CAT 2025 Lesson : Inference - Elimination

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows:

One arguably legitimate criticism of the Endangered Species Act is that trying to save every creature is both unrealistic and inefficient. Because the act requires that we help all species at risk of extinction, agencies end up spending vital resources on less-important species, rather than concentrating on the most critical ones. Assigning value to species is a nearly impossible undertaking, because it involves a bewildering number of variables, including ecological importance, utility (coral reefs can act as breakwaters during coastal storms), the species’ place in our heritage, even its beauty or symbolism. Conservation has no formula for weighting these factors, either alone or in combination, and it’s hard to imagine one that people could agree on. How do we decide whether the wolf or the snow leopard is more valuable?

Which of the following would disprove the author's points?

(1) The best way to conserve endangered species is by increasing forest cover.
(2) Some species, if allowed to die out, would result in the increase in other species.
(3) Scientists in Australia have worked out an index to calculate the relative utility of each species.
(4) Many people are now keen to help out in saving species from extinction.

Solution

The author states that it is unrealistic and inefficient to try to save all species, as we do not have unlimited resources. The author feels that it is almost impossible to assign a value to different species, as there are multiple factors to take into consideration, such as ecological importance, utility, the species’ place in our heritage, even its beauty or symbolism.

Let us consider the options. If most species can be saved by increasing forest cover, then resources can be put into efforts around this. Therefore, this would invalidate the author's point.

Option (2) does not help us to save more species, as predators and prey are constant in nature.

Option (3) only talks about the utility of species, but the author states that there are multiple variables to take into account.

While many people can help to help save species, this would probably still not be enough to save all the endangered species.

Therefore, we can eliminate options (2), (3) and (4), and select option (1) as the correct choice.

Answer: (1) The best way to conserve endangered species is by increasing forest cover.

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows:

Economics, at its roots, is the study of incentives – how people get what they want, or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing. We all learn to respond to incentives, negative and positive, at the outset of life. If you touch the hot stove, you will burn your hand. If you get straight A's, you'll get a new bike. Economists love incentives. The typical economist believes that the world has not yet invented a problem that he cannot fix, if given a free hand to design the proper incentive scheme. The solution might not be pretty – it may involve coercion or penalties – but it will solve the original problem. An incentive is a bullet, a lever, a key – an often tiny object with an astonishing power to change a situation.

Which of the following cannot be inferred from the passage?

(1) We learn appropriate behaviour as kids, thanks to incentives.
(2) Incentives impact our behaviour as kids and as adults.
(3) Economists believe that they can solve all problems with incentives.
(4) Incentives help people get what they want.

Solution

This passage tells us that economics is all about incentives, with examples. Let us consider the options. Option (1) can be inferred, as the author has provided examples of kids learning to study (get straight A's) and avoid dangerous situations (touch the hot stove) because of incentives.

Option (2) can also be inferred from the passage. We have already established that incentives impact kids' behaviour. Similarly, we have learnt that economists feel that they can impact people's behaviour with incentives (The typical economist believes that the world has not yet invented a problem that he cannot fix, if given a free hand to design the proper incentive scheme). This helps us infer that adults also respond to incentives.

Option (3) is also true based on this passage (The typical economist believes that the world has not yet invented a problem that he cannot fix, if given a free hand to design the proper incentive scheme).

Option (4), on the other hand, is incorrect – the author describes incentives as the reason for people to compete for what they want or need – it is not the means. Therefore, incentives simply motivate people (not help people) to try to get what they want. They would not help you to get them.

Therefore, option (4) cannot be inferred from the passage.

Answer: (4) Incentives help people get what they want.