CSAT DAILY MISSION #65

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow based on your understanding of the passage:

In order to gain legitimacy in the eyes of the people they govern, capitalist democracies are compelled to open up spaces that need to be utilised with a renewed creativity by those fighting for a more equal, less exploitative social order. We need courage and imagination to go beyond the stolid certainties of a teleological science of history. These spaces – such as the 73rd amendment empowering local bodies of self-governance, or NREGA – provide glimmers of hope for a new participatory democracy. Of course, at the same time, it is also true that we cannot take the existence of a space for civil society action for granted. There are repeated instances of violence by powerful vested interests within society and of the state taking on a more draconian character and showing its repressive face. Whether it is RTI or NREGA social audit activists or those questioning destructive forms of development and/or asserting their right over natural resources, they all face a relentless barrage of violence. We must also not become cynical and despair but both value this space and fight for it to remain and expand. And this demands a truly innovative brand of politics. Not one of mere challenge and confrontation; but one that includes nitty-gritty work to build fresh cadres and alternative institutions for a participatory social order – where democracy, equality and development are not just demanded, they are also constructively built at the grassroots.

Question 1

The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) Illustrate how capital democracies respond to changing conditions in the governance.

(B) Prove that a capital democracy doesn’t open up spaces to changing conditions in the governance.

(D) Compare and contrast the differences in form and function between capital democracies and civil society.

Question 2

From the passage, which one of the following statements about capital democracies can be inferred to be true?

(A) The policies best reflect the dictates of the peoples’ conscience to make laws on their behalf.

(B) There is bound to be battle for enabling social and economic privileges to the destitute classes.

(D) There are many different kinds of capitalism and many different kinds of democracy.

Question 3

The author probably mentions RTI or NREGA social audit activists in the passage in order to

(A) Establish the influence of civil society on the narrative style.

(B) Cast doubts on the claim that they are negative influence in the governance.

(D) Illustrate how the government punished the activists.

Question 4

According to the passage “capitalist democracies are compelled to open up spaces” for

1. Empowering local bodies of self-governance.
2. Giving beneficiaries a greater say in government functioning.
3. Expanding the influence of the government to newer levels.
4. Expanding the influence of markets to newer levels.

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 1,2 and 3 only

(D) 1,2,3 and 4

Question 5

What is the meaning of the word “stolid” used in the passage?

(A) Lively

(B) Ugly

(D) Passive

SOLUTIONS TO DAILY CSAT MISSION # 66

1. (D) 2. (B) 3. (C) 4. (C) 5. (B)

Explanations
1. If radius of the circle is 1 m, then side of the square will be 2 m.
Area of square = 2*2 = 4 sq. metres.
Area of circle = π(1*1) = π sq. metres.
The shaded area is 1/4 of the area of the square excluded from the circle. So, it will be 1/4(4 – π).

2. The following is the representation of the villages:

It is readily visible that A,D,E are in a straight line. But B,C,D are also in a straight line.

3. and 4. In questions involving arrangement around a circular table, start off by assigning any spot to any one person. Let’s say P is assigned the spot to the extreme left:

Then, W is second to his right. And since W is third to the left of Q, it means Q is third to the right of W.

R is between P and V. But R cannot be to the right of P because then R would come between P and W. So, R is to the left of P and V is to the left of R.

Of the remaining seats we know that T is not opposite to Q.

3. R,W,Q are third to the left of W,Q,P respectively. No way can they be third to the left of S after S sits down. But U could have sat third to the left of S if U has sat between P and W while S has sat next to Q (after all, question is who “could” have sat three seats to left of S).

4. If T is not adjacent to W, then T is sitting in the empty seat next to Q. S and U are left to sit in whatever way in the two remaining seats. The arrangement now becomes:

5. Number of people who know only one language = 170 + 180 + 200 = 550.
Number of people who know exactly two languages = 85 + 75 + 108 = 268.
Number of people who know all three languages = 175.
So, number of people who know at least one language = 550 + 268 + 175 = 993.
Therefore, number of people who know no language = 1000 – 993 = 7.
Ratio = 7/175 = 1/25.