Cat 2009 English Test 21

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English Test 21 Directions for Questions from 1 to 3: The passage given below is followed by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question. Passage In the play Travesties, Tom Stoppard’s character James Joyce asks: “What now of the Trojan war if it had been passed over by the artist’s touch? Dust. A forgotten expedition prompted by Greek merchants looking for new markets. A minor redistribution of broken pots.” Contrast what it is for us, mediated by Homer: an epic of gods and heroes, struggle, lust and glory. The point generalises. Thackeray remarked how a bald, stupid, heartless little man with a paunch became the majestic Louis XIV if put in the right shoes, robes and wig—and that then, having set up the fantasy, we had to worship the result. The mirage suits us better than the truth. The late Jean Baudrillard pursued the same theme, with his theatrical declamation that “Le gulf war n’existe pas”(excessive publicity of the gulf war). On the face of it, this is a crashing falsehood—which we must therefore read, charitably, as pointing to some other claim. That is the French style, and it is a close cousin to any use of metaphor. Those who called Mrs Thatcher the iron lady did not mean that she clanked when she walked. Baudrillard was not concerned with the artist’s touch but with what happens when television and other media purport to take us to the field of action. The 1990 Gulf war was modelled by planners using simulations; it was won, if we call a massacre a victory, largely by pilots looking at computer screens; and it was relayed to the public by television. Most consumers of these images get no reality check; the image is all we have to go on. And the image does not come to us innocently. What happened in 1990 may, indeed, have been something more than a war: an episode in America’s cultural narcissism, a hallucinatory projection of its fears and fantasies, a Faustian pact between developed capitalism and virtual reality, a promotional video, or a simulacrum indistinguishable from Disneyland. So Baudrillard’s hyperbole had a serious point. He often provoked outrage by it, but when, for instance, he tactlessly suggested that the iconic place of Nazi atrocities as a symbol of evil makes it “logical” to ask whether they even existed, his point was not to ally himself with the David Irvings of this world, but to suggest that for many political and cultural purposes, the answer is irrelevant. As with God, it is our investment that matters, not whether it is invested in a fiction. Baudrillard’s ideas about simulated reality seem to have touched on an old philosophical panic. Perhaps our senses are no better than our televisions. Perhaps nature has varnished and spun the pictures we receive. They too are commodities, bought in to provide sustenance. Perhaps, at the limit, we live in a virtual reality; unable to comprehend our real position, sentenced to a woeful life of dreams, myth, fiction and illusion. Baudrillard, 001 13 the inspiration for the Matrix films, tried to distance himself from the trite opposition of one moment seeing through the glass darkly and then coming face to face with reality, yet he enjoyed playing with its ingredients. I do not think this was wise, since generalised scepticism implies that there is nothing especially wrong about America or late capitalism or consumer society—and would any self-respecting culture critic want to draw that conclusion? In any event, it is not all simulacra. We are participants in a public world, not hermits trapped in our own private cinemas. The cure for the sceptical nightmare is action. Nobody stays sceptical while crossing the street, or choosing dinner. Nor while dodging bombs and shells, even if they are sent by people watching computer screens. In the hurly-burly of survival, there is a lot that is hors texte (outside the text)—although this is more true for the artisan driving nails or baking bread than for the politician (or academic) whose work is confined to the production of signs and messages. French postmodernism may be passing, but it had a point. Even if engagement with the world is the cure, the respite it gives may be short-lived. No sooner has the real moment gone than the work of memory begins, once more selecting, massaging, suppressing and spinning. That moment is like a glimpse of the naked king, or the politician’s one-day dash into the war zone: it may be a glimpse of truth, but even if we are honest enough to see anything we do not want to see, that in turn may just reinvigorate the work of disguise. That can’t have been the real Louis XIV, or the real Iraq. And heaven forfend that people see them like that— otherwise it might really destroy our legacy, or at any rate the bit that counts: its representation in self-image, story and picture.

1. What, do the examples of James Joyce and Thackeray exemplify in the passage?  

j People are skeptical towards appearances. k l m n j The excessive use of fantasy. k l m n j The artist’s touch is close to the truth. k l m n j The use of extravagant exaggeration. k l m n j Shattering of myths k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

2. According to the passage, what makes Baudrillard’s hyperbole serious?

j Because it exposes a deeper reality which escapes superficial perception. k l m n j Because it is a comment on a display of fascism k l m n j Because it is a comment on an over dependence on metaphors. k l m n j Because it talks about simulacrum of war on the television. k l m n j Because it is a comment on the gullible public. k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

3. Which of the following statements cannot be inferred from the passage?  

j Baudrillard has based his ideas about simulated reality on philosophy. k l m n j Memory takes us away from the actual truth. k l m n j The author is concerned about people questioning the nature of delusion as this could destroy our legacy. k l m n www.complore.com/test4PDF.php?id=61 j Action and engagement with the world can give us a glimpse of truth. k l m n

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j Memory takes us away from the actual truth. k l m n j The author is concerned about people questioning the nature of delusion as this could destroy our legacy. k l m n j Action and engagement with the world can give us a glimpse of truth. k l m n j None of the above k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n Directions for Questions from 4 to 6: The passage given below is followed by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question. Passage All modern economies are centrally managed, some more, some less. Whether achieved by private enterprise in the main or under central direction, once established modern technology imposes its own internal logic by which it must be worked. All advanced economies, whether their ancestral record is capitalist or socialist, act under the common compulsions of the same technology. In the essentials of their operation and their impact upon the people, the contrast between the two economic systems has therefore lost much of its sharpness. The distinction between capitalism and socialism has now mainly a historical significance in respect of the methods by which economic advance was pursued in the past. It is commonly believed that they represent opposing ideologies which have continuing relevance for directing public policy. This belief must be questioned, since both capitalism and socialism seem to be headed for the same destination of progressive expansion of production and a rising standard of material attainment for the people. This is a commendable goal, but cannot be identified with the ultimate purpose of organized existence which an ideology is intended to define and towards which it is meant to inspire action. If capitalism and socialism have ceased to be meaningful models even for economic action today, it is permissible to suggest that they could never have served to express the larger and more abiding values of man’s aspiration. Scientific socialism has been professedly concerned with economic ends and claims its supreme virtue and historic destiny to be to lay down an institutional framework in which the expanding forces of production can have unfettered play. Its opponents have argued that they can do better in the same respect under their system, but they could do so without eclipse of man’s economic freedom. In fact, the latter are able to fulfill their promise only by increasing encroachments on this freedom in the interests of the effective functioning of an expanding economy. Both sides are fighting for the same end and are coming to adopt the same overall strategy, one of them exultantly, the other reluctantly and haltingly. It is consequently no matter of surprise that they do not represent true alternatives of public policy to the newly independent countries striving for economic betterment. If anything, the preference of these countries is for the course which seems more straightforward and logical and promises speedier results. The expression of this preference is tempered in practice only by calculation of favours which may be expected from one or the other side. If there is true possibility of a different course of human development, that still remains to be adequately propounded. There are many indications that such a plea would be timely, because the consequences of allowing technological progress to become the overriding determinant of the pattern and quality of human living has begun to cause disquiet and concern among the most prosperous nations. This is a significant portent. In the past, arguments against unrestricted pursuit of material expansion came mostly from the poor or from advocates of an ascetic life. They could be dismissed as making a virtue of necessity or proceeding from an individual or sectarian idiosyncrasy which had no application to normal behaviour. Perhaps the only notable exception was the philosophy of the good life preached and practiced by the Athenians of classical Greece. This was not an ideal of privation or mortification, but of the fullest growth of the human personality by a harmonious development of all its appetites and faculties. But although the world has continued to retain every admiration for the works of intellect and craftsmanship of that period, the social organization of the city state based on slavery was considered to have no relevance for the problems of later times. Perhaps this total rejection was unwise. Perhaps features of the Athenian pattern deserve to be salvaged for reinterpretation in contemporary terms to show the way to sanity in human growth.

4. Why is the social organization of the Athenian city considered irrelevant?  

j The Athenian city’s infrastructure is a representation of idiosyncratic tastes which is unacceptable in the capitalist set up. k l m n j The Athenian city’s framework preaches ascetic virtues that are ineffectual in today’s world. k l m n  

 

j The Athenian city’s basis of organization is slavery and one seems to understand that nothing valuable can be achieved from it. k l m n j The Athenian city, though aesthetically rich and based on slavery, cannot contribute to human history in any other way. k l m n j The Athenians’ teachings of self discipline and structure to human life cannot exist in a time when technological progress governs mankind. k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

5. According to the author, why is it that neither capitalism nor socialism represents true alternatives of public policy? (1) Both sides are keenly interested in the moderate functioning of the economy. (2) Both sides are, although divided on many relevant issues, narrow and straightforward in their approach. (3) Both sides are, naturally, rooted in their ideologies and prefer a course that fulfills the interests of the public. (4) Both sides are aiming at similar results; however, their intentions and motives are adulterated by their respective interests and endeavours. (5) Both sides are aiming higher and the resultant effect is openly revealing the weaknesses of their respective strategies.

j Both sides are keenly interested in the moderate functioning of the economy. k l m n j Both sides are, although divided on many relevant issues, narrow and straightforward in their approach. k l m n j Both sides are, naturally, rooted in their ideologies and prefer a course that fulfills the interests of the public. k l m n j Both sides are aiming at similar results; however, their intentions and motives are adulterated by their respective interests and endeavours. k l m n j Both sides are aiming higher and the resultant effect is openly revealing the weaknesses of their respective strategies k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

6. According to the author, which of the following statements would be true?  

j The Athenians of classical Greece focused on that aspect of life which can prosper only through economic growth and expansion. k l m n j Human development accepts and acknowledges the presence and relevance of mortification and thus it ceases to depend upon economic k l m n development. j In the age of modern technology and human advancement, the artistic faculties of humans are irrelevant and hence remain unfulfilled. k l m n j Economic development is an indication of fulfillment of all human desires. k l m n www.complore.com/test4PDF.php?id=61 j Human development cannot depend merely on economic and technological progress k l m n

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development.

j In the age of modern technology and human advancement, the artistic faculties of humans are irrelevant and hence remain unfulfilled. k l m n j Economic development is an indication of fulfillment of all human desires. k l m n j Human development cannot depend merely on economic and technological progress k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n Directions for Questions from 7 to 9: Each of the following questions has a paragraph from which the last sentence has been deleted. From the given options, choose the one that completes the paragraph in the most appropriate way.

7. When presenting a city, people usually recite facts: its history and important buildings. What effect would it have if the strategy were reversed, if cities were spoken about from the perspective of empty space rather than facts? We would say that a Medieval town grows from its square, that Haussman’s Paris embodies the array of avenues, and that modernist architecture displays transparency in all the glass facades, which enable one to literally see through the building so that the image of the building begins to disintegrate in one’s gaze. After the transparent building came the reflecting building, which replaced glass with reflective windows, and the transparency of the body with the reflections of its surroundings. Because of that it resides in the city in a very special way __________________________.  

j Some buildings appear unpredictable, organic, like wild growth in the city. k l m n j Contrary to other buildings, which strive to be present in space, it pretends not to be there. k l m n j It is these reflecting buildings and vacant houses that essentially represent urban human settlements. k l m n j The empty spaces within a crowded city of important buildings reveal the tragic emptiness that prevails in modern human life. k l m n j The character of the buildings fills the essence of the city’s empty spaces and to a certain degree directs the future growth of the city. k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

8. Masks are representative of many different things in African history and culture. Ancestry is very important to the African people to show honor to their ancestors. They design the masks with elaborate hair and jewelry to show great wealth and honor so their ancestors will be pleased with them and bring blessings. Ancestors are greatly to be feared if they are angered __________________________. (1) So the people are very careful to be honoring to them at all times. (2) So Masks are greatly revered in African culture. (3) So the people take special care not to appease them. (4) So the people live in constant apprehension and fear. (5) So, the people put a lot of effort in designing the masks and jewellery.

j So the people are very careful to be honoring to them at all times. k l m n j So Masks are greatly revered in African culture. k l m n j So the people take special care not to appease them. k l m n j So the people live in constant apprehension and fear. k l m n j So, the people put a lot of effort in designing the masks and jewellery. k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

9. Emotional exhaustion being a core constituent of burnout refers to a chronic state of feeling that a person’s emotional resources are overtaxed or depleted in attempts to meet job demands. It is internally consistent, stable overtime, and is responsive to work stress . Emotional exhaustion may be considered as an immediate response gap between environmental pressures and available resources . The construct exhibits stronger relations to important outcomes and is important in mediating the effects of other burnout components of cynicism and personal accomplishment . Empirical evidence provides support to the fact that an emotionally exhausted employee is weakly committed to supervisor and organization, considers quitting, performs poorly on the job, and is unwilling to engage in organization citizenship behaviors __________________________.  

j Hence, emotional exhaustion should be avoided by the working individuals as it pychologically demotivates them. k l m n j A person’s internal state of mind is of key importance to judge his stability factor and carve his future goals. k l m n j Therefore, environmental pressures should be minimised to reduce the burn out factor of employees k l m n j For the organization, the consequences of emotional exhaustion are significant, as it leads to increased withdrawal behaviors, and reduced job k l m n performance. j Therefore, the supervisors should be accountable for the low performance on the part of their team members as they play a pivotal role in k l m n emotional exhaustion. i Skip this question j k l m n Directions for Questions from 10 to 10: In each question, there are three to five sentences. Each sentence has pair/s of words/phrases that are highlighted. From the highlighted words / phrase(s) select the most appropriate word(s) / phrases to form correct sentences. Then from the options given choose the right sequence

10. A smooth final rehearsal should augur [A] / auger [B] well for the grand finale. Various oral [A] / aural [B] effects preceded the migraine headache. The boys spent the night in jail because no one would stand bail [A] / bale [B] for them. The debater refused to cede [A] / seed [B] the point to her opponent. The police fight a [A] / the [B] relentless battle against crime.  

j AAABA k l m n j BBBAB k l m n www.complore.com/test4PDF.php?id=61 j ABAAA k l m n

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j AAABA k l m n j BBBAB k l m n j ABAAA k l m n j BAAAA k l m n j BBAAA k l m n i Skip this question j k l m n

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