CAT 2024 Slot 1

Option A is the correct answer. The passage mentions that medieval craft guilds were monopolies that resisted new entrants and required long apprenticeship periods, which could stifle innovative spirit. Similarly, the ethos of mass production prioritizes efficiency and consistency, which often comes at the expense of creativity.

Option B: While it is true that medieval guilds restricted entry through strict rules, the passage does not suggest that mass production involves such restrictions. Mass production is instead characterized by standardization and efficiency, so this option misrepresents the comparison.

Option C: The passage does not discuss whether mass production or medieval guilds employed egalitarian processes. The comparison focuses on their shared lack of creativity, not their approach to equality in production.

Option D: The passage does not indicate that medieval guilds or mass production focused excessively on product quality. In fact, mass production is described as prioritizing efficiency and standardization, not quality.

Option B is the correct answer. The passage mentions that medieval craft guilds were monopolistic and hierarchical, resisting new entrants and imposing long apprenticeships, which could stifle innovation. It also warns that modern craft workers “can thrive... only if they don’t get too organised,” directly supporting this statement.

Option A: The passage does not make such a definitive argument. While it highlights the value of craftsmanship, it also critiques historical craft guilds for stifling creativity and innovation. Supporting crafts alone is not presented as a guaranteed way to preserve creativity.

Option C: The Arts and Crafts movement is described as a reaction against the “American system” and the rise of mass production, not an inspiration drawn from it.

Option D: While the agile movement is praised for prioritizing creativity and collaboration, medieval craft guilds are described as hierarchical and restrictive, which stifled innovation. These characteristics are opposites.

Option B is the correct answer. 

The author expresses doubt about whether crafts can create substantial employment opportunities in the present. This concern stems from large companies having an advantage in industries where products must meet regulatory requirements. The passage suggests that smaller craft businesses may struggle to compete with larger companies due to these regulatory barriers, implying that small-scale crafts operations may not be able to scale up enough to absorb large numbers of workers or compete with mass production industries.

Option A: The passage does not focus on the low scale of crafts production as the primary obstacle. Instead, the author emphasizes regulatory challenges and that larger companies typically have the advantage when competing with small crafts businesses. The scale issue is not the central concern.

Option C:  Although the author discusses the challenge of retraining workers from sectors like truck driving to work in crafts, it’s framed more as a question of feasibility rather than a definitive reason why crafts cannot create jobs. The passage doesn’t argue that workers wouldn’t want to pursue crafts-related work, just that retraining them for these roles might be difficult.

Option D: The passage does mention that medieval craft guilds were monopolies and resisted new entrants, but it does not suggest that this issue affects modern crafts or is a current barrier to employment creation. The reference to medieval guilds highlights a historical example where rigid hierarchies and monopolistic practices stifled innovation and creativity. The passage suggests that craft workers can thrive in the modern era, but the challenge lies in how modern crafts are organized and their potential to scale up in a competitive market.

Option A is the correct answer. While the passage does discuss the premium for high-quality crafted goods and the contrast between mass production and craftsmanship, it does not explicitly mention support for "individual creations" as opposed to mass-produced goods. The focus is on quality and sustainability rather than explicitly advocating for individuality in products.

Option B: This is mentioned. The passage talks about consumers wanting to reduce environmental impact by supporting local workers or recycling goods, which reflects growing concerns over mass production.

Option C: This is mentioned. The passage describes a market of consumers who pay a premium for high-quality, hand-crafted goods.

Option D: This is mentioned. The passage highlights a market where consumers buy from local workers to support the community and reduce environmental impact.

Option B is the correct answer. The paragraph highlights that animals share many emotions with humans, such as joy, happiness, empathy, and grief, because of shared brain structures, particularly in the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions in both humans and animals. This is the key point that ties together the intelligence and emotional capacity of animals as discussed in the passage.

Option A: The passage highlights that animals share similar brain structures (the limbic system) with humans, which explains their emotional experiences. It does not attribute emotions to sensory and motor abilities. The emphasis is on brain structures, not sensory abilities.

Option C: While the passage states that animals share emotions with humans, this option fails to capture the reason behind this—shared brain structures. It misses the point that makes the emotional similarity possible, which is central to the passage's message.

Option D: The passage does mention animals' sensory abilities, but it does not make a point about their intelligence being superior to humans. The primary focus is on emotional similarities due to shared brain structures, not on sensory or intellectual abilities.

Option C is the correct answer. This aligns with the passage, which describes homo economicus as assuming people have “preferences” that determine their choices. The example of deciding whether to spend limited money on food or warmth illustrates this rational decision-making based on individual preferences.

Option A: The passage does not suggest that 'homo economicus' is unaffected by others’ preferences. It only states that this model assumes people have their own interests (“preferences”) that determine their actions, such as buying lunch when hungry or a sweater when cold.

Option B: The passage explicitly states that economists like Gary Becker, associated with the homo economicus model, did not borrow or collaborate with other disciplines. Thus, the idea of borrowing and collaborating with other disciplines is inconsistent with the characteristics of homo economicus as described in the passage.

Option D: The passage mentions applying economic reasoning to nonmarket domains but does not tie this specifically to homo economicus.

Option A is the correct answer. The given reflects a shift in economics from being insular and self-assured to being more open to interdisciplinary borrowing. The author describes earlier economists, like Gary Becker, as imperialistic and unwilling to incorporate ideas from other disciplines. In contrast, contemporary economists like Thomas Piketty and behavioural economists are portrayed as reaching out and collaborating. The tone of “almighty discipline” suggests mild sarcasm regarding economics' earlier dominance and self-containment.

Option B: While the passage mentions that economists are now collaborating with other disciplines, it does not suggest this is due to their inability to predict market behaviour. The focus is on how the discipline has shifted over time, not on specific predictive failures.

Option C: The author does not criticize economic tools for managing crises or claims that economics as a discipline has fallen. The passage highlights a transformation toward openness, not a downfall.

Option D: The author is not critical of economists collaborating with other disciplines. Instead, the passage presents this shift as a positive change, contrasting it with the earlier insularity of the discipline.

Option C is the correct answer. The author critiques Schiller for focusing on the direct relationship between emotions, perceptions, and behaviour while excluding the mediating role of institutions such as political parties, media organizations, and lobby groups. The passage states that these institutions historically played a vital role in framing perceptions and legitimizing interests, which Schiller’s narrative leaves out.

Option A: The passage does not suggest that media and politics play a marginal role. Instead, it emphasizes that these institutions (including political parties and lobby groups) are key intermediaries in shaping perceptions and behaviour, which Schiller’s approach overlooks.

Option B: While the passage critiques Schiller’s approach for excluding institutions, it does not imply that he actively denigrates or diminishes their role. The issue lies in his omission of institutions, not in an overt critique of their importance.

Option D: The passage acknowledges that storytelling is part of Schiller’s approach but does not critique him for relying excessively on it. The critique is specifically about the exclusion of institutions, not the use of storytelling.

Option C is the correct answer. The first paragraph describes how Becker projected economics into non-market domains like crime and domesticity, analyzing them with economic tools. However, it also states that he did not borrow ideas or perspectives from fields such as anthropology or history. This option aligns directly with the passage.

Option A: The passage mentions that Becker applied economic principles to non-market phenomena like crime and domesticity, but it does not state or imply that he specifically benefitted from this.

Option B: The passage explicitly contradicts this idea, stating: “At the same time, he did not let other ways of thinking enter his own economic realm: for example, he did not borrow from anthropology or history.” Becker did not borrow from other disciplines, so this option is incorrect.

Option D: The passage does not state that Becker or other economists actively guarding economics against outside influence. Instead, it focuses on Becker’s one-sided application of economics to other areas, without incorporating external perspectives.

The sentence would best fit it B) Option 3.

Option 3 is the most logical position because it continues the description of Renaissance music’s characteristics. The passage discusses the nature of Renaissance music, describing its polyphonic texture and smooth rhythms. The missing sentence fits perfectly here, as it discusses how Renaissance music handles emotions in a balanced and moderate manner, aligning with the flow and tone of the preceding sentences.

The sentences around Option 1 and Option 2 discuss the historical context of English madrigals and their cultural significance, so adding the sentence there would disrupt the historical narrative.

We can observe that the only spot where the given sentence would fit is Blank 4. This sentence in question emphasises the broader, global significance of Central Asia's role; it reflects the idea that understanding the Silk Roads provides clarity on historical and global interconnectedness.

Since the given sentence shifts focus from describing the historical and cultural importance of the Silk Roads to their global implications, which is broader than the current discussion, placing it in any of Blanks 1, 2, or 3 interrupts the flow between the statements outlining certain features linked to the Silk Roads. For example, Blank 1 is a poor fit since the succeeding sentence mentions “These countries,” which refers to the “developing countries” mentioned in the sentence preceding the blank. Similarly, “They” in the sentence after Blank 2 refers to routes/Silk Roads described earlier. We can eliminate Blank 3 using a similar logic; the sentence after this blank establishes the metaphor of the Silk Roads as a central nervous system, emphasizing their global connectivity. The given sentence doesn’t align with the focus on the Silk Roads’ tangible impacts or the metaphorical depiction of their connectivity; therefore, placing it in Blank 3 would shift the focus prematurely to understanding their role globally.

Sentence 2 is the odd one out.

The sequence 5-3-4-1 forms a coherent paragraph.

Sentence 5 introduces the issue of the puzzling decline in public transport despite growing urban populations and employment.
Sentence 3, then explains some of the reasons for the decline, like worsening services, terrorist attacks, and rising fares.
Sentence 4 adds a structural explanation, stating that public transport is being squeezed as people travel less due to technology.
Sentence 1 provides more details about the alternatives to public transport, which are contributing to the decline in usage.

Sentence 2 talks about how more people using buses or trains improves the service, but this idea is not directly relevant to the overall discussion in the passage, which focuses on the decline of public transport usage. It shifts the focus toward an increase in usage improving services, which contradicts the central theme of decline.

Option A is the correct answer. The passage highlights how bandicoots contribute to the ecosystem by digging, which traps moisture and aids in seed germination. This activity helps restore the desert ecosystem damaged by cattle. Their role as "ecosystem engineers" stems from these positive environmental impacts.

Option B: Although efforts to preserve the bandicoot species are ongoing, the passage does not link their new nickname to these efforts. The name "ecosystem engineers" specifically reflects their environmental contributions rather than conservation measures.

Option C: While the passage mentions a population increase due to rainfall, the new nickname is unrelated to this growth. Instead, it is tied to their environmental engineering role.

Option D: This is a wrong interpretation because there is no mention in the passage of the bandicoots affecting rainfall. Their impact is on moisture retention and seed germination in the soil, not precipitation.

Option B is the correct answer. This is incorrect because the passage does not mention the bandicoots explicitly using camouflage as a survival technique. While their shelters may be camouflaged (hidden), the bandicoots themselves are not described as using camouflage directly. 

Option A: This is correct. The passage mentions their long, slender snouts and their digging behaviour where they create shallow shelters in the desert.

Option C: This is accurate. The nickname "zebra rat" comes from their appearance, and their slender snout and backward-facing pouch for carrying joeys are explicitly described in the passage.

Option D: This is also accurate and aligns with the passage, which describes these features as characteristics of the western barred bandicoot.

Option D is the correct answer. The exclosures are fenced areas cleared of invasive rabbits and feral cats, as described in the text. The term "exclosures" highlights the intentional exclusion of invasive species to create a safe environment for the bandicoots and other native animals.

Option A: While the passage mentions that the bandicoots' digging aids desert restoration, this does not explain the use of the term "exclosures."

Option B: The exclosures are cleared of feral cats, but the passage does not mention removing large bilbies, which are actually part of the controlled environment. This option misrepresents the purpose and activities of the exclosures.

Option C: The exclosures are not about making an area entirely predator-free for all species. Instead, the purpose is to create controlled environments where invasive species like rabbits and feral cats are removed. Predators are still present in the Wild Training Zone, where bandicoots and other marsupials learn to coexist and evade predators.

Option D is the correct answer. This accurately captures the main idea of the passage. It reflects the near-extinction of the western barred bandicoot due to invasive species and highlights the conservation efforts using survivors from Shark Bay islands.

Option A: This is not entirely true. The western barred bandicoot did not go extinct; instead, it survived in small numbers on two predator-free islands. This option incorrectly asserts total extinction and ignores the ongoing efforts to revive the species.

Option B: This is a distortion. While the colonists' negligence and the nicknames they gave reflect their disregard, the passage clearly attributes the near-extinction of bandicoots to ecological disruptions caused by invasive species, not merely the colonists' attitudes.

Option C: This generalizes the issue and does not focus specifically on the western barred bandicoot, the subject of the passage. Furthermore, it does not highlight the rescue efforts which are central to the passage.

Option A is the correct answer. The passage emphasizes that cartographers, influenced by societal and technological changes, now pay attention to the usability of maps due to the evolving expectations of map readers. The key point is that technological developments have made users more demanding, leading cartographers to focus on how efficient, effective, and appreciated their maps are.

Option B: While it is true that cartographers are more focused on usability, the passage does not mention specific experiments or evaluation methods.

Option C: This option suggests that maps are being used for a variety of reasons, which is not directly addressed in the passage. The focus of the passage is on the demanding nature of modern map readers but not on the variety of reasons for which maps are used.

Option D: While new technological developments are mentioned, the passage does not state that cartographers are experimenting with these innovations in their maps. It distorts the message by suggesting experimentation with technology, which is not directly stated in the passage.

Let’s evaluate each option:

Option 1: The given sentence works well as an introduction. It sets the stage by comparing the brain’s organization to familiar spaces like a home office or medicine cabinet. This analogy smoothly transitions into the next sentence about the brain's "haphazard and disjointed" architecture, making it a natural fit here.

Option 2: Inserting the sentence here would disrupt the flow. This part focuses on the brain's evolved systems and how evolution works. The analogy to home offices feels out of place and does not connect coherently with the subsequent sentences.

Option 3: This gap already includes a metaphor—the brain as "a big, old house with piecemeal renovations." Adding the sentence here would be redundant, as it repeats the idea of disorganization without adding new insight.

Option 4: This section discusses how evolution doesn’t design harmonious systems. The sentence about the brain’s organization doesn’t align well with this abstract explanation, making it feel disjointed and out of context.

Option 1 is the best fit as it introduces the idea clearly, aligns with the paragraph's theme, and transitions seamlessly into the discussion of the brain's complexity.

Option C is the correct answer. This option captures the main idea of the passage that some codes, like language and visual signs, are so commonly used that they appear natural and conceal the process of how they were created.

Option A: The passage does not specifically suggest that early learning is the reason for codes appearing natural. The cause and effect relationship is incorrectly stated here. The passage emphasizes how codes become naturalized through widespread use and habitual understanding, not necessarily by being learned early. 

Option B: This option misinterprets two key aspects of the passage. First, the idea that certain codes are "made to appear universal" is somewhat misleading because the passage doesn't claim that codes are deliberately made universal; instead, it describes how codes, through habituation and widespread use, come to feel "natural". Second, the phrase "Ideology aims to hide the mechanism of coding" is not supported by the passage. The passage suggests that the naturalization of codes leads to the illusion of transparency and naturalness, which conceals the mechanisms of coding—but it doesn't explicitly discuss ideology as an agent or force that intentionally hides these mechanisms

Option D: This option is incorrect because the passage doesn’t claim that all codes have a natural origin. It states that codes become naturalized through use, not that they were naturally originating from the start.

Sentence 1 is the odd sentence.

The correct sequence is 4-2-3-5.

Sentence 4 introduces the historical significance of Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation, which set the stage for the discussion of animal rights in contemporary philosophy.
Sentence 2 expands on Singer’s philosophy, explaining his utilitarian view and how it contrasts with other indirect moral views on animal rights.
Sentence 3 then explains the core of Singer’s argument, that animals, like humans, have significant interests and deserve moral consideration.
Sentence 5 concludes Singer's argument by stating that humans should treat animal interests equally to human interests, leading to moral duties towards animals.

Sentence 1 is the odd one out because it does not focus on Peter Singer's views on animal rights and the moral obligations humans have towards animals, which is the main theme of the paragraph.

Option B is the correct answer.  The passage argues that, despite the advances in digital distribution and storage of films (via streaming services or digital purchases), access to art is becoming more fragile. It highlights how content can disappear from platforms, how digital files deteriorate over time, and how rights agreements can limit access based on geographical location. The idea that technology and platform control lead to difficulties in maintaining access is a key theme, making Option B the best fit.

Option A: The passage does not advocate changing the understanding of art as immutable or easily available; rather, it focuses on the fragility of digital access and how streaming and digital platforms control availability.

Option C: This is an overstatement of the passage’s argument. While the passage briefly touches on the idea of retroactive changes to works like Stranger Things, it does not present these changes as inherently "dangerous." The focus is more on the issue of access and control over content in the digital age rather than on criticizing the creative process itself.

Option D: The passage does not argue for the free availability of art in the cultural commons in perpetuity. While it discusses the issue of access to content, it does not suggest that art should be available irrespective of payment. Instead, it highlights how access is controlled by platforms and technological challenges rather than making a broader ideological statement about cultural commons.

Option B is the correct answer. This option would invalidate the main argument because it directly addresses the issue raised in the passage, i.e., the lack of permanent access to digital content. The passage highlights concerns about the temporary and restricted nature of digital ownership. If studios and streaming services committed to providing perpetual and platform-independent access, it would resolve the problem of content being removed or restricted, making the author's argument about the instability of digital media irrelevant.

Option A: This option would not invalidate the argument because the passage mentions that Blu-ray discs have a theoretical shelf life but acknowledges that their durability depends on storage conditions and availability of playback equipment.

Option C: This option doesn't directly invalidate the argument either. While VPNs might help users bypass geo-restrictions, it doesn't address the broader issue of digital ownership and the fragility of digital rights, especially the fear of losing access to content due to different rights agreements. The passage focuses on the unreliability and restrictions of digital ownership, not just geographical access.

Option D: While this option touches on the potential for preserving digital content, it doesn't directly address the problem raised in the passage: the lack of permanent, independent access to content.

Option B is the correct answer. The passage contrasts the past and present by mentioning that, in the past, films were considered “as good as gone” once they left the cinema, meaning they were ephemeral and not readily accessible afterwards. Whereas, today's audience expects ongoing access to films well beyond their initial cinema run, thanks to technological advancements like streaming services and digital media. This shift in expectations is what the passage implies when referencing the previous era's ephemerality versus today's more lasting availability.

Option A: This is not the main point. While it may be true that people accepted films as temporary, the passage emphasizes today's expectations rather than discussing past acceptance.

Option C: The passage does not specifically mention technology improvements; it focuses more on audience expectations. It’s not about better preservation technology but the belief that films should now be available beyond just the cinema.

Option D: While the passage suggests that audiences may expect films to remain accessible, it does not claim there is no reason for studios to remove access. The point is that audiences expect continuous access, but the passage acknowledges that financial motives may lead to films being removed from platforms.

Option C is the correct answer. The passage highlights that the practice of streaming services, like Netflix, editing old episodes of Stranger Things retroactively raised concerns. The alteration of a popular show’s content without consent or transparency supports the concern that such platforms can tamper with or erase parts of culture at their discretion, rather than preserve them as they were originally created.

Option A: This option touches on a central theme of the passage (that streaming services control access to content), but it doesn't fully capture the specific concern raised by the example of Stranger Things editing. The example is more about how content is altered (not just removed or restricted), which is not directly about controlling access. Instead, it's about manipulating the content, which is different from simply restricting access.

Option B: The passage notes that reports about Netflix editing Stranger Things were "since denied by the show’s creators," but this is not the main focus. The passage is more concerned with the possibility and practice of editing content on streaming platforms, not the specific issue of whether the reports are unsubstantiated.

Option D: The example of Stranger Things is not necessarily about changing films to suit new tastes or technology. Rather, it’s about the platform’s ability to alter existing content without transparency or input from the original creators. The issue is less about "art in the digital age" and more about trust and preservation, which is the focus of the passage.