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CAT 2025 Lesson : Summary - Paragraph Context
4. Paragraph Context
The context of the paragraph tells us what the paragraph is all about. Here we are looking for the topic, not the information. Please read the examples below to understand better.For instance,
Life at The Burrow was as different as possible from life in Privet Drive. The Dursleys' liked everything neat and ordered; the Weasleys’ house burst with the strange and unexpected. Harry got a shock the first time he looked in the mirror over the kitchen mantelpiece and it shouted, ‘Tuck your shirt in, scruffy!’ The ghoul in the attic howled and dropped pipes whenever he felt things were getting too quiet, and small explosions from Fred and George’s bedroom were considered perfectly normal. What Harry found most unusual about life at Ron’s, however, wasn’t the talking mirror or the clanking ghoul: it was the fact that everybody there seemed to like him.
The context is clear from the first sentence – this paragraph is comparing and contrasting the differences between The Burrow and the Dursleys' home in Privet Drive. The paragraph culminates with the major difference.
Parts to avoid while identifying the context – the exact differences
For instance,
According to the “official” Wikipedia chronicle, rumours about an Apple Car first appeared in 2014. Since then, like a flu virus, the rumour mutates and re-emerges every season. The most recent strain says that Hyundai/Kia will be the manufacturing partner with prototypes appearing in 2022 — or maybe 2024 — with production models by 2026 or 2028. We know that there’s large-scale development work on one or more car projects inside Apple Park and other Valley locations, that the company is hiring experts from Tesla and other auto industry leaders. So much time and money invested can only mean one thing: There will be an Apple Car some day!
This paragraph is describing rumours about Apple conceptualising or building a car someday. The context is clear from the first two sentences.
Parts to avoid while identifying the context – the actual rumours
For instance,
There is one part of Lagos, Nigeria, that has extensive experience of dealing with high water. Much of the Makoko neighbourhood is not built on land, but rather sits on stilts above the waterline. Makoko, known as the "Venice of Africa", is a labyrinthine slum built on stilts and navigated by canoe. The slum has little access to electricity or clean sanitation, but it has also been home to innovations like the Makoko Floating School, a structure resting on recycled empty plastic barrels for buoyancy. The school's pyramid shape helped lower its centre of gravity and so increase its stability, while also being an ideal roof shape for shedding heavy rains.
This paragraph is about Makako, which successfully manages despite being built over water. The context is clear from the first sentence, and the remaining sentences explain this sentence.
Parts to avoid while identifying the context – Makako's informal name
For instance,
Rosling was a Swedish physician and statistician whose last book, Fact-fullness, is replete with data that presents the world in a very different light from what most of us believe to be true. As bleak as things might seem today, humanity as a whole, he argues, has done rather well for itself. For instance, in 1800, forced labour was legal and actively practised by 193 countries around the world. By 2017, when the book came out, all but three countries had entirely outlawed the practice. Women were allowed to vote in just one country in the world in 1893, but by 2017, women could vote in 193 countries. At the start of the Industrial Revolution in the early 1800s, only 10% of adults had basic reading and writing skills—and by 2016, over 86% of people above the age of 15 could read and write.
This paragraph is about Rosling's arguments that humans are doing better than earlier times. Note that the context starts becoming clear in the first sentence (Rosling's arguments will be contrarian, or opposite to what people believe), but we need to read the rest of the paragraph to understand what this is about.
Parts to avoid while identifying the context – the name of Rosling's book, exact statistics, etc.
Understanding the context is important to select the correct option. When the examiners give the proper essence of the paragraph, the context will guide us towards the correct option.
Only one thing is more important than the context – incorrect or illogical information. Sometimes, the examiners will provide an option which captures most of the context and the key message, but includes a logical flaw or factual inaccuracy. In this case, we must reject the option and choose one which is 100% in line with the paragraph and the author's viewpoint.
Let us solve some examples to understand better.
Example 9
The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best summarises the author's position.
One cannot see the modern world as it is unless one recognizes the overwhelming strength of patriotism, national loyalty. In certain circumstances it can break down, at certain levels of civilization it does not exist, but as a positive force there is nothing to set beside it. Christianity and international Socialism are as weak as straw in comparison with it. Hitler and Mussolini rose to power in their own countries very largely because they could grasp this fact and their opponents could not.
(1) Hitler and Mussolini were able to understand the power of patriotism.
(2) As a positive powerful force, nothing beats patriotism in the modern world.
(3) Patriotism or nationalism is a hugely positive force.
(4) Hitler and Mussolini were able to harness the positive force of nationalism.
Option (2) is the only one which describes the power of patriotism, and also mentions that this is about the modern world.
Option (3) only calls is a positive force, skipping the power which is the key aspect discussed.
Options (1) and (4) tell us that understanding patriotism was the reason for Hitler and Mussolini's success. However, both are focussed on the example and hence are inadequate, as we would prefer a general option explaining patriotism/nationalism's power instead of the specific example.
Therefore, we can eliminate these options and choose option (2) as the correct choice.
Answer: (2) As a positive powerful force, nothing beats patriotism in the modern world.
One cannot see the modern world as it is unless one recognizes the overwhelming strength of patriotism, national loyalty. In certain circumstances it can break down, at certain levels of civilization it does not exist, but as a positive force there is nothing to set beside it. Christianity and international Socialism are as weak as straw in comparison with it. Hitler and Mussolini rose to power in their own countries very largely because they could grasp this fact and their opponents could not.
(1) Hitler and Mussolini were able to understand the power of patriotism.
(2) As a positive powerful force, nothing beats patriotism in the modern world.
(3) Patriotism or nationalism is a hugely positive force.
(4) Hitler and Mussolini were able to harness the positive force of nationalism.
Solution
This passage tells us about the power of patriotism or nationalism. The author explains how this is much more powerful than other positive forces such as religious or socio-economic ones. The author provides examples of Hitler and Mussolini's success to further bolster the impact/power of patriotism. Note that patriotism and national loyalty are being considered as one and the same thing (we can infer this from the singular pronoun it being used).Option (2) is the only one which describes the power of patriotism, and also mentions that this is about the modern world.
Option (3) only calls is a positive force, skipping the power which is the key aspect discussed.
Options (1) and (4) tell us that understanding patriotism was the reason for Hitler and Mussolini's success. However, both are focussed on the example and hence are inadequate, as we would prefer a general option explaining patriotism/nationalism's power instead of the specific example.
Therefore, we can eliminate these options and choose option (2) as the correct choice.
Answer: (2) As a positive powerful force, nothing beats patriotism in the modern world.
Example 10
The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best summarises the author's position.
Driven by steeply falling prices and technological progress that allows batteries to store ever-larger amounts of energy, grid-scale systems are seeing record growth. Many of the gains are spillovers from the auto industry's race to build smaller, cheaper, and more powerful lithium-ion batteries for electric cars. Clean-energy mandates from governments and tax incentives are also playing an important role. The mass deployment of storage could overcome one of the biggest obstacles to renewable energy – cycling between oversupply when the sun shines or the wind blows, and shortage when the Sun sets or the wind drops. By smoothing imbalances between supply and demand, proponents say, batteries can replace fossil fuel "peaker" plants that kick in for a few hours a day when energy demands soar. As such, widespread energy storage could be key to expanding the reach of renewables and speeding the transition to a carbon-free power grid.
(1) Technologically advanced energy-grid systems are booming because of lower battery prices and government incentives.
(2) The auto industry is racing to create batteries which store more power to resolve cycles and gain tax incentives.
(3) Renewables are on the rise with low prices, 'peaker' plants and government incentives.
(4) Renewables are booming, but they must solve the problem of imbalanced cycles first.
Option (1) is the only one which mentions energy-grid systems – this option tells us about the growth in them, due to technological progress, lower battery prices and government incentives (the auto sector's initiatives are missed out, but it is one point only).
Option (2) is all about the auto sector's race to build batteries, and the intent is incorrect (auto companies are racing to build smaller, cheaper and more powerful batteries). Therefore, it can be eliminated.
Options (3) and (4) are speaking about renewable energy. Both options are not about the main context, i.e., the grid-scale systems. In addition, peaker plants are mentioned with respect to fossil fuels, not batteries.
Therefore, we can select option (1) as the correct choice.
Answer: (1) Technologically advanced energy-grid systems are booming because of lower battery prices and government incentives.
Driven by steeply falling prices and technological progress that allows batteries to store ever-larger amounts of energy, grid-scale systems are seeing record growth. Many of the gains are spillovers from the auto industry's race to build smaller, cheaper, and more powerful lithium-ion batteries for electric cars. Clean-energy mandates from governments and tax incentives are also playing an important role. The mass deployment of storage could overcome one of the biggest obstacles to renewable energy – cycling between oversupply when the sun shines or the wind blows, and shortage when the Sun sets or the wind drops. By smoothing imbalances between supply and demand, proponents say, batteries can replace fossil fuel "peaker" plants that kick in for a few hours a day when energy demands soar. As such, widespread energy storage could be key to expanding the reach of renewables and speeding the transition to a carbon-free power grid.
(1) Technologically advanced energy-grid systems are booming because of lower battery prices and government incentives.
(2) The auto industry is racing to create batteries which store more power to resolve cycles and gain tax incentives.
(3) Renewables are on the rise with low prices, 'peaker' plants and government incentives.
(4) Renewables are booming, but they must solve the problem of imbalanced cycles first.
Solution
We learn about the record growth of grid-scale systems in this paragraph. This is because of falling prices, technological progress, both of which allow larger energy storage in batteries. This is further increasing because of interest from the auto sector and governments. This is also streamlining the cyclicity in renewable energy (with presence or absence of the sun or wind).Option (1) is the only one which mentions energy-grid systems – this option tells us about the growth in them, due to technological progress, lower battery prices and government incentives (the auto sector's initiatives are missed out, but it is one point only).
Option (2) is all about the auto sector's race to build batteries, and the intent is incorrect (auto companies are racing to build smaller, cheaper and more powerful batteries). Therefore, it can be eliminated.
Options (3) and (4) are speaking about renewable energy. Both options are not about the main context, i.e., the grid-scale systems. In addition, peaker plants are mentioned with respect to fossil fuels, not batteries.
Therefore, we can select option (1) as the correct choice.
Answer: (1) Technologically advanced energy-grid systems are booming because of lower battery prices and government incentives.
Example 11
The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best summarises the author's position.
[CAT 2020]
Brown et al. (2001) suggest that ‘metabolic theory may provide a conceptual foundation for much of ecology just as genetic theory provides a foundation for much of evolutionary biology’. One of the successes of genetic theory is the diversity of theoretical approaches and models that have been developed and applied. A Web of Science (v. 5.9. Thomson Reuters) search on genetic* + theor* + evol* identifies more than 12000 publications between 2005 and 2012. Considering only the 10 most-cited papers within this 12000 publication set, genetic theory can be seen to focus on genome dynamics, phylogenetic inference, game theory and the regulation of gene expression. There is no one fundamental genetic equation, but rather a wide array of genetic models, ranging from simple to complex, with differing inputs and outputs, and divergent areas of application, loosely connected to each other through the shared conceptual foundation of heritable variation.
(1) Genetic theory has evolved to spawn a wide range of theoretical models and applications but Metabolic theory need not evolve in a similar manner in the field of ecology.
(2) Genetic theory has a wide range of theoretical approaches and applications and Metabolic theory must have the same in the field of ecology.
(3) Genetic theory provides an example of how a range of theoretical approaches and applications can make a theory successful.
(4) Genetic theory has a wide range of theoretical approaches and application and is foundational to evolutionary biology and Metabolic theory has the potential to do the same for ecology.
This is encapsulated in option (4).
Option (1) is factually incorrect – the author does not say that metabolic theory will not evolve in the same way. Therefore, it can be eliminated.
Option (2), on the other hand, assumes that metabolic theory must have a variety of applications, which is not mentioned either. The author has only stated that metabolic theory may provide a conceptual foundation for much of ecology just as genetic theory provides a foundation for much of evolutionary biology.
Option (3) does not mention metabolic theory, which is the primary context of the paragraph, and therefore, can be eliminated.
Thus, option (4) is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) Genetic theory has a wide range of theoretical approaches and application and is foundational to evolutionary biology and Metabolic theory has the potential to do the same for ecology.
[CAT 2020]
Brown et al. (2001) suggest that ‘metabolic theory may provide a conceptual foundation for much of ecology just as genetic theory provides a foundation for much of evolutionary biology’. One of the successes of genetic theory is the diversity of theoretical approaches and models that have been developed and applied. A Web of Science (v. 5.9. Thomson Reuters) search on genetic* + theor* + evol* identifies more than 12000 publications between 2005 and 2012. Considering only the 10 most-cited papers within this 12000 publication set, genetic theory can be seen to focus on genome dynamics, phylogenetic inference, game theory and the regulation of gene expression. There is no one fundamental genetic equation, but rather a wide array of genetic models, ranging from simple to complex, with differing inputs and outputs, and divergent areas of application, loosely connected to each other through the shared conceptual foundation of heritable variation.
(1) Genetic theory has evolved to spawn a wide range of theoretical models and applications but Metabolic theory need not evolve in a similar manner in the field of ecology.
(2) Genetic theory has a wide range of theoretical approaches and applications and Metabolic theory must have the same in the field of ecology.
(3) Genetic theory provides an example of how a range of theoretical approaches and applications can make a theory successful.
(4) Genetic theory has a wide range of theoretical approaches and application and is foundational to evolutionary biology and Metabolic theory has the potential to do the same for ecology.
Solution
In this paragraph, we learn that genetic theory provides a foundation for evolutionary biology. Similarly, metabolic theory might be the foundation for ecology. There have been many theories and models developed using genetic theory, and the author feels that this might be true for metabolic theory as well.This is encapsulated in option (4).
Option (1) is factually incorrect – the author does not say that metabolic theory will not evolve in the same way. Therefore, it can be eliminated.
Option (2), on the other hand, assumes that metabolic theory must have a variety of applications, which is not mentioned either. The author has only stated that metabolic theory may provide a conceptual foundation for much of ecology just as genetic theory provides a foundation for much of evolutionary biology.
Option (3) does not mention metabolic theory, which is the primary context of the paragraph, and therefore, can be eliminated.
Thus, option (4) is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) Genetic theory has a wide range of theoretical approaches and application and is foundational to evolutionary biology and Metabolic theory has the potential to do the same for ecology.
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