Free Verbal Practice Test - CAT 

The answer to this question lies in the last line of the passage -

“The way the language of art refers to the visible world is both so obvious and so mysterious that it is still largely unknown except to artists, who use it as we use all language—without needing to know its grammar and semantics.”

Look at these lines in the first paragraph -

“The very reason why the representation of nature can now be considered something commonplace should be of the greatest interest to art historians. Never before has there been an age when the visual image was so cheap in every sense of the word. We are surrounded and assailed by posters and advertisements, comics and magazine illustrations. We see aspects of reality represented on television, postage stamps, and food packages”.

The word ‘cheap’ in the third line means that contemporary commercial art such as advertisements, comics etc are undervalued by art historians.

So (D) option is the correct one.

This is a data based inference question.

Let us first look at the lines -

“in fact, rather critical of certain theories of non-representational art”.

We do not get any clue regarding what these non-representational arts are.

Let us go to the next line -

“But to argue over these theories would be to miss the point”

The author has used a pronoun “these” without defining the term non-representational art. So we need to go to the next line -

“That the discoveries and effects of representation that were the pride of earlier artists have become trivial today, I would not deny for a moment”.

Here we get a clue that the adherents of “certain theories of nonrepresentational art” considered usage of illusion trivial.

Therefore we can infer that (C) is the best answer option.

The other way we can get the answer is through the complement rule.

Author is a critic of theories of non-representational art. The adherents of theories of non-representational art will be against the views of the author.

Author states that -

“When we consider great painters of the past, the study of art and the study of illusion cannot always be separated”.

So the adherents of non-representational art will feel that illusions are inappropriate for art.

So the answer is (C).

Look at these lines in the first paragraph.

“By illusion I mean those contrivances of color, line, shape, and so forth that lead us to see marks on a flat surface as depicting three-dimensional objects in space”

This is a main theme inference question. The whole passage is regarding usage of illusion in art. The definition of illusion is in the above lines.

Look at the above line in bold.

That will lead you to the correct answer (D) and not (C). C generically talks about 3D image. We need an illusion.

Let us look at these lines from the passage -

“When a relaxing impulse was indulged, the style—that sure index of an author’s literary worth” and (D) are pretty close choices.

The meaning of the word “Worth” is merit and not reputation.

So the answer is (a).

This is a structure question.

Let us look at all the lines -

“Thus, one impulse often surrendered to a fresher one and, unfortunately, instead of exacting a compromise, simply disappeared.

A desire to throw over reality a light that never was might give way abruptly to the desire on the part of  what we might consider a novelist-scientist to record exactly and concretely the structure and texture of a flower.

In this instance, the new impulse was at least an energetic one, and thus its indulgence did not result in a relaxed style.

But on other occasions, Hardy abandoned a perilous, risky, and highly energizing impulse in favor of what was for him the fatally relaxing impulse to classify and schematize abstractly.”

Look at both the highlighted structure words. The second highlighted word is a contrary work. So the fourth line and the third line are contrasting examples.

Moreover, the third line is an example of the generalization made in the second line.

So the structure would be -

“second line is a generalization, third line is an example to support the generalization and the fourth line is an example qualifying (weakening) the second line’s generalization”

And the first line is more of a summary of the previous line and not a judgement.

So the answer is (b).

It was a close choice between (C) and (D).

“His most controlled novel, Under the Greenwood Tree, prominently exhibits two different but reconcilable impulses—a desire to be a realist-historian and a desire to be a psychologist of love—but the slight interlockings of the plot are not enough to bind the two completely together. Thus even this book splits into two distinct parts.”

He says that even this book splits into two parts. But nowhere has he said that all of hardy’s books are split into two parts. So (D) is wrong.

The implication is that the cantares were more often recited in public than read in private. Choice A is incorrect. The romances combine lyricism with narration taken from the dramatic high points of the epics; nothing suggests that they are concerned with peace rather than war.

Notice that defeat is mentioned as one of the moments captured by romances.

Eliminate choice A. The passage does not refer to Moorish influence on any of the genres, so choice C can be eliminated. Choice D is a reversal of what the passage suggests. Eliminate choice D.

The author cites Spaniards’ contact with other societies as a positive influence on Spain’s literary development (1st paragraph). The statements in both choices A and B are far too sweeping, based on information in the passage. Choice D is not mentioned or implied, and nothing suggests that the mester de clerecía were more popular than the epics.

According to the author, the cantares were in a period of “final decadence” at the time the romances were born, so it is unlikely that they came from the same raw material. Choice B is incorrect; the subject matter of romances was not the lives of everyday people. In the 2nd paragraph, the cantares are described as “usually complex,” whereas in the later part of the same paragraph, the romances are characterized as written in “simple and direct” language, making choice C also a bad choice. Since the subject matter of romances often derives from the epics, choice D is also incorrect.

Option: (B)
seems to be clear and concise - where is used right since it is referring to the community.

A is incorrect because 'they' has an unclear incident.
B I think Which is used wrong here... It should be That instead describing the community.
D. is incorrect because 'them' has an unclear incident

Option (D) states that although the canoe could transport cargo of considerable weight, it was light: a canoe . . . which could carry . . . yet was . . . light.... Here, the conjunction yet is appropriately and correctly used to link two verb phrases. Choice does not use yet with a verb parallel to could carry and thus fail to express this contrast. Furthermore, both place adjectival constructions after baggage, illogically stating that the eight hundred pounds of baggage, rather than the canoe, was light. Choice B supplies yet but ungrammatically uses the participle being where was is required. Similarly, C omits the necessary verb after and; and here again, the use of and rather than yet fails to express the contrast.

Option (D)
The adjective little modifies "mass nouns" (e.g., water), which refer to some undifferentiated quantity; the adjective few modifies "count nouns" (e.g., services), which refer to groups made up of distinct members that can be considered individually. Hence, choices A, B, and C are incorrect because little cannot properly modify services. Also, since water and services are being discussed as a pair, they should logically be treated as a compound subject requiring a plural verb; thus, the singular verbs exists (in A and B) and is (in C) are wrong.

Choice D is best: the plural verb are is used, and few correctly modifies services.

Korva's population has increased but its revenue share has decreased. This is possible only when the total increase in ditrama's population is more than that of korva's population

The correct answer option should bring out this

Option (a) is junk

Option (c ) and (d) are the classic wrong answers. It is enough if the population of either Mitro or Gaudar increases by a percentage higher than Korva's. It is not necessary that both the region's population must increase by a percentage higher than that of Korva's.(remember this is a must be true question)].

The correct answer option is (b)

The author has fallen into the trap of believing that an increase in the difference between GDP's means that the actual GDP of country A has increased.

Let us look at this example.

X1= A initial-B initial

X2=A final-B final

X1<X2 is possible if

a) A final is greater than A initial or

b) B initial is greater than B final or

c) Combination of a) and b)

We can see that in case 2 and case 3 the GDP of country has not risen. The author has assumed that the GDP of EEC has not decreased. Only then we can draw the conclusion that GDP of country has increased.

So the only answer option which fits this (d)

Option: (d)
Look at the words Long face and Failure. The tone of the question is sad.

Lugubrious Means Mournful, Lachrymose Means Tearful.

So the answer is (d) . Option (c) was close but contemplative doesn't indicate sadness.

Demolished and awoken are not the right words to be associated with Interface.

So Options (b ) and (c) are wrong.

So it is a close Call between (a) and (d)

Let us look at the last two blanks for both the options

a) the last visible interface, that of salesman and buyer, has finally risen worldwide.

d) the last  human interface, that of salesman and buyer, has finally  fallen worldwide.

In option a) the word finally is not justified. Why would you say the visible interface has risen finally. We can say the invisible interface has risen finally.

So the answer is (d) .

Option: (B)
A. Would you mind if I sit down.

Correct statement "Would you mind if I sat down?"

Statements of this structure always take the past tense in the if clause.

B. On entering the room, Ram was found hanging from the ceiling.

Dangling Modifier. Correct statement "When we entered the room,Ram was found hanging from the ceiling"

C. If he was here now, we would have had no difficulty. Wrong structure in conditionals.

Correct statement : " If he were here now, we would have had no difficulty."

D. He had to fight at odds with him.

Correct statement . Correct idiomatic usage: at odds.

The clue is to establish the first sentence. The first sentence makes a comment and the rest just go on to justify the comment. Thus the paragraph should start with D which lays the premise that a few people wanted to start a theatre movement but their approach was different. A has to precede B because of the reference of Yeats in A. C has to follow B because of the mention of Martyn in B.
Hence, the correct sequence is DABC.

The clue is to establish the first sentence. The first sentence makes a comment and the rest just go on to justify the comment. Thus the paragraph should start with D which lays the premise that a few people wanted to start a theatre movement but their approach was different. A has to precede B because of the reference of Yeats in A. C has to follow B because of the mention of Martyn in B.
Hence the correct sequence is DABC.

Refer to the part ‘better if it lasts for years …wealthy with all you have gained on the way’.

Refer to the part as many sensual perfumes as you can ... to gather stores of knowledge.

Refer to the part ‘Keep Ithika always in your mind. Arriving there is what you are destined for’.

Refer to the part ‘you bring them along inside your soul’.

Refer to the part Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey, without her you would not have set out.

The main theme of the passage is presenting paranoia as a neurosis and explaining how the best way to cure paranoia depends on how we handle the situation. Otherwise it is almost impossible to treat. This can be obtained from the lines “Psychologists such as Dr. Karen Horney firmly believe that by the time the disease is severe, the course of getting out of the paranoid situation is lost forever. Hence, a clear and rational handling of the situation is required in the pre-paranoid situation. How the victims handle the situation is the best defense against paranoia.” This idea is best represented only in option (a). Option (b) does not cover the main theme of the passage satisfactorily. Symptoms form only a part of the passage but the main purpose is as stated above. There is no idea given in the passage for the readers to draw their own conclusion. Option (c) is irrelevant. There is no research angle being given in the passage. Option (d) is ruled out. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

Option (a) is too vague. It does not provide the answer clearly. The author refers to paranoia as a mental aberration only in the acute case; hence this will not be applicable in general. There is no experiment being conducted. Option (b) is ruled out. Option (c) is out of scope. Option (d) captures the author’s argument perfectly.

The answer to this question can be got from the lines “Those that have been repeatedly mistreated and abandoned become the victims of paranoia” and “To be great without being celebrated is to be discriminated against and this creates a situation of being a paranoid” from the second paragraph. We can understand that people who have been neglected or think too much of themselves without acknowledgment from others suffer from paranoia. This is best reflected in option (d). Option (a) is not mentioned in the passage. There is no discrimination against the weak. Option (b) is irrelevant here. Option (c) is mentioned in the passage but it does not answer the question asked. Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

The author is not doing any kind of research on paranoia. He is only giving his views on the subject. Option (a) is incorrect. There are no varying opinions given in the passage. Option (b) is ruled out. The statement is repetitive and does not describe the organization completely and hence option (c) is eliminated. There is no conclusion to be reached. It is entirely the author’s viewpoint. Only option (d) describes the organization well. The author starts off by defining how paranoia originates, he discusses its symptoms and how it affects the mental well-being of a person. Hence option (d) is the correct answer.

The correct structure of the paragraph should be like this - B talks about a fork-like structure in the male antlers, C elaborates on the fork saying it may have 2 or 3 prongs, A gives an example of a 3 pronged fork, E by using 'on the other hand' should follow after A. D should follow after E because it is a variation of the 'common deer' mentioned in E.
Hence, the correct answer is BCAED.

In statement B, "in a river” is to be replaced by "in the river” since the statement refers to a specific incident which took place in a particular river.
In statement C, "of” is to be replaced by "off”.
Hence, the correct sequence BC.

A. Have either of you seen my book?

Statement is wrong .Correct statement is " Has either of you seen my book?"

B. The modern girl gives herself so much airs as she looks ridiculous.

Statement is correct. Correct idiomatic usage " to give oneself airs"

C. It was difficult for me to tell how the thief looked like.

Statement is wrong .Correct statement is "It was difficult for me to tell what the thief looked like."

D. This is one of the most remarkable events that have happened this century. Statement is correct. the verb has to agree with its actual subject "events"

Option: (A)
A.Don't presume that every pilgrim will return safe and sound from the Kumbh fair since there's many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip.

Statement is correct : Correct idiomatic usage "There's many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip"

B. The gifts of the father and the son were similar.

Statement is wrong.

When we use coordinating conjunctions, we need to coordinate the same things. Here the aim is to coordinate the gifts of father and son. But the statement coordinates father and son. The correct statement is "The gifts of the father and those of the son were similar"

C. If I were he, I should not go.

Statement is correct. When you are comparing subjects use the subjective form.

D. Finally the championship game ended with the result 5-2 to Germany.