Para summary

Kritika Shukla
1.Identify the subject of the paragraph provided.
2.Identify what the author says with respect to the subject.
3.Do the above two in your words
4.Co-relate with answer options.
A recent study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, has shown that high-level mathematical reasoning rests on a set of
brain areas that do not overlap with the classical left-hemisphere regions
involved in verbal semantics. Instead, all domains of mathematics tested
(algebra, analysis, geometry, and topology) recruit a bilateral network, of
prefrontal, parietal, and inferior temporal regions, which is also activated when
mathematicians or non-mathematicians recognize and manipulate numbers
mentally. These results suggest that high-level mathematical thinking makes
minimal use of language areas and instead recruits circuits initially involved in
space and number. This result may explain why knowledge of number and space,
during early childhood, predicts mathematical achievement
1.High-level mathematical expertise and basic number sense share common roots
in a non-linguistic brain circuit.
2.Regardless of domain- algebra, analysis,geometry or topology- mathematicians
recognize and manipulate numbers mentally.
3.Classic left-hemisphere regions involved in verbal semantics are not as well
developed in mathematicians as the brain areas involving number and space.
4.The mathematical achievement of an individual can be predicted based on his
knowledge of number, space and language during childhood.
Since the Holocaust is an axial event of modern history, its misunderstanding
turns our minds in the wrong direction. When the Holocaust is blamed on the
modern state, the weakening of state authority appears salutary. On the political
right, the erosion of state power by international capitalism seems natural; on
the political left, rudderless revolutions portray themselves as virtuous. In the
21st century, anarchical protest movements join in a friendly tussle with global
oligarchy, in which neither side can be hurt since both see the real enemy as the
state. Both the left and the right tend to fear order rather than its destruction or
absence.
1.The Holocaust was a result of an all-powerful state, which forced order through
fear and crushed dissent from both the political right and the political left.
2.Following the Holocaust, the power of the state has been systematically eroded
by international capitalism and rudderless revolutions, as both the right and the
left fear order more than its absence.
3.The weakened state is the fundamental reason for disorder in the world, be it
anarchical uprisings, global oligarchy or the Holocaust.
4.The Holocaust is not to be blamed on the modern state, but on the tussle
between the political right and the political left.
Much has rightly been made of the problem of political polarisation, but
not nearly as much has been said about the problem of political
homogenisation. Both are toxic to public discourse. While the former
makes for awkward conversations at the family dinner table, the latter
buries difficult conversations. Where agreement is sought without a decent
discussion, opinion corridors form, limiting the range of ideas tolerated in
public discourse. Where all views are not heard in appropriate discussion,
the only alternative is inappropriate discussion. And populist rhetoric cuts
through this muffled discussion culture like a hot knife through butter, as
the pent-up need to be heard surfaces.
1.Political ambivalence is as harmful to public discourse as political
polarisation.
2.By subduing discussion, political homogenisation can lead to the rise of
populism.
3.When opinion across the political spectrum is not heard, public discourse is
crippled.
4.Political homogenisation is as much a cause for rise of populism as political
polarisation.
Some people maintain that pupils of school should
concentrate on a narrow range of subjects which
will benefit them directly in their subsequent careers
A. Some people believe students should only study career relevant
subjects.
B. Students should only study only career relevant subjects.
C. Some people say that pupils of schools should only concentrate on
a limited range of subjects.
1. Arti is planning for higher studies and her future goals include working as a
manager of a non-profit organization designed to provide assistance to under-
represented populations. Arti researched the mission statements of various
colleges and discovered that college X, a small private college with a fee of Rs. 8
lakhs per year, was dedicated to producing compassionate and curious leaders.
College Y, a large institute with a fee of Rs. 9 lakh per year, promoted itself as a
leading research facility. Based on her research, she decided to apply to college X
rather than College Y.
Which of the following options is the most likely explanation of Arti's decision?
A. A direct relationship exists between a college's cost and the quality of the
education it provides.
B. Students apply to smaller colleges that offer more personalized attention from
professors.
C. A large research university cannot prepare students for a career as a non-profit
executive.
D. Students apply to colleges with mission statements that align with their goals.
E. The best colleges have the best mission statements. Hence, students select a
college with the best mission statement.
2. Modem bourgeois society, said Nietzsche, was decadent and enfeebled
— a victim of the excessive development of the rational faculties at the
expense of will and instinct. Against the liberal-rationalist stress on the
intellect, Nietzsche urged recognition of the dark mysterious world of
instinctual desires — the true forces of life. Smother the will with excessive
intellectualizing and you destroy the spontaneity that sparks cultural
creativity and ignites a zest for living. The critical and theoretical outlook
destroyed the creative instincts. For man’s manifold potential to be
realized, he must forego relying on the intellect and nurture again the
instinctual roots of human existence.
1. Nietzsche urges the decadent and enfeebled modem society to forego
intellect and give importance to creative instincts.
2. Nietzsche urges the decadent and enfeebled modem society to smother
the will with excessive intellectualizing and ignite a zest for living.
3. Nietzsche criticizes the-intellectuals for enfeebling the modem bourgeois
society by not nurturing man’s creative instincts.
4. Nietzsche blames excessive intellectualization for the decline of modern
society and suggests nurturing creative instincts instead.
3.Orchids can be so difficult to grow that even professional horticulturalists have
trouble keeping them alive. And yet orchids are the largest family of flowering
plants in existence, comprising 30,000 different species and more than 200,000
hybrid varieties. Much of this presence has to do with the orchid’s ability to
thrive in different environments, particularly in the tropics. Nevertheless, orchid-
lovers who live in colder climates shouldn’t be discouraged. With proper
equipment and care, many species of orchids can thrive in home environments.
1.Horticulturists who wish to grow orchids will have greater success doing so in
tropical environments rather than in cold climates.
2.Despite the difficulty in cultivating them, orchids can flourish when grown by
horticulturists who have the correct equipment.
3.Despite the difficulty in cultivating them, orchids belong to a large family, of
which some species can grow well in various locations when cared for correctly.
4.While there are numerous types of orchids, they cannot be grown outside of
homes in the tropics, though many horticulturists attempt to do so.
4. While many students of history associate trench warfare with the First World
War, its history actually goes back to the 1600s. At that point, French strategist
and engineer Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban invented and used an early version
of the system to attack fortresses. The increasing power of guns and cannons
made development of the trench system more viable by the 18th century, when
soldiers in the American Civil War increasingly relied on it. Trench warfare did
reach its maximum utilization during the First World War, when trenches
shielding millions of soldiers ran along the border of France, from Belgium to
Switzerland. The introduction of the military tank in 1918, which did not break
down in the face of gunfire, effectively put an end to the viability of this strategy.
1.The invention of tanks in 1918 effectively put a stop to trench warfare, which had
been going on for more than 300 years in Europe.
2.Trench warfare was more common than often thought between 1600 and 1900,
as technologies improved and then ended its effectiveness.
3.Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban showed a lack of forethought when planning and
designing the trench system.
4.Trench warfare took place not only in Europe, but also in the United States, which
most people do not realize.
5. While many national fables’ origins are shrouded in myth, Great Britain’s King Arthur
appears to have been a real historical figure at one point, although the legends
surrounding him may be more fantasy than fact. Even today, King Arthur provides for his
country through a booming tourist industry. Dozens of attractions claim to be the site of
the “real” Camelot, round table, or grave of Arthur and/or his wife Guinevere. Perhaps
most famous among these is Glastonbury Abbey, in Western England, where Arthur is
supposed to be buried between two stone pyramids, supposedly having died at the hand
of his illegitimate son Mordred in the battle of Camlann. Aside from issues of DNA
verification with no known living ancestors, many would consider digging in this sacred
site a sacrilege, leaving visitors to wonder eternally whether the “Once and Future King”
actually rests there.
1.Though King Arthur may have been a real person, it has been difficult to substantiate
these claims due to lack of evidence.
2.Although most people do not believe it, King Arthur was a real person who probably
lived near Glastonbury Abbey.
3.Mythical figures should not be conflated with mythical figures unless those making the
claim can offer evidence.
4.Glastonbury Abbey may be the site of King Arthur’s court, but there are many other
places in Great Britain that could also be the location.
6. Cheapness and its cinematic markers, such as hand-held camera work and low or high-
contrast light, aren’t themselves guarantors of a tone of artistic authenticity. In fact,
they’re often misused by filmmakers short of inspiration as badges of sincerity that take
the place of actual artistry. The theatrical realism of many older, ostensibly classic movies
have dated terribly and reflect the very exclusions and compromises of the system that
produced them. Only the ingenious exertions and inventions of a slender minority of great
filmmakers could circumvent and override them. Yet, critics fetishize the styles of studio-
era movies and take them for an enduring and immutable aesthetic standard – as if, with
an appreciation of Shakespeare came a comparable fixation on lesser Elizabethans and a
disdain for latter-day dramatists for not writing in iambic pentameter.

1.Nostalgia for movies as they were made in the past converges to nostalgic exaltation of
their production methods.
2.Rather than imitating the styles of studio-era movies in a bid to achieve artistic
authenticity, filmmakers need to focus on inventive ideas and realistic themes.
3.Only the brilliance and resourcefulness of small minority of great filmmakers could
overcome the hurdles posed by budget constraints in studio-era movies.
4.The veneration of the styles and production methods of low-budget movies of the studio-
era as the ideal aesthetic standard is misguided.
1. Answer is D
A. A direct relationship exists between a college's cost and the quality of the
education it provides. – Arti applies to college X, whose fees is lesser than that of
college Y. This contradicts the statement given in the option. Hence, this can be
eliminated.
B. Students apply to smaller colleges that offer more personalized attention from
professors. – This is a generalized assumption, since there is no mention about the
staff capability and potential of both the colleges. This can thus be eliminated.
C. A large research university cannot prepare students for a career as a non-profit
executive. – This can be eliminated on the same grounds as option B.
D. Students apply to colleges with mission statements that align with their goals. –
This is the right answer choice. “Assistance to under-represented populations” is
Arti’s goal and College X’s mission of creating “compassionate leaders” aligns well
with that.
E. The best colleges have the best mission statements. Hence, students select a
college with the best mission statement. – We are not told which of the two is the
best college or the best mission statement. Hence, this option can be eliminated.
2.Answer is D
In this question, you need to do two things: first identify what the stimulus
says, then you need to spot the difference between answer options. The
stimulus talks of how the modem bourgeois society has become enfeebled
and decadent, the reason given by the Nietzsche is the intellectualization of
society, which has led to a smothering of creativity. Nietzsche talks of a
revival of these instincts at the cost of intellectualization. Now let’s have a
look at the options:
Option 1: Nietzsche does not urge the decadent and enfeebled modem
society to forego intellect but he urges the individual to do so.
Option 2: Nietzsche does not urge the decadent and enfeebled modem
society to smother the will with excessive intellectualizing, that is something
he wishes the society to give up.
Option 3: Nietzsche never blames the intellectuals for the state of affairs and
hence this option is rejected too.
Option 4: As by our analysis of the stimulus, this is precisely what Nietzsche
says, and hence this is the correct answer.
3. Answer is 3.
This answer takes into account all three main points of the passage:
orchids are difficult to grow, there are numerous orchid species, and
orchids can grow in different environments, even cold climates, when
cared for properly.
1 makes an assumption about orchid environments that the passage
does not support (they may grow well in tropical climates, but we also
know that horticulturists in cold climates can raise orchids).
Furthermore, this statement does not account for the discussion of the
many types of orchids, or standards for home care, in the passage. 2 is
true, according to the passage—but it is not the best summary, as it
does not account for the explanation of orchid species given in the
passage. 4 makes a similar omission; the passage also contradicts this
statement in the final sentence.
 4. Answer is 2. This statement correctly summarizes the passage by
restating its main claim (that trench warfare was more common than
most people think), then summarizing the details provided in the
passage, which concern the invention and improvement of the trench
system.
1 is factually correct, but only summarizes the end of the passage. 3 is
not supported by the passage, which does not state an opinion about
de Vauban’s work; it also does not summarize more than that sentence.
4 is partially correct, but does not summarize the entire passage, nor is
the statement that most people do not realize that trench warfare also
took place in the United States supported by the passage.
5. Answer is 1. The passage as a whole describes why it is difficult to
prove that King Arthur was real (lots of different sites claiming to have
been his home, the impossibility of digging at Glastonbury Abbey).
2 is unsubstantiated by the passage, which does not tell us with
certainty that King Arthur was real or that he was buried (let alone
lived) near Glastonbury Abbey. Statement 3 takes the passage’s subject
too far, as the author does not express an opinion about mythical
figures in general. 4 may be true, but is not the main focus of the
passage, which concentrates primarily on the reality of King Arthur, not
the location of his court.
6. Answer is D
Option A. Nostalgia for movies as they were made in the past converges to nostalgic exaltation of their production
methods.
From what the paragraph says, we know that the above is true. However, this does not fully summarize the main
idea of the paragraph, which argues emphatically that this nostalgia is misplaced. So option A is not the right one
to sum up the paragraph as it only partially covers the main idea of the paragraph.

Option B. Rather than imitating the styles of studio-era movies in a bid to achieve artistic authenticity, filmmakers
need to focus on inventive ideas and realistic themes.
The paragraph given does talk about filmmakers trying to copy the styles of studio-era movies, as if this alone is
enough to declare their work as artistic. However, the focus of the paragraph is not what filmmakers need to do.
Rather, the focus is on the mistaken notion that low budget filmmaking of the studio-era is an immutable standard
for artistic authenticity. Further, the paragraph makes no mention of the need for filmmakers to center their
attention on “realistic themes�? as mentioned in the line above. So option B is not the right one to sum up the
paragraph.

Option C. Only the brilliance and resourcefulness of small minority of great filmmakers could overcome the
hurdles posed by budget constraints in studio-era movies.
Again, the paragraph does say this, but this is not the main idea of the paragraph and certainly does not
summarize it.

Option D. The veneration of the styles and production methods of low-budget movies of the studio-era as the ideal
aesthetic standard is misguided.
The whole point of the paragraph is to say that the undue fetish for the styles and production of low-budget
movies of the studio-era and the idea that this is the immutable artistic standard is misguided. So this is the right
option to sum up the paragraph.