CAT 2025 Lesson : Inference - Introduction

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.
[XAT 2021]

The painting, which is in poor condition, suggests that a highly advanced artistic culture existed some 44,000 years ago, punctuated by folklore, religious myths and spiritual belief. The scene may be regarded not only as the earliest dated figurative art in the world but also as the oldest evidence for the communication of a narrative in Palaeolithic art.

"This is noteworthy, given that the ability to invent fictional stories may have been the last and most crucial stage in the evolutionary history of human language and the development of modern-like patterns of cognition” researchers said.

Which of the following can be BEST concluded from the passage?

(1) The painting puts chronological context to the evolution of modern-like cognitive abilities.
(2) Palaeolithic people possessed advanced artistic culture, evidenced through paintings.
(3) Evolution of modern-day languages started with Palaeolithic era, evidenced through the painting.
(4) Advanced cognitive abilities of Palaeolithic people is substantiated by the painting.
(5) The painting timestamps the beginning of the evolution of modern-like cognitive abilities.

Solution

The author tells us about a painting made about 44000 years ago, which showcased humans' ability to communicate as well as imagine (inferred from folklore, religious myths...invent fictional stories). We also understand this ability to imagine, create and share stories is the last stage in the evolution of language and cognition.

Let us consider the options and see which can be concluded.

Option (1) is correct, as the time of the painting helps us understand when humans evolved cognition.

Option (2) is not explaining the main point (developing cognition and language) , and hence, can be eliminated.

The researchers have stated that communicating imaginary takes was the last step in the evolution of language and cognition. Options (3) and (5) state that the evolution started with this, and therefore, both can be eliminated.

Option (4) is possibly correct (only the word advanced can be contested), but option (1) is preferable as it includes the aspect of time as well. Hence, it can be eliminated.

Thus, option (1) is the correct choice.

Answer: (1) The painting puts chronological context to the evolution of modern-like cognitive abilities.

Read the following statement:
[XAT 2018]

A manager seeks approval for conducting a training programme on 'openness'. He puts forward the following arguments in favour of the program to his CEO.

Which of the following arguments is the least likely to have a logical fallacy?

(1) We did a pilot training program with a group of employees. Post the program, one of the participants was open to new ideas.
(2) This program should be good for our organization since it is designed by a leading consultant.
(3) Internal studies conducted across groups and locations showed that 'openness' increases innovation.
($4$) We have only two options; we can either train our employees on 'openness' or suffer the consequences.
(5) If you really care about the organization, you should approve this training program.

Solution

The manager wants employees to be trained for openness. We have to eliminate options with any logical and select a logically sound option. Therefore, we should find options which have benefits of openness.

Option (1) is not a strong argument, as the program does not seem quite effective – only one participant was open after the training. Therefore, we can eliminate this option.

Option (2) is positive, adding credibility to the program. Let us see if there is a better option, otherwise we can select this one.

Option (3) is a logical argument, as it explains the benefits of openness, and are specifically related to this company (internal studies). So far, this is the strongest argument.

Option (4) is quite illogical – it has no arguments for openness, and it is unlikely that a manager will speak to the CEO so strongly. Therefore, we can eliminate this option.

Option (5) is also simply using emotion, with no proof or logic, and can be eliminated.

Therefore, option (3) is the correct choice.

Answer: (3) Internal studies conducted across groups and locations showed that 'openness' increases innovation.

The question below has a set of sequentially ordered questions. Each statement can be classified as one of the following:

A. Facts, which deal with pieces of information that one has heard, seen or read, and which are open to discovery or verification (the answer option indicates such a statement with F)
B. Inferences, which are conclusions drawn about the unknown, on the basis of the known (the answer option indicates such a statement with I)
C. Judgements, which are opinions that imply approval or disapproval of persons, objects, situations and occurrences in the past, the present or the future (the answer option indicates such a statement with J)

Select the answer option that best describes the set of statements:
[CAT 2006]
1. Given the poor quality of service in the public sector, the HIV/AIDS affected should be switching to private initiatives that supply anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) at a low cost.

2. The government has been supplying free drugs since $2004$, and $35000$ have benefited up to now, though the size of the affected population is $150$ times this number.

3. The recent initiatives of networks and companies like AIDS Care Network, Encure, Reliance-Cipla-CII, would lead to availability of much-needed drugs to a larger number of affected people.

4. But how ironic is it that we should face a perennial shortage of drugs when India is one of the largest suppliers of generic drugs to the developing world.

(1) JFIJ     (2) JIIJ    (3) IFIJ    (4) IFFJ     (5) JFII

Solution:

We must read the statements given and identify whether they are facts, inferences or judgements. Let us consider the first statement.

In the first statement, the writer has an opinion about what the HIV/AIDS affected people should do – therefore, this is a judgement (J).

The second statement is a fact which can be verified and proved or disproved (that the government is supplying free drugs since 2004). Therefore, it is a fact (F). In the third statement, the author takes a known fact (about the recent initiatives of networks and companies) and uses it to draw a conclusion for the affected people. Therefore, it is an inference.

The last statement is the writer's judgment that a fact is ironic – therefore, it is a judgement (J)

The correct option is (1) – JFIJ.

Answer: (1) JFIJ