CAT 2025 Lesson : Inference - Direct questions

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows:
[XAT 2019]

Empirical observation told us years ago that goats were slowly becoming the new dog, and according to a new study, they are truly qualified to be man’s best friend. The Royal Society released heart-warming research showing that just like humans, goats have no desire to interact with people who come off as angry or upset, and that they’re much more attracted to those with big smiles plastered across their faces. When 12 males and 8 females were released into a pen decorated with images of happy and angry humans, the scientists learned that goats can “distinguish between happy and angry images of the same person,” and in general, they prefer their humans to be happy.

Which of the following statements is definitely true according to the passage?

(1) When they look at a smiling person, the goats are happy.
(2) When they look at a straight-faced person, goats remain passive.
(3) When they look at a frowning person, goats are afraid of him.
(4) When they look at a frowning person, the goats are sad.
(5) When they look at a smiling person, goats run towards him.

Solution

The author tells us that goats are becoming like dogs, attracted to happy people and not angry ones. Based on this, we can definitely state that option (1) is true.

We cannot infer option (2), as we have not been told of goats' reaction to straight-faced people (meaning impassive people who are not showing any emotion).

We cannot infer goats' reactions to a frowning person – they may be afraid or sad, neither is specified. Thus, we can eliminate options (3) and (4).

Goats prefer happy people, but may not come running towards them. Hence, we can eliminate option (5).

Answer: (1) When they look at a smiling person, the goats are happy.

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows:

In A Theory Of Justice, John Rawls advances two fundamental principles as being constitutive of any reasonable interpretation of justice as fairness. Rawls’ first principle of justice demands that each person is to have an equal right to the most widespread liberty compatible with a like liberty for all. The second principle — the celebrated Difference Principle — emphasizes the primacy of maximizing the advantage (in terms of an index of primary goods) of the worst-off person: specifically, “social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both (a) to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged and (b) attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity”. In this perspective then, equality and liberty are the cornerstones of any foundational conception of justice, or more generally, of any inclusive view of political morality..

John Rawls would agree with all the following statements except:

(1) Fairness is fundamental for justice.
(2) Everyone should have equal opportunities.
(3)Everyone should be treated equally..
(4) Fairness means trying to equalise advantages for everyone.

Solution

he author tells us that Rawls recommends two principles – widespread liberty and the Difference Principle. The Difference Principle means that the greatest social and economic benefits should be towards the least advantaged, and there should be equal opportunities.

Let us consider the options. Rawls would agree with the first option, as Rawls describes justice as fairness.. Rawls would also agree with the second statement, as we can infer from the statement offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity...

Rawls would not agree with option (3), as he believes in maximizing the advantage of the worst-off person such that social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged..

Rawls would agree with option (4), as we have just inferred that he wants to equalise social and economic opportunities. Therefore, option (3) is the correct choice.

Answer: (3)Everyone should be treated equally.

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows:

It is ‘sacred drama’, a wise observer said of the United Nations as the world came to New York in all its varied glory for the UN General Assembly. Role-playing goes with the territory. But what happens when the stage itself starts to shift? Actors must enter and exit at their own peril.

What is the difficulty that has cropped up in the UN General Assembly of late?

(1) Acting is a constant feature, but sometimes the stage itself changes.
(2) Some of the UN General Assembly members are changing the game itself.
(3) The UN General Assembly has always had acting and role-playing.
(4) The UN stage is shifting, and some of the actors are getting caught off-guard.

Solution

he author tells us that role-playing is common in the UN General Assembly (goes with the territory means that it is normal and accepted), but now the stage itself is changing – this is encapsulated in option (2). Option (4) also mentions a part of this, but option (2) captures the sentiment much better.

Option (1) can be eliminated, as it does not mention the UN. Option (3) does not talk about the changes.

Answer: (2) Some of the UN General Assembly members are changing the game itself.