CAT 2024 Slot-Wise Question Paper PDF Download With Detailed Solutions

CAT 2024 VARC Slot 1 Paper With Answers & Explanation

Q. 1 Five jumbled up 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 and key in the number of that sentence as your answer.

1. Animals have an interest in fulfilling their basic needs, but also in avoiding suffering, and thus we ought to extend moral consideration.
2. Singer viewed himself as a utilitarian, and presents a direct moral theory concerning animal rights, in contrast to indirect positions, such as welfarist views.
3. He argued for extending moral consideration to animals because, similar to humans, animals have certain significant interests.
4. The event that publicly announced animal rights as a legitimate issue within contemporary philosophy was Peter Singer's Animal Liberation text in 1975.
5. As such, we ought to view their interests alongside and equal to human interests, which results in humans having direct moral duties towards animals.

Correct Answer

Explanation

Analysis of Sentences:
Sentence 1: “Animals have an interest in fulfilling their basic needs, but also in avoiding suffering, and thus we ought to extend moral consideration.”
• What the sentence is doing: It makes a general statement about animals’ interests and why they deserve moral consideration.
• Clues:
Talks about animals’ needs and suffering.
Does not specifically mention Peter Singer or his philosophy.
• Standalone argument about animal ethics.
Sentence 2: “Singer viewed himself as a utilitarian, and presents a direct moral theory concerning animal rights, in contrast to indirect positions, such as welfarist views.”
• What the sentence is doing: It introduces Peter Singer’s ethical stance and contrasts his direct approach to animal rights with other views.
• Clues:
Mentions “Singer” explicitly.
Talks about “utilitarianism” and “direct moral theory,” setting the stage for a discussion on his views.
Sentence 3: “He argued for extending moral consideration to animals because, similar to humans, animals have certain significant interests.”
• What the sentence is doing: It elaborates on Singer’s argument, linking it to the idea that animals have interests comparable to humans.
• Clues:
Uses “He,” referring to Singer (linking to Sentence 2).
Continues the discussion on why animals deserve moral consideration.
Sentence 4: “The event that publicly announced animal rights as a legitimate issue within contemporary philosophy was Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation text in 1975.”
• What the sentence is doing: It provides a historical context for Singer’s influence on animal rights philosophy.
• Clues:
Mentions Animal Liberation (a well-known book by Singer).
Provides a background for the discussion on Singer’s views.
Sentence 5: “As such, we ought to view their interests alongside and equal to human interests, which results in humans having direct moral duties towards animals.”
• What the sentence is doing: It presents a conclusion derived from Singer’s argument about extending moral consideration to animals.
• Clues:
“As such” suggests it follows logically from previous statements.
Reinforces the idea of humans having moral duties towards animals.
Coherent Paragraph Construction (Order: 4-2-3-5):
1. Sentence 4 introduces Peter Singer and his book Animal Liberation, which established animal rights as a serious philosophical issue.
2. Sentence 2 describes Singer’s utilitarian approach and his stance on direct moral theory.
3. Sentence 3 explains Singer’s argument that animals have significant interests, similar to humans.
4. Sentence 5 concludes by stating that this leads to moral duties towards animals.
Odd Sentence:
• Sentence 1 is the odd one out because:
It presents a general ethical argument about animals and moral consideration without referencing Singer or his philosophy.
The other sentences are focused on Peter Singer’s views, while Sentence 1 discusses animal ethics more broadly.
Removing it does not disrupt the logical flow of the remaining sentences.

Question Numbers (2 to 5): The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.

Oftentimes, when economists cross borders, they are less interested in learning from others than in invading their garden plots. Gary Becker, for instance, pioneered the idea of human capital. To do so, he famously tackled topics like crime and domesticity, applying methods honed in the study of markets to domains of nonmarket life. He projected economics outward into new realms: for example, by revealing the extent to which humans calculate marginal utilities when choosing their spouses or stealing from neighbors. At the same time, he did not let other ways of thinking enter his own economic realm: for example, he did not borrow from anthropology or history or let observations of nonmarket economics inform his homo economicus. Becker was a picture of the imperial economist in the heyday of the discipline's bravura.

Times have changed for the once almighty discipline. Economics has been taken to task, within and beyond its ramparts. Some economists have reached out, imported, borrowed, and collaborated-been less imperial, more open. Consider Thomas Piketty and his outreach to historians. The booming field of behavioral economicsthe fusion of economics and social psychology-is another case. Having spawned active subfields, like judgment, decision-making and a turn to experimentation, the field aims to go beyond the caricature of Rational Man to explain how humans make decisions ....

It is important to underscore how this flips the way we think about economics. For generations, economists have presumed that people have interests---“preferences,” in the neoclassical argot-that get revealed in the course of peoples’ choices. Interests come before actions and determine them. If you are hungry, you buy lunch; if you are cold, you get a sweater. If you only have so much money and can’t afford to deal with both your growling stomach and your shivering, which need you choose to meet using your scarce savings reveals your preference.

Psychologists take one look at this simple formulation and shake their heads. Increasingly, even some mainstream economists have to admit that homo economicus doesn’t always behave like the textbook maximizer; irrational behavior can’t simply be waved away as extra-economic expressions of passions over interests, and thus the domain of other disciplines .... This is one place where the humanist can help the economist. If narrative economics is going to help us understand how rivals duke it out, who wins and who loses, we are going to need much more than lessons from epidemiological studies of viruses or intracranial stimuli.

Above all, we need politics and institutions. Shiller [the Nobel prize winning economist] connects perceptions of narratives to changes in behavior and thence to social outcomes. He completes a circle that was key to behavioral economics and brings in storytelling to make sense of how perceptions get framed. This cycle (perception to behavior to society) was once mediated or dominated by institutions: the political parties, lobby groups, and media organizations that played a vital role in legitimating, representing, and excluding interests. Yet institutions have been stripped from Shiller's account, to reveal a bare dynamic of emotions and economics, without the intermediating place of politics.

Q. 2 "Times have changed for the once almighty discipline." We can infer from this statement and the associated paragraph that the author is being

1) sarcastic about how economists, who earlier shunned other disciplines, are now beginning to incorporate them in their analyses.

2) judgemental about the ability of economic tools to accurately manage crises leading to the downfall of this lofty science.

3) critical of economists' openly borrowing and collaborating across disciplines to explain how humans make decisions.

4) disparaging of economists' inability to precisely predict market behaviour, and are now borrowing from other disciplines to remedy this.

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

Explanation

Correct Answer: 1
Question Explanation:
This question tests the ability to infer the author’s tone and attitude toward the changing nature of economics. The phrase “Times have changed for the once almighty discipline” suggests that economics was once dominant but has now become more open to borrowing from other fields. The correct answer should reflect a subtle critique or irony in this shift.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(1) sarcastic about how economists, who earlier shunned other disciplines, are now beginning to incorporate them in their analyses.
The passage mentions how economists, such as Gary Becker, extended economic models to non-market domains while rejecting insights from fields like anthropology and history.
It then contrasts this with contemporary economists who now borrow from other disciplines.
The phrase “Times have changed” suggests irony, as the once “almighty” discipline of economics is now adapting methods it previously ignored.
The author’s tone is lightly sarcastic, indicating that economists who once resisted external influence are now embracing it.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(2) judgmental about the ability of economic tools to accurately manage crises leading to the downfall of this lofty science.
Incorrect because the passage does not judge economics as failing or collapsing; rather, it highlights a shift in approach.
(3) critical of economists’ openly borrowing and collaborating across disciplines to explain how humans make decisions.
Incorrect because the author does not criticize borrowing and collaboration; instead, they highlight the irony of economists embracing methods they previously dismissed.
(4) disparaging of economists’ inability to precisely predict market behavior, and are now borrowing from other disciplines to remedy this.
Incorrect because the passage does not focus on market prediction failures. Instead, it discusses how economics is evolving to better understand human decision-making.

Q. 3 In the first paragraph the author is making the point that economists like Becker

1) benefitted from the application of their principles and concepts to non-economic phenomena.

2) had begun to borrow concepts from other disciplines but were averse to the latter applying economic principles.

3) tended to guard their discipline from poaching by academics from other subject areas.

4) used economics to analyse non-market behaviour without incorporating perspectives from other areas of inquiry.

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

Explanation

Question Explanation:
This question asks about the main idea of the first paragraph, particularly how economists like Gary Becker expanded their field but resisted external influences. The correct answer should reflect Becker’s approach of applying economics to non-market areas while rejecting insights from other disciplines.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(4) used economics to analyze non-market behavior without incorporating perspectives from other areas of inquiry.
The passage states that Becker applied economic principles to non-market behavior (e.g., crime, domesticity, marriage) but did not borrow from anthropology, history, or non-market economics.
This indicates a one-way application: economics influencing other fields but not being influenced in return.
The phrase “he did not let other ways of thinking enter his own economic realm” explicitly supports this.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) benefited from the application of their principles and concepts to non-economic phenomena.
Incorrect because the paragraph does not discuss whether Becker benefited—only that he applied economic reasoning to other fields.
(2) had begun to borrow concepts from other disciplines but were averse to the latter applying economic principles.
Incorrect because Becker did not borrow concepts from other disciplines at all; he only applied economics outward.
(3) tended to guard their discipline from poaching by academics from other subject areas.
Incorrect because the passage does not suggest active resistance or “guarding” against other disciplines—only that Becker did not integrate their ideas into his work.

Q. 4 We can infer from the passage that the term “homo economicus” refers to someone who

1) is not influenced by the preferences and choices of others.

2) makes rational decisions based on their own preferences.

3) believes in borrowing and collaborating with other disciplines in their work.

4) maximises their opportunities based on nonmarket choices.

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

Explanation

Question Explanation:
This question asks for the most accurate interpretation of “homo economicus” as used in the passage. The correct answer should reflect the traditional economic assumption that individuals make rational choices based on their preferences.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(2) makes rational decisions based on their own preferences.
The passage describes how traditional economics assumes that people have clear preferences that determine their choices (e.g., buying lunch when hungry, buying a sweater when cold).
The phrase “economists have presumed that people have interests—’ preferences’—that get revealed in the course of people’s choices” directly supports this.
Homo economicus refers to the rational, self-interested decision-maker who maximizes utility based on their individual preferences.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) is not influenced by the preferences and choices of others.
Incorrect because the passage does not say that homo economicus ignores others’ choices—only that they are assumed to act rationally based on their own preferences.
(3) believes in borrowing and collaborating with other disciplines in their work.
Incorrect because homo economicus is a concept in traditional economics, which did not involve interdisciplinary collaboration. The passage criticizes economists for not borrowing from other fields.
(4) maximizes their opportunities based on nonmarket choices.
Incorrect because homo economicus operates in market settings, making decisions based on economic logic, not nonmarket choices.

Q. 5 The author critiques Schiller's approach to behavioural economics for

1) denigrating the role of institutions while creating a link between behavioural economics and perceptions.

2) ignoring the marginal role that media and politics play in influencing people's behaviour.

3) linking emotions and rational behaviour without considering the mediation of social institutions.

4) relying excessively on storytelling as the main influence on the formation of perceptions.

Correct Answer
and
Explanation

Correct Answer

Explanation

Question Explanation:
This question tests your ability to identify the specific critique the author makes about Schiller’s approach to behavioral economics. The correct answer should reflect the author’s concern that Schiller overlooks the role of institutions in shaping perceptions and behavior.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(3) linking emotions and rational behaviour without considering the mediation of social institutions.
• The passage states:
“This cycle (perception to behavior to society) was once mediated or dominated by institutions: the political parties, lobby groups, and media organizations that played a vital role in legitimating, representing, and excluding interests. Yet institutions have been stripped from Shiller’s account, to reveal a bare dynamic of emotions and economics, without the intermediating place of politics.”
• This directly supports option (3) because the author critiques Schiller for focusing only on emotions and behavior while ignoring the role of institutions (like political parties, lobby groups, and media).
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) denigrating the role of institutions while creating a link between behavioural economics and perceptions.
• Incorrect because the author does not say Schiller denigrates institutions—just that he ignores them in his model.
(2) ignoring the marginal role that media and politics play in influencing people’s behaviour.
• Incorrect because the passage suggests that media and politics play a major role, not just a marginal one. The issue is that Schiller leaves them out, not that he ignores their “marginal” role.
(4) relying excessively on storytelling as the main influence on the formation of perceptions.
• Incorrect because the passage acknowledges the value of storytelling in shaping perceptions. The criticism is about the absence of institutions, not the overuse of storytelling.

Q. 6 There is a sentence that is missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide where (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit.
Sentence: The brain isn’t organized the way you might set up your home office or bathroom medicine cabinet.
Paragraph: (1). You can’t just put things anywhere you want to. The evolved architecture of the brain is haphazard and disjointed, and incorporates multiple systems, each of which has a mind of its own. (2). Evolution doesn’t design things and it doesn't build systems-it settles on systems that, historically, conveyed a survival benefit. There is no overarching, grand planner engineering the systems so that they work harmoniously together. (3). The brain is more like a big, old house with piecemeal renovations done on every floor, and less like new construction (4).

1) Option 3

2) Option 2

3) Option 4

4) Option 1

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

Explanation

Correct Answer: 4 (Option 1)
Step-by-Step Analysis of the Paragraph:
1. Blank (1):
This is the opening of the paragraph, which should introduce the main idea.
The given sentence presents a contrast between how people typically organize things (in an orderly fashion) and how the brain is actually structured (haphazardly).
The sentence serves as a perfect introduction to the discussion that follows about the brain’s disorganized nature.
2. After Blank (1):
“You can’t just put things anywhere you want to.”
This sentence assumes that the reader has just been introduced to a comparison between organization in everyday life and the brain’s structure.
It makes sense as a continuation of the idea introduced in the given sentence.
3. Blank (2):
“Evolution doesn’t design things and it doesn’t build systems—it settles on systems that, historically, conveyed a survival benefit.”
This sentence explains why the brain is haphazard and disjointed (as mentioned before Blank 2).
The given sentence is not needed here because the topic has already been introduced.
4. Blank (3):
“The brain is more like a big, old house with piecemeal renovations done on every floor, and less like new construction.”
This metaphor builds on the earlier discussion about the brain’s lack of planned organization.
The given sentence would be redundant here since the paragraph has already established that the brain is not neatly structured.
5. Blank (4):
This is the conclusion of the paragraph.
The sentence before Blank 4 has already used a metaphor (old house vs. new construction) to emphasize the brain’s disorganization.
The given sentence would not be effective here because the main point has already been made.
Conclusion:
• The given sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph, making Blank (1) the best fit.
• The rest of the paragraph elaborates on this idea, explaining why the brain is not neatly structured and using metaphors to reinforce the point.
Thus, the correct answer is Option 4 (Blank 1).

Q. 7 Five jumbled up 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 and key in the number of that sentence as your answer.

1. Urbanites also have more and better options for getting around: Uber is ubiquitous; easy-to-rent dockless bicycles are spreading; battery-powered scooters will be next.
2. When more people use buses or trains the service usually improves because public-transport agencies run more buses and trains.
3. Worsening services on public transport, terrorist attacks in some urban metros and a rise in fares have been blamed for this trend.
4. It seems more likely that public transport is being squeezed structurally as people’s need to travel is diminishing as a result of smartphones, videoconferencing, online shopping and so on.
5. There has been a puzzling decline in the use of urban public transport in many countries in the west, despite the growth in urban populations and rising employment.

Correct Answer
and
Explanation

Correct Answer

2

Explanation

Correct Answer: 2
Odd Sentence Explanation
Step 1: Analyzing Each Sentence
Sentence 1: “Urbanites also have more and better options for getting around: Uber is ubiquitous; easy-to-rent dockless bicycles are spreading; battery-powered scooters will be next.”
• What the sentence is doing: It discusses alternative transportation options available in urban areas.
• Clues:
Mentions Uber, bicycles, and scooters as transportation alternatives.
Implies a shift away from public transport but does not directly address the decline in its usage.
Sentence 2: “When more people use buses or trains, the service usually improves because public-transport agencies run more buses and trains.”
• What the sentence is doing: It explains how increased usage improves public transport services.
• Clues:
Talks about a positive feedback loop in public transport.
However, this idea does not align well with the discussion on declining usage (which is the main theme of the paragraph).
Sentence 3: “Worsening services on public transport, terrorist attacks in some urban metros and a rise in fares have been blamed for this trend.”
• What the sentence is doing: It lists specific reasons for the decline in public transport usage.
• Clues:
Directly supports the discussion about declining public transport usage (mentioned in Sentence 5).
The phrase “this trend” refers to the decline, making it logically connected to Sentence 5.
Sentence 4: “It seems more likely that public transport is being squeezed structurally as people’s need to travel is diminishing as a result of smartphones, video-conferencing, online shopping and so on.”
• What the sentence is doing: It provides a structural reason for the decline in public transport—people travel less due to digital alternatives.
• Clues:
Supports the theme of declining public transport usage.
Fits logically after Sentence 5 and expands on why usage is decreasing.
Sentence 5: “There has been a puzzling decline in the use of urban public transport in many countries in the west, despite the growth in urban populations and rising employment.”
• What the sentence is doing: It introduces the main theme—the decline of public transport usage despite urbanization.
• Clues:
Serves as an introductory statement for the paragraph.
The phrase “puzzling decline” sets up the discussion about possible reasons.
Step 2: Constructing the Coherent Paragraph
The main theme of the paragraph is the decline in public transport usage and its possible causes. The logical flow is:
1. Sentence 5 introduces the problem (declining public transport usage).
2. Sentence 3 provides some immediate reasons (worsening service, security issues, and fare increases).
3. Sentence 4 presents a deeper structural reason (less need to travel due to technology).
4. Sentence 1 gives another explanation: alternative transport options like Uber and bicycles.
Thus, the coherent paragraph is:
5 3 4 1
Step 3: Identifying the Odd Sentence
Sentence 2 is the odd one out because:
• It talks about how increased usage improves public transport, which contradicts the paragraph’s theme of declining usage.
• The rest of the sentences explain why public transport use is decreasing, while Sentence 2 focuses on how its quality improves with increased ridership.
• Removing it does not affect the logical flow of the paragraph.

Question Numbers (8 to 11): The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.

In the summer of 2022, subscribers to the US streaming service HBO MAX were alarmed to discover that dozens of the platform's offerings -from the Covid-themed heist thriller Locked Down to the recent remake of The Witches -had been quietly removed from the service . .. The news seemed like vindication to those who had long warned that streaming was more about controlling access to the cultural commons than expanding it, as did reports (since denied by the show's creators) that Netflix had begun editing old episodes of Stranger Things to retroactively improve their visual effects.

What's less clear is whether the commonly prescribed cure for these cultural ills -a return to the material pleasures of physical media -is the right one. While the makers of Blu-ray discs claim they have a shelf life of 100 years, such statistics remain largely theoretical until they come to pass, and are dependent on storage conditions, not to mention the continued availability of playback equipment. The humble DVD has already proved far less resilient, with many early releases already beginning to deteriorate in quality Digital movie purchases provide even less security. Any film "bought" on iTunes could disappear if you move to another territory with a different rights agreement and try to redownload it. It's a bold new frontier in the commodification of art: the birth of the product recall. After a man took to Twitter to bemoan losing access to Cars 2 after moving from Canada to Australia, Apple clarified that users who downloaded films to their devices would retain permanent access to those downloads, even if they relocated to a hemisphere where the (content was) subject to a different set of rights agreements. Thanks to the company's ironclad digital rights management technology, however, such files cannot be moved or backed up, locking you into watching with your Apple account.

Anyone who does manage to acquire Digital Rights Management free (DRM-free) copies of their favourite films must nonetheless grapple with ever-changing file format standards, not to mention data decay -the gradual process by which electronic information slowly but surely corrupts. Only the regular migration of files from hard drive to hard drive can delay the inevitable, in a sisyphean battle against the ravages of digital time. In a sense, none of this is new. Charlie Chaplin burned the negative of his 1926 film A Woman of the Sea as a tax write-off. Many more films have been lost through accident, negligence or plain indifference. During a heatwave in July 1937, a Fox film vault in New Jersey burned down, destroying a majority of the silent films produced by the studio.

Back then, at least, cinema was defined by its ephemerality: the sense that a film was as good as gone once it left your local cinema. Today, with film studios keen to stress the breadth of their back catalogues (or to put in Hollywood terms, the value of their IPs), audiences may start to wonder why those same studios seem happy to set the vault alight themselves if it'll help next quarter's numbers.

Q. 8 Which one of the following statements, if true, would best invalidate the main argument of the passage?

1)  When moving to a different geographical location, customers can easily use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass geo-blocking and regain access to their content on any streaming service.

2)  Studios and streaming services have committed to giving customers perpetual and platformindependent access to the original digital content they have paid for.

3)  Recent research has irrefutably proven that Blu- Ray discs have a shelf live of at least 100 years.

4)  Improved cloud storage services have made it possible for movie collections to now be preserved in perpetuity, without the need to keep migrating the files.

Correct Answer
and
Explanation

Correct Answer

2

Explanation

Question Explanation:
The passage argues that streaming services and digital platforms do not provide long-term ownership security for films and TV shows. It highlights the limitations of physical media, the risks of digital rights management (DRM), and the gradual decay of digital files, suggesting that access to cultural content is being controlled rather than preserved.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(2) Studios and streaming services have committed to giving customers perpetual and platform-independent access to the original digital content they have paid for.
This statement directly invalidates the passage’s main argument. If streaming services and digital platforms truly offered lifetime, platform-independent access to purchased content, then the concern over disappearing digital content would no longer be valid.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) When moving to a different geographical location, customers can easily use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass geo-blocking and regain access to their content on any streaming service.
This does not completely invalidate the main argument, as VPNs are external tools that users must rely on, rather than a built-in guarantee of perpetual access by the streaming services themselves. The core issue of controlled access remains.
(3) Recent research has irrefutably proven that Blu-Ray discs have a shelf life of at least 100 years.
While this supports the reliability of physical media, it does not contradict the passage’s claim that digital content is being controlled and potentially lost due to streaming services’ business decisions.
(4) Improved cloud storage services have made it possible for movie collections to now be preserved in perpetuity, without the need to keep migrating the files.
While this may make it easier for users to store personal digital copies, it does not prevent streaming services from restricting access to content or removing it from their platforms. Therefore, it does not fully invalidate the argument.

Q. 9 Which one of the following statements about art best captures the arguments made in the passage?

1)  Works of art belong to the cultural commons and hence must remain available in perpetuity, irrespective of who pays for access to them.

2)  As art is increasingly created, stored and distributed digitally, access to it is counterintuitively likely to be made more difficult by the rapid churn in technology and the whims of host platforms.

3)  Accepting retroactive changes to works of art is dangerous because it will encourage creators to not put enough effort into the original attempt, given that they can always edit or update their work later.

4)  In the age of online subscription services, it is time to change our understanding of classic works of art being primarily immutable and easily available to the public.

Correct Answer
and
Explanation

Correct Answer

2

Explanation

Question Explanation:
The passage argues that digital technology and streaming platforms are making access to art more difficult, even though they were expected to make it more convenient. It highlights how works of art can be altered, removed, or made inaccessible due to corporate decisions, DRM restrictions, and technological shifts.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(2) As art is increasingly created, stored, and distributed digitally, access to it is counterintuitively likely to be made more difficult by the rapid churn in technology and the whims of host platforms.
This statement accurately reflects the passage’s argument that digital distribution has paradoxically restricted access to artistic works. The passage discusses how streaming services remove content, digital rights management limits access, and changing technologies make older formats obsolete.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) Works of art belong to the cultural commons and hence must remain available in perpetuity, irrespective of who pays for access to them.
While the passage discusses access to art, it does not argue that art should belong to the commons or be free for everyone. Instead, it focuses on how digital distribution restricts access, even for those who have paid.
(3) Accepting retroactive changes to works of art is dangerous because it will encourage creators to not put enough effort into the original attempt, given that they can always edit or update their work later.
This is not a central argument of the passage. While the passage mentions Netflix editing Stranger Things, it does not suggest that retroactive changes discourage creators from making quality work initially.
(4) In the age of online subscription services, it is time to change our understanding of classic works of art being primarily immutable and easily available to the public.
The passage argues that digital access is being restricted, but it does not call for a change in how we perceive classic works of art. Instead, it highlights the issue of access being controlled by corporations and technological changes.

Q. 10 "Netflix had begun editing old episodes of Stranger Things to retroactively improve their visual effects." What is the purpose of this example used in the passage?

1)  To show a practice that justifies the fears of people who feel streaming services cannot be trusted to be custodians of cultural artefacts like film.

2)  To show that art in the digital age, specifically film, is no longer sacrosanct, and may be changed to suit changing tastes or technology.

3)  To show that streaming services are controlling access to the cultural commons rather than expanding it.

4)  To show how unsubstantiated reports are leading to an increase in the level of distrust towards streaming services.

Correct Answer
and
Explanation

Correct Answer

1

Explanation

Question Explanation:
The question asks for the purpose of the example about Netflix editing old episodes of Stranger Things. The passage discusses concerns about streaming services limiting access to films and modifying existing works, which undermines their role as custodians of cultural artefacts.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(1) To show a practice that justifies the fears of people who feel streaming services cannot be trusted to be custodians of cultural artefacts like film.
The passage highlights that streaming platforms can remove or alter content, leading to concerns about their role as guardians of cultural heritage. The example of Netflix modifying Stranger Things supports the argument that digital platforms have too much control over artistic works.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(2) To show that art in the digital age, specifically film, is no longer sacrosanct, and may be changed to suit changing tastes or technology.
While the passage does discuss the changing nature of digital media, the Stranger Things example is not used to argue that all digital art is subject to change—it is used to highlight concerns about the power of streaming platforms.
(3) To show that streaming services are controlling access to the cultural commons rather than expanding it.
This is a broader point of the passage, but the specific Stranger Things example is not about controlling access—it is about altering existing works, which contributes to distrust.
(4) To show how unsubstantiated reports are leading to an increase in the level of distrust towards streaming services.
The passage mentions that reports of Netflix editing Stranger Things were later denied, but it does not argue that these fears are unsubstantiated. Instead, it presents the example as part of a larger concern.

Q. 11 Which of the following statements is suggested by the sentence "Back then, at least, cinema was defined by its ephemerality: the sense that a film was as good as gone once it left your local cinema"?

1)  Presently, there is no reason why film studios should remove access to films once they have left the local cinema.

2)  Cinema is now no longer as ephemeral as it used to be earlier, because the technology used for creating and preserving films has improved manifold.

3)  Around a century ago, people were more accepting of not having access to films once they left the local cinema.

4)  Today, films are expected to be available for a long time, since they are no longer tied solely to their stay at the local cinema.

Correct Answer
and
Explanation

Correct Answer

4

Explanation

Question Explanation:
The question asks what is suggested by the sentence:
“Back then, at least, cinema was defined by its ephemerality: the sense that a film was as good as gone once it left your local cinema.”
The sentence contrasts the past, when films were seen as temporary experiences, with the present, where people expect continued access to films. The correct option should reflect this shift in expectations.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(4) Today, films are expected to be available for a long time, since they are no longer tied solely to their stay at the local cinema.
The passage suggests that in the past, people accepted that films were only accessible in theaters and would disappear afterward. In contrast, the modern expectation is that films remain available indefinitely due to technological advancements and digital storage.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) Presently, there is no reason why film studios should remove access to films once they have left the local cinema.
This option is too absolute. The passage does not say there is no reason to remove films; rather, it discusses how accessibility has changed over time.
(2) Cinema is now no longer as ephemeral as it used to be earlier, because the technology used for creating and preserving films has improved manifold.
While the passage hints at improved technology, the focus is on shifting audience expectations rather than technological advancements.
(3) Around a century ago, people were more accepting of not having access to films once they left the local cinema.
This is partly true, but it does not fully capture the contrast between past and present expectations as well as option (4) does.

Question Numbers (12 to 15): The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.

.... [T]he idea of craftsmanship is not simply nostalgic .... Crafts require distinct skills, an all-round approach to work that involves the whole product, rather than individual parts, and an attitude that necessitates devotion to the job and a focus on the communal interest. The concept of craft emphasises the human touch and individual judgment.

Essentially, the crafts concept seems to run against the preponderant ethos of management studies which, as the academics note, have long prioritised efficiency and consistency .... Craft skills were portrayed as being primitive and traditionalist.

The contrast between artisanship and efficiency first came to the fore in the 19th century when British manufacturers suddenly faced competition from across the Atlantic as firms developed the "American system" using standardised parts .... the worldwide success of the Singer sewing machine showed the potential of a massproduced device. This process created its own reaction, first in the form of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century, and then again in the "small is beautiful" movement of the 1970s. A third crafts movement is emerging as people become aware of the environmental impact of conventional industry.

There are two potential markets for those who practise crafts. The first stems from the existence of consumers who are willing to pay a premium price for goods that are deemed to be of extra quality.... The second market lies in those consumers who wish to use their purchases to support local workers, or to reduce their environmental impact by taking goods to craftspeople to be mended, or recycled.

For workers, the appeal of craftsmanship is that it allows them the autonomy to make creative choices, and thus makes a job far more satisfying. In that sense, it could offer hope for the overall labour market. Let the machines automate dull and repetitive tasks and let workers focus purely on their skills, judgment and imagination. As a current example, the academics cite the "agile" manifesto in the software sector, an industry at the heart of technological change. The pioneers behind the original agile manifesto promised to prioritise "individuals and interactions over processes and tools". By bringing together experts from different teams, agile working is designed to improve creativity.

But the broader question is whether crafts can create a lot more jobs than they do today. Demand for crafted products may rise but will it be easy to retrain workers in sectors that might get automated (such as truck drivers) to take advantage? In a world where products and services often have to pass through regulatory hoops, large companies will usually have the advantage.

History also suggests that the link between crafts and creativity is not automatic. Medieval craft guilds were monopolies which resisted new entrants. They were also highly hierarchical with young men required to spend long periods as apprentices and journeymen before they could set up on their own; by that time the innovative spirit may have been knocked out of them. Craft workers can thrive in the modern era, but only if they don't get too organised.

Q. 12 We can infer from the passage that medieval crafts guilds resembled mass production in that both

1)  focused excessively on product quality.

2)  did not always employ egalitarian production processes.

3)  did not necessarily promote creativity.

4)  discouraged innovation by restricting entry through strict rules

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

3

Explanation

Question Explanation:
The question asks for an inference about how medieval craft guilds were similar to mass production based on the passage. The correct option should highlight a shared characteristic between both systems.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(3) Did not necessarily promote creativity.
The passage states that medieval craft guilds were monopolistic and hierarchical, often stifling innovation by imposing long apprenticeship periods. Similarly, mass production prioritizes efficiency and consistency over creativity, meaning both systems did not inherently encourage innovation and creativity.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) Focused excessively on product quality.
While craftsmanship is associated with high-quality, handcrafted goods, the passage does not say that mass production focused excessively on quality. Instead, mass production emphasizes efficiency over craftsmanship.
(2) Did not always employ egalitarian production processes.
While medieval guilds were hierarchical, the passage does not claim that mass production is explicitly non-egalitarian. The focus of the passage is more on efficiency and automation rather than social structure.
(4) Discouraged innovation by restricting entry through strict rules.
This is partially correct for medieval guilds, but it is not a shared feature with mass production. Mass production does not necessarily restrict entry through strict regulations; instead, it is based on efficiency and standardization, which can limit creativity but does not inherently create entry barriers.

Q. 13 Which one of the following statements is NOT inconsistent with the views stated in the passage?

1)  Creativity in the crafts could be stifled if the market for artisan goods becomes too organised.

2)  The agile movement in software is a throwback to the tenets of the medieval crafts guilds.

3)  We need to support the crafts; only then can we retain the creativity intrinsic to their production.

4)  The Arts and Crafts movement was initially inspired by the "American system" of production.

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

1

Explanation

Question Explanation:
This question asks for a statement that is NOT inconsistent with the views in the passage. In other words, we need to find the statement that aligns with the passage, while the other options should contradict or misrepresent its ideas.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(1) Creativity in the crafts could be stifled if the market for artisan goods becomes too organised.
This statement aligns with the passage, which mentions that historically, craft guilds became monopolistic and hierarchical, restricting innovation. It also suggests that craft workers can thrive if they don’t become too organized, implying that over-organization could stifle creativity.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(2) The agile movement in software is a throwback to the tenets of the medieval crafts guilds.
Incorrect. The passage contrasts modern agile working in software with hierarchical craft guilds. Agile prioritizes collaboration and flexibility, whereas medieval guilds were strict and monopolistic. The passage suggests agile working is a better modern version of craftsmanship, not a return to medieval guilds.
(3) We need to support the crafts; only then can we retain the creativity intrinsic to their production.
Incorrect. While the passage acknowledges that craftsmanship allows for creativity, it also warns that crafts are not inherently creative (e.g., medieval guilds were rigid). The passage does not state that supporting crafts automatically preserves creativity.
(4) The Arts and Crafts movement was initially inspired by the “American system” of production.
Incorrect. The passage states that the Arts and Crafts movement was a reaction against mass production, not inspired by it. The American system of standardized parts influenced industrialization, which then led to the Arts and Crafts movement as a response.

Q. 14 The most recent revival in interest in the crafts is a result of the emergence of all of the following EXCEPT:

1)  concerns about the environmental impact of mass production.

2)  a greater interest in buying locally produced goods.

3)  a niche market for discerning buyers of quality products.

4)  support for individual creations as opposed to mass-produced objects.

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

4

Explanation

Question Explanation:
This question asks which factor is NOT responsible for the recent revival in interest in crafts. We need to identify the incorrect option—one that is not mentioned or contradicted by the passage—while ensuring that the remaining three are correctly stated in the passage.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(4) Support for individual creations as opposed to mass-produced objects.
This option is not explicitly mentioned in the passage as a reason for the revival of interest in crafts. While the passage does discuss craftsmanship and its appeal, it focuses on markets for quality and sustainability, rather than a broad ideological shift toward “individual creations.” The passage discusses skilled labor and niche markets, but not a philosophical rejection of mass production.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) Concerns about the environmental impact of mass production.
Incorrect. The passage states that a third crafts movement is emerging due to environmental concerns, meaning people are turning to crafts as an alternative to polluting industries.
(2) A greater interest in buying locally produced goods.
Incorrect. The passage mentions that one market for crafts comes from consumers who prefer supporting local workers, indicating that local production has played a role in the renewed interest in craftsmanship.
(3) A niche market for discerning buyers of quality products.
Incorrect. The passage explicitly states that one driver of the crafts revival is the existence of consumers willing to pay a premium for high-quality goods.
Thus, option (4) is the correct answer because the passage does not emphasize a general ideological preference for individual creations over mass-produced ones—instead, it focuses on market trends, environmental concerns, and local support as the key reasons behind the resurgence of crafts.

Q. 15 The author questions the ability of crafts to create substantial employment opportunities presently because

1)  regulatory requirements could make it difficult for small crafts outfits to compete.

2)  the low scale of crafts production will not be able to absorb the mass of redundant labour.

3)  crafts guilds tend to resist new entrants and are unlikely to accept large numbers of trainees.

4)  workers made redundant by automation are unlikely to opt for crafts-related work.

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

1

Explanation

Question Explanation:
This question asks why the author questions the ability of crafts to generate large-scale employment. The correct answer should directly address the concerns raised in the passage regarding the scalability of crafts as an employment solution.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(1) Regulatory requirements could make it difficult for small crafts outfits to compete.
The passage mentions that large companies have an advantage due to regulatory hurdles, which could restrict small craft enterprises from growing and competing effectively. This suggests that while crafts might offer employment, scalability is hindered by bureaucracy and industry regulations, making this the correct answer.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(2) The low scale of crafts production will not be able to absorb the mass of redundant labour.
Incorrect. While the passage does suggest that demand for crafts is limited, the primary concern is regulatory barriers, not just the small scale of production.
(3) Crafts guilds tend to resist new entrants and are unlikely to accept large numbers of trainees.
Incorrect. The passage states that historically medieval craft guilds were monopolistic and restrictive. However, the discussion about modern crafts does not suggest that guilds today are preventing new entrants.
(4) Workers made redundant by automation are unlikely to opt for crafts-related work.
Incorrect. The passage questions whether workers can be retrained, but it does not claim that they are unwilling to take up crafts.

Q. 16 The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.

Certain codes may, of course, be so widely distributed in a specific language community or culture, and be learned at so early an age, that they appear not to be constructed – the effect of an articulation between sign and referent – but to be ‘naturally’ given. Simple visual signs appear to have achieved a ‘near-universality’ in this sense: though evidence remains that even apparently ‘natural’ visual codes are culture specific. However, this does not mean that no codes have intervened; rather, that the codes have been profoundly naturalized. The operation of naturalized codes reveals not the transparency and ‘naturalness’ of language but the depth, the habituation and the near-universality of the codes in use. They produce apparently ‘natural’ recognitions. This has the (ideological) effect of concealing the practices of coding which are present.

1)  Not all codes are natural but certain codes are naturalized and made to appear universal. Ideology aims to hide the mechanism of coding behind signs.

2)  Learning linguistic and visual signs at an early age makes all such codes appear natural. This naturalization of codes is the effect of ideology.

3)  All codes, linguistic and visual, have a natural origin but some are so widespread that they become universal. This is what hides the mechanism of coding behind signs.

4)  Language and visual signs are codes. However, some of the codes are so widespread that they not only seem naturally given but also hide the mechanism of coding behind the signs.

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

4

Explanation

Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Passage:
1. Key Idea:
• Some codes appear “natural” because they are learned early and are widely used in a language or culture.
• This does not mean that no coding system is at work; rather, the codes have been “naturalized”, making them seem transparent and universal.
2. The Role of Ideology:
• The “naturalization” of codes hides the fact that they are socially and culturally constructed.
• This has an ideological effect, as it conceals the process of coding itself.
3. Natural vs. Naturalized Codes:
• Visual codes seem universal, but they are actually culture-specific.
• Their apparent “naturalness” is the result of a process of habituation and widespread acceptance.
Evaluation of the Answer Choices:
1. Option 1: “Not all codes are natural but certain codes are naturalized and made to appear universal. Ideology aims to hide the mechanism of coding behind signs.”
• Partially correct: Captures the idea that some codes are naturalized, but it overstates ideology’s role—the passage says naturalization has an ideological effect but does not claim ideology is its main cause.
• Misses the key idea: The passage emphasizes that even seemingly “natural” visual codes are actually constructed, which this summary does not explicitly state.
2. Option 2: “Learning linguistic and visual signs at an early age makes all such codes appear natural. This naturalization of codes is the effect of ideology.”
• Incorrect:
⊚ The passage does not say that all codes appear natural—only some do.
⊚ It misrepresents ideology’s role: The passage says naturalized codes have an ideological effect, not that ideology causes their naturalization.
3. Option 3: “All codes, linguistic and visual, have a natural origin but some are so widespread that they become universal. This is what hides the mechanism of coding behind signs.”
• Incorrect:
⊚ The passage does not claim that all codes have a “natural origin”; rather, it argues that some codes only appear natural due to widespread usage.
⊚ It incorrectly states that some codes “become universal”—the passage explicitly says even visual codes that seem universal are culture-specific.
4. Option 4 (Correct): “Language and visual signs are codes. However, some of the codes are so widespread that they not only seem naturally given but also hide the mechanism of coding behind the signs.”
• Accurately captures: the main idea that:
⊚ Language and visual signs function as codes.
⊚ Some codes seem natural due to their widespread use.
⊚ This conceals the fact that they are coded constructs.

Q. 17 The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.

Cartographers design and create maps to communicate information about phenomena located somewhere on our planet. In the past, cartographers did not worry too much about who was going to read their maps. Although some simple “usability” research was done-like comparing whether circle or bar symbols worked best-cartographers knew how to make maps. This has changed now, however, due to all kinds of societal and technological developments. Today, map readers are more demanding-mostly because of the tools they use to read maps. Cartographers, who are also influenced by these trends, are now more interested in seeing if their products are efficient, effective, and appreciated.

1)  Maps are being used for a variety of reasons and therefore map readers have become more demanding.

2)  Modern mapmakers evaluate a map’s effectiveness efficiency and satisfaction of the user through a series of experiments.

3)  New technological developments have prompted cartographers to experiment with their maps by applying these new innovations.

4)  Today, cartographers also need to look into the usability of maps because of the new technological developments.

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

4

Explanation

Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Passage:
1. Key Ideas in the Passage:
• Past vs. Present:
⊚ Earlier, cartographers focused on designing maps without much concern for how users interacted with them.
⊚ They conducted minimal usability research and assumed they knew how to make maps.
• Change in Approach:
⊚ Due to societal and technological changes, users have become more demanding in how they interact with maps.
⊚ The tools used to read maps have changed, which influences user expectations.
• New Focus on Usability:
⊚ Modern cartographers now assess maps based on efficiency, effectiveness, and user satisfaction to improve usability.
Evaluation of the Answer Choices:
1. Option 1: “Maps are being used for a variety of reasons and therefore map readers have become more demanding.”
• Partially correct:
⊚ It correctly states that map readers are more demanding.
⊚ But it misrepresents the reason: The passage emphasizes that technological and societal changes, not just multiple uses, have made users more demanding.
2. Option 2: “Modern mapmakers evaluate a map’s effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction of the user through a series of experiments.”
• Too narrow:
⊚ While the passage does mention cartographers assessing usability, it does not say they conduct a “series of experiments” as the primary method.
⊚ This misses the broader reason for the shift—technological and societal changes.
3. Option 3: “New technological developments have prompted cartographers to experiment with their maps by applying these new innovations.”
• Partially correct but misleading:
⊚ The passage does mention technological developments, but the emphasis is on usability rather than experimenting with innovations.
⊚ The phrase “experiment with their maps” is not the key idea of the passage.
4. Option 4 (Correct): “Today, cartographers also need to look into the usability of maps because of the new technological developments.”
• Accurately captures the essence of the passage:
⊚ Highlights that cartographers now focus on usability, which is the main shift described.
⊚ Connects this change to technological developments, as mentioned in the passage.

Q. 18 The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.

Scientific research shows that many animals are very intelligent and have sensory and motor abilities that dwarf ours. Dogs are able to detect diseases such as cancer and diabetes and warn humans of impending heart attacks and strokes. Elephants, whales, hippopotamuses, giraffes, and alligators use low-frequency sounds to communicate over long distances, often miles. Many animals also display wide-ranging emotions, including joy, happiness, empathy, compassion, grief, and even resentment and embarrassment. It's not surprising that animals share many emotions with us because we also share brain structures, located in the limbic system, that are the seat of our emotions.

1)  The similarity in brain structure explains why animals show emotions typically associated with humans.

2)  Animals can show emotions which are typically associated with humans.

3)  The advanced sensory and motor abilities of animals is the reason why they can display wideranging emotions.

4)  Animals are more intelligent than us in sensing danger and detecting diseases.

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

1

Explanation

Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Passage:
1. Key Ideas in the Passage:
• Animals are highly intelligent and have superior sensory and motor abilities compared to humans.
• Examples:
Dogs detect diseases and warn of health risks.
⊚ Various animals communicate using low-frequency sounds over long distances.
• Animals also experience a wide range of emotions similar to humans.
• Scientific Reason:
Animals share similar brain structures (in the limbic system) with humans, which explains their emotional capacity.
Evaluation of the Answer Choices:
1. Option 1 (Correct): “The similarity in brain structure explains why animals show emotions typically associated with humans.”
• Accurately captures the main idea that:
⊚ Animals display emotions similar to humans.
⊚ The reason for this is their similar brain structures (limbic system).
• This is explicitly mentioned in the passage, making this the best summary.
2. Option 2 (Incomplete): “Animals can show emotions which are typically associated with humans.”
• Partially correct but incomplete:
⊚ It mentions animals’ emotions, but it ignores the explanation (shared brain structures) given in the passage.
⊚ The passage does not just state that animals show emotions; it explains why—which this option misses.
3. Option 3 (Incorrect): “The advanced sensory and motor abilities of animals is the reason why they can display wide-ranging emotions.”
• Incorrect causal link:
⊚ The passage does mention advanced sensory and motor abilities, but it does not say that these abilities cause emotions.
⊚ Instead, it attributes emotions to shared brain structures.
⊚ This option misrepresents the reasoning in the passage.
4. Option 4 (Incorrect): “Animals are more intelligent than us in sensing danger and detecting diseases.”
• Too narrow and misleading:
⊚ While the passage does mention animals’ intelligence and disease detection, this is only one aspect of the discussion.
⊚ The main focus is on emotions and brain structures, which this option completely ignores.

Q. 19 There is a sentence that is missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide where (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit.

Sentence: Comprehending a wide range of emotions, Renaissance music nevertheless portrayed all emotions in a balanced and moderate fashion.

Paragraph: A volume of translated Italian madrigals were published in London during the year of 1588. This sudden public interest facilitated a surge of English Madrigal writing as well as a spurt of other secular music writing and publication. __(1)__. This music boom lasted for thirty years and was as much a golden age of music as British literature was with Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I. __(2)__. The rebirth in both literature and music originated in Italy and migrated to England; the English madrigal became more humorous and lighter in England as compared to Italy. Renaissance music was mostly polyphonic in texture. __(3)__. Extreme use of and contrasts in dynamics, rhythm, and tone colour do not occur. __(4)__. The rhythms in Renaissance music tend to have a smooth, soft flow instead of a sharp, well-defined pulse of accents.

1)  Option 4

2)  Option 2

3)  Option 3

4)  Option 1

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

3

Explanation

Correct Answer: (Option 3)
Step-by-Step Analysis of the Paragraph:
1. Sentence Before Blank (1):
• “A volume of translated Italian madrigals were published in London during the year of 1588. This sudden public interest facilitated a surge of English Madrigal writing as well as a spurt of other secular music writing and publication.”
• Context: This discusses the popularity of madrigals and secular music in England.
• Why the given sentence does not fit here?
⊚ The missing sentence is about emotions in Renaissance music, which is unrelated to the discussion of madrigal publications.
2. Sentence Before Blank (2):
• “This music boom lasted for thirty years and was as much a golden age of music as British literature was with Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I.”
• Context: This highlights the importance of the musical boom, comparing it to British literature.
• Why the given sentence does not fit here?
⊚ The missing sentence focuses on emotions in Renaissance music, not the historical significance of the music boom.
3. Sentence Before Blank (3):
• “Renaissance music was mostly polyphonic in texture.”
• Context: This introduces musical characteristics of the Renaissance period.
• Why the given sentence fits here?
⊚ The given sentence describes an important stylistic feature of Renaissance music—its emotional restraint.
⊚ Since polyphony is about multiple voices blending together harmoniously, it makes sense to follow with a sentence explaining that even emotions in Renaissance music were portrayed in a balanced way.
4. Sentence Before Blank (4):
• “Extreme use of and contrasts in dynamics, rhythm, and tone colour do not occur.”
• Context: This discusses what Renaissance music lacks—sharp contrasts in dynamics, rhythm, and tone.
• Why the given sentence does not fit here?
⊚ The given sentence talks about emotions rather than dynamics, rhythm, or tone colour.

Question Numbers (20 to 23): The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.

Landing in Australia, the British colonists weren't much impressed with the small-bodied, slender-snooted marsupials called bandicoots. "Their muzzle, which is much too long, gives them an air exceedingly stupid," one naturalist noted in 1805. They nicknamed one type the "zebra rat" because of its black-striped rump.

Silly-looking or not, though, the zebra rat-the smallest bandicoot, more commonly known today as the western barred bandicoot-exhibited a genius for survival in the harsh outback, where its ancestors had persisted for some 26 million years. Its births were triggered by rainfall in the bone-dry desert. It carried its breath-mint-size babies in a backward-facing pouch so mothers could forage for food and dig shallow, camouflaged shelters. Still, these adaptations did not prepare the western barred bandicoot for the colonial-era transformation of its ecosystem, particularly the onslaught of imported British animals, from cattle and rabbits that damaged delicate desert vegetation to ravenous house cats that soon developed a taste for bandicoots. Several of the dozenodd bandicoot species went extinct, and by the 1940s the western barred bandicoot, whose original range stretched across much of the continent, persisted only on two predator-free islands in Shark Bay, off Australia's western coast.

"Our isolated fauna had simply not been exposed to these predators," says Reece Pedlar, an ecologist with the Wild Deserts conservation program.

Now Wild Deserts is using descendants of those few thousand island survivors, called Shark Bay bandicoots, in a new effort to seed a mainland bandicoot revival. They've imported 20 bandicoots to a preserve on the edge of the Strzelecki Desert, in the remote interior of New South Wales. This sanctuary is a challenging place, desolate much of the year, with one of the world's most mercurial rainfall patterns--relentless droughts followed by sudden drenching floods.

The imported bandicoots occupy two fenced "exclosures," cleared of invasive rabbits (courtesy of Pedlar's sheepdog) and of feral cats (which slunk off once the rabbits disappeared). A third fenced area contains the program's Wild Training Zone, where two other rare marsupials (bilbies, a larger type of bandicoot, and mulgaras, a somewhat fearsome fuzzball known for sucking the brains out of prey) currently share terrain with controlled numbers of cats, learning to evade them. It's unclear whether the Shark Bay bandicoots, which are perhaps even more predator-naive than their now-extinct mainland bandicoot kin, will be able to make that kind of breakthrough.

For now, though, a recent surge of rainfall has led to a bandicoot joey boom, raising the Wild Deserts population to about 100, with other sanctuaries adding to that number. There are also signs of rebirth in the landscape itself. With their constant digging, the bandicoots trap moisture and allow for seed germination so the cattle-damaged desert can restore itself.

They have a new nickname-a flattering one, this time. “We call them ecosystem engineers,” Pediar says.

Q. 20 Which one of the following options does NOT represent the characteristics of the western barred bandicoot?

1)  Look of a rat but with a baby pouch and a slender snout

2)  Smallest black striped marsupial that uses camouflage and dig

3)  Long thin nose, black striped back, pouch for joeys

4)  Shallow diggers having an elongated muzzle

Correct Answer
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Explanation

Correct Answer

2

Explanation

Question Explanation:
This question asks which option does NOT accurately describe the characteristics of the western barred bandicoot based on the passage. The correct answer will contain an inaccurate or incomplete description of the bandicoot, while the incorrect options will correctly describe its features as mentioned in the text.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(2) Smallest black-striped marsupial that uses camouflage and dig.
⊚ This option is incorrect because while the passage mentions camouflage and digging, it does not explicitly state that the western barred bandicoot is the smallest black-striped marsupial.
⊚ The passage states that the western barred bandicoot is the smallest type of bandicoot, but not necessarily the smallest black-striped marsupial overall.
⊚ Thus, this option introduces a misleading characteristic, making it the correct choice.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) Look of a rat but with a baby pouch and a slender snout.
⊚ Correct: The passage mentions that early British colonists called them “zebra rats” due to their appearance.
⊚ It also states that they have a pouch for carrying their young and a long, slender snout.
(3) Long thin nose, black striped back, pouch for joeys.
⊚ Correct: The passage describes the western barred bandicoot as having a long, thin nose, black stripes on its back, and a backward-facing pouch for carrying its young.
(4) Shallow diggers having an elongated muzzle.
⊚ Correct: The passage mentions that they dig shallow shelters and that their muzzle (snout) is elongated, matching this description.

Q. 21 The text uses the word 'exclosures' because Wild Deserts has adopted a measure of

1)  barring the entry of invasive species.

2)  excluding animals to make the islands predatorfree.

3)  ridding the main desert of feral cats and large bilbies.

4)  restoring cattle damaged deserts to green landscapes.

Correct Answer
and
Explanation

Correct Answer

1

Explanation

Question Explanation:
This question asks why the text uses the word “exclosures” in describing Wild Deserts’ conservation measures. The correct answer will reflect the purpose of these exclosures as stated in the passage—specifically, how they function in protecting bandicoots from invasive species.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(1) Barring the entry of invasive species.
⊚ The passage states that the exclosures are fenced areas that have been cleared of invasive species like rabbits and feral cats to protect the reintroduced bandicoots.
⊚ The word “exclosures” is used because it refers to areas that exclude certain species (such as predators and invasive animals) to create a safe habitat for the bandicoots.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(2) Excluding animals to make the islands predator-free.
⊚ Incorrect because the exclosures are not islands; they are fenced areas in a mainland desert environment, not an island habitat.
⊚ The passage mentions islands (Shark Bay), but that is where the last surviving bandicoots were found, not where the reintroduction is happening.
(3) Ridding the main desert of feral cats and large bilbies.
⊚ Incorrect because bilbies are not being excluded; rather, they are being trained alongside bandicoots in controlled zones to learn predator avoidance.
⊚ The passage states that the bilbies and mulgaras share terrain with controlled numbers of cats, meaning they are not being removed in the same way as rabbits and feral cats in the exclosures.
(4) Restoring cattle-damaged deserts to green landscapes.
⊚ Incorrect because while bandicoots’ digging contributes to environmental restoration, the primary function of exclosures is species protection, not landscape restoration.
⊚ The restoration of the desert is an indirect effect, not the main reason for setting up the exclosures.

Q. 22 Which one of the following statements provides a gist of this passage?

1)  Marsupials are going extinct due to the colonial era transformation of the ecosystem which also destroyed natural vegetation.

2)  The negligent attitude of the British colonists towards these bandicoots evidenced by the names given to them led to their annihilation.

3)  The onslaught of animals, such as cattle, rabbits and housecats, brought in by the British led to the extinction of the western barred bandicoot.

4)  A type of bandicoots was nearly wiped out by invasive species but rescuers now pin hopes on a remnant island population.

Correct Answer
and
Explanation

Correct Answer

4

Explanation

Question Explanation:
This question asks for the gist of the passage, meaning the best summary of its central idea. The correct answer should capture both the problem (the near-extinction of bandicoots) and the solution (current conservation efforts).
Correct Answer Explanation:
(4) A type of bandicoot was nearly wiped out by invasive species but rescuers now pin hopes on a remnant island population.
⊚ This option accurately reflects both the historical decline of the bandicoot due to invasive species and the current conservation efforts.
⊚ The passage describes how the western barred bandicoot faced near-extinction due to British-introduced species and how scientists are now using descendants of island survivors to reintroduce them to the mainland.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) Marsupials are going extinct due to the colonial era transformation of the ecosystem which also destroyed natural vegetation.
⊚ Partially correct, but too broad—the passage focuses specifically on the western barred bandicoot, not all marsupials.
⊚ While habitat destruction is mentioned, the passage highlights invasive species (rabbits, cattle, and cats) as the primary cause of the bandicoot’s decline.
(2) The negligent attitude of the British colonists towards these bandicoots evidenced by the names given to them led to their annihilation.
⊚ Incorrect because naming the bandicoots “zebra rats” or describing them as “stupid” was not the cause of their near-extinction.
⊚ The actual cause was invasive species brought in by British colonists, not their attitude or naming choices.
(3) The onslaught of animals, such as cattle, rabbits, and housecats, brought in by the British led to the extinction of the western barred bandicoot.
⊚ Incorrect because the western barred bandicoot is not extinct—it survived on two predator-free islands, and conservationists are working to restore its population.
⊚ The passage focuses on revival efforts, not just on the causes of its decline.

Q. 23 According to the text, the western barred bandicoots now have a flattering name because they have

1)  led a revival in preserving the species.

2)  grown fivefold in terms of population.

3)  led to a surge and increase of rainfall.

4)  aided in altering an arid environment.

Correct Answer
and
Explanation

Correct Answer

4

Explanation

Question Explanation:
This question asks why the western barred bandicoots now have a “flattering name”. The correct answer should be directly supported by the passage.
Correct Answer Explanation:
(4) Aided in altering an arid environment.
⊚ The passage refers to the bandicoots as “ecosystem engineers” because their digging helps trap moisture, allowing seed germination and restoring the desert environment.
⊚ This directly supports the idea that their presence is helping revive the damaged ecosystem.
Incorrect Answer Explanations:
(1) Led a revival in preserving the species.
⊚ While conservation efforts are helping the bandicoots recover, the “flattering name” refers to their environmental impact, not just their survival.
⊚ The passage focuses on their role in altering the environment, not just their species’ revival.
(2) Grown fivefold in terms of population.
⊚ The passage mentions population growth (from 20 to about 100 in the sanctuary), but this is not why they are called “ecosystem engineers”.
⊚ The nickname is due to their effect on the desert landscape, not their numbers.
(3) Led to a surge and increase of rainfall.
⊚ Incorrect because rainfall triggered the bandicoot population boom, but the bandicoots did not cause the rainfall.
⊚ The passage states that bandicoots helped retain moisture in the soil, which aided plant growth, but they did not directly influence rainfall.

Q. 24 There is a sentence that is missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide where (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit.

Sentence: Understanding central Asia's role helps developments make more sense not only across Asia but in Europe, the Americas and Africa.

Paragraph: The nations of the Silk Roads are sometimes called ‘developing countries’, but they are actually some of the world’s most highly developed countries, the very crossroads of civilization, in advanced states of disrepair. __(1)__. These countries lie at the centre of global affairs: they have since the beginning of history. Running across the spine of Asia, they form a web of connections fanning out in every direction, routes along which pilgrims and warriors, nomads and merchants have travelled, goods and produce have been bought and sold, and ideas exchanged, adapted and refined. __(2)__ .They have carried not only prosperity, but also death and violence, disease and disaster. __(3)__. The Silk Roads are the world's central nervous system, connecting otherwise farflung peoples and places .... __(4)__. It allows us to see patterns and links, causes and effects that remain invisible if one looks only at Europe, or North America.

1)  Option 4

2)  Option 2

3)  Option 3

4)  Option 1

Correct Answer
and
Explanation

Correct Answer

1

Explanation

Correct Answer: 1 (Option 4)
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Paragraph:
1. Before Blank (1):
• “The nations of the Silk Roads are sometimes called ‘developing countries’, but they are actually some of the world’s most highly developed countries, the very crossroads of civilization, in advanced states of disrepair.”
• Context:
⊚ This introduces the importance of Silk Road nations and dispels misconceptions about them.
• Why the given sentence does not fit here?
⊚The given sentence talks about how understanding Central Asia is crucial for global developments, but this part of the paragraph is focused on describing the Silk Road nations rather than their broader relevance.
2. Before Blank (2):
• “These countries lie at the centre of global affairs: they have since the beginning of history. Running across the spine of Asia, they form a web of connections fanning out in every direction, routes along which pilgrims and warriors, nomads and merchants have travelled, goods and produce have been bought and sold, and ideas exchanged, adapted and refined.”
• Context:
⊚ This sentence explains how Silk Road nations connect the world through trade, travel, and cultural exchange.
• Why the given sentence does not fit here?
⊚ The passage here describes the historical and geographical role of the Silk Road, while the given sentence focuses on understanding its role for modern developments.
3. Before Blank (3):
• “They have carried not only prosperity, but also death and violence, disease and disaster.”
• Context:
⊚ This statement highlights both the positive and negative impacts of the Silk Roads.
• Why the given sentence does not fit here?
⊚ The given sentence is about making sense of global developments, while this part of the passage focuses on historical consequences (prosperity, disease, and violence).
4. Before Blank (4) - Best Fit:
• Previous sentence: “The Silk Roads are the world’s central nervous system, connecting otherwise far-flung peoples and places ....”
• Context:
⊚ This describes how the Silk Roads serve as a global connector, affecting diverse regions.
• Why the given sentence fits best here?
⊚ The given sentence logically extends this idea, explaining that understanding the role of Central Asia helps in making sense of developments globally.
⊚ The next sentence (“It allows us to see patterns and links, causes and effects that remain invisible if one looks only at Europe, or North America.”) further reinforces this idea.

CAT 2024 VARC Slot 1 Question Paper With Detailed PDF Solutions

CAT 2024 VARC Slot 1 Paper With Answers & Explanation

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Q. 2 "Times have changed for the once almighty discipline." We can infer from this statement and the associated paragraph that the author is being

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Q. 3 In the first paragraph the author is making the point that economists like Becker

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Q. 4 We can infer from the passage that the term “homo economicus” refers to someone who

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Q. 5 The author critiques Schiller's approach to behavioural economics for

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Q. 8 Which one of the following statements, if true, would best invalidate the main argument of the passage?

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Q. 9 Which one of the following statements about art best captures the arguments made in the passage?

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Q. 10 "Netflix had begun editing old episodes of Stranger Things to retroactively improve their visual effects." What is the purpose of this example used in the passage?

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Q. 11 Which of the following statements is suggested by the sentence "Back then, at least, cinema was defined by its ephemerality: the sense that a film was as good as gone once it left your local cinema"?

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Q. 12 We can infer from the passage that medieval crafts guilds resembled mass production in that both

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Q. 13 Which one of the following statements is NOT inconsistent with the views stated in the passage?

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Q. 14 The most recent revival in interest in the crafts is a result of the emergence of all of the following EXCEPT:

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Q. 15 The author questions the ability of crafts to create substantial employment opportunities presently because

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Q. 20 Which one of the following options does NOT represent the characteristics of the western barred bandicoot?

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Q. 21 The text uses the word 'exclosures' because Wild Deserts has adopted a measure of

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Q. 22 Which one of the following statements provides a gist of this passage?

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Q. 23 According to the text, the western barred bandicoots now have a flattering name because they have

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