Para Summary MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Para Summary - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is: Contemporary scientific understanding asserts that birds are living dinosaurs, a reclassification based on extensive skeletal and genetic evidence revealing their direct evolutionary lineage from theropod dinosaurs, thereby challenging previous perceptions of dinosaurs as entirely extinct.

Key Points

• Explanation: This option accurately captures the central thesis of the passage: the reclassification of birds as living dinosaurs. It correctly identifies the extensive evidence (skeletal and genetic) that led to this understanding of their direct lineage from theropod dinosaurs, and highlights the consequence of this new understanding, which is challenging the traditional view of dinosaurs as entirely extinct. This summary is comprehensive and faithful to the passage's main points.

Additional Information

• The other options are incorrect because:
  • Archaeopteryx is a significant fossil that conclusively proves birds evolved from dinosaurs, representing a key link between ancient reptiles and modern avian species: While Archaeopteryx is mentioned as a "crucial transitional form," the passage states that the reclassification is based on "meticulous paleontological and genetic research" and "Key evidence," not solely on Archaeopteryx as conclusive proof, which makes this option too narrow.
  • The discovery of feathered dinosaurs and similarities in hip and wrist bones were the sole pieces of evidence that led scientists to reclassify birds as direct descendants of ancient reptilian species: This option uses the word "sole," which is incorrect. The passage clearly states "Key evidence... includes shared skeletal features... and the discovery of feathered dinosaurs. Furthermore, molecular phylogenetics has reinforced the deep evolutionary connection," indicating multiple lines of evidence.
  • Birds survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, unlike other dinosaurs, due to their unique adaptations like feathers and smaller size, allowing their lineage to continue into the modern era: This option describes a consequence or fact about bird evolution mentioned in the passage, but it is not the central essence of the passage, which is about the reclassification of birds as living dinosaurs and the evidence for that reclassification.

The correct answer is: The introduction of antidepressants in America, beginning with TCAs and MAOIs and culminating with SSRIs, dramatically reshaped mental health treatment by offering a pharmaceutical solution to depression, leading to their widespread prescription and a shift in public understanding of the condition.

Key Points

• Explanation: This option provides a comprehensive summary of the passage. It accurately traces the chronological development of antidepressants (TCAs/MAOIs followed by SSRIs), highlights their core impact (reshaping mental health treatment by offering a pharmaceutical solution), and notes the significant consequences (widespread prescription and altered public perception of depression as a biochemical imbalance). It captures the essence of the "profound transformation" discussed.

Additional Information

• The other options are incorrect because:
  • America's mental health care system transitioned from institutionalization and psychotherapy to a medication-centric approach due to the development of SSRIs like Prozac, which were safer and more effective than earlier antidepressants: This option is too narrow. While SSRIs were a paradigm shift, the passage states that the introduction of earlier antidepressants (TCAs and MAOIs) already offered a "novel pharmacological approach," initiating the shift, not just SSRIs. It also overstates "safer and more effective" as the sole reason for the transition, omitting aggressive marketing.
  • Early antidepressants like TCAs and MAOIs were revolutionary but faced challenges due to severe side effects, paving the way for SSRIs to become the most prescribed drugs in America's battle against mental illness: This option focuses too heavily on the transition between early and later drugs, rather than the overall profound transformation of mental health treatment as a whole, which is the main theme. It misses the shift in public perception.
  • The popularity of antidepressants in America reflects a problematic overreliance on pharmacological interventions, driven by pharmaceutical marketing and a reductionist view of depression as solely a biochemical imbalance: This option introduces a judgmental tone ("problematic overreliance") and specific critiques ("pharmaceutical marketing," "reductionist view") that, while mentioned, represent an interpretation or consequence rather than the core descriptive essence of the historical advent and impact of antidepressants presented in the passage. The passage aims to describe what happened and how things changed, not to critique it.

The correct answer is: 2) Nyctophobia is a natural developmental stage in children, stemming from the loss of visual sensory information in darkness, which their developing imagination fills with perceived threats.

Key Points

• Explanation: The passage explicitly identifies nyctophobia as a "common developmental stage." It attributes the core psychological mechanism to "darkness represents a loss of sensory information, primarily sight," which triggers an "innate survival mechanism." This void is then filled by the "developing imagination of a child" with "perceived dangers." The final sentence reinforces this by stating, "It is not the darkness itself, but the uncertainty and the lack of control associated with it, coupled with an active imagination, that primarily fuels a child's fear of the dark." Option 2 comprehensively captures all these essential elements.
• Why the other options are incorrect:
  • 1) Children's fear of the dark is primarily caused by their vivid imaginations creating imaginary monsters and frightening scenarios: While imagination plays a role, the passage states it's the loss of sensory information that triggers the fear, and imagination then amplifies it by filling the void. It's not primarily caused by imagination alone.
  • 3) The fear of the dark in children is largely learned from frightening stories and media, rather than being an innate response to darkness itself: The passage mentions that "exposure to frightening stories or media can contribute to these fears," but it explicitly states the core is an "innate survival mechanism" triggered by sensory deprivation. "Largely learned" contradicts the emphasis on innate response.
  • 4) Children fear the dark because they are afraid of being alone and losing control, reflecting their general anxiety about separation from caregivers: The passage states these anxieties ("being alone, losing control, or the absence of protective figures") are amplified by the sensory deprivation and imagination, but they are not presented as the primary cause stemming directly from the darkness itself. The core is the loss of visual information and the subsequent uncertainty.

The correct answer is: 3) Modern youth selectively engage with Marxist concepts, using them to analyze current economic disparities and systemic issues, rather than adopting its full revolutionary program.

Key Points

• Explanation: The passage highlights a "discernible resurgence of interest in Marxist thought" among the younger generation due to "widening wealth inequality, precarious employment, and perceived systemic injustices." It explicitly states that this engagement "often involves a selective adoption of concepts, focusing on aspects like alienation or exploitation, rather than a wholesale embrace of historical materialism or violent revolution." The essence is the selective use of Marxist frameworks for contemporary critique, not a full endorsement of its historical tenets.
• Why the other options are incorrect:
  • 1) Marxist ideologies, though outdated and historically problematic, are experiencing a limited revival among young people seeking a framework to critique modern capitalism: While partially true, it misses the crucial nuance that the engagement is selective and not a full embrace of the problematic parts. It also doesn't fully capture the reason for the revival (addressing current issues).
  • 2) Despite the historical failures of Marxist states, young people are fully embracing Marxist revolutionary ideas to address contemporary issues like wealth inequality: This is directly contradicted by the passage, which states the engagement is "selective" and not a "wholesale embrace of historical materialism or violent revolution."
  • 4) Marxist thought remains highly relevant for today's youth as it accurately predicted the global economic crises and the eventual downfall of capitalism: The passage does not claim that Marxist thought accurately predicted global economic crises or the downfall of capitalism. It states young people find a "vocabulary to articulate their discontent and analyze the structural flaws," implying a utility for analysis rather than prophetic accuracy.

The correct answer is: The British Empire's widespread influence stemmed from a synergistic interplay of its superior naval forces, transformative industrial innovations, and meticulously crafted economic strategies.

Key Points

• Explanation: The passage explicitly states that the expansion was "driven by a combination of naval supremacy, innovative industrial technology, and strategic economic policies." Option 3 perfectly synthesizes these three core elements, using strong, accurate descriptors ("superior naval forces," "transformative industrial innovations," "meticulously crafted economic strategies") and emphasizing their combined effect ("synergistic interplay"). This option is the most comprehensive and precise summary of the primary drivers mentioned.
• Why the other options are incorrect:
  • British imperial success was fundamentally rooted in its dominant naval power, which ensured control over global trade and military logistics: This option is partially correct but incomplete. While naval supremacy is indeed highlighted, the passage states the expansion was driven by a combination of factors, not "fundamentally rooted" in naval power alone. It omits the crucial roles of "innovative industrial technology" (which fueled economic strength and weaponry) and the broader "strategic economic policies" (like monopolies and administration) as distinct drivers.
  • Britain's extensive colonial reach was primarily a consequence of its advanced industrial capabilities and astute economic management: This option, like option 1, is incomplete. It correctly identifies industrial capabilities and economic management but completely omits "naval supremacy," which the passage lists as the first driver in the combination. The phrase "primarily a consequence" implies these two factors were overwhelmingly dominant, which is not what the passage states when it lists three equally important components of the "combination."
  • Global territorial acquisition by Britain was predominantly achieved through efficient resource extraction and robust administrative systems, bolstered by technological progress: This option focuses on the outcomes or means of maintaining control (resource extraction, administrative systems) and the support of technology ("bolstered by technological progress"), rather than the core drivers of the "unprecedented global expansion" as initially stated. While these elements are present in the passage, they are described as enabling "efficient governance and resource extraction" after the expansion was "driven by" the combination of naval, industrial, and strategic economic policies. It also omits naval supremacy as a primary driver.

The correct answer is 'Europe has chosen to lower political and economic heterogeneity, in order to adapt itself to an emerging multi-polar world.'

Key Points

• The given passage is about Europe that really worked hard to define its own identity and the passage is describing the journey it has been on to achieve that independence.
  • Option 2 gets eliminated as it means that the unification of Germany and the emergence of a multipolar world facilitated the establishment of a formal political structure in Europe. Instead, a formal political structure in Europe led to the unification of Germany and the emergence of a multipolar world.
  • Option 3 gets eliminated because in the passage it is given that Europe had changed its internal structure and invented new ways of thinking about the nature of international order in each century.
  • Option 4 gets eliminated as it fails to mention the main idea of the passage about Europe adapting to the multipolar world.
• The passage says that Europe restructured its internal structure and devised new forms of international order. To adapt to an emerging multi-polar world, it chose to reduce political and economic diversity by establishing a common currency in 2002 and a formal political structure in 2004.
• According to the given explanation, it can be understood that sentence 1 is the most appropriate summary for the paragraph.
• Therefore, option 1 is the correct answer. 

Additional Information

• Let's refer to some important words from the given passage:
  • declined: diminish in strength or quality; deteriorate.
  • multipolar: polarized in several ways or directions.
  • strove: make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
  • culmination: the highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long time.
  • obliged: make (someone) legally or morally bound to do something.
  • Impelled: drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something. 
  • cushion: something providing support or protection against impact.
  • unification: the process of being united or made into a whole. 

Concept:

We tend to think of cancer as a ‘modern’ illness because its metaphors are so modern. It is a disease of overproduction, of sudden growth, a growth that is unstoppable, tipped into the abyss of no control.
Modern cell biology encourages us to imagine the cell as a molecular machine. Cancer is that machine unable to quench its initial command (to grow) and thus transform into an indestructible, self-propelled automaton.
From the given information we can clearly see that modern cell biology uses figurative language, such as metaphors to describe modern illnesses like cancer.
Hence, the correct option is (D).

The correct answer is 'Biologists have questioned the long-standing view that ‘intelligence’ is a single entity and the attempts to estimate its heritability.'

Key Points

• The given passage is talking about the view of psychologists and biologists regarding intelligence. 
• Options 1 and 2 get eliminated. Despite the fact that these two options discuss biologists questioning conventional wisdom, they make no mention of heritability, which is an important element in the given passage.
• Although option 4 appears to mention both intelligence and heritability, it is referring to the methods of inheriting intelligence rather than attempts to estimate its heritability.
• It is a long-held belief in psychologists that 'intelligence' is a single entity, and it can be measured by estimating its heritability.
• This long-held belief is being questioned by biologists. They question whether the concept of “intelligence” as a single entity is meaningful, and they question the validity of measures used to estimate the heritability of a trait in humans.
• From the given explanation, it can be understood that statement 3 is the most appropriate summary for the given paragraph. 
• Therefore, option 3 is the correct answer. 

Additional Information

• Let's learn some important words from the given passage:
  • embraced: accept (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically.
  • eventually: in the end, especially after a long delay, dispute, or series of problems.
  • scrutinizing: examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.
  • conventional: based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed.
  • mounted: grow larger or more numerous.
  • coherent: (of an argument, theory, or policy) logical and consistent.
  • heritability: Heritability is a statistic used in the fields of breeding and genetics that estimates the degree of variation in a phenotypic trait in a population that is due to genetic variation between individuals in that population.
  • bred (breed): (of a person or animal) reared in a specified environment or way. 

The correct answer is 'Movies and televisions have led to the belief that the use of forensic phonetics in legal investigations is robust and fool proof.'

Key Points

• The given passage is talking about the reality behind the “science of voices.”
• In the passage, the author emphasizes that films and television shows have painted an unrealistic picture of the "science of voices." It means that they picturise something that is not possible or achievable in real life. In movies and tv shows, they show that it is possible to identify the criminal using his voice records. Whereas in real life such experiments have been futile and resulted in failures. 
• The author emphasizes that such sequences in movies or shows summarise a number of misconceptions about forensic phonetics that have resulted in errors in real-life justice.
• The word 'robust' means 'uncompromising and forceful' and the word 'foolproof' means 'incapable of going wrong or being misused.'
• From the given explanation, it can be understood that option 1 best summarizes the given paragraph.
• Therefore, option 1 is the correct answer. 

Additional Information

• Let's learn some important words related to the given passage:
  • robust: uncompromising and forceful.
  • foolproof: incapable of going wrong or being misused.
  • misimpressions: a faulty or incorrect impression.
  • phonetics: the study and classification of speech sounds.
  • exemplifies: be a typical example of.
  • phenomenon: a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question.

The passage discusses the evolution of societal expectations regarding perfectionism over time, contrasting the norms of the 1950s with those of today's attention economy:

• In the 1950s, perfectionism was about conforming to societal norms and mass culture ideals, portrayed through images like the ideal American family.
• Today, perfectionism involves standing out with unique style and wit to garner attention in the attention economy.

Now, let's evaluate the summaries:

1. Option 1: Incorrect

   • This option focuses on the desire to attract attention but doesn't capture the contrast between conformity and non-conformism discussed in the passage.

2. Option 2: Incorrect

   • While this option mentions the media's role in perpetuating ideals, it doesn't emphasize the evolution from conformity to non-conformism as central to the passage.

3. Option 3: Incorrect

   • This option touches on the tension caused by changing definitions of perfectionism but doesn't clearly contrast the conformity of the past with the non-conformism of the present.

4. Option 4: Correct

   • This option accurately summarizes the passage by highlighting the evolution of perfectionism from conformity in the 1950s to non-conformism today, where standing out is crucial in the attention economy. It encapsulates the essence of how societal expectations around perfectionism have changed over time.

Therefore, the correct summary that best captures the essence of the passage is Option 4: Though long-standing, the pressure to appear perfect and thereby attract attention, has evolved over time from one of conformism to one of non-conformism.

Solution :

There is a clear difference between the choices with respect to supraliminal and subliminal. The passage clearly tells us that Packard believed in supraliminal images, not subliminal. Thus 3 and 1 go out. We have to choose between 4 and 2.

Statement 2 says people are aware, while statement 4 says that people are not aware. The passage too says that people are not aware. Thus option 4 is the best choice.

This was a very simple question. 

Solution :

The passage broadly talks about the difference between purse science and applied science, i.e. engineering. Further the author says that engineers might find even those theories of physics useful that from the point of view of pure physics are false. Option 2 precisely captures that. It says that engineering incorporates the constraints and conditions of physics in the real world.  

Option 1 says the relationship is strictly linear, but that is not the case. Had that been the case, the false theories of pure science could not have been used by engineers for accurate predictions.

Option 3 goes out because it does not even mention the word pure science. It solely focuses on engineers, ignoring the relationship between purse science and engineering.

Option 4 gives a summary that is totally different from the what the passage discusses. 

Solution :

Everything is good with option 1 except that it says only humans have the ability to think, something that is nowhere to found in the passage. 1 can be ruled out.

Option 3 goes out because displaced reference is a distinguishing feature of language, not of humans. Option 3 can be ruled out.

Option 4 goes out because the passage says that thought precedes all meaningful communication, while option 4 says that thought precedes all speech acts, something that may not always be the case. Thus option 4 too goes out.

Option 2 is succinct and does not have any distortions or misrepresentations. 

Key Points

• The passage clearly states that birds’ ability to make sounds for communication is not learned but is an inborn instinct. 
• It is explained that birds do not need to learn their language because it comes naturally to them from birth, as evidenced by the experiment with chicks.
• The other options: "it is tough to learn," "it is only a quality with humans," and "it is developed with extra intelligence" do not correctly describe the reason given in the passage.

​Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

The correct answer is: Option 1: "We now have the evidence in support of the existence of an egalitarian urban life in some ancient cities, where political and civic organisation was far less hierarchical."

Key Points

• Option 1 captures the essence of the passage effectively by highlighting the existence of egalitarian urban life in some ancient cities and the less hierarchical political and civic organization.
• The passage emphasizes that the mere fact of urban life does not necessarily imply a particular form of political organization, and that some ancient cities were organized along egalitarian lines without temples, palaces, or a ruling stratum.
• Therefore, the primary message is about the historical evidence of egalitarian urban life and its implications for our understanding of political organization.

Hence, the correct answer is: Option 1.

Additional Information

• The other options are incorrect because:
  • Option 2: "Contrary to our assumption that urban settlements have always involved hierarchical political and administrative structures, ancient cities were not organised in this way.": This option is incorrect because it focuses on challenging an assumption rather than highlighting the evidence of egalitarian urban life.
  • Option 3: "The emergence of a class of administrators and ruling stratum transformed the egalitarian urban life of ancient cities to the hierarchical civic organisations of today.": This option is incorrect because it introduces the idea of transformation to today's hierarchical organizations, which is not discussed in the passage.
  • Option 4: "The lack of hierarchical administration in ancient cities can be deduced by the absence of religious and regal structures such as temples and palaces.": This option is incorrect because it focuses on the deduction from the absence of structures rather than the broader point about egalitarian urban life.