction, disposal and sale of forest produce. It also gave forest officials greater powers to strictly regulate the entry of any person into reserved forest areas. While forest officials justified the act on the grounds that it was necessary to stop the continuing deforestation, it was bitterly opposed by representatives of grassroots organisations, who argued that it was a major violation of the rights of peasants and tribals living in and around forest areas. . . .
The debate over the draft forest act fuelled a larger controversy over the orientation of state forest policy. It was pointed out, for example, that the draft act was closely modelled on its predecessor, the Forest Act of 1878. The earlier Act rested on a usurpation of rights of ownership by the colonial state which had little precedent in precolonial history. It was further argued that the system of forestry introduced by the British—and continued, with little modification, after 1947 —emphasised revenue generation and commercial exploitation, while its policing orientation excluded villagers who had the most longstanding claim on forest resources. Critics called for a complete overhaul of forest administration, pressing the government to formulate policy and legislation more appropriate to present needs. . . .
That debate is not over yet. The draft act was shelved, though it has not as yet been formally withdrawn. Meanwhile, the 1878 Act (as modified by an amendment in 1927) continues to be in operation. In response to its critics, the government has made some important changes in forest policy, e.g., no longer treating forests as a source of revenue, and stopping ecologically hazardous practices such as the clearfelling of natural forests. At the same time, it has shown little inclination to meet the major demand of the critics of forest policy—namely, abandoning the principle of state monopoly over forest land by handing over areas of degraded forests to
individuals and communities for afforestation.
. . . [The] 1878 Forest Act itself was passed only after a bitter and prolonged debate within the colonial bureaucracy, in which protagonists put forward arguments strikingly similar to those being advanced today. As is well known, the Indian Forest Department owes its origin to the requirements of railway companies. The early years of the expansion of the railway network, c. 1853 onwards, led to tremendous deforestation in peninsular India owing to the railway’s requirements of fuelwood and construction timber. Huge quantities of durable timbers were also needed for use as sleepers across the newly laid tracks. Inexperienced in forestry, the British called in German experts to commence systematic forest management. The Indian Forest Department was started in 1864, with Dietrich Brandis, formerly a Lecturer at Bonn, as the first Inspector General of Forests. The new department needed legislative backing to function effectively, and in the following year, 1865, the first forest act was passed. . . .
Which one of the following best encapsulates the reason for the “raging controversy” developing into a “larger controversy”?
Check Solution
Ans: A
Explanation:The passage states that the debate over the draft forest act “fuelled a larger controversy over the orientation of state forest policy.” It then elaborates on this by pointing out that the draft act was “closely modelled on its predecessor, the Forest Act of 1878,” which itself was based on the “usurpation of rights of ownership by the colonial state” and emphasized “revenue generation and commercial exploitation” while “policing” excluded villagers. This indicates that the controversy over the 1982 draft act broadened into a larger debate about the historical colonial roots and exploitative nature of forest policy, which the new act seemed to perpetuate. Option A accurately captures this transition from a specific act to a broader policy critique by highlighting the replication of colonial measures. Options B and C describe valid points of opposition but do not explain how the controversy *broadened*. Option D is contradicted by the passage, which states the government has shifted away from treating forests as a source of revenue.
Correct_Option:A
Q. 4 All of the following, if true, would weaken the narrative presented in the passage EXCEPT that:
Check Solution
Ans: D
Explanation:The passage argues that the British introduced a system of forestry based on the usurpation of rights and commercial exploitation, continuing a pattern that excluded villagers and tribals who had long-standing claims.
Option A: This statement suggests tribal groups are responsible for climate change through deforestation. If true, it would weaken the narrative that the British forestry system was the primary cause of deforestation and the denial of rights, as it implies an independent cause rooted in tribal practices.
Option B: This statement claims that pre-British rulers also denied access to forest resources to peasants and tribal groups. If true, this would significantly weaken the passage’s narrative by suggesting that the denial of rights was not solely a product of British colonial policy but a continuation or a different manifestation of a pre-existing situation. This would challenge the idea that the British system was a radical departure that usurped rights.
Option C: This statement suggests that timber for railways was imported from China. If true, this would directly contradict the passage’s claim that railway expansion led to tremendous deforestation in peninsular India due to its requirements for fuelwood and construction timber. This would weaken the stated reason for the establishment of the Indian Forest Department and its subsequent acts.
Option D: This statement suggests German forestry experts were known for violating indigenous rights. If true, this would strengthen the narrative presented in the passage, not weaken it. It would imply that the very experts brought in to manage Indian forests might have brought with them practices that were detrimental to local communities, aligning with the passage’s critique.
The question asks which option, if true, would weaken the narrative EXCEPT. This means we are looking for the option that *does not* weaken the narrative, or possibly strengthens it. Option D strengthens the narrative by suggesting that the imported expertise itself might have been problematic for indigenous communities, reinforcing the critique of the forestry system. Options A, B, and C all introduce alternative explanations or contradictions that could weaken the central arguments of the passage.
Correct_Option:D
Q. 5 According to the passage, which one of the following is not common to the 1878 Forest Act and the 1982 draft forest act?
Check Solution
Ans: C
Explanation:The passage states that the 1878 Forest Act rested on a “usurpation of rights of ownership by the colonial state” and that the 1982 draft forest act was “closely modelled on its predecessor, the Forest Act of 1878.” This indicates that both acts had a colonial basis and sought to establish state control over forest resources. The passage also mentions that the 1878 Act was passed after a “bitter and prolonged debate” and that the 1982 act sparked a “raging controversy” and was “bitterly opposed.” Therefore, controversies and debates were common to both. However, the passage does not state that either the 1878 Act or the 1982 draft act *resulted* in large-scale deforestation. The passage mentions that the *need* for the 1878 Act arose from tremendous deforestation caused by railway expansion, but not that the Act itself caused it. The 1982 act was intended to *stop* deforestation.
Correct_Option:C
Q. 6 According to the passage, which one of the following reforms is yet to happen in India’s forest policies?
Check Solution
Ans: D
Explanation:The passage states that “At the same time, it has shown little inclination to meet the major demand of the critics of forest policy—namely, abandoning the principle of state monopoly over forest land by handing over areas of degraded forests to individuals and communities for afforestation.” This indicates that involving local people in cultivating forests by handing over forest land to individuals and communities is a reform that has not yet happened. Option A is incorrect because the passage discusses a “state monopoly over forest land,” implying the state’s claim is already recognized. Option B is incorrect because the passage mentions efforts to “stop ecologically hazardous practices such as the clearfelling of natural forests,” which implies a move towards banning deforestation. Option C is incorrect because the passage mentions “no longer treating forests as a source of revenue” and stopping ecologically hazardous practices, suggesting a recognition of the ecological significance.
Correct_Option:D
Q. 7 The given sentence is missing in the paragraph below. Decide where it best fits among the options 1, 2, 3, or 4 indicated in the paragraph.
Sentence: In each of the affected males, the genetic defect was located to the X chromosome in the region of p11-12.
Paragraph: The first suggested evidence of a human genetic mutation associated with aggressive behaviour came from a study in 1993. _____(1)____. Genetic and metabolic studies were conducted on a large Dutch family in which several of the males has a syndrome of borderline mental retardation and abnormal behaviour. _____(2)____. The undesirable behaviour included impulsive aggression, arson and exhibitionism. _____(3)____. A point mutation was identified in the eighth exon of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) structural gene which changes glutamine to a termination codon. _____(4)____.
Check Solution
Ans: A
The statement detailing the defect’s “placement on the X chromosome within the p11-12 area” is most appropriate following the account of the unusual conduct, specifically at position (3). The passage commences by introducing the research and its background, proceeding to state that “Extensive genetic and metabolic investigations were carried out on a sizable Dutch family…”. Subsequently, it elaborates on “certain problematic behaviors” such as “rash aggression, arson, and public exposure.” Following the elucidation of these behaviors, it is logical to present the primary genetic discovery regarding the defect’s locus (the X chromosome, region p11-12), and then delve into the specifics that “a single-point alteration was discovered in the eighth exon of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) structural gene…”.
If this sentence were inserted at position (1), it would introduce the chromosomal coordinates prior to outlining the nature of the research or the family under consideration. At position (2), it would disrupt the linkage between the study’s introduction and the statement regarding the execution of genetic and metabolic analyses. At position (4), it would appear subsequent to the specific information about the point mutation, which should logically follow the general chromosomal localization. Consequently, the sole placement that maintains a coherent narrative flow—from the research to its methodologies, then to the observed behaviors, followed by the chromosomal location, and finally to the precise mutation—is position (3).
Q. 8 The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, and 4) given below, when properly sequenced, would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequencing of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer.
1. The effigy of a candidate establishes a personal link between him and the voters; the candidate does not only offer a programme for judgement, he suggests a physical climate, a set of daily choices expressed in a morphology, a way of dressing, a posture.
2. Some candidates for Parliament adorn their electoral prospectus with a portrait; this presupposes that photography has a power to convert which must be analysed.
3. Inasmuch as photography is an ellipse of language and a condensation of an ‘ineffable’ social whole, it constitutes an anti-intellectual weapon and tends to spirit away ‘politics’ (that is to say a body of problems and solutions) to the advantage of a ‘manner of being’, a socio-moral status.
4. Photography tends to restore the paternalistic nature of elections, whose elitist essence has been disrupted by proportional representation and the rule of parties (the Right seems to use it more than the Left).
Check Solution
Ans: 2143
This section explores the impact of photography on electoral processes. The statement detailing the practice of candidates featuring their likeness on campaign materials serves as an effective introduction. It establishes that this action implies photography possesses a transformative influence, necessitating further elucidation.
Subsequently, the sentence explaining the mechanism of this influence should follow. It clarifies how the candidate’s visual representation fosters a personal bond and redirects attention from policy considerations to aspects like outward appearance, demeanor, and routine conduct, thereby substantiating the initial assertion.
The subsequent sentence then outlines the political ramifications. When electoral contests are centered on individual image, photography “tends to reintroduce the paternalistic character of elections,” which contrasts with party-centric or proportional political systems. This consequence logically extends from the preceding descriptions.
Finally, the sentence offering a broad assessment should conclude the explanation. It synthesizes the argument by asserting that photography substitutes a focus on political issues with a “mode of existence,” and characterizes it as a tool that discourages critical thought. This positions it as a suitable concluding remark rather than an opening.
The progression of thought should be: initial observation, followed by analytical breakdown, and concluding with the resultant effect. Therefore, the optimal sequence is 2143.
Q. 9 Instructions
The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.
Once a society accepts a secular mode of creativity, within which the creator replaces God, imaginative transactions assume a self-conscious form. The tribal imagination, on the other hand, is still to a large extent dreamlike and hallucinatory. It admits fusion between various planes of existence and levels of time in a natural and artless manner. In tribal stories, oceans fly in the sky as birds, mountains swim in water as fish, animals speak as humans and stars grow like plants. Spatial order and temporal sequence do not restrict the narrative. This is not to say that tribal creations have no conventions or rules, but simply that they admit the principle of association between emotion and the narrative motif. Thus stars, seas, mountains, trees, men and animals can be angry, sad or happy.
It might be said that tribal artists work more on the basis of their racial and sensory memory than on the basis of a cultivated imagination. In order to understand this distinction, we must understand the difference between imagination and memory. In the animate world, consciousness meets two immediate material realities: space and time. We put meaning into space by perceiving it in terms of images. The image-making faculty is a genetic gift to the human mind—this power of imagination helps us understand the space that envelops us. With regard to time, we make connections with the help of memory; one remembers being the same person today as one was yesterday.
The tribal mind has a more acute sense of time than the sense of space. Somewhere along the history of human civilization, tribal communities seem to have realized that domination over territorial space was not their lot. Thus, they seem to have turned almost obsessively to gaining domination over time. This urge is substantiated in their ritual of conversing with their dead ancestors: year after year, tribals in many parts of India worship terracotta or carved-wood objects representing their ancestors, aspiring to enter a trance in which they can converse with the dead. Over the centuries, an amazingly sharp memory has helped tribals classify material and natural objects into a highly complex system of knowledge. . .
One of the main characteristics of the tribal arts is their distinct manner of constructing space and imagery, which might be described as ‘hallucinatory’. In both oral and visual forms of representation, tribal artists seem to interpret verbal or pictorial space as demarcated by an extremely flexible ‘frame’. The boundaries between art and non-art become almost invisible. A tribal epic can begin its narration from a trivial everyday event; tribal paintings merge with living space as if the two were one and the same. And within the narrative itself, or within the painted imagery, there is no deliberate attempt to follow a sequence. The episodes retold and the images created take on the apparently chaotic shapes of dreams. In a way, the syntax of language and the grammar of painting are the same, as if literature were painted words and painting were a song of images.
Non-human living forms exhibit human emotions in tribal narratives because tribal narratives:
Check Solution
Ans: B
Explanation:The passage states that in tribal stories, “oceans fly in the sky as birds, mountains swim in water as fish, animals speak as humans and stars grow like plants.” It also mentions that “Spatial order and temporal sequence do not restrict the narrative” and that tribal artists “admit the principle of association between emotion and the narrative motif.” This fusion of different elements and the disregard for conventional boundaries between species and their typical behaviors illustrate an “existential fluidity,” where the lines between different states of being are blurred. Option A is incorrect because the passage contrasts the “self-conscious form” of secular creativity with the “dreamlike and hallucinatory” nature of tribal imagination. Option C is incorrect because the passage explicitly states that tribal creations “have no conventions or rules,” but rather that they admit certain associations. Option D is incorrect because the passage describes tribal knowledge systems as “highly complex” and their memory as “amazingly sharp,” suggesting development rather than being rudimentary.
Correct_Option:B
Q. 10 On the basis of the passage, which one of the following explains the main difference between imagination and memory?
Check Solution
Ans: D
Explanation:The passage explicitly states, “The image-making faculty is a genetic gift to the human mind—this power of imagination helps us understand the space that envelops us. With regard to time, we make connections with the help of memory; one remembers being the same person today as one was yesterday.” This directly contrasts the roles of imagination and memory, linking imagination to understanding space and memory to understanding time. Option A is partially correct but doesn’t fully capture the distinction made in the passage. Option B talks about tribal groups’ preference, which is a consequence of their characteristics, not the core difference. Option C suggests cultivation for imagination and intuition for memory, which is an interpretation not directly supported as the *main difference* by the passage’s description.
Correct_Option:D
Q. 11 Which one of the following best explains why tribals in India worship their dead ancestors?
Check Solution
Ans: A
Explanation:The passage states, “This urge is substantiated in their ritual of conversing with their dead ancestors: year after year, tribals in many parts of India worship terracotta or carved-wood objects representing their ancestors, aspiring to enter a trance in which they can converse with the dead.” It then immediately connects this to their perceived need for “domination over time,” contrasting it with a lack of territorial domination. Therefore, the worship of ancestors is presented as a means to achieve this “domination over time.” Option B is true but not the primary reason explained in the passage. Option C describes a consequence of their memory but not the reason for ancestor worship. Option D is explicitly contradicted by the passage.
Correct_Option:A
Q. 12 All of the following, if true, would weaken the passage’s claims about the hallucinatory tribal imagination EXCEPT that:
Check Solution
Ans: D
Explanation:The passage describes the tribal imagination as “dreamlike and hallucinatory,” with “fusion between various planes of existence and levels of time in a natural and artless manner.” It also states that “spatial order and temporal sequence do not restrict the narrative” and that “there is no deliberate attempt to follow a sequence.” Tribal art is said to have an “extremely flexible ‘frame’,” where “boundaries between art and non-art become almost invisible” and “tribal paintings merge with living space.” The question asks which option, if true, would *not* weaken these claims.
Let’s analyze each option:
* **Option A: tribal art excludes the depiction of the mundane reality of everyday life and objects.** This would *weaken* the passage’s claim that “A tribal epic can begin its narration from a trivial everyday event” and that tribal paintings merge with living space, implying a connection to everyday reality. If they exclude mundane reality, it suggests a more deliberate and perhaps less “hallucinatory” approach to subject matter.
* **Option B: tribal narratives exhibit a chronological beginning, middle, and end.** This would directly *weaken* the passage’s claim that “spatial order and temporal sequence do not restrict the narrative” and that “there is no deliberate attempt to follow a sequence.” A clear chronological structure is the opposite of the unrestricted and chaotic sequencing described.
* **Option C: tribal stories depict the natural world in accordance with rational scientific knowledge.** This would *weaken* the passage’s claims about the “hallucinatory” nature and the “fusion between various planes of existence.” Depicting the natural world rationally and scientifically implies adherence to established laws and order, which contradicts the dreamlike and unrestricted merging of elements described (e.g., “oceans fly in the sky as birds, mountains swim in water as fish”).
* **Option D: shamanic rituals involving conversing with the dead often feature in tribal stories.** This would *not weaken* the passage’s claims. The passage explicitly mentions that “tribal communities seem to have realized that domination over territorial space was not their lot. Thus, they seem to have turned almost obsessively to gaining domination over time. This urge is substantiated in their ritual of conversing with their dead ancestors.” This indicates that such rituals are a part of tribal life and imagination, fitting within the described framework of their focus on time and their “hallucinatory” or associative mode of creativity, rather than contradicting it.
Correct_Option:D
Q. 13 Five jumbled sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5), related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd sentence out and key in the number of that sentence as your answer.
1. The profound emotional impact of music has inspired ongoing research into its relationship with emotions.
2. Music is a universal phenomenon that utilizes a myriad brain resources.
3. This inherent connection to musical expression is deeply intertwined with human identity and experience.
4. The proclivity to create and appreciate music is ubiquitous among humans, permeating daily life across diverse societies.
5. Engaging with music is among the most cognitively demanding tasks a human can undergo, and it is identified across cultures.
Check Solution
Ans: 1
Music is a fundamental and intricate aspect of human existence, present across all societies and deeply intertwined with cognitive processes and perception. The following sentences present a coherent progression of ideas:
Sentence 2 establishes music as a universal phenomenon that engages our minds. Sentence 5 elaborates on this concept of mental engagement, highlighting the significant cognitive effort involved in musical participation. Sentence 4 broadens this perspective by observing that musical creation and appreciation are widespread practices in all communities and everyday life. Sentence 3 then links these observations to the formation of human identity and lived experiences, building upon the notion presented in sentence 4.
Sentence 1, however, diverges from this theme. Rather than defining music or explaining its ubiquitous nature, it shifts to discussing research prompted by music’s emotional impact. This introduces a scientific inquiry rather than a direct exploration of music itself. Consequently, sentence 1 is the outlier.
Q. 14 The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, and 4) given below, when properly sequenced, would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequencing of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer.
1. When I ask the distinguished LGBTQ activist and writer Cherie Moraga whether she uses Latinx to refer to herself, she tells me, ‘I worked too hard for the “a” in Latina to give it up! I refer to myself as Xicana.’
2. Of our accumulated ethnic population, only a third use Hispanic to identify themselves, a mere 14 percent use Latino, and less than 2 percent recognize Latinx.
3. They have done this, although gender in languages is grammatical, not sociological or sexual, and found in linguistic families throughout the world, from French to Russian to Japanese.
4. More recently, activists seeking to render our name gender neutral, out of respect for our LGBTQ members, have devised yet another name for us: Latinx.
Check Solution
Ans: 4312
The provided sentences explore the evolution of community identifiers, particularly concerning the adoption of gender-neutral terminology, the discussions surrounding linguistic choices, and the practical application of these labels. The sequence commences with sentence 4, which highlights a recent development: advocates coined the term “Latinx” to foster gender neutrality and greater inclusion for LGBTQ+ individuals. Following this, sentence 3 clarifies that grammatical gender, present in numerous languages, is distinct from social or sexual gender, thereby providing context for the emergence of “Latinx.” Sentence 1 introduces a personal perspective, featuring Cherie Moraga’s preference for “Latina” and “Xicana” over “Latinx,” grounding the discourse in an individual experience. Finally, sentence 2 serves effectively as a concluding statement, shifting from a specific case to broader findings that indicate a limited adoption of “Latinx” in comparison to alternative terms. Therefore, the optimal arrangement of the sentences is 4312.
Q. 15 The given sentence is missing in the paragraph below. Decide where it best fits among the options 1, 2, 3, or 4 indicated in the paragraph.
Sentence: Productivity gains, once expected to feed through to broader living standards, now primarily serve to enhance returns to wealth.
Paragraph: Economists now argue that inequality is no longer a by-product of growth but a condition of it. ____ (1) ____. Unlike wages, wealth reflects not just income but also access to assets, favourable institutional conditions – such as low interest rates – and public policies like low taxes and housing shortages. ____ (2) ____. In other words, wealth depends on political choices in ways that income currently does not. It’s not just the inequality itself that is the issue but the erosion of mechanisms that once constrained it. ____ (3) ____. Wealth and income inequality are linked, but where wages have stagnated and collective bargaining has weakened, capital income – derived from profits, rents and interest – has been boosted by design. ____ (4) ____.
Check Solution
Ans: B
This passage posits that disparities are inherent to contemporary economic expansion. It elaborates that since affluence is determined by property, frameworks, and governmental choices, its accumulation diverges from that of earnings. The text then illustrates how returns on capital have been intentionally amplified, while the systems that previously curbed disparity have diminished.
The offered statement is most effective when placed at position 4, as it encapsulates the idea presented directly preceding it. This statement articulates the outcome after asserting that returns on capital have been “enhanced deliberately” and wages have plateaued: advances in output now predominantly benefit wealth instead of improving lifestyles. This functions as the clear culmination of the argument.
Introducing the statement at position 1 would be too early, as the passage has not yet detailed the divergence between wealth and wages, which the statement addresses. Placing the sentence at position 2 would disrupt the exposition of how organizations and policy influence wealth. Inserting it at position 3 would impede the shift from explanation to impact, as position 3 marks a point of transition. Consequently, position 4 is the most fitting placement.
Q. 16 Instructions
The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.
Over the course of the twentieth century, humans built, on average, one large dam a day, hulking structures of steel and concrete designed to control flooding, facilitate irrigation, and generate electricity. Dams were also lucrative contracts, large-scale employers, and the physical instantiation of a messianic drive to conquer territories and control nature. Some of the results of that drive were charismatic mega-infrastructure—the Hoover on the Colorado River or the Aswan on the Nile—but most of the tens of thousands of dams that dot the Earth’s landscape have drawn little attention. These are the smaller, though not inconsequential, barriers that today impede the flow of water on nearly two-thirds of the world’s large waterways. Chances are, what your map calls a “lake” is actually a reservoir, and that thin blue line that emerges from it once flowed very differently.
Damming a river is always a partisan act. Even when explicit infrastructure goals— irrigation, flood control, electrification—were met, other consequences were significant and often deleterious. Across the world, river control displaced millions of people, threatening livelihoods, foodways, and cultures. In the western United States, dams were often an instrument of colonialism, used to dispossess Indigenous people and subsidize settler agriculture. And as dams slowed the flow of water, inhibited the movement of nutrients, and increased the amount of toxic algae and other parasites, they snuffed out entire river ecologies. Declining fish populations are the most evident effect, but dams also threaten a host of other animals—from birds and reptiles to fungi and plants—with extinction. Every major dam, then, is also a sacrifice zone, a place where lives, livelihoods, and ways of life are eliminated so that new sorts of landscapes can support water-intensive agriculture and cities that sprout downstream of new reservoirs.
Such sacrifices have been justified as offerings at the temples of modernity. Justified by—and for—whom, though? Over the course of the twentieth century, rarely were the costs and benefits weighed thoughtfully and decided democratically. As Kader Asmal, chair of the landmark 2000 World Commission on Dams, concluded, “There have been precious few, if any, comprehensive, independent analyses as to why dams came about, how dams perform over time, and whether we are getting a fair return from our $2 trillion investment.” A quarter- century later, Asmal’s words ring ever truer. A litany of dams built in the mid- twentieth century are approaching the end of their expected lives, with worrying prospects for their durability. Droughts, magnified and multiplied by the effects of climate change, have forced more and more to run below capacity. If ever there were a time to rethink the mania for dams, it would be now.
There is some evidence that a combination of opposition, alternative energy sources, and a lack of viable projects has slowed the construction of major dams. But a wave of recent and ongoing construction, from India and China to Ethiopia and Canada, continues to tilt the global balance firmly in favor of water impoundment.
Which one of the following sets of terms is closest to mapping the key arguments of the passage?
Check Solution
Ans: C
The text outlines a clear progression of an argument. It starts by presenting dams, using examples of large-scale, widely recognized infrastructure, as emblems of aspiration and comprehensive command over the natural world. Subsequently, it illustrates how each major dam leads to a sacrifice area, displacing populations, destroying natural environments, and eliminating ways of life. These detriments have been framed as necessary contributions to “modernity’s temples” or in the pursuit of advancement. Finally, the passage observes that worldwide, the trend of holding back water persists, even with growing proof of detrimental impacts and the deterioration of established dams.
Option (c) accurately reflects this sequence by identifying the driving force, the outcomes, the rationalizations, and the ongoing direction of dam construction. The remaining choices fail to encompass this overarching argument, instead presenting isolated concepts or incomplete effects.
Q. 17 What does the author wish to communicate by referring to the Hoover and Aswan dams in the first paragraph?
Check Solution
Ans: D
Explanation:The author uses the Hoover and Aswan dams as examples of “charismatic mega-infrastructure” to illustrate the scale and ambition of the drive to control nature through dam building. However, the subsequent sentences in the paragraph emphasize that these are exceptions, and the vast majority of dams are smaller and less noticeable. The author then contrasts these large dams with the numerous smaller dams that collectively impede flow on many waterways. Option D accurately captures this point by stating that the drive to control nature is evident in both mega-infrastructures and smaller dams, thereby connecting the examples to the broader theme of the passage. Options A, B, and C are not directly supported by the text. The passage doesn’t claim the rivers are “thin blue lines” (A), nor does it link large-scale employers to messianic figures (B) or suggest the designers were charismatic (C).
Correct_Option:D
Q. 18 The word “instantiation” is used in the first paragraph. Which one of the following pairs of terms would be the best substitute for it in the context of its usage in the paragraph?
Check Solution
Ans: A
Explanation:The word “instantiation” in the first paragraph refers to the act of giving concrete form to an idea or concept. The passage states that dams were “the physical instantiation of a messianic drive to conquer territories and control nature.” This means dams were the physical embodiment or manifestation of that drive. Option A, “exemplification and manifestation,” best captures this meaning, as “exemplification” means a typical example of something, and “manifestation” means an outward display or embodiment. The other options do not fit the context as well. “Concreteness and viability” (Option B) relate to the physical nature and possibility of something, but not the act of giving form to an idea. “Durability and timeliness” (Option C) refer to longevity and being on time, which are not relevant to how “instantiation” is used here. “Development and construction” (Option D) are related to building, but “instantiation” is about giving form to an abstract concept through that building process.
Correct_Option:A
Q. 19 All of the following statements may be considered valid inferences from the passage EXCEPT that:
Check Solution
Ans: B
Explanation:The passage states that “These are the smaller, though not inconsequential, barriers that today impede the flow of water on nearly two-thirds of the world’s large waterways.” It also discusses the negative impacts of dams, including threatening animals with extinction. There is no information in the passage to suggest that smaller dams are safer than large dam projects. In fact, the passage implies that the cumulative effect of these smaller dams is significant.
Let’s analyze the other options:
Option A: The passage states, “There is some evidence that a combination of opposition, alternative energy sources, and a lack of viable projects has slowed the construction of major dams. But a wave of recent and ongoing construction, from India and China to Ethiopia and Canada, continues to tilt the global balance firmly in favor of water impoundment.” This supports the inference that dams continue to be built despite opposition and alternatives.
Option C: The passage explicitly states, “In the western United States, dams were often an instrument of colonialism, used to dispossess Indigenous people and subsidize settler agriculture.” This directly supports the inference that dam-building has been used to displace people from their territories.
Option D: The passage quotes Kader Asmal, who concluded that “There have been precious few, if any, comprehensive, independent analyses as to why dams came about, how dams perform over time, and whether we are getting a fair return from our $2 trillion investment.” This strongly suggests that dam-building has been costly and its justifications are questionable.
Therefore, the only statement that cannot be considered a valid inference from the passage is that smaller dams are safer than large dam projects.
Correct_Option:B
Q. 20 The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
In investigating memory-beliefs, there are certain points which must be borne in mind. In the first place, everything constituting a memory-belief is happening now, not in that past time to which the belief is said to refer. It is not logically necessary to the existence of a memory-belief that the event remembered should have occurred, or even that the past should have existed at all. There is no logical impossibility in the hypothesis that the world sprang into being five minutes ago, exactly as it then was, with a population that “remembered” a wholly unreal past. There is no logically necessary connection between events at different times; therefore nothing that is happening now or will happen in the future can disprove the hypothesis that the world began five minutes ago. Hence the occurrences which are CALLED knowledge of the past are logically independent of the past; they are wholly analysable into present contents, which might, theoretically, be just what they are even if no past had existed.
Check Solution
Ans: D
Explanation:The passage emphasizes that memory-beliefs are entirely present phenomena. It argues that the existence of the remembered event or even the past itself is not logically necessary for a memory-belief to exist. The core idea is the logical independence of present memory-contents from any actual past. Option D best encapsulates this by stating that “knowledge of the past” is logically independent of the past because remembering occurs in the present and doesn’t require real past occurrences or even a past at all. Option A is partially correct but too narrow. Option B adds the example of the world beginning five minutes ago, which is a supporting illustration rather than the main point. Option C is also close but lacks the directness of D in stating the independence of “knowledge of the past.”
Correct_Option:D
Q. 21 Instructions
The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.
Imagine a world in which artificial intelligence is entrusted with the highest moral responsibilities: sentencing criminals, allocating medical resources, and even mediating conflicts between nations. This might seem like the pinnacle of human progress: an entity unburdened by emotion, prejudice or inconsistency, making ethical decisions with impeccable precision. . . .
Yet beneath this vision of an idealised moral arbiter lies a fundamental question: can a machine understand morality as humans do, or is it confined to a simulacrum of ethical reasoning? AI might replicate human decisions without improving on them, carrying forward the same biases, blind spots and cultural distortions from human moral judgment. In trying to emulate us, it might only reproduce our limitations, not transcend them. But there is a deeper concern. Moral judgment draws on intuition, historical awareness and context – qualities that resist formalisation. Ethics may be so embedded in lived experience that any attempt to encode it into formal structures risks flattening its most essential features. If so, AI would not merely reflect human shortcomings; it would strip morality of the very depth that makes ethical reflection possible in the first place.
Still, many have tried to formalise ethics, by treating certain moral claims not as conclusions, but as starting points. A classic example comes from utilitarianism, which often takes as a foundational axiom the principle that one should act to maximise overall wellbeing. From this, more specific principles can be derived, for example, that it is right to benefit the greatest number, or that actions should be judged by their consequences for total happiness. As computational resources increase, AI becomes increasingly well-suited to the task of starting from fixed ethical assumptions and reasoning through their implications in complex situations.
But what, exactly, does it mean to formalise something like ethics? The question is easier to grasp by looking at fields in which formal systems have long played a central role. Physics, for instance, has relied on formalisation for centuries. There is no single physical theory that explains everything. Instead, we have many physical theories, each designed to describe specific aspects of the Universe: from the behaviour of quarks and electrons to the motion of galaxies. These theories often diverge. Aristotelian physics, for instance, explained falling objects in terms of natural motion toward Earth’s centre; Newtonian mechanics replaced this with a universal force of gravity. These explanations are not just different; they are incompatible. Yet both share a common structure: they begin with basic postulates – assumptions about motion, force or mass – and derive increasingly complex consequences. . . .
Ethical theories have a similar structure. Like physical theories, they attempt to describe a domain – in this case, the moral landscape. They aim to answer questions about which actions are right or wrong, and why. These theories also diverge and, even when they recommend similar actions, such as giving to charity, they justify them in different ways. Ethical theories also often begin with a small set of foundational principles or claims, from which they reason about more complex moral problems.
Choose the one option below that comes closest to being the opposite of “utilitarianism”.
Check Solution
Ans: C
The query inquires about the stance most contrary to utilitarianism. As per the provided text, utilitarianism advocates for actions that increase aggregate well-being or collective welfare. The paramount consideration is the aggregate level of good, irrespective of its distribution or whether certain individuals experience diminished welfare, provided the overall result is enhanced.
In light of this, option C presents a contrasting viewpoint. A prioritarian perspective prioritizes aiding disadvantaged individuals, even if it doesn’t result in the greatest overall well-being. This approach questions the utilitarian emphasis on aggregate outcomes, positioning it as the most diametrically opposed concept.
The remaining options are not aligned. Option A assesses policies based on “comprehensive societal well-being,” which remains aligned with utilitarian principles. Option B appears rule-oriented, but its reference to “widest societal advantage” still employs utilitarian reasoning. Option D, while identifying as deontological, centers on “maximum aggregate benefit,” thus not genuinely opposing utilitarianism.
Consequently, option C represents the correct choice.
Q. 22 Which one of the options below best summarises the passage?
Check Solution
Ans: C
Explanation:The passage begins by presenting the appealing vision of AI making moral judgments but immediately introduces doubts about its ability to truly understand morality. It explores the risk of AI replicating human biases and the concern that formalizing ethics might strip it of its depth and nuance. The passage then discusses how formalization works by taking foundational axioms and deriving implications, using physics as an analogy. It points out that just as there are multiple, sometimes incompatible, physical theories describing different aspects of the universe, there can be multiple ethical theories with similar structures, starting from foundational principles. The passage does *not* reject formal methods entirely, nor does it claim AI can perfectly replicate or improve upon human judgment. It doesn’t guarantee administrative gains or propose AI for decision-making without reservations. Option C accurately captures these nuances: it acknowledges the appeal of AI judges while voicing doubts about moral grasp, warns about the loss of case-sensitive judgment through codification, notes the possibility of axiom-led reasoning at scale, and uses the physics analogy to illustrate a “structured plurality” of theories.
Correct_Option:C
Q. 23 The passage compares ethics to physics, where different theories apply to different aspects of a domain and says AI can reason from fixed starting points in complex cases. Which one of the assumptions below must hold for that comparison to guide practice?
Check Solution
Ans: A
Explanation:The passage compares ethical theories to physical theories. It states that just as there are multiple physics theories describing different aspects of the universe and often diverging, ethical theories also describe the “moral landscape” and can diverge in their justifications. The passage also notes that AI can reason from fixed ethical assumptions. The question asks which assumption must hold for this comparison to guide practice. If AI is to effectively reason from fixed ethical starting points in complex situations, it needs a way to determine which set of starting points (i.e., which ethical framework) is appropriate for a given situation. Option A suggests there’s a “principled way to decide which ethical framework applies,” which is crucial for AI to select the correct starting points before deriving a recommendation. This allows for the application of different frameworks to different types of cases, mirroring the diverse physics theories. Option B is too absolute; real-world cases can be complex and straddle different ethical considerations. Option C suggests a single master framework, which contradicts the passage’s emphasis on diverging theories. Option D implies a lack of divergence in outcomes, which also contradicts the passage’s description of diverging ethical theories. Therefore, a way to select the appropriate framework is necessary for the comparison to be practically useful in guiding AI’s actions.
Correct_Option:A
Q. 24 All of the following can reasonably be inferred from the passage EXCEPT:
Check Solution
Ans: D
Explanation:The question asks what can be inferred from the passage EXCEPT. Let’s analyze each option:
* **Option A:** The passage draws an analogy between physics and ethics, stating that both have a similar structure of starting with basic postulates and deriving consequences. It also mentions that physical theories diverge and are incompatible, and ethical theories also diverge. The inference that “compact postulates can yield broad predictions across incompatible theories and ethics can likewise share structure while continuing to diverge rather than close on a single comprehensive framework” aligns well with this analogy and the discussion of diverging theories in both fields.
* **Option B:** The passage explicitly states that “Moral judgment draws on intuition, historical awareness and context – qualities that resist formalisation. Ethics may be so embedded in lived experience that any attempt to encode it into formal structures risks flattening its most essential features. If so, AI would not merely reflect human shortcomings; it would strip morality of the very depth that makes ethical reflection possible in the first place.” This directly supports the inference that encoding ethics into fixed structures risks stripping away intuition, history, and context, leading to a loss of depth. The part about machines mirroring limits rather than exceeding them is also implied by the earlier discussion of AI replicating human biases.
* **Option C:** The passage begins by describing a vision of AI making ethical decisions without emotion, prejudice, or inconsistency. This implies an appeal based on immunity to such human flaws (like bribery, partiality, and fatigue). However, the passage immediately questions whether this is true moral understanding, stating, “can a machine understand morality as humans do, or is it confined to a simulacrum of ethical reasoning?” and discusses the lack of lived context and interpretive depth. This option accurately reflects the core tension presented in the passage.
* **Option D:** This option makes two strong claims that are contradicted by the passage. First, it suggests that the argument forecasts “convergence on one ethical system.” However, the passage emphasizes how both physical and ethical theories *diverge* and are often *incompatible*. There is no indication of convergence. Second, it claims that “contextual judgement is unnecessary once formal reasoning scales across domains and cultures.” The passage explicitly states that “Moral judgment draws on intuition, historical awareness and context – qualities that resist formalisation” and that encoding ethics risks “stripping morality of the very depth.” This suggests context is crucial and not rendered unnecessary by formal reasoning.
Therefore, Option D is the statement that cannot be reasonably inferred from the passage; in fact, it’s directly contradicted by several points made in the text.
Correct_Option:D