VA - 5 : Verbal Logic - 2

Workshop

Number of Questions : 32 WSP–0012/18

Contents: apparent: obtaining more land was

equivalent to gaining more power.
Para Completion
(2) Both parties fought for the power over
Summary Greece.
(3) Aristophanes highlights the rhetorical logic
FIJ
and ethical values throughout Lysistrata
with the tactics of the Athenian and
Para Completion Spartan women.
(4) The Peloponnesian War occurred between
Directions for questions 1 to 12: Each of the 431 B.C. and 404 B.C. as a power struggle
following questions has a paragraph from which a between Athens and Sparta’s
sentence has been deleted. From the given options, Peloponnesian Federation.
choose the one that completes the paragraph in the
most appropriate way.
2. On 5th February, 62 A.D, some seventeen
years prior to the 79 A.D volcanic eruption
1. ___________________. While the drive for
that finally suffocated Pompeii, an enormous
power has been altered with time—from land
earthquake occurred. In hindsight, this was
to resources—the idea that men were the only
an ominous sign, foretelling the seismic
individuals that had control over such power
has remained continuous. This idea is evident activity to come nearly two decades later. For
in Greek historical context from the seventeen years Pompeii concentrated on
Peloponnesian War, which emphasizes this restoring the damages that the earthquake
idea. Throughout his play, Lysistrata, had caused. ______________________. At
Aristophanes uses rhetorical language to last, on the morning of 24th August, 79 A.D,
appeal to the logic and ethics of the reader in the volcano Mt. Vesuvius exploded with its
order to convey Lysistrata overcoming the thick, heavy volcanic ash as it descended in
struggle of men’s prevalence. He uses shift enormous amounts by the side of hot embers
in order to illustrate this transfer of power from and rocks heading towards the cities of
men to women. Additionally, Aristophanes’ Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum.
prominence with the strong characterization
of Lysistrata emphasizes the idea that a power (1) The city of Pompeii, in Italy, which was
struggle cannot be solved by an individual home to more than 20,000 people over
alone. 2000 years ago, is one of the most
fascinating archaeological sites to be
(1) Throughout history, a common goal among investigated in modern times.
rising authoritative figures has been

VA - 5 Page 1
 (2) Suddenly, without warning on 20th August, 4. But the tests that seemed to support this
79 A.D the earth began to crack and thesis were biased in favour of the young, say
thunder as all the living things became Ramscar and his colleagues."Many of the
restless and anxious for the awaiting assumptions scientists currently make about
disaster. 'cognitive decline' are seriously flawed and,
(3) In first century A.D much off the for the most part, formally invalid." So flawed,
explains Ramscar in his blog, that in a meta-
Pompeiians amusement and leisure time
analysis of 134 studies some of the alleged
was spent in the amphitheatre, watching
effects depend less on the age of the
gladiatorial battles. subjects, than on the size of the sample. In a
(4) More than 2000 years later, the world is commentary on the paper by Ramscar's team,
learning more and more about Pompeii, Wayne Gray, executive editor of Topics, and
where a treasure of information about Thomas Hills of the University of Basel
Pompeiian’s life has been preserved. compared the situation to a pair of jugglers.
The younger one can keep three balls in the
3. Interracial marriage has reached an all-time air, 95 per cent of the time. The older one has
high in the United States, with couples of five balls airborne, but drops one in 10 per
different racial backgrounds now making up cent of the trials. Which is more
8.4% of all marriages. For comparison accomplished? __________.
purposes, this is nearly triple the rate from
1980. Despite the fact that interracial (1) Conventional wisdom has it that we reach
relationships are increasingly common, a our mental peak in our mid-twenties and
large segment of the population still opposes that it's all downhill from there.
them. For instance, a recent, nationally (2) It's a pattern that dates back at least as
representative survey found that far as the ancient Greeks.
approximately two out of every five Americans (3) It depends on how you ask the question.
reported that they would not be comfortable (4) The idea that we get dumber as we grow
with a family member marrying someone of older is just a myth.
another race. Consistent with this, members
of interracial couples frequently report high 5. The homicide rate in Canada has moved in
levels of perceived disapproval from family, virtual lockstep with the rate in the United
friends, and society at large as a result of States, while approaches to the death penalty
their relationship and, importantly, this have diverged sharply. Both countries
disapproval predicts future breakup. employed the death penalty in the 1950s, and
__________. the homicide trends were largely similar.
However, in 1961, Canada severely restricted
(1) And all these result to a disastrous its application of the death penalty (to those
prediction for the future generation. who committed premeditated murder and
(2) Although many factors may contribute to murder of a police officer only); in 1967, capital
disapproval of interracial dating, political punishment was further restricted to apply
variables appear to play a prominent role. only to the murder of on-duty law enforcement
(3) These findings suggest that social personnel. As a result of these restrictions,
influence can affect perceptions of no executions have occurred in Canada since
attractiveness even in very different 1962. __________.
political climates.
(4) To date, most of the research examining (1) Within the United States, studies have
interracial relationships has focused on consistently shown that proportionately
people's attitudes toward them and the fewer murders occur in states that do not
outcomes associated with such have the death penalty than in states that
involvements. do.

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 (2) When the death penalty is subjected to a knife, following a definition and a formula.
cost-benefit analysis, the ledger is one- _____________.
sided.
(3) A comparison of United States and (1) Thus, the paper-knife is at the same time
Canadian murder rates is telling. an article producible in a certain manner
(4) Nonetheless, homicide rates in both the and one which, on the other hand, serves
United States and Canada continued to a definite purpose.
move in lockstep. (2) Thus, each individual man is the
realization of a certain conception which
6. During the years 1945-1965 (I am referring to
dwells in the divine understanding.
Europe), there was a certain way of writing
(3) Thus, the essence of man precedes the
correctly, a certain style of political discourse,
historic existence which we confront in
a certain ethics of the intellectual. One had
experience.
to be on familiar terms with Marx, not let one’s
(4) Thus, the first effect of existentialism is
dreams stray too far from Freud. And one had
that it puts every man in possession of
to treat sign-systems — the signifier — with
himself as he is, and places the entire
the greatest respect. These were the three
responsibility for his existence squarely
requirements that made the strange
upon his own shoulders.
occupation of writing and speaking a measure
of truth about oneself and one’s time
8. I have tried to show that in the 1990s a wave
acceptable.__________
of books and essays by malcontent feminists
(1) Then came the five brief, impassioned, and ex-feminists, or women with various ideas
jubilant, enigmatic years. show how to change feminism, furthered the
(2) But here, inside our walls, what exactly conservative feminist-bashing agenda. Some
was taking place? did it consciously; others simply played into
(3) At any rate, it is this familiar, dualistic antifeminist hands. The result is the situation
interpretation that has laid claim to the we see today: feminism has been turned into
events of those years. the unspeakable F-word, not just among
(4) It wastes no time in discrediting the old students but in the media too. It is no
idols. Even though it does have a great coincidence that the stream of more or less
deal of fun with Freud. Most important, it popular books trying to reform feminism has
motivates us to go further. ceased to flow. Nor have I read much about
feminism in newspapers and magazines
7. When we think of God as the creator, we are lately: it is as if the issue is so dead that it is
thinking of him, most of the time, as a supernal no longer worth mentioning.____________.
artisan. Whatever doctrine we may be
considering, whether it be a doctrine like that (1) What they all see is a woman who cannot
of Descartes, or of Leibnitz himself, we always hope to be loved, not so much because
imply that ‘the will follows, more or less, from she is assumed to be unattractive
the understanding or at least accompanies (although there is that too) as because
it, so that when God creates he knows she doesn’t seem to know what love is.
precisely what he is creating’. Thus, the (2) Instead I see an ever-escalating number
conception of man in the mind of God is of articles on how hard it is for women to
comparable to that of the paper-knife in the combine work and motherhood and how
mind of the artisan: God makes man young women today feel free to forget the
according to a procedure and a conception, “strident” or “dogmatic” feminism of their
exactly as the artisan manufactures a paper- mothers’ generation.

VA - 5 Page 3
 (3) If such ideas had been promoted only by abandonment is difficult to overcome and will
extreme conservatives, they would never change the hero in many ways, the reason
have gained widespread acceptance. for probability is because predicting how a
(4) We need to show that good feminist person may turn out if not exiled is difficult.
writing can make more sense than self- To reiterate the Greek culture, they despised
help books when it comes to the idea of exile, because of the psychological
understanding love and relationships, for death that it causes the hero or character.
example. _____________.

9. There is a quite difference between impulsive (1) If the hero is lucky enough to be safe,
and compulsive shopping. Experts who have exile will influence the character’s behavior
looked into this issue assumed that the in some form or another.
difference between both aspects rests with (2) The basis of many myths and stories
the internal motivation or reason for making revolve around the Hero, who through his
the purchase. Impulse buying is typically actions determines the outcome and
unplanned. And it happens in the moment in reception of the myth, therefore playing a
reaction to an external trigger such as seeing very important role.
the desired item in the shop which is (3) Many of the exiles who were brought to
considered a normal shopper. While Babylon were craftsmen and artisans.
compulsive shopping is more inwardly
(4) He is exiled by his clansmen when he
motivated._____________.
commits a female crime, killing another
clansman by accident.
(1) A person might feel very pleased once
purchasing, and continuously wants to
11. The whole course of things being thus entirely
repeat the feeling.
(2) A compulsive shopper will plan the changed between us and the ancients, and
shopping experience as a way to avoid or the moderns wisely sensible of it, we of this
relieve uncomfortable internal feelings, age have discovered a shorter and more
such as anxiety. prudent method to become scholars and wits,
(3) It has been linked (genetically) to other without the fatigue of reading or of thinking.
impulse disorders like gambling, The most accomplished way of using books
alcoholism and binge eating. at present is twofold: either first to serve them
(4) Shopping addiction not only affects as some men do lords, learn their titles
women as it was long known, it also exactly, and then brag of their acquaintance;
affects men in the same way it does to or, secondly, which is indeed the choicer, the
women, what differs only is the type of profounder, and politer method, to get a
things they buy. thorough insight into the index by which the
whole book is governed and turned, like fishes
10. Death is merely the ceasing of life, and with by the tail. For to enter the palace of learning
implications to life, exile is nothing but death. at the great gate requires an expense of time
Exile is a purposeful way of ending one’s life and forms. ____________.
in advance and in the end not being held
accountable. Responsibility for one’s eventual (1) To this end, though authors need be little
death is very frightening; therefore the exile consulted, yet critics, and commentators,
ploy is used, ensuring death and security at and lexicons carefully must.
the same time. For a young child this

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 (2) Therefore we may affirm, to our own breeding ground and used them to trouble
honour, that it has in some sort been both other countries. But finally these
invented and brought to perfection by the fundamentalists turned into dreaded terrorists
same hands. and became a menace at the home turf.
(3) Therefore men of much haste and little Which of the following provides an analogous
ceremony are content to get in by the argument as the above?
back-door.
(4) Thus are old sciences unravelled like old (1) To try and completely eliminate corrupt
stockings, by beginning at the foot. practices across our land, the initiative
has to come from the hearts of the
12. Nature is always deeply embedded in Malick’s citizens. Evidently, we fail to realize that
films. It occupies the stage and then humans it is us, the citizens, who are equal
edge tentatively onto it, uncertain of their roles. partners in encouraging corruption.
There is always much detail, of birds and small (2) Economic development and security are
animals, of trees and skies, of empty fields inextricably linked. The security of a nation
or dense forests, of leaves and grain, and is no longer guaranteed by a large military;
always of too much space for the characters the biggest threat to national security is
to fill. They are nudged here and there by no longer the military of another country,
events which they confuse with their but rather unpredictable networks of
destinies. In his “Days of Heaven” (1978), his extremists.
characters ride the rails into a Texas prairie. (3) Suleiman Singh kept a pair of tigers in
His “The Thin Red Line” (1998), a war movie, his home primarily to earn money by
his characters are embedded in the jungles selling their cubs. He provided breeding
of Guadalcanal. His “The New World” (2005), ground, reared their cubs, and also used
shows Native Americans at home in primeval them to attack his neighbours. However,
forests while British explorers build forts to in the process they became man eaters
hide in. __________. and finally killed one of his children.
(4) The United States is not a signatory of
(1) That is a form which breaks filmmakers the Kyoto Protocol and therefore not
free of tight plotting and opens them to required to offset carbon emissions,
whatever happens along the way. however it still funds renewable energy
(2) They can introduce and dispose of projects in developing countries.
characters and subplots at will. The
travelers are all that is constant. Summary
(3) She seems to regard her father’s death
only as a convenience. Directions for questions 14 to 24: Each paragraph
(4) There is a strong sense of humans below is followed by four summaries. Choose the
uneasily accommodated by the land. one that best captures the essence of the paragraph.

Directions for question 13: Read the question below 14. The hesitation shown by the Central
and answer the following. government in deciding upon full legal
protection for one of its most prized natural
13. Pakistan harboured the fundamentalists to assets, the Western Ghats in their totality, is
receive largesse from western countries on a major disappointment. The idea that
the pretext of fighting the Soviets in its whatever is left of these fragile mountainous
neighbourhood. It nurtured them, provided forests should be protected from

VA - 5 Page 5
 unsustainable exploitation in the interests of condemned by the inhabitants and the
present and future generations, while researchers who are concerned about the
presenting sustainable ways of living to the damage.
communities that inhabit these landscapes,
is being lost sight of. Quite unscientifically, 15. William Boyd in his 1998 novel, Armadillo,
the issue is being framed as one of created an antonym for serendipity. He called
development-versus-conservation. Given the it zemblanity. If serendipity implies pleasant
weak effort at forging a consensus, there is discoveries by chance, zemblanity is “the
little purpose in the Centre returning to the faculty of making unhappy, unlucky and
drawing board with another draft notification expected discoveries by design.” The novel
to identify ecologically sensitive areas. What revolves around these twin poles of serendipity
it needs is a framework under which scientific and zemblanity, bringing out our daily life that
evidence and public concerns are debated oscillates between utopian dreams and a
democratically and the baseline for ESAs dystopian reality. Last week, I was torn
arrived at. It is accepted, for instance, that
between serendipity and zemblanity. I was
the Ghats play an irreplaceable role in
asked to review a book for Frontline magazine,
mediating the monsoon over the country and
Weapons of Math Destruction, by Cathy
the forests harbour a rich biodiversity that has
O’Neil. Dr. O’Neil started the Lede Program
not even been fully studied. New species
in Data Journalism at Columbia. Her earlier
continue to emerge each year in an area that
has endemic plants and animals, although, book, in collaboration with Rachel Schutt,
as the scientist Norman Myers wrote nearly Doing Data Science, remains one of the finest
two decades ago, only 6.8% of primary textbooks in big number-crunching. However,
vegetation out of the original 182,500 sq km her latest book explains the inherent problems
remains in the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka in big data. She establishes the ironic
taken together. relationship between the high assumptions
behind mathematical models and the
(1) The experts suggest that the Western inequality they breed. The assumptions are
Ghats must be conserved under the that mathematical models would ensure
improved initiatives to be taken by the greater fairness, eliminate bias, and judge by
Central government, for these ecologically universal rules. But in reality, the book
sensitive areas have been seminal in explains how these models become toxic by
maintaining the biodiversity balance. reinforcing stereotypes, by being opaque and
(2) The experts opine that the Western Ghats incontestable, even when they are wrong.
do not get the deserved attention from the Reading Dr. O’Neil’s book was a moment of
Central government and this is criticized serendipity to learn about the tyranny of
by the ecologists and researchers. numbers.
(3) The real biodiversity balance maintained
in the Indian subcontinent is due to the (1) The ethical dilemma between ‘serendipity’
mountainous forests of the Western and its antonym ‘zemblanity’ was
Ghats, where due to unsustainable experienced by the author when he
exploitation the communities are under reviewed a book by Cathy O’Neil, who is
the threat of becoming extinct. a renowned writer of big data topics,
(4) The Central government seems hesitant writing exactly the opposite where she
to take actions regarding the conservation explains the drawbacks of number
of the Western Ghats and this is highly crunching.

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 (2) The author experiences the serenity the outside world. Those self-published,
between ‘serendipity’ which is a pleasant unofficial magazines offered tangible glimpses
discovery, a term he learnt from the novel of radical feminism, social-justice
‘Armadillo’ ; when he reviewed a book by movements, queer history and subcultures
Cathy O’Neil, who is a renowned writer of that I always knew existed but had little
big data topics, writing exactly the access to. The world seemed to open up for
opposite where she explains the me. In theory, the maturation of the internet
drawbacks of number crunching. should have killed off the desire for zines
(3) The author experiences the real tussle entirely. The web is a Gutenberg press on
between ‘serendipity’ which means a steroids, predicated on free software platforms
pleasant discovery and its antonym created by companies that invest
‘zemblanity’, a term he learnt from the considerable sums to lure people to their
novel ‘Armadillo’ ; when he reviewed a sites and make exactly the kind of content I
book by Cathy O’Neil, who is a renowned craved growing up.
writer of big data topics, writing exactly
the opposite where she explains the (1) In a not so Internet savvy era, the author
drawbacks of number crunching. was introduced to ‘zines’, which nourished
(4) The author learns to differentiate between her deep rooted desire to read blogs on
‘serendipity’ which means a pleasant the Internet and the popularity of such an
discovery and its antonym ‘zemblanity’, informal writing was not impeded by the
a term he learnt from the novel ‘Armadillo’; swarming web content all around.
when he reviewed a book by Cathy O’Neil, (2) In a not so Internet savvy era, the author
who is a renowned writer of big data topics, was introduced to ‘zines’, which ignited
writing exactly the opposite where she her deep rooted desire to read about
explains the drawbacks of number socially relevant issues on the Internet and
crunching.
such an informal writing was unpopular
among the web savvy crowds who were
16. As a lonely teenager growing up in Virginia, I
used to reading below standard web
fed off any pop culture that could show me
content.
different ways of being from what I saw on
(3) In a not so Internet savvy era, the author
“The Cosby Show” reruns or read about in an
Ann M. Martin book. This was the early 2000s, was introduced to ‘zines’, which ignited
before social platforms had taken off: her deep rooted desire to read about
LiveJournal was still in its infancy; Tumblr had socially relevant issues on the Internet and
not yet been created. Friendster and the popularity of such an informal writing
Myspace, the most popular of the networks was not impeded by the swarming web
that did exist, were more about sharing content all around.
perfectly angled photos than having (4) In an Internet savvy era, the author was
conversations or bouncing ideas off someone. introduced to online web content, which
When, in college, a spirited English teaching ignited her deep rooted desire to read
assistant (who once canceled class for the about socially relevant issues on the
week to attend a riot-grrrl punk reunion show Internet and the popularity of such an
in Washington) introduced me to zines and informal writing was not impeded by the
the early feminist publishing movement of the swarming web content all around.
1990s, I felt as if I had been given a lifeline to

VA - 5 Page 7
17. From about 1860-65, John Stuart Mill ruled (1) The language of mission statements and
England in the region of thought as very few standardized phone greetings has spread
men ever did. His substantial corpus of works widely. People are so inured of it that they
includes texts in logic, epistemology, don’t recall the time when it sounded out
economics, social and political philosophy, of place.
ethics, metaphysics, religion, and current (2) The language of mission statements and
affairs. Mill’s education at the hands of his standardized phone greetings has spread
imposing father, James Mill, fostered both fast. People are now making their
intellectual development and a propensity additions to the language and pretend to
towards reform. forget the time when all this seemed alien.
(3) Mission statements and standardized
phone greetings were initiated so as to
(1) One can say with relative surety that
make people feel comfortable. Ironically,
Mill’s rule in the region of thought did not
they have descended into becoming a
come about accidentally.
cliché.
(2) His father James Mill from the younger
(4) The changes sweeping the world are fast
Mill’s birth had planned the role.
as revealed with the example of mission
(3) Mill trained for the role under the auspices statements and how fast this idiotic idea
of admired teachers. swept across the world.
(4) Looking at the breadth and complexity of
his work, Mill was the greatest nineteenth 19. Return of Hanuman had been written and
century philosopher. directed by Bollywood director Anurag
Kashyap. The 90-minute movie was a co-
18. The changes I was so conscious of had production between Toonz Animation and
actually begun some time before I went away. Percept Picture. The quality of the film set a
I had dismissed them as passing fads. I benchmark in the domestic animation
returned, however, to what had become a industry. Apart from companies such as
revolution in public language. The likes of my Pantaloon and Big Bazaar for brand building,
colleagues no longer thought of this new Toonz and Percept Picture roped in Jump
tongue as an alien one, into which they Games for mobile gaming, Future Group for
translated thoughts originally composed in a toys, D'damas for jewellery and Junior
more familiar idiom. They had become native Diamond for Comics.
speakers. Today, this language pervades both
the public and private sectors, and much of (1) The ninety-minute movie, Return of
the working population is fluent in it. We may Hanuman, by virtue of its quality, has
joke about the clichéd absurdity of mission established new standards in the
statements and standardised phone animation industry, including for branding
initiatives.
greetings, but we find it hard to remember a
(2) Return of Hanuman, a ninety-minute
time when these were not clichés - when we
movie, set the benchmark for animation
reacted to them with genuine
movies in India. This resulted in a major
incomprehension, and sometimes with
branding initiative by Toonz Animation and
genuine outrage.
Percept Picture for popularizing jewellery
and toys.

Page 8 VA - 5
 (3) Toonz Animation and Percept Picture, the (2) The revival of the cultures of various third
co-producers of the animated movie world countries has given a new lease of
Return of Hanuman had been approached life to the traditionalists who were losing
by big brands like Pantaloon and D'damas out to the post-modernists.
for promoting the costumes and jewellery (3) While postmodernism is on the rise and
used in the movie. has favoured the revival of fragmented,
(4) Return of Hanuman, a ninety-minute disparate cultures, major achievements
movie, directed by Anurag Kashyap, set in art and science have occurred at all
the trend for animation movies in India by times, especially in classical civilizations.
tying up with Jump Games for mobile (4) The culture today is fragmented unlike the
gaming.
culture of yesteryear and old civilizations.
The older cultures were far-reaching and
20. Science apart, the major division in Western
richer. But post modernism and relativism
thought today, which affects philosophy,
are the cultures most likely to survive in
literature, religion, architecture, even history,
the coming years.
is between the post-modernists who are
happy with the fragmented disparate, 'carnival'
of culture and those traditionalists who 21. When words fail, pictures speak. With the
genuinely feel this sells us short, that this emergence of photo and video sharing social
approach involves an ethical betrayal, avoids platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat,
judging what is better and what is less good brands are increasingly harnessing the power
in human achievement and, in so doing, of pixels. If you are a food, fashion or lifestyle
hinders people in raising their game. brand, these platforms are the best bet for
Postmodernism and relativism are still in the seeking young and creative audiences, unlike
ascendant, but for how much longer? While Facebook and Twitter, which work well for
the cultures of Africa, Bali and other third world brands with mass appeal. Nestlé, KitKat,
countries have been recovered to an extent, Grofers, Sportskeeda, Haptik, and Inshorts
and given a much needed boost, none has are some of the brands present on the platform
so far found the widespread resonance that in India. Apart from wanting to create
the classical civilizations of the Middle East awareness, companies are also using these
once enjoyed. No one doubts that jewels of networks to drive app installs.
art, learning and science have occurred in all
places and at al times, and the identification (1) Brands are now using image sharing
and extension of this wide range has been a platforms to woo consumers.
major achievement of twentieth century (2) Facebook and Twitter is a good platform
scholarship. for brands with mass appeal.
(3) Snapchat and Instagram are using power
(1) Science is the cause of a major schism
of pixels to woo consumers and drive app
in Western thought as it is supplementing
installs.
literature, religion, architecture and even
(4) Brands are now using social platforms to
history. Post modernists and traditionalists
woo consumers in India.
are divided on the impact of science on
culture.

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22. One of the crucial features of the love story skills, and visual perception of the spatial
as it has been interpreted by both women as relationships of objects.
writers and by women as readers is its ability
to redefine the female subject position. The (1) Research has shown that in aging people,
transformation theme is a central element in there is a predictable walking style which
many romances. The transfiguration of leads to a decline in memory, thinking and
Cinderella, for example, from her lowly, language skills.
undistinguished ashes into a glorious princess (2) Research has shown that if there is a
with access to power, achieved through the significant decline in memory and thinking,
magical effects of true love, is a case in point. especially in aged people, it is reflected
Rosamond Lehmann is one of a number of in one's gait.
women writers of her generation who address (3) Research has shown that a person's
themselves to the problems posed by such memory, thinking and language skills are
idealized analogues of the self and to the reflected in his / her gait.
consequent revision of traditional romantic (4) Research has shown that as we age there
models. is a decline in memory and thinking and
language skills and this can be predicted
(1) Traditional romances have posed a by gait assessment.
problem for the analogues self as observed
by Rosamond Lehmann. 24. Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu
(2) The transfiguration of Cinderella is an always says, “Pitches are like wives – most
example of the problems posed by unpredictable!” However, the crumbling pitch
traditional romantic novels. at Pune was designed to be poor and hence
(3) Rosamond Lehman and some others have unpredictable. India suffered a harrowing
analyzed the problematic representation defeat against Australia and the only plausible
of the transformation of the female subject cause for its downfall was the over-confidence
in traditional romances. of the Indian team management. The BCCI is
(4) Rosamond Lehman and others have trying to accommodate all and sundry who in
interpreted the transformation theme as turn, increase the number of committees. By
being an analogy to the female position. this, the mess just seems to be multiplying.
One such panel is the Pitch & Grounds
23. Problems associated with gait can predict a committee. For decades, it was the ground
significant decline in memory and thinking, a staff who prepared the pitches. Without any
new study has found. Using computerised bookish knowledge, they made pitches that
analyses, researchers at mayo clinic in the are conducive to cricket with experience.
US measured gait parameters such as stride However, the formation of a separate
length, ambulatory time gait speed, step committee caused total mayhem. The
count, cadence, stance time, and arm swing. continuous interference in the process by the
They examined medical records of residents newly-appointed members led to mess in
from Olmsted County in the US, who were organising Ranji Trophy matches at neutral
between ages70 - 89 as of October 1, 2004 venues. Alas, nothing changed. The hindrance
using the Rochester Epidemiology Project. continued with pitch preparation.Now, what
The analysis included 3,426 cognitively could be a possible solution for this sticky
normal participants enrolled in the Mayo Clinic situation then? Of course, the obvious answer
study of aging who had a complete gait and is disbanding the Pitch & Grounds committee.
neuropsychological assessment. Alterations The committee members reach the venue a
in several gait parameters were associated few days prior to the match. This is of no use
with decline in memory, thinking and language and is insufficient anyway.

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 (1) The Pitch and Grounds committee is a 25. (A) There have been various studies
formal body that takes care of the quality conducted on the human mind by the Tata
of pitches in the cricket ground, but the Research Institute.
experiential learning of the general ground (B) The mind is nothing but a flow of thoughts.
staff cannot be undermined. (C) The human mind cannot be seen but its
(2) The Pitch and Grounds committee is a wonderful effects are clearly experienced
renowned body that takes care of the by each one of us living in this world
quality of pitches in the cricket ground, (D) In the scriptures, the mind has been
but the experiential learning of the general compared to a lake.
ground staff cannot be undermined as
proven at different matches this year. (1) FJFF (2) JFIJ
(3) The chaos at the Pune ground proved (3) JFIF (4) FJJF
detrimental for the ground staff who help
manage the quality of the cricket pitches 26. (A) Hindustani classical music has a style of
better than the formally paneled experts singing called Vilambit, in which the
in the newly formed Pitch and Grounds tempo of singing is very slow.
committee. (B) Dhrut, another important part of Hindustani
(4) The chaos at the Pune ground proved that classical music, is more melodious to
the experiential learning of the ground staff listen to than even Vilambit.
helps manage the quality of the cricket (C) The conference on Raga Therapy in
pitches better than the formally paneled Chennai will create more awareness on
experts in the newly formed Pitch and the therapeutic effects of Ragas on the
Grounds committee. human body and mind.
(D) The great Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
Directions for questions 25 to 32: Each question Saheb had once said that if every child in
has a set of four sequentially ordered statements. pre-Independence India had studied
Each statement can be classified as one of the classical music, the partition of India and
following: Pakistan would not have occurred.

– Facts, which deal with pieces of information (1) FJJI (2) JJJF
that one has heard, seen or read, and which (3) IIIJ (4) FJJF
are open to discovery or verification (the
answer option indicates such a statement with 27. (A) The South Indian Superstar Rajnikant has
an ‘F’). signed the movie ‘Shivaji’.
– Inferences, which are conclusions drawn (B) Rajnikant is a much better actor than
about the unknown, on the basis of the known Amitabh Bachchan when it comes to
(the answer option indicates such a statement action movies.
with an ‘I’). (C) ‘Shivaji’ is dubbed in English, so as to
– Judgements, which are opinions that imply cater to the UK audience as well.
approval or disapproval of persons, objects, (D) Rajnikant has said that he feels disturbed
situations and occurrences in the past, the on being compared to Amitabh Bachchan.
present or the future (the answer option
indicates such a statement with a ‘J’) (1) JJJF (2) FJIJ
Select the answer option that best describes (3) FJIF (4) JJIF
the set of four statements.

VA - 5 Page 11
28. (A) Roger Federer plays the backhand better country — and must therefore be coaxed,
than any other player in the current circuit. coerced or emotionally blackmailed to do
(B) Federer's coach said on Monday, "I have her father’s bidding.
always told Roger that the best form of (D) Negative emotions like lust, pride,
defense is attack." attachment, anger, ego, greed and
(C) Federer defeated Murray for the fifth jealousy are distortions of love.
consecutive time in yesterday's match.
(D) Federer is a committed family man too (1) IIIJ (2) FFIJ
who also is a hands-on father. (3) FFJJ (4) JIJJ

(1) FFFI (2) JFFI 31. (A) Our life is a struggle involving pretensions
(3) JFFJ (4) IFFJ of what we are not and in the process we
do not feel good.
29. (A) Clearly Ricky is a better student than (B) Politics is unlike any other career, in the
Amish is as Ricky is hardworking and sense that it needs more passion and
punctual, qualities which Amish, commitment and care for people.
unfortunately, can never possess. (C) The reduction in the interest rates of loans
(B) CBSE must be commended on a job well for new borrowers is likely to create an
done as the passing rate of tenth board incentive for the buyer who is thinking of
students was the highest ever in CBSE's a new house.
history in the recently concluded (D) We cannot thank our teachers enough for
academic year. what they have given us.
(C) Surjeet believes in the theory of optimum
resource utilization. (1) FFJI (2) FIJI
(D) His choice of horse for the Derby day is a (3) JJIJ (4) IIIJ
clear winner.
32. (A) A recent trend in capital punishment has
(1) IIJI (2) JJJJ been the reduction in the number of
(3) JIJI (4) JIFJ offences statutorily punishable by the
death penalty.
30. (A) Restricting glucose first spurred the (B) The traffic control drive, which began in
worms to generate more free radicals, but this week, is expected to inspire drivers
then they quickly built up long-lasting to obey traffic rules.
defences against them, said Michael (C) The government has decided to maintain
Ristow, an endocrinologist at the the United Kingdom’s independent nuclear
University of Jena and the German Institute deterrent.
of Human Nutrition, who led the study. (D) In 1993, the Booker Prize was awarded
(B) The couple had married under the Special to Salman Rushdie for Midnight’s
Marriage Act and on August 30 sought children.
police protection in writing.
(C) The assumption of the police and parents (1) FIIJ (2) FIFF
is that an adult woman is incapable of (3) JFIJ (4) IJIF
choosing her own partner — even though
she can vote and decide the future of the

Page 12 VA - 5
 WSP-0012/18 VA - 5 : Verbal Logic - 2 Workshop
Answers and Explanations

1 1 2 2 3 2 4 3 5 4 6 1 7 2 8 2 9 2 10 1

11 3 12 4 13 3 14 1 15 3 16 3 17 1 18 1 19 1 20 3

21 1 22 3 23 2 24 4 25 4 26 4 27 3 28 3 29 4 30 3

31 3 32 2

1. 1 The passage starts with the idea of power in particular. goes with the previous sentence as a question and
Option (2) is incorrect because it refers to power answer. Hence, option (3) is the correct answer.
politics between two parties. Option (3) is incorrect
because the passage is not about logic and values. 5. 4 This paragraph compares American and Canada in
Option (4) is incorrect as it dates ‘Peloponnesian War’ terms of one aspect of the death penalty rule. Option
and becomes unrelated with passage. Option (1) is 1 only talks about America. Option (2) is too generic.
correct because it is about obtaining power and is Option (3) gives a random conclusion. Hence, option 4
hence related to the passage. best completes this paragraph.

2. 2 Option (2) is the right answer. The passage talks about 6. 1 The paragraph focuses on writing and thinking and
the earthquake and volcanic eruption in Pompeii, while especially the fashionable intellectual mode of writing
option (1) talks about Pompeii being an archaeological based on the theories of certain thinkers during a
site and hence it is incorrect. Option (3) is incorrect as particular time period. The paragraph however has a
the leisure time of Pompeiians is of no importance to
hint of sarcasm and it is evident that the author is
us and option (4) is a misfit because extracting
against the prevalent modes of that time. Option (2)
information about the life of Pompeiians is irrelevant to
seems out of sync with the paragraph. Option (3)
the passage. Option (2) rightly fits as it explains what
talks about interpretations, but nowhere in the
happened prior to the occurrence volcanic eruption in
paragraph such notions are mentioned and hence it is
Pompeii.
beyond our scope. Option (4) similarly is beyond the
paragraph’s scope. Option (1) remains the most
3. 2 The correct answer is option (2). This paragraph starts
with some statistics about the trend of interracial relevant and offers a closure to the ideas.
marriage in America. It then goes on to say that despite
this increase in number, there are drawbacks. Option 7. 2 Option (2) is the right answer. The last line of the
(1) is too vague and extreme to relate to this paragraph. passage talks about ‘God making a man according to a
Option (3) introduces a new idea in the form of procedure and a conception’. And option (2) clearly
"different political climate". It needs precedence in the states that every individual is made according to a
paragraph. Option (4) will not complete the paragraph. conception that has been there in ‘divine understanding’,
It introduces a new idea. Option (2) logically extends it being stated as a conclusion. ‘Divine understanding’
the idea mentioned in this paragraph. means ‘God’s understanding’. Other options are
redundant as they fail to convey the intended meaning.
4. 3 This paragraph has a very specific premise. It talks
about a particular study. Option (1) is incorrect 8. 2 Option (2) is the right answer. The given passage is a
because it is too generic and it looks more like an first person narrative and none of the given options,
opening sentence. Option (2) is incorrect because of other than option (2) is in the same form. Though all
"it" which doesn't have any corresponding noun in the the options are somehow related to the given passage,
previous sentence. Option (4) can't follow the they cannot be used as a concluding line.
penultimate sentence as it looks too random. Option 3

VA - 5 Page 1
9. 2 Option (2) is the right answer. The last sentence of does not mention why the Western Ghats are an
the passage introduces the idea of ‘compulsive important part of the ecology.
shopping’. Option (1) mentions ‘a person’. The sentence
should very specifically talk about a ‘compulsive 15. 3 Option (c) is the best answer because it covers the
shopper’. Option (3) is incorrect because in this option essence of the passage. Option (a) is incorrect
‘it’ refers to ‘impulsive shopping’, which disconnects it because it does not explain the meaning of the words.
from the last sentence of the passage. Option (4) is Option (b) is incorrect because he learnt the term
incorrect because it goes beyond the content of the ‘zemblanity’ and not ‘serendipity’ from the book. Option
passage. Option (2) is correct because it extends on (d) is incorrect because the author learnt the term
the idea left in the last sentence. ‘zemblanity’ and not the differences between the terms.

10. 1 Option (1) is the right answer. Option (2) is incorrect 16. 3 Option (c) is the best answer because it covers the
because it talks about ‘the Hero’. It focuses on the role essence of the passage. Option (a) is incorrect
and importance of a hero. Options (3) and (4) are because the author’s deep rooted desire was not to
incorrect because they talk of some particular incidents; read blogs. Option (b) is incorrect because ‘reading
however, no such incident is presented in the given below standard web content’ is not mentioned in the
passage. Option (1) is the correct answer because passage. Option (d) is incorrect because according
the given passage ends on a statement which states to the passage the author was introduced to ‘zines’.
that Greeks disliked the idea of exile as it caused the
‘psychological death’ of the hero and option (1) presents 17. 1 Mill was groomed by his father – towards intellectual
a contrast that what happens to a hero if he is not development etc. Hence his rule in the later stage was
affected by exile. And there forms a logical sequence not accidental. We do not know whether his father
between the two. had planned the role. ‘Admired teachers’ is not given
in the paragraph. Option (4) is too broad in scope -
11. 3 The last sentence of the given passage states that for ‘greatest’ in ‘England’ would have been correct.
one to acquire knowledge, it needs time. And hence
follows option (3) where the author sarcastically 18. 1 The author says that there was a time when
comments that men who are in hurry, always ‘get in standardized greetings and mission statements
by the back-door’, meaning that they follow shortcuts. appeared to be a passing fad, but now people have
The other options are not related to the passage and become used to them. We may make fun of the clichéd
should hence be rejected. absurdity of these statements but we have forgotten
the time when these were not considered clichéd.
12. 4 The correct choice is Option (4). The paragraph talks This is given in option (1), rendering it the correct
about how in Malick’s films, humans do not settle answer.
spontaneously into nature but move in tentatively.
Option (4) speaks how humans are uneasily 19. 1 It is concise and covers all important points. The other
accommodated by the land and hence it is the correct options fail to do that.
option. Options (1), (2), and (3) all deal with plotting
and features of the film and hence will be eliminated. 20. 3 It summarizes the passage effectively. Option (4) talks
about the years to come which is not said in the
13. 3 Only Option (3) employs a mode of reasoning similar passage. Option (1) says Science has caused the
major schism in Western thoughts which is not true.
to the one employed in the argument given. Pakistan
Option (2) only talks about revival of culture.
harbored fundamentalists and used them to cause
trouble in other countries. But in the end these
21. 1 The passage states that brands like Nestle and Kitkat
fundamentalists hurt Pakistan itself. Similarly, Suleiman
are using social platforms like Snapchat, Instagram,
Singh kept a pair of tigers in his home and used them
Facebook and Twitter to reach out to audiences. So
to attack his neighbours but in the process they
this makes it the right option. (2) is incorrect since it
became man-eaters and killed one of his children.
mentions only Facebook and Twitter which are just
used as examples and do not show the essence of
14. 1 Option (1) is the best answer because it covers the
the passage; same is the case with (3) which only
essence of the passage. Option (2) is eliminated
mentions Snapchat and Instagram. The passage states
because it does not mention ecologically sensitive
that other brands are using Snapchat and Instagram
aspect of the Western Ghats. Option (3) is incorrect
platforms. So, (3) is a twisted option. (4) only mentions
because it does not mention the negligence of the
India which is not the central idea of the passage.
Central government. Option (4) is incorrect because it
Hence, (1) is the answer.

Page 2 VA - 5
22. 3 (1) is a vague option. (2) is too narrow and doesn't 28. 3 The first statement is clearly someone's opinion. It is
contain the central idea. (3) is the best option as it not based on any verifiable fact. The second and
talks about the theme of the representation of the third statements can be easily verified. Quotations
female self in romances. (4) is a twisted option as it are facts as what is to be verified is whether the
doesn't mention the word "problem". source actually said it or not. The last sentence is
again a judgement as it is someone's opinion. Hence,
23. 2 (1) is incorrect as it states that a walking style leads to
the answer is option (3).
the decline in memory which is not the only form of
gait. (2) is the correct option which is the essence of
the passage. This passage talks mostly about ageing 29. 4 The first statement is a judgement. Though it is
people. (3) and (4) are too generic. Hence, (2) is the structured as a conclusion, the conclusion is not based
answer. on any verifiable fact. The second statement is an
inference. The second part of the statement is a fact
24. 4 Option (4) is the best answer because it covers the as its truth value can be verified. The third statement
essence of the passage. Option (a) is incorrect is a fact. The belief of a person is a personal choice
because it does not mention the Pune chaos. Option and we can always ask a person for a yes/no answer.
(2) is incorrect because the passage does not talk The last statement is again a judgement. So, the
about different matches. Option (3) is incorrect answer is option (4).
because the passage does not mention the chaos
being detrimental for the ground staff.
30. 3 Statement (A) is a fact as it can be verified
whether Michael stated it. Statement (B) is a fact
25. 4 Statement (A) is something which is easily verifiable.
Statement (B) is a judgment - an individual opinion as too. Statements (C) and (D) are opinions expressing
there may exist other definitions of the mind. Statement approval/disapproval and are hence judgments.
(C) is an individual opinion as the mind is intangible and Hence, option (3) is the correct answer.
opinions about it vary. Statement (D) is a fact. Whether
the comparison is done in the scriptures can be 31. 3 Statements (A), (B) and (C) are judgments as they
checked. Hence, option (4) is the correct answer. are individual opinions. Statement (C) is an inference
as it is a conclusion about the unknown - the
26. 4 Statement (A) is a fact which can be verified. expected impact of the reduction in the interest
Statement (B) becomes a judgement because it draws rates based on the fact that reduction has
an opinionated conclusion. The melodious nature of occurred. Hence, option (3) is the correct answer.
any musical instrument varies from person to person.
Statement (C) again is a judgment. Statement (D) is a
32. 2 (A) talks about a growing trend which has
fact because it is a reported event and can be verified.
Hence, option (4) is the correct answer. happened in reality. This is verifiable and hence is
a fact. (B) is an inference because it is a conclusion
27. 3 Statement (A) is a fact as it can be verified. Statement based on the known - the traffic control drive. (C)
(B) is an opinion as the statement is difficult to verify is a fact because it can be verified whether that
and can be easily countered by another opinion. the government has taken this decision. (D) is also
Statement (C) is an inference - a conclusion about the a fact because it can be verified whether Salman
unknown - 'reason for dubbing in English' - based on Rushdie has been awarded the Booker prize.
a fact - 'the dubbing'. Statement (D) is a reported fact. Hence, option (2) is the correct answer.
Hence, option (3) is the correct answer.

VA - 5 Page 3