Free Verbal Reasoning - 03 Practice Test - CAT 

Question 1

DIRECTIONS for questions 1 -5: Each of the following questions has a paragraph from which one sentence has been deleted. From the given options, choose the one that completes the paragraph in the most appropriate way.

Increasingly, India’s elderly feel vulnerable, lonely or abandoned. They may have lost a spouse or had children move overseas, or in cases of abuse, been turned out of homes they helped create. The children now find themselves sandwiched between looking after their own family and caring for old parents._______________.What they are short of is time and attention and the elderly have taken notice.

A. Urban professionals must now decide how to care for those who looked after them.
B. Urban professionals may have more money to buy their parents better healthcare.
C. Urban professionals may not have adequate money and time to look after their parents.
D. Urban professionals find it difficult to acclimatize themselves to such a demanding scenario.
E. Urban professionals who have grown up in nuclear families find it more difficult to adjust themselves.

SOLUTION

Solution : B

Option (b)

The expression ‘what they are short of’ gives us a clue that the blank should state what the ‘children’ have in excess. Therefore, if we select [c] as the correct answer, it will express a logically incorrect idea. The sentence preceding the blank states that the ‘children’ find it very difficult to take care of their old parents while simultaneously managing their own families. So [a] is redundant in the context. [e] is not correct because the passage does not mention anything about the upbringing of the professionals; rather it is their current situation that is being discussed. Between [b] and [d], only [b] appropriately brings out the contradiction.

Question 2

How does the media of today working with the most sophisticated electronic equipment compare with the past? How can they be worse when events today are portrayed in “real time?” Both the press and televised news have been guilty of many sins. In spite of all the great advances in the technology of communications, what unites them over more than a hundred years has been the “rush to judgment” in order to out-scoop rivals. Newspaper journalists could always excuse the need to meet deadlines with the explanation that it was not possible to wait and find confirmation in the field because they lacked the technical “eyes and ears” of information gathering that would allow them to check the validity of their sources.__________________________________________

A. An examination of several historical examples will clarify the difference.
B. The reporters of today’s televised news are of a different order.
C. They have been raised on appreciating visual images as “reality” with the fill-in provided by a reporter.
D. Unlike the previous generations of newspaper readers, they do not dispose of the same leisure time to wade carefully through follow-up reporting.
E. They knew however that the readers would expect follow-up reporting to verify and interpret events with careful research and analysis.

SOLUTION

Solution : E

Option (e)

Option (e) continues in the same breath as the passage.It moves the discussion forward, talking about the newspaper journalists - hence continuing or extending the idea.

Question 3

_________________. When a new mutation arises, the total population consists of one group with a single mutant and many groups with no mutants. There is not much variation among groups in this scenario for group selection to act upon. Now imagine a species that has the ability to socially transmit information. A new cultural mutation can rapidly spread to everyone in the same group, resulting in one group that is very different from the other groups in the total population.

A. It is time now to understand the enigmatic aspect of the human condition.
B. A culture can radically shift the balance between levels of selection in favour of group selection.
C. Hypothesis testing does not always require quantification.
D. Consider genetic evolution by itself.
E. The balance between levels of selection is not fixed but can itself evolve.

SOLUTION

Solution : D

Option (d)

The passage specifically relates to the whole idea of ‘mutation’ or ‘genetic evolution’. [a] is beyond the purview of the passage because ‘human condition’ comprises many elements other than ‘genetic evolution’. [c] is a general statement and does not particularly relate to the subsequent discussion; hence it can be negated immediately. [b] would make a better conclusion than an introduction for the passage, as the passage begins on a general note and then goes on to discuss the idea of cultural mutation. Though in this passage we are discussing different levels of selection, the balance between the levels is not the focus, so [e] is wrong. The first sentence of a paragraph should broadly state what the passage would go on to discuss.Only [d] states the main topic and can aptly start the paragraph.

Question 4

Rare is the artist who can suffuse his work with so much ambiguity and still intrigue. The known career of Stanley Kubrick encompasses an acknowledged AC movie features, one withdrawn movie feature, several short documentaries, and a myriad number of photo spreads. Controversy surrounded many of these projects. On a surface level, Kubrick seemed willing to alienate the audience for his desired effects. Yet the constant control and manipulation of all things surrounding his work also freed it up to interpretation. One knows, for the most part, that one is watching a Kubrick movie – its authorship is clear. _______________________.

A. Our speculation is further encouraged by Kubrick’s secrecy surrounding both his life and his film projects – a state of control that remains fairly unparalleled among most popular artists.
B. Easy speculation follows the interpretation, but it is more of a challenge to dig beneath the popular veneer and debate the actual man and his deeper meanings
C. His is a career shrouded in myth and frustrating mystery
D. Yet we must persevere and try to understand what little we can of this particular artist’s story, even though it may demand a precision and incisiveness that no single writing can attain.
E. It may not be entirely correct to call Kubrick a child prodigy

SOLUTION

Solution : B

 Option (b)

The paragraph has spoken about what happens on a surface level. So, logically, digging below the surface would follow. Also, the paragraph ends with ‘interpretation’ and ‘watching Kubrick’s movie’. Option (b) extends this with what happens next - ‘speculation’ following ‘interpretation’. (a) abruptly jumps to the first person. (c), (d) and (e) talk about ‘Kubrick’ himself – but do not extend the idea effectively at the end of the paragraph.

Question 5

The best thing for children is for them to be given more freedom - not to do whatever they want, of course; they need clear boundaries set by parents. But unsupervised play isn’t just some kind of childhood luxury that kids can do without. It is vital for children’s healthy emotional and social development. Study after study has shown that it helps to develop children’s ability to negotiate social rules and to create their own rules. Children need to learn to deal with risks and develop the capacity to assess challenges, and develop resilience to life’s inevitable blows. ___________________.

A. In short, taking risks in childhood should not be discouraged.
B. In short, taking risks in childhood can have unexpected consequences.
C. In short, taking risks in childhood goes hand-in hand with developing new skills.
D. In short, taking risks in childhood is necessary for children’s physical development.
E. In short, taking risks in childhood is necessary for children’s intellectual development.

SOLUTION

Solution : C

Option (c)

Both options [d] and [e] can be dismissed immediately, as the author mentions only children’s emotional and social development, not their physical or intellectual development. [b] is very vague, and does not really connect to the topic of the passage. The author stridently argues that children should be free to take risks, so [a] would be a rather weak conclusion. [c] is much more preferable conclusion, as it clearly summarizes the author’s entire argument.

Question 6

DIRECTIONS for questions 1 -5: Each of the following questions has a paragraph from which one sentence has been deleted. From the given options, choose the one that completes the paragraph in the most appropriate way.

Most firms consider expert individuals to be too elitist, temperamental, egocentric, and difficult to work with. Force such people to collaborate on a high-stakes project and they just might come to fisticuffs. Even the very notion of managing such a group seems unimaginable. So most organizations fall into default mode, setting up project teams of people who get along nicely._______________________________

A. The result, however, is disastrous.
B. The result is mediocrity.
C. The result is creation of experts who then become elitists.
D. Naturally, they drive innovations

SOLUTION

Solution : B

Option (a) is eliminated for ‘disastrous’ – the passage does not justify it – because they get along well.Option 3 is eliminated because the passage states that experts may not be hired. Option 4 is eliminated because how they drive innovation is a big question mark. Option 2 talks about the result of this ‘default mode’ where expert individuals are excluded and the selection is on the basis of conformity which is mediocrity. This then is the best sentence to conclude and the purpose for which the passage is written is brought to a close.

Hence, the correct answer is option (b)

Question 7

The audiences for crosswords and sudoku, understandably, overlap greatly, but there are differences, too. A crossword attracts a more literary person, while sudoku appeals to a keenly logical mind. Some crossword enthusiasts turn up their noses at sudoku because they feel it lacks depth. A good crossword requires vocabulary, knowledge, mental flexibility and sometimes even a sense of humor to complete. It touches numerous areas of life and provides an "Aha!" or two along the way._______________________________

A. Sudoku, on the other hand, is just a logical exercise, each one similar to the last.
B. Sudoku, incidentally, is growing faster in popularity than crosswords, even among the literati.
C. Sudoku, on the other hand, can be attempted and enjoyed even by children
D. Sudoku, however, is not exciting in any sense of the term.

SOLUTION

Solution : A

Option (b) gets eliminated because of the idea of ‘popularity’ in it. This is a new idea and will require some reader intervention to support it. Reader intervention is not required in the last sentence of a paragraph.

Option (c) gets eliminated because of ‘even by children’- we need to assume that children lack ‘vocabulary etc. etc. mentioned in the paragraph.

Option (d) contradicts the paragraph. The paragraph says it appeals to a logical mind.

Option (a) effortlessly closes the paragraph. The comparison between Crossword and Sudoku is completed and the purpose of the paragraph is fulfilled.

Hence, the correct answer is option (a).

Question 8

The youngsters who are ravaging France realize that they do not have a future. That is why they are burning cars. Unemployment is high and concentrated amongst French minorities because of specific labour market institutions. France has strict hiring and firing regulation that make it costly to dismiss workers and thus reduce job creation.________________

A. Salaries cannot fall below a legislated minimum wage, which is so high that the least productive and least skilled workers remain shut out of the labour market
B. Those with a job are protected, those without one are hurt
C. Wages are set in centralized negotiation by monopolistic unions and apply throughout the economy.
D. The unions don’t care if the sons and daughters of immigrants living in ghettos have no opportunity of even starting a working life

SOLUTION

Solution : B

option (b)

The paragraph is about the current unrest in France and the reason for it. One reason is unemployment which is due to labour-market institutions. The paragraph ends with the strict hiring and firing regulations that France has, option (b) follows as a logical consequence of this policy

option (a) and (c) can be eliminated as they talk about salaries, when the focus is ‘unemployment’. Option (d) talks about a union, which does not exist in the paragraph question

Question 9

A well-oiled machinery for the creation and diffusion of fads is now an entrenched part of the modern economy. Its methods will increasingly be adopted by others as they recognize the inevitability of the ever shorter product cycle. The line between ‘fad’ and ordinary product will progressively blur. We are moving swiftly into the era of the temporary product, made by temporary methods to serve temporary needs.________________________________

A. In the past few years alone we have witnessed the rise or collapse in popularity of innumerable oddities that reflect the rapidly changing pop culture
B. Here, too the present already provides us with a foretaste of the future
C. The turnover of things in out lives thus grows even more frenetic
D. Sophisticates in the ‘fad’ business prepare in advance for shorter and shorter product cycles

SOLUTION

Solution : C

Option (c)

The paragraph talks about the concept of fads and how short lived they are. Option (a) speaks with refernce to pop culture which is not mentioned in the passage. Hence option (a) is eliminated. Option (c) is in keeping with the idea presented by describing the situation as frenetic(fast and energetic), which is the scenario with the modern economy.

Question 10

Eons ago the shrinking seas cast millions of unwilling aquatic creatures onto the newly created beaches. Deprived of their familiar environment, they died, gasping and clawing for each additional instant of eternity. Only a fortunate few, better suited to amphibian existence, survived the shock of change. Today, say sociologists, we are going through a period as traumatic as the evolution of man’s predecessors form sea creatures to land creatures.________________

A. Those who can adapt will, those who can’t will either go on surviving somehow at a lower level of development or will perish-washed up on the shores.
B. To assert that man must adapt seems superfluous – he has already shown himself to be among the most adaptable of life forms
C. When we hurl a man into space, we surround him with an exquisitely designed micro environment that maintains all the factors within liveable limits
D. It is strange that when we hurl a man into the future, we take few pains to protect him from the shock of change

SOLUTION

Solution : A

option (a)

The paragraph stresses on the need to adapt by drawing an analogy with the evolution of life. Hence, option (a) that states that ‘only those who adapt themselves, will survive’ is the right conclusion. Option (b) goes against the idea in the paragraph. Option (c) and (d) talk about ‘space’ which is not touched upon in the paragraph question

Question 11

If there is an oil-supply disruption resulting in higher international oil prices, domestic oil prices in open-market countries such as the United States will rise as well, whether such countries import all or none of their oil. Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the statement in the passage? 

A. Domestic producers of oil in open-market countries are excluded from the international oil market when there is a disruption in the international oil supply.
B. International oil-supply disruptions have little, if any, effect on the price of domestic oil as long as an open-market country has domestic supplies capable of meeting domestic demand.
C. The oil market in an open-market country is actually part of the international oil market, even if most of that country’s domestic oil is usually sold to consumers within its borders.
D. Open-market countries that export little or none of their oil can maintain stable domestic oil prices even when international oil prices rise sharply.
E. If international oil prices rise, domestic distributors of oil in open-market countries will begin to import more oil than they export.

SOLUTION

Solution : C

Option (c)

If the oil market in an open-market country were independent, fluctuations in international oil prices would not affect domestic oil prices. However, if the statement about oil-supply disruption is true, it is evident that domestic oil prices are dependent on the international market and hence that the domestic oil market is a part of the international oil market. Therefore, C is the best answer. B and D are not supported, since each contradicts the claim that an international oil-supply disruption will lead to rising oil prices in an open-market nation. Nor are A and E supported, since the statement provides information only about the effect of disruption on oil prices, not domestic producers or distributors.

Question 12

The average normal infant born in the United States weighs between twelve and fourteen pounds at the age of three months. Therefore, if a three-month-old child weighs only ten pounds, its weight gain has been below the United States average.

Which of the following indicates a flaw in the reasoning above? 

A. Weight is only one measure of normal infant development.
B. Some three-month-old children weigh as much as seventeen pounds.
C. It is possible for a normal child to weigh ten pounds at birth.
D. The phrase “below average” does not necessarily mean insufficient.
E. Average weight gain is not the same as average weight.

SOLUTION

Solution : E

Option (e)

The evidence on which the conclusion is based concerns only average weight, but the conclusion concerns average weight gain. Because there is not necessarily a connection between an absolute measurement-such as weight-and a rate of increase-such as weight gain-this argument is flawed. The relevant reasoning error is described in E, which is the best answer. Neither of A and D identifies a reasoning error in the passage, since the passage makes no claim that weight is the only relevant measure of infant development in general, and no claim about sufficiency. B and C are consistent with the claims in the passage, and neither identifies a flaw in the argument.

Question 13

Red blood cells in which the malarial-fever parasite resides are eliminated from a person’s body after 120 days. Because the parasite cannot travel to a new generation of red blood cells, any fever that develops in a person more than 120 days after that person has moved to a malaria-free region is not due to the malarial parasite.

Which is the following, if true, most seriously weakens the conclusion above? 

A. The fever caused by the malarial parasite may resemble the fever caused by flu viruses.
B. The anopheles mosquito, which is the principal insect carrier of the malarial parasite, has been eradicated in many parts of the world.
C. Many malarial symptoms other than the fever, which can be suppressed with anti-malarial medication, can reappear within 120 days after the medication is discontinued.
D. In some cases, the parasite that causes malarial fever travels to cells of the spleen, which are less frequently eliminated from a person’s body than are red blood cells.
E. In any region infested with malaria-carrying mosquitoes, there are individuals who appear to be immune to malaria.

SOLUTION

Solution : D

Option (d)

The passage concludes that, because the malarial parasite cannot reside in red blood cells for more than 120 days, the malarial parasite cannot cause fever more than 120 days after infection. However, according to D, there is a site in the body where the parasite could reside for more than 120 days after infection. Therefore, D weakens the conclusion and is the best answer. The resemblance between malarial-fever symptoms and those of other diseases, the existence of other malarial symptoms, and the possibility of immunity to malaria are irrelevant to the issue of the conditions under which malarial fever can occur. B provides confirmation for the existence of malaria-free regions but does not otherwise bear on the conclusion.

Question 14

Fact 1: Television advertising is becoming less effective: the proportion of brand names promoted on television that viewers of the advertising can recall is slowly decreasing. Fact 2: Television viewers recall commercials aired first or last in a cluster of consecutive commercials far better than they recall commercials aired somewhere in the middle.

Fact 2 would be most likely to contribute to an explanation of fact 1 if which of the following were also true? 

A. The average television viewer currently recalls fewer than half the brand names promoted in commercials he or she saw.
B. The total time allotted to the average cluster of consecutive television commercials is decreasing.
C. The average number of hours per day that people spend watching television is decreasing.
D. The average number of clusters of consecutive commercials per hour of television is increasing.
E. The average number of television commercials in a cluster of consecutive commercials is increasing.

SOLUTION

Solution : E

Option (e)

Because E indicates that the number of commercials in a cluster is increasing, it entails that proportionally more commercials are aired in intermediate positions. Hence, E helps fact 2 explain fact 1 by showing that increasingly more commercials are aired in positions in which viewers find them difficult to recall. E is the best answer. A testifies to the ineffectiveness of television advertising but does not help fact 2 explain fact 1. B indicates that fact 2 contradicts rather than explains fact 1, since it suggests that the number of commercials per cluster is decreasing. C and D help to explain fact 1-by describing a change in viewing habits and a change in programming-but neither relates fact 2 to fact 1.

Question 15

The number of people diagnosed as having a certain intestinal disease has dropped significantly in a rural county this year, as compared to last year. Health officials attribute this decrease entirely to improved sanitary conditions at water-treatment plants, which made for cleaner water this year and thus reduced the incidence of the disease.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the health official’s explanation for the lower incidence of the disease?

A. Many new water-treatment plants have been built in the last five years in the rural county.
B. Bottled spring water has not been consumed in significantly different quantities by people diagnosed as having the intestinal disease, as compared to people who did not contract the disease.
C. Because of a new diagnostic technique, many people who until this year would have been diagnosed as having the intestinal disease are now correctly diagnosed as suffering from intestinal ulcers.
D. Because of medical advances this year, far fewer people who contract the intestinal disease will develop severe cases of the disease.
E. The water in the rural county was brought up to the sanitary standards of the water in neighboring counties ten years ago.

SOLUTION

Solution : C

Option (c)

The health official’s explanation assumes that the decrease in the number of people diagnosed with the disease accurately reflects a diminution in cases of the disease. By pointing out that this assumption is false, C undermines the official’s explanation and thus is the best answer. Since A supports the view that sanitary conditions have been improving, it tends to support the officials’ explanation. B also tends to support the officials’ explanation, because it eliminates a factor that might have differentiated between those contracting and those not contracting the disease and thus rules out an alternative explanation. The reduction of the severity of the diagnosed cases does not bear on the officials’ explanation. So D is not correct. Since the standards in neighboring counties might themselves have been inadequate, E does not weaken the officials’ explanation.

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