Clasificación arancelaria

This question requires you to supply a conclusion to the passage or identify a statement that would logically conclude the passage.

The common stems are:

Ø Which of the following most logically conclude the last paragraph of the passage?

Ø Which of the following is an appropriate statement to begin the paragraph that immediately follow the last

part of the passage?

Ø Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the passage? Now let’s answer such a question:

PASSAGE

Medieval alchemists found in the end that they could not create gold. Modern geochemists have a similar problem. They find it hard to understand how natural gold deposits form. There is much hand waving about gold-rich fluids from deep in the earth and chemical precipitation, but the physics does not add up. The answer may be that what is happening is not geo-chemical at all, but biochemical. And a casual experiment by a bacteriologist may hold the key.

Derek Lovley, of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, has been studying metal-eating bacteria for two decades. These bacteria make their living by converting (or reducing) the dissolved ions of metallic elements from one electrical state to another. This reduction releases energy, which the bacteria extract for their own purposes. Unsurprisingly, such bacteria tend to prefer common metals such as iron and manganese for lunch, though some species are able to subsist on such exotica as uranium. A few months ago, though, as a bit of a lark, Dr. Lovley decided to put some of his bacteria into a solution of gold chloride. He was fully prepared for nothing to happen, as gold compounds are generally toxic to bacteria. Instead, the test tube containing the solution turned a beautiful shade of purple, the colour of metallic gold when it is dispersed very finely in water.

Bacteria are already known to be involved in the formation of an iron ore called limonite, and Dr. Lovley has argued that they are also involved in the creation of certain ores of uranium.

His jokey experiment, reported in the July issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, opens up the possibility that gold deposits, too, may have a bacterial origin.

1. Which of the following statements most logically conclude the last paragraph of the passage?

A. Microbes can act as agents that concentrates gold from sources such as volcanic springs into a form that people can mine.

B. Gold deposits have a bacterial origin and these bacteria can create ores.

C. All ores of common metals are formed by bacterial action over a long period of time.

D. The experiments conducted by Lovely et al do not arrive at any conclusive evidences about the action of bacteria in fossil formation.

E. Most bacteria prefer to feed on iron and manganese rather than on uranium.

Analysis of the question:

The question requires you to draw a conclusion from the last part of the passage. Your answer should logically follow the last statements of the passage.

The answer is A. It logically follows the last few statements. Choice (B) is what is already given in the preceding paragraph. Choice (C) is beyond the scope of the passage.

Choice (D) contradicts and underestimates the experiments reported in the passage. Choice (E) is a repetition of the data given in the passage.

IX. ATTITUDE / TONE QUESTIONS

These questions ask about the language of a passage and about the ideas that may be expressed through the language. You may be asked to deduce the author’s attitude towards an idea, a fact, or a situation from the words he or she uses to describe it. You may also be asked to select a word that precisely describes the tone of the passage. Based on the tone of the passage, you’ll be able to answer other question types such as – what audience the passage was intended for, what type of publication it probably appeared in.

Common question stems:

Ø In discussing………. the author’s tone is

Ø Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude toward...

Ø The passage suggests that the attitude of Victorian writers to literary critics was most probably one of... Ø The author regards the idea that all creative activity transcends limits with...

Ø The author’s treatment of the subject matter of the passage can best be described as... ANSWERING STRATEGY

In order to answer attitude/tone/style questions you should scan the reading text carefully. Every passage should be read for two aspects:

Ø the matter of the passage, and Ø the author’s view

the author’s statements expressing his approval / disapproval of ideas, incidents etc, may be embedded in the run-on matter. You should be able to differentiate such emotional content from factual content. You may be asked to recognize the attitude of the author toward or his style of writing of content as a whole or to specific situations or facts.

For attitude questions, the answer is most likely the synonym of a word that expresses attitude or one word for a group of words.

Let’s answer a question on attitude:

PASSAGE-1

Three historiographical considerations played an important role in my decision to write a history of Black women in the United States. First, I was persuaded that Black people and White people in the United States clearly represent two different cultures, with different traditions and often times diametrically opposed past experiences. The same may hold true for the two sexes, whose roles, history and contributions seem on close examination to be almost different enough to constitute different cultures. Of course, all groups share in the common history. I do not believe that recognizing the existence of large cultural subdivisions means succumbing to separatism, cultural nationalism, and a narrow particularistic vision. There is a place for universalistic interpretations of that, which is common to all humanity, and there is a place for that which is particular to one special entity. We accept that there are both a world history and a history of France or of India, histories that are not the same, but that fit into similar categories. Our historical perceptions can only be enriched by accepting the fact that, since sex and race are frequently used (however unfairly) to assign certain roles and statuses to people, these people have had different-historical experiences from those of the dominant group.

Second, I became convinced that standard histories of the United States have tended to overlook the contributions and viewpoints of Black Americans and women. I hope and expect that the present generation of United States historians will rectify this mistake, recognizing that women and Blacks were there and that their special contributions to the building and shaping of American society were different from those of White men. In the meantime, a separate history of Black women is needed.

Finally, I had to consider the role that a White historian can legitimately play in the writing of Black history. Certainly, historians who are members of the culture about which they write will bring a special quality to their material. Their understandings are apt to be different from those of an outsider. But scholars from outside a culture have frequently had a view that contrasts with the view of those closely involved in and bound by their own culture. These angles of vision are complementary in arriving at an accurate picture of the past. The interpretation of the Black past made by Blacks will probably be somewhat different from that made by Whites. This does not mean that Black history can or should be interpreted only by Blacks. It should be interpreted by both groups, so that, in the juxtaposition of different interpretations, in debate, and in the clash of opinions, a richer and fuller and more solidly based history will emerge.

7. In discussing the likelihood that “the present generation of United States historians will rectify this mistake” (para 2), the author’s tone is

A. arrogant B. sentimental C. optimistic D. ironic E. apologetic

Analysis of the question:

This question is specific to a situation. In para 2 the author expresses optimism (choice B). The statement in the passage is ‘I hope and expect’ that the present generation of historians will rectify this mistake.

PASSAGE - 2

The behavioral school of psychologists believe that all learning is responses to stimuli. And that all learning should be assessed through definable responses. For behaviorists the concept of ‘size’ among children for example, is assessed by cuing the child to respond to questions pertaining to size; if a child is unable to respond to the stimulus, the child is assessed as not having developed the concept of size.

However, for Piaget, this is a ‘mechanical’ view of the behaviorists. The concept of ‘size’, among children, Piaget says, is one dimension of an array of interrelated images (mental images) : Covert responses can be expressed only with the image of all other concepts, say, length, height, weight etc. All these contribute toward a child’s response to say, the expression of size. Difficulties arise only if a child is unable to express a concept through a response to a single stimulus without the other changes. In such a case, Piaget argues, that any dimension of concept formation can be assessed by providing clues on other related dimensions, in order to make the child respond covertly to achieve the fundamental requirement of assessment through response to stimulus, even if one has to present tangible examples of other conceptual dimensions.

8. The author’s treatment of the subject matter can best be described as

A. a biased exposition B. an ambivalent rebuttal

C. a dispassionate presentation D. an enthusiastic endorsement E. a hypothetical proposal

Analysis of the question:

The question asks you to describe the author’s treatment of the topic.

You must have gathered that the author presents Behaviourists’ assumptions and Piaget’s counter proposal to those assumptions. The author merely presents two opposing points of view, and refrains from making any judgment. Thus it is an objective (dispassionate) presentation.

Here are some of the oft-used attitude words.

Objective : (dispassionate/ disinterested presentation)

assessment The author reacts to a piece of work not influenced by personal feelings or prejudice. Assessing a piece of work based on its own inherent reality than by the evaluators whims and fancies. Judgment done through the intrinsic criteria of the work itself. Biased : (subjective/ prejudiced) An author’s opinion or feeling that strongly

interpretation favours one side of an argument, sometimes unfairly.

Skepticism : This would imply criticism, doubt or questioning the logic of an argument. This expresses the author’s disagreement with a hypothesis, idea, proposition, finding of a study and the like.

Pointed : Sharp criticism/ unrelenting criticism; the author disagrees with an idea disagreement completely. There will be explicit statements in the passage denoting this. Qualified : Limited/ modified/ restricted endorsement. Here the author is quite

admiration specific in his approval; he admires the person/idea discussed for certain qualities and may be critical of certain other aspects.

Grudging : This is characterized by an unwillingness from the part of the author respect/approval to concede completely to the idea; he expresses his opinion reluctantly.

Optimism / hope : The author would express hope and expectation in say, solving a problem, implementing a recommendation.

Enthusiastic : The author wholeheartedly approves of the idea and/ or supports the endorsement findings, recommendations or propositions.

Eulogy : Extreme praise for the author being reviewed or person or idea under discussion. Satirical : The author expresses scorn/ridicule/ derision; he laughs at the matter under discussion. Ironical : The author uses words to convey the opposite meaning of what he expresses. One thing

is said and its opposite is implied. X. SOURCE OF THE PASSAGE

An occasional question in which you have to infer from the nature of the content matter, the source of the passage or publication it probably appeared in. A tricky question, no doubt. However, an intelligent reader, one who is familiar with varied texts will not find it difficult to crack. Given the research based background of most of the passages, the subtle differences as their sources add to the difficulty.

The questions stems are:

Ø The passage most likely appeared as...

Ø By its nature and content it can be inferred that the passage was most probably part of... Ø The passage is most probably drawn from, which of the following sources?

ANSWERING STRATEGY

Is it possible for us to infer the source from which the passage is drawn? Of course, yes. The following passage and the question will elucidate this.

Let’s look at a question:

PASSAGE - 1

Three historiographical considerations played an important role in my decision to write a history of Black women in the United States. First, I was persuaded that Black people and White people in the United States clearly represent two different cultures, with different traditions and often times diametrically opposed past experiences. The same may hold true for the two sexes, whose roles, history and contributions seem on close examination to be almost different enough to constitute different cultures. Of course, all groups share in the common history. I do not believe that recognizing the existence of large cultural subdivisions means succumbing to separatism, cultural nationalism, and a narrow particularistic vision. There is a place for universalistic interpretations of that, which is common to all humanity, and there is a place for that which is particular to one special entity. We accept that there are both a world history and a history of France or of India, histories that are not the same, but that fit into similar categories. Our historical perceptions can only be enriched by accepting the fact that, since sex and race are frequently used (however unfairly) to assign certain roles and statuses to people, these people have had different historical experiences from those of the dominant group.

Second, I became convinced that standard histories of the United States have tended to overlook the contributions and viewpoints of Black Americans and women. I hope and expect that the present generation of United States historians will rectify this mistake, recognizing that women and Blacks were there and that their special contributions to the building and shaping of American society were different from those of White men. In the meantime, a separate history of Black women is needed.

Finally, I had to consider the role that a White historian can legitimately play in the writing of Black history. Certainly, historians who are members of the culture about which they write will bring a special quality to their material. Their understandings are apt to be different from those of an outsider. But scholars from outside a culture have frequently had a view that contrasts with the view of those closely involved in and bound by their own culture. These angles of vision are complementary in arriving at an accurate picture of the past. The interpretation of the Black past made by Blacks will probably be somewhat different from that made by Whites. This does not mean that Black history can or should be interpreted only by Blacks. It should be interpreted by both groups, so that, in the juxtaposition of different interpretations, in debate, and in the clash of opinions, a richer and fuller and more solidly based history will emerge.

1. The passage most likely appeared as A. part of the preface to a scholarly book.

B. a rebuttal to a previously published scholarly article. C. part of a book review in a scholarly journal.

D. a condensed version of an article in a scholarly journal E. a complete entry in a encyclopedia of the social sciences.

Analysis of the question:

You observe that the author begins with an admission of the three reasons (bases) why she is writing this book. And the subsequent paragraphs discuss each of these three reasons in detail.

You can infer from this that the article is the ‘author’s own’. And most plausibly the reasons for writing a book are given in the preface (introduction) to a book (preface is always written by the author himself presenting his aim of writing the book).

Therefore the answer is A.

B. A rebuttal (prove something as false) should be done somebody other than the author; therefore first person references (I, me myself) is not part of it.

C. A book review is done by somebody other than the author; therefore third person references (he, him) should be part of it.

D. An article is usually on topic; an article is unlikely to be on the authors reasons for writing a book. E. An encyclopedic entry has only factual information, definitions that are proven scientifically. Here’re some of the common specific sources that you see in the choices of such questions.

1. Foreword: A short introduction to a book, printed in the beginning and usually written by a person other than the author.

How to spot it:

Ø Second person reference (he/they); ‘they’ in case there is a co-author. Ø There won’t be any negative comments.

2. Preface: As mentioned earlier, written by the author stating his aim. You will see first person reference (I/me) and not third person reference (he/she)

3. Book review: Written by a person other than the author; denotes judgment of the book. Ø could’ve approval / criticism / admiration etc.

Ø third person reference

Ø title of the book mentioned (usually)

4. An article in a science journal: Mostly research reports; research analysis, hypothesis, newly proposed theory.

Ø discussion of research done by different scientists, deals with one of the pure sciences. Ø can be written by the researchers themselves, or by other experts.

5. Excerpts / Extracts from a book on …: A passage from a book. (Fiction or non-fiction).

Ø either first person or second person reference is possible; therefore the choice would contain ‘excerpt from what’. Going by the source of the excerpt you’ will be able to choose the choice.

6. Synopsis / Abstract of a research report: Summary of a research report will contain the hypotheses of the study, sample, analysis and findings (sometimes scope / field application also)

7. Compendium: An article that discusses many items of information.

8. A newspaper article: Reference to contemporariness; mostly social/political issues; current affairs / or responses to other articles.

9. An article from a social science / art journal: New policy debates / socio- political issues, new findings in historical research, evaluation of art/ painting /films / contributions of personalities / economic reforms. 10. Part of an essay: Points of view around on topic / issue; do not contain judgment of research / book.

COMPREHENSION TESTS

In the following pages, you are provided with reading material for extensive practice. In each of the Tests you are presented with passages from the sources mentioned in the beginning of the reading section. The questions simulate CAT standard of difficulty and variety of questions discussed in the previous section. However, some passages are longer than the actual test passages. The objective is to expose you to possible expected changes in the CAT. Do one Test at a time and evaluate your performance. Closely watch your performance. If the performance in the abstract passages is not satisfactory, do remedial reading. Examine the type of questions you tend to make mistakes; review the strategies for those question types for which that errors persist.

READING

COMPREHENSION