Passage 1
DIRECTIONS for the question: The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
The Positivists, anxious to stake out their claim for history as a science, contributed the weight of their influence to the cult of facts. First ascertain the facts, said the positivists, then draw your conclusions from them…..This is what may [be] called the common-sense view of history. History consists of a corpus of ascertained facts. The facts are available to the historian in documents, inscriptions, and so on…[Sir George Clark] contrasted the “hard core of facts” in history with the surrounding pulp of disputable interpretation forgetting perhaps that the pulpy part of the fruit is more rewarding than the hard core.….It recalls the favourite dictum of the great liberal journalist C. P. Scott: “Facts are sacred, opinion is free.”. . .
What is a historical fact?….. According to the common-sense view, there are certain basic facts which are the same for all historians and which form, so to speak, the backbone of history—the fact, for example, that the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066. But this view calls for two observations. In the first place, it is not with facts like these that the historian is primarily concerned. It is no doubt important to know that the great battle was fought in 1066 and not in 1065 or 1067, and that it was fought at Hastings and not at Eastbourne or Brighton. The historian must not get these things wrong. But [to] praise a historian for his accuracy is like praising an architect for using well-seasoned timber or properly mixed concrete in his building. It is a necessary condition of his work, but not his essential function. It is precisely for matters of this kind that the historian is entitled to rely on what have been called the “auxiliary sciences” of history—archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, chronology, and so forth….
The second observation is that the necessity to establish these basic facts rests not on any quality in the facts themselves, but on an apriori decision of the historian. In spite of C. P. Scott’s motto, every journalist knows today that the most effective way to influence opinion is by the selection and arrangement of the appropriate facts. It used to be said that facts speak for themselves. This is, of course, untrue. The facts speak only when the historian calls on them: it is he who decides to which facts to give the floor, and in what order or context. . . . The only reason why we are interested to know that the battle was fought at Hastings in 1066 is that historians regard it as a major historical event……… Professor Talcott Parsons once called [science] “a selective system of cognitive orientations to reality.” It might perhaps have been put more simply. But history is, among other things, that. The historian is necessarily selective. The belief in a hard core of historical facts existing objectively and independently of the interpretation of the historian is a preposterous fallacy, but one which it is very hard to eradicate.
1. According to this passage, which one of the following statements best describes the significance of archaeology for historians?
- Archaeology helps historians to interpret historical facts.
- Archaeology helps historians to ascertain factual accuracy.
- Archaeology helps historians to carry out their primary duty.
- Archaeology helps historians to locate the oldest civilisations in history
In the passage, the author mentions that historians, in dealing with basic facts like the date and location of historical events (e.g., the Battle of Hastings in 1066), rely on "auxiliary sciences" of history, which include archaeology. The author notes that accuracy in such basic facts is important for historians but compares praising a historian for accuracy to praising an architect for using well-seasoned timber - a necessary condition but not the essential function. The passage implies that archaeology and other auxiliary sciences support historians in establishing these basic facts. Refer to the lines “But praise a historian…..” Therefore, option 2 is the most appropriate choice based on the information provided in the passage.
2. All of the following, if true, can weaken the passage’s claim that facts do not speak for themselves, EXCEPT:
- the truth value of a fact is independent of the historian who expresses it.
- facts, like truth, can be relative: what is fact for person X may not be so for person Y.
- a fact, by its very nature, is objective and universal, irrespective of the context in which it is placed.
- the order in which a series of facts is presented does not have any bearing on the production of meaning.
Option 2 is the correct answer as it agrees with the perspective of the passage that the interpretation of facts can be subjective and influenced by different perspectives. The passage argues that historians play a vital role in selecting and interpreting facts, and Option 2 supports this by suggesting that facts, like truth, can be relative.
3. If the author of the passage were to write a book on the Battle of Hastings along the lines of his/her own reasoning, the focus of the historical account would be on:
- providing a nuanced interpretation by relying on the auxiliary sciences.
- producing a detailed timeline of the various events that led to the Battle.
- exploring the socio-political and economic factors that led to the Battle.
- deriving historical facts from the relevant documents and inscriptions.
According to the passage, the role of historians is not limited to establishing basic facts. They are expected to delve deeper into understanding the context and motivations behind historical events. This requires a selective and interpretive approach to historical writing. Option 3 is the only one that reflects this comprehensive and contextual approach to historical writing, focusing on understanding the underlying causes and influences that shaped the historical event.
4. All of the following describe the “common-sense view” of history, EXCEPT:
- history can be objective like the sciences if it is derived from historical facts.
- real history can be found in ancient engravings and archival documents.
- history is like science: a selective system of cognitive orientations to reality.
- only the positivist methods can lead to credible historical knowledge.
Option 2 provides an accurate representation of the common-sense perspective described in the passage. This perspective acknowledges historical methods beyond positivism, as stated in option 4. According to the passage, the common-sense view also involves a fallacious belief that historical facts are objective and independent of interpretation, as mentioned in option 1. That takes us to the right option i.e. option 3 because it is rather contrasting what is being said in the passage.
Passage 2
DIRECTIONS for the question: The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
Over the past four centuries liberalism has been so successful that it has driven all its opponents off the battlefield. Now it is disintegrating, destroyed by a mix of hubris and internal contradictions, according to Patrick Deneen, a professor of politics at the University of Notre Dame…..Equality of opportunity has produced a new meritocratic aristocracy that has all the aloofness of the old aristocracy with none of its sense of noblesse oblige. Democracy has degenerated into a theatre of the absurd. And technological advances are reducing ever more areas of work into meaningless drudgery. “The gap between liberalism’s claims about itself and the lived reality of the citizenry” is now so wide that “the lie can no longer be accepted,” Mr Deneen writes. What better proof of this than the vision of 1,000 private planes whisking their occupants to Davos to discuss the question of “creating a shared future in a fragmented world”? . . .
Deneen does an impressive job of capturing the current mood of disillusionment, echoing left- wing complaints about rampant commercialism, right-wing complaints about narcissistic and bullying students, and general worries about atomisation and selfishness. But when he concludes that all this adds up to a failure of liberalism, is his argument convincing?….He argues that the essence of liberalism lies in freeing individuals from constraints. In fact, liberalism contains a wide range of intellectual traditions which provide different answers to the question of how to trade off the relative claims of rights and responsibilities, individual expression and social ties….. liberals experimented with a range of ideas from devolving power from the centre to creating national education systems.
Mr Deneen’s fixation on the essence of liberalism leads to the second big problem of his book: his failure to recognise liberalism’s ability to reform itself and address its internal problems. The late 19th century saw America suffering from many of the problems that are reappearing today, including the creation of a business aristocracy, the rise of vast companies, the corruption of politics and the sense that society was dividing into winners and losers. But a wide variety of reformers, working within the liberal tradition, tackled these problems head on. Theodore Roosevelt took on the trusts. Progressives cleaned up government corruption. University reformers modernised academic syllabuses and built ladders of opportunity. Rather than dying, liberalism reformed itself.
Mr Deneen is right to point out that the record of liberalism in recent years has been dismal. He is also right to assert that the world has much to learn from the premodern notions of liberty as self-mastery and self-denial. The biggest enemy of liberalism is not so much atomisation but old-fashioned greed, as members of the Davos elite pile their plates ever higher with perks and share options. But he is wrong to argue that the only way for people to liberate themselves from the contradictions of liberalism is “liberation from liberalism itself”. The best way to read “Why Liberalism Failed” is not as a funeral oration but as a call to action: up your game, or else.
5. The author of the passage faults Deneen's conclusions for all of the following reasons, EXCEPT:
- its failure to note historical instances in which the process of declining liberalism has managed to reverse itself.
- its extreme pessimism about the future of liberalism today and predictions of an ultimate decline.
- its repeated harking back to premodern notions of liberty.
- its very narrow definition of liberalism limited to individual freedoms.
Option A- This is a valid criticism according to the passage. The author points out that Deneen fails to recognize liberalism's historical ability to reform itself and address internal problems. Option B- This is a valid criticism. The passage suggests that while Deneen accurately highlights the current problems with liberalism, he may be overly pessimistic about its future. Option D is also a valid criticism. Only option C is the right answer. Although the passage is critical of Deneen's extreme pessimism regarding the future of liberalism, his narrow definition of liberalism limited to individual freedoms, and his fixation on the essence of liberalism, it doesn't address his tendency to look back to premodern notions specifically.
6. The author of the passage refers to “the Davos elite” to illustrate his views on:
- the unlikelihood of a return to the liberalism of the past as long as the rich continue to benefit from the decline in liberal values.
- the way the debate around liberalism has been captured by the rich who have managed to insulate themselves from economic hardships.
- the fact that the rise in liberalism had led to a greater interest in shared futures from unlikely social classes.
- the hypocrisy of the liberal rich, who profess to subscribe to liberal values while cornering most of the wealth
Let's evaluate each option- Option A introduces the idea of a return to past liberalism, which is not explicitly mentioned in the passage. The author does criticize the current state of liberalism and its problems but doesn't specifically address the possibility of returning to a past form of liberalism. For option B. While the passage criticizes the Davos elite, it focuses more on their hypocrisy and accumulation of wealth rather than how they have captured the debate around liberalism. The primary emphasis is on their actions rather than their control of the debate. Option C introduces a positive aspect of the rise in liberalism, which is not consistent with the author's overall criticism of the current state of liberalism and the actions of the Davos elite. In contrast, option D aligns with the passage's emphasis on the hypocrisy of the liberal rich and their accumulation of wealth while professing to adhere to liberal values. Therefore, option D is the most accurate interpretation based on the information provided in the passage.
7. All of the following statements are evidence of the decline of liberalism today, EXCEPT:
- “And technological advances are reducing ever more areas of work into meaningless drudgery.”
- “ ‘The gap between liberalism’s claims about itself and the lived reality of the citizenry’ is now so wide that ‘the lie can no longer be accepted,’. ”
- “Democracy has degenerated into a theatre of the absurd.”
- “… the creation of a business aristocracy, the rise of vast companies”
For option B- "‘The gap between liberalism’s claims about itself and the lived reality of the citizenry’ is now so wide that ‘the lie can no longer be accepted.’" - This statement highlights a significant gap between liberalism's claims and the lived reality of the citizens, indicating a disillusionment with liberalism. For option C-"Democracy has degenerated into a theatre of the absurd." - This statement suggests a negative assessment of the current state of democracy, indicating a decline in its quality. For option D- ". . . the creation of a business aristocracy, the rise of vast companies." - This statement points to the creation of a business aristocracy and the rise of large companies, indicating a concentration of economic power, which could be seen as evidence of the decline of liberalism. So except option A rest are evidence in the context of the passage.
8. The author of the passage is likely to disagree with all of the following statements, EXCEPT:
- the essence of liberalism lies in greater individual self-expression and freedoms.
- claims about liberalism’s disintegration are exaggerated and misunderstand its core features.
- if we accept that liberalism is a dying ideal, we must work to find a viable substitute.
- liberalism was the dominant ideal in the past century, but it had to reform itself to remain so.
The author is most likely to agree with Option 4 as it supports the author's argument in the passage that liberalism has a history of reforming itself in response to challenges. The author emphasizes that liberalism's success is not solely due to its dominance over the past century, but rather its ability to address internal issues and adapt to change. Rest all options are eliminated. For example, in the case of option 3, the passage doesn't explicitly address the need to find a substitute for liberalism, and the author's emphasis is more on the potential for reform within liberalism. Therefore, the author is likely to disagree with this statement.
Passage 3
DIRECTIONS for the question:The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
The Second Hand September campaign, led by Oxfam . . . seeks to encourage shopping at local organisations and charities as alternatives to fast fashion brands such as Primark and Boohoo in the name of saving our planet. As innocent as mindless scrolling through online shops may seem, such consumers are unintentionally—or perhaps even knowingly— contributing to an industry that uses more energy than aviation. . . .
Brits buy more garments than any other country in Europe, so it comes as no shock that many of those clothes end up in UK landfills each year: 300,000 tonnes of them, to be exact. This waste of clothing is destructive to our planet, releasing greenhouse gasses as clothes are burnt as well as bleeding toxins and dyes into the surrounding soil and water. As ecologist Chelsea Rochman bluntly put it, “The mismanagement of our waste has even come back to haunt us on our dinner plate.”
It’s not surprising, then, that people are scrambling for a solution, the most common of which is second-hand shopping. Retailers selling consigned clothing are currently expanding at a rapid rate …..If everyone bought just one used item in a year, it would save 449 million lbs of waste, equivalent to the weight of 1 million Polar bears. “Thrifting” has increasingly become a trendy practice. London is home to many second-hand, or more commonly coined ‘vintage’, shops across the city from Bayswater to Brixton.
So you’re cool and you care about the planet; you’ve killed two birds with one stone. But do people simply purchase a second-hand item, flash it on Instagram with #vintage and call it a day without considering whether what they are doing is actually effective?
According to a study commissioned by Patagonia, for instance, older clothes shed more microfibres. These can end up in our rivers and seas after just one wash due to the worn material, thus contributing to microfibre pollution. To break it down, the amount of microfibres released by laundering 100,000 fleece jackets is equivalent to as many as 11,900 plastic grocery bags, and up to 40 per cent of that ends up in our oceans. So where does this leave second-hand consumers? [They would be well advised to buy] high-quality items that shed less and last longer [as this] combats both microfibre pollution and excess garments ending up in landfills. . . .
Luxury brands would rather not circulate their latest season stock around the globe to be sold at a cheaper price, which is why companies like ThredUP, a US fashion resale marketplace, have not yet caught on in the UK. There will always be a market for consignment but there is also a whole generation of people who have been taught that only buying new products is the norm; second-hand luxury goods are not in their psyche. Ben Whitaker, director at Liquidation Firm B-Stock, told Prospect that unless recycling becomes cost-effective and filters into mass production, with the right technology to partner it, “high-end retailers would rather put brand before sustainability.”
9. Based on the passage, we can infer that the opposite of fast fashion, ‘slow fashion’, would most likely refer to clothes that:
- do not shed microfibres.
- do not bleed toxins and dyes.
- are sold by genuine vintage stores.
- are of high quality and long lasting.
The passage suggests that one solution to the environmental impact of fast fashion is to buy high-quality items that shed less and last longer. This aligns with the concept of 'slow fashion,' which emphasizes durable and long-lasting clothing as opposed to the disposable nature of fast fashion.
10. The act of “thrifting”, as described in the passage, can be considered ironic because it:
- offers luxury clothing at cut-rate prices.
- is not cost-effective for retailers.
- is an anti-consumerist attitude.
- has created environmental problems.
The irony of "thrifting" and its potential for unforeseen environmental effects are discussed in the chapter. The paragraph raises a possible environmental concern with thrift shopping, despite the fact that it is frequently viewed as a sustainable and environmentally beneficial activity. The article specifically cites a study that Patagonia commissioned that shows worn-out clothing—often seen in thrift stores—has a tendency to shed a greater number of microfibers. These microfibers contribute to the microfiber pollution that can wind up in rivers and seas. Therefore, by shedding microfibers during the washing of old items, thrift shopping—despite its ecologically conscientious objectives to decrease waste—may cause environmental difficulties.
11. The central idea of the passage would be undermined if:
- second-hand stores sold only high-quality clothes.
- clothes were not thrown and burnt in landfills.
- Primark and Boohoo recycled their clothes for vintage stores.
- customers bought all their clothes online.
The central idea of the passage revolves around the environmental impact of the fashion industry, the promotion of second-hand shopping as a sustainable alternative, and the potential challenges and considerations associated with second-hand consumption. To identify the statement that would undermine the central idea, we need to look for an option that contradicts or diminishes the importance of these key elements. For option B- This statement supports the central idea by addressing the environmental impact of clothes ending up in landfills. It does not undermine the central idea. For option D- This statement is not directly related to the central idea of the environmental impact of the fashion industry and the benefits of second-hand shopping. It introduces a new aspect of purchasing behaviour but does not necessarily undermine the main focus of the passage. Option A would go against the main idea of the passage because it emphasizes the significance of second-hand shopping not only for purchasing high-quality clothing but also as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion. If second-hand stores limit their inventory to only high-quality items, it could reduce the variety and affordability that make second-hand shopping accessible and eco-friendly for a larger audience.
12. According to the author, companies like ThredUP have not caught on in the UK for all of the following reasons EXCEPT that:
- luxury brands want to maintain their brand image.
- the British don’t buy second-hand clothing.
- recycling is currently not financially attractive for luxury brands.
- luxury brands do not like their product to be DEVALUED
The author does not explicitly mention the reasons why companies like ThredUP have not caught on in the UK. However, based on the information provided in the passage, we can infer the likely reasons. Let's analyze each option: Option A- This is consistent with the passage, as it suggests that high-end retailers prioritize their brand image over sustainability. Option B- The passage does not provide information about the purchasing habits of the British regarding second-hand clothing, so we cannot confirm or deny this statement. Option C- This is consistent with the passage, as it mentions that high-end retailers would rather put brand before sustainability, implying that recycling might not be financially attractive for them. Option D- This is consistent with the passage, as it suggests that luxury brands are hesitant to circulate their latest season stock at lower prices, indicating a concern about devaluing their products.
Passage 4
DIRECTIONS for the question: The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
Umberto Eco, an Italian writer, was right when he said the language of Europe is translation. Netflix and other deep-pocketed global firms speak it well. Just as the EU employs a small army of translators and interpreters to turn intricate laws or impassioned speeches of Romanian MEPs into the EU’s 24 official languages, so do the likes of Netflix. It now offers dubbing in 34 languages and subtitling in a few more. . . .
The economics of European productions are more appealing, too. American audiences are more willing than before to give dubbed or subtitled viewing a chance. This means shows such as “Lupin”, a French crime caper on Netflix, can become global hits. In 2015, about 75% of Netflix’s original content was American; now the figure is half, according to Ampere, a media-analysis company. Netflix has about 100 productions under way in Europe, which is more than big public broadcasters in France or Germany. . . .
Not everything works across borders. Comedy sometimes struggles. Whodunits and bloodthirsty maelstroms between arch Romans and uppity tribesmen have a more universal appeal. Some do it better than others. Barbarians aside, German television is not always built for export, says one executive, being polite. A bigger problem is that national broadcasters still dominate. Streaming services, such as Netflix or Disney+, account for about a third of all viewing hours, even in markets where they are well-established. Europe is an ageing continent. The generation of teens staring at phones is outnumbered by their elders who prefer to gawp at the box.
In Brussels and national capitals, the prospect of Netflix as a cultural hegemon is seen as a threat. “Cultural sovereignty” is the watchword of European executives worried that the Americans will eat their lunch. To be fair, Netflix content sometimes seems stuck in an uncanny valley somewhere in the mid-Atlantic, with local quirks stripped out. Netflix originals tend to have fewer specific cultural references than shows produced by domestic rivals, according to Enders, a market analyst. The company used to have an imperial model of commissioning, with executives in Los Angeles cooking up ideas French people might like. Now Netflix has offices across Europe. But ultimately the big decisions rest with American executives. This makes European politicians nervous.
They should not be. An irony of European integration is that it is often American companies that facilitate it. Google Translate makes European newspapers comprehensible, even if a little clunky, for the continent’s non-polyglots. American social-media companies make it easier for Europeans to talk politics across borders. (That they do not always like to hear what they say about each other is another matter.) Now Netflix and friends pump the same content into homes across a continent, making culture a cross-border endeavour, too. If Europeans are to share a currency, bail each other out in times of financial need and share vaccines in a pandemic, then they need to have something in common—even if it is just bingeing on the same series. Watching fictitious northern and southern Europeans tear each other apart 2,000 years ago beats doing so in reality.
13. The author sees the rise of Netflix in Europe as:
- a looming cultural threat.
- a unifying force.
- filling an entertainment gap.
- an economic threat.
The passage suggests that Netflix, along with other global firms, contributes to a shared cultural experience by providing content that can be enjoyed across different European countries. The author emphasizes the importance of having something in common, such as binge-watching the same series, as a form of cultural unity. The use of Netflix to pump the same content into homes across the continent is portrayed as a positive aspect of cultural integration.
14. Which one of the following research findings would weaken the author’s conclusion in the final paragraph?
- Research shows there is a wide variance in the popularity and viewing of Netflix shows across different EU countries.
- Research shows that Netflix has been gradually losing market share to other streaming television service providers.
- Research shows that Netflix hits produced in France are very popular with North American audiences.
- Research shows that older women across the EU enjoy watching romantic comedies on Netflix, whereas younger women prefer historical fiction dramas.
First, we will eliminate options C and D. If anything, suggests success in appealing to audiences outside of Europe and does not necessarily weaken the idea of cultural unity within Europe and 4th one is only information about age-related preferences but doesn't specifically address the shared cultural experience or lack thereof. Option B is something related to Netflix’s business so eliminated. Considering the options, Option A (Research shows there is a wide variance in the popularity and viewing of Netflix shows across different EU countries) is the one that would likely weaken the author's conclusion by indicating that the popularity and viewing habits of Netflix shows vary significantly across European countries, suggesting a lack of a unified cultural experience.
15. Based on information provided in the passage, all of the following are true, EXCEPT:
- European television productions have the potential to become global hits.
- national broadcasters dominate in the EU in terms of total television viewing hours.
- only half of Netflix’s original programming in the EU is now produced in America.
- Netflix has been able to transform itself into a truly European entity.
According to the passage, although Netflix has established offices in various European countries, the ultimate decision-making power still lies with the American executives. As a result, the content produced by Netflix may still exhibit a somewhat mid-Atlantic quality, and the company's executive decisions are still primarily controlled by Americans. Thus, it would be inaccurate to claim that Netflix has fully transformed into a truly European entity. Rest all are options can be considered from the author’s point of view so eliminated.
16. Based only on information provided in the passage, which one of the following hypothetical Netflix shows would be most successful with audiences across the EU?
- An Italian comedy show hosted by an international star.
- An original German TV science fiction production.
- A murder mystery drama set in North Africa and France.
- A trans-Atlantic romantic drama set in Europe and America.
The passage suggests that certain genres, like murder mystery dramas, have a more universal appeal. Additionally, given the emphasis on Netflix's ability to provide content that can be enjoyed across borders and the success of shows like "Lupin," which is a French crime caper, a murder mystery drama set in North Africa and France aligns with the potential for a more widespread appeal across the EU. So option 3 is the right choice.
Question 17
DIRECTIONS for the question: There is a sentence missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide in which blank (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit.
Sentence:
Dualism was long held as the defining feature of developing countries in contrast to developed countries, where frontier technologies and high productivity were assumed to prevail.
Paragraph:
___(1)___. At the core of development economics lies the idea of ‘productive dualism’: that poor countries’ economies are split between a narrow ‘modern’ sector that uses advanced technologies and a larger ‘traditional’ sector characterized by very low productivity.___(2)___. While this distinction between developing and advanced economies may have made some sense in the 1950s and 1960s, it no longer appears to be very relevant. A combination of forces have produced a widening gap between the winners and those left behind.___(3)___. Convergence between poor and rich parts of the economy was arrested and regional disparities widened.___(4)___. As a result, policymakers in advanced economies are now grappling with the same questions that have long preoccupied developing economies: mainly how to close the gap with the more advanced parts of the economy.
- Option 1
- Option 2
- Option 3
- Option 4
The highlighted sentence talks about the traditional view held dualism, the coexistence of advanced and traditional economic sectors, as a defining feature of developing countries, in contrast to developed countries where advanced technologies and high productivity were assumed to dominate. The reason for placing the missing sentence in Option 2 is to maintain the logical flow of ideas within the paragraph. The sentence talks about "productive dualism" in developing countries, and it logically fits right after the introduction of this concept in the first sentence of the paragraph. This placement helps to establish the context and sets the stage for the subsequent discussion about the changing relevance of this dualism and the widening gap between winners and those left behind.
Question 18
DIRECTIONS for the question: There is a sentence missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide in which blank (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit.
Sentence:
And probably much earlier, moving the documentation for kissing back 1,000 years compared to what was acknowledged in the scientific community.
Paragraph:
Paragraph: Research has hypothesised that the earliest evidence of human lip kissing originated in a very specific geographical location in South Asia 3,500 years ago.___(1)___. From there it may have spread to other regions, simultaneously accelerating the spread of the herpes simplex virus 1. According to Dr Troels Pank Arbøll and Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen, who in a new article in the journal Science draw on a range of written sources from the earliest Mesopotamian societies, kissing was already a well-established practice 4,500 years ago in the Middle East.___(2)___. In ancient Mesopotamia, people wrote in cuneiform script on clay tablets.___(3)___. Many thousands of these clay tablets have survived to this day, and they contain clear examples that kissing was considered a part of romantic intimacy in ancient times.___(4)___. “Kissing could also have been part of friendships and family members’ relations,” says Dr Troels Pank Arbøll, an expert on the history of medicine in Mesopotamia.
- Option 1
- Option 2
- Option 3
- Option 4
The sentence given on top of the passage talks about taking the documentation for kissing back to 1000 years compared to waht was earlier stated. So it should come after what was earlier stated as the possible time. It could not be option 1 as it states the time as well as place. The sentence that follows has the words "from there" that answers from South Asia. There seems to be no gap here. The following sentence states that kissing was a well-established practice more than 4500 years ago, some 1000 years earlier than what has been stated before. So, blank 2 is the suitable place to fit in the sentence. In blank 3, the thing about tablets is further carried on without a gap. The sentence after blank 4 elaborates kissing as a practice between friends and family. So, option 2 is the answer.
Question 19
DIRECTIONS for the question: 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.
- The banning of Northern Lights could be considered a precursor to censoring books for “moral”, world view or religious reasons.
- Attempts to ban books are attempts to silence authors who have summoned immense courage in telling their stories.
- Now the banning and challenging of books in the US has escalated to an unprecedented level.
- The widely acclaimed fantasy novel Northern Lights was banned in some parts of the US, and was the second most challenged book in the US.
- The American Library Association documented an unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022, about 2,500 unique titles.
Sentence 2 is the odd one out. The sentences form a coherent paragraph discussing an early indication of broader censorship, the escalating trend in banning and challenging books in the US, the specific example of the widely acclaimed fantasy novel Northern Lights being banned, and the American Library Association documenting an unprecedented number of reported book challenges in 2022. While option 2 is talking about efforts to ban books are essentially attempts to stifle the voices of authors who have demonstrated immense bravery in sharing their stories, highlighting the censorship's impact on freedom of expression and diverse narratives and making it the odd one in the same order.
Question 20
DIRECTIONS for the question: 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.
- Self-care particularly links to loneliness, behavioural problems, and negative academic outcomes.
- “Latchkey children” refers to children who routinely return home from school to empty homes and take care of themselves for extended periods of time.
- Although self-care generally points to negative outcomes, it is important to consider that the bulk of research has yet to track long-term consequences.
- In research and practice, the phrase “children in self-care” has come to replace latchkey in an effort to more accurately reflect the nature of their circumstances.
- Although parents might believe that self-care would be beneficial for development, recent research has found quite the opposite.
The other sentences (1, 2, 4, and 5) form a coherent paragraph discussing the concept of "children in self-care," its association with negative outcomes like loneliness and academic problems, the replacement of "latchkey" with "children in self-care" in research and practice, and recent research findings contradicting the belief that self-care is beneficial for development. While sentence 3 highlights a cautionary note in the discussion about self-care and its association with negative outcomes.
Question 21
DIRECTIONS for the question: The four sentences (labelled 1,2,3 and 4) given in this question, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order for the sentence and key in this sequence of four numbers as your answer.
- Like the ants that make up a colony, no single neuron holds complex information like self-awareness, hope or pride.
- Although the human brain is not yet understood enough to identify the mechanism by which emergence functions, most neurobiologists agree that complex interconnections among the parts give rise to qualities that belong only to the whole.
- Nonetheless, the sum of all neurons in the nervous system generate complex human emotions like fear and joy, none of which can be attributed to a single neuron.
- Human consciousness is often called an emergent property of the human brain.
The correct sequence is 4132: sentence 4 introduces the idea that human consciousness is considered an emergent property of the brain, setting the context for the discussion. sentence 1 then elaborates on the concept introduced in Sentence 4, comparing the organization of neurons to that of ants in a colony and emphasizing that no single neuron holds complex information. sentence 3 builds on the idea by highlighting the collective contribution of all neurons to generate complex human emotions. Sentence 2 finally provides additional information about the complexity of the human brain and how neurobiologists recognize that complex interconnections give rise to emergent qualities. Together, these sentences form a coherent paragraph that explores the concept of human consciousness as an emergent property of the brain and the intricate interplay of neurons in generating complex mental processes.
Question 22
DIRECTIONS for the question: The four sentences (labelled 1,2,3 and 4) given in this question, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order for the sentence and key in this sequence of four numbers as your answer.
- Contemporary African writing like ‘The Bottled Leopard’ voices this theme using two children and two backgrounds to juxtapose two varying cultures.
- Chukwuemeka Ike explores the conflict, and casts the Western tradition as condescending, enveloping and unaccommodating towards local African practice.
- However, their views contradict the reality, for a rich and sustaining local African cultural ethos exists for all who care, to see and experience.
- Western Christian concepts tend to deny or feign ignorance about the existence of a genuine and enduring indigenous African tradition.
The correct sequence 4321: Sentence 4 introduces the idea that Western Christian concepts often overlook or deny the presence of a genuine and lasting African tradition. This sentence introduces the theme of the para. Sentence 3 follows up on the idea from Sentence 4, contradicting the views that deny the existence of African tradition and asserting the reality of a rich local cultural ethos. Sentence 2 states that writer Chukwuemeka Ike explores the "conflict". Which conflict is he referring to? It's the conflict between denying the existence of a genuine and enduring indigenous African tradition and the reality that states a rich and sustaining local African cultural ethos exists for all who care, to see and experience. It also states that Ike casts the Western tradition as condescending, enveloping and unaccommodating towards local African practice. Which has been stated earlier. Sentence 1 talks about "this theme", the theme of denying the existance of something that is genuinely there by using two children and two backgrounds. So, the correct sequence is 4321
Question 23
DIRECTIONS for the question: The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Heat waves are becoming longer, frequent and intense due to climate change. The impacts of extreme heat are unevenly experienced; with older people and young children, those with pre-existing medical conditions and on low incomes significantly more vulnerable. Adaptation to heatwaves is a significant public policy concern. Research conducted among at-risk people in the UK reveals that even vulnerable people do not perceive themselves as at risk of extreme heat; therefore, early warnings of extreme heat events do not perform as intended. This suggests that understanding how extreme heat is narrated is very important. The news media play a central role in this process and can help warn people about the potential danger, as well as about impacts on infrastructure and society.
- Heatwaves pose an enormous risk; the media plays a pivotal role in alerting people to this danger.
- Protection from heat waves is important but current reports and public policies seem ineffective.
- People are vulnerable to heatwaves caused due to climate change, measures taken are ineffective.
- News stories help in warning about heatwaves, but they have to become more effective.
Option A is the right choice as the passage talks about how Heatwaves are worsening due to climate change, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and those with medical conditions or low incomes. Research in the UK suggests that even at-risk individuals may not perceive themselves as vulnerable during extreme heat, impacting the effectiveness of early warnings. The passage emphasizes the role of news media in conveying the dangers and societal impacts of extreme heat.
Question 24
DIRECTIONS for the question: The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
People spontaneously create counterfactual alternatives to reality when they think “if only” or “what if” and imagine how the past could have been different. The mind computes counterfactuals for many reasons. Counterfactuals explain the past and prepare for the future, they implicate various relations including causal ones, and they affect intentions and decisions. They modulate emotions such as regret and relief, and they support moral judgments such as blame. The ability to create counterfactuals develops throughout childhood and contributes to reasoning about other people’s beliefs, including their false beliefs.
- People create counterfactual alternatives to reality for various reasons, including reasoning about other people’s beliefs.
- Counterfactual thinking helps to reverse past and future actions and reason out false beliefs.
- Counterfactual alternatives to reality are created for a variety of reasons and is part of one’s developmental process.
- Counterfactuals help people to prepare for the future by understanding intentions and making decisions.
The passage talks about how People naturally create counterfactual alternatives to reality, pondering "if only" or "what if" scenarios that explain the past and influence future decisions. This cognitive process, develops ping throughout childhood, also impacts emotions, moral judgments, and reasoning about others' beliefs. Counterfactual thinking serves multifaceted roles, shaping perceptions of causality and contributing to various aspects of human cognition and decision-making. So, option 3 is the right choice.
