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PaGaLGuY.com CAT 2007 Series

Decoding Fact-Inference-Judgement and Passage completion Questions By Endeavor Published October 11, 2007 The CAT 2006 paper shocked everyone as there were only three types of questions – Reading Comprehension passage, Passage completion (logical continuation) and Fact-Inference-Judgement questions. The all time favourite vocabulary based questions, usage based questions, grammar based questions and not to forget paragraph jumbles, which had been regular features of CAT, were not touched at all. Though this may not be indicative of the next CAT pattern, but it sends a strong message that one may have to be mentally prepared for surprises. Do not get into the habit of anticipating things and do not go with a rigid mindset. If one is good at language and understands the instructions clearly, he is sure to do well on the test. On CAT-2006, reasoning ruled the roost in the English section. There were five fact-inference-judgement questions, which were definitional in nature and five passage completion questions. ‘Complete the Paragraph’ type questions As this set of questions was asked in CAT 2005 paper, it was not a novelty for students but still it proved to be a nightmare for many as the options were very close. The Key here was to follow the train of thoughts of the author and to find the coherence among the sentences. You were to select the option that would carry the flow of the paragraph ahead from where it stopped. The questions tested one’s understanding of the given text. Directions for questions: 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. 1. I am sometimes attacked for imposing ‘rules‘. Nothing could be further from the truth. I hate

rules. All I do is report on how consumers react to different stimuli. I may say to a copywriter, “Research shows that commercials with celebrities are below average in persuading people to buy products. Are you sure you want to use a celebrity? “Call that a rule? Or I may say to an art director, “Research suggests that if you set the copy in black type on a white background, more people will read it than if you set it in white type on a black background.” (1) Guidance based on applied research can hardly qualify as ‘rules‘. (2) Thus, all my so called ‘rules’ are rooted in applied research. (3) A suggestion perhaps, but scarcely a rule. (4) Such principles are unavoidable if one wants to be systematic about consumer

behaviour.

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PaGaLGuY.com CAT 2007 Series - Decoding Fact-Inference-Judgement type questions

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(5) Fundamentally it is about consumer behaviour - not about celebrities or type settings. Solution: - Options (1) and (2) mention the words ‘applied research’ whereas in the paragraph nothing is said about the author’s research being ‘applied research’. Hence option (1) and (2) are out. Option (4) talks about principles whereas the paragraph talks about rules. Again if we read the paragraph carefully, the author is talking about how he hates rules and how sometimes he is unjustly attacked for imposing ‘rules’, then he gives a few examples wherein he wants to prove that he does not actually impose rules and that what he says to people are not actually rules, and hence option (3) is the best continuation. Ans. (3) 2. Relations between the factory and the dealer are distant and usually strained as the factory

tries to force cars on the dealers to smooth out production. Relations between the dealer and the customer are equally strained because dealers continuously adjust prices - make deals - to adjust demand with supply while maximizing profits. This becomes a system marked by a lack of long-term commitment on either side, which maximizes feelings of mistrust. In order to maximize their bargaining positions, everyone holds back information - the dealer about the product and the consumer about his true desires. (1) As a result, ‘deal making’ becomes rampant, without concern for customer satisfaction. (2) As a result, inefficiencies creep into the supply chain. (3) As a result, everyone treats the other as an adversary, rather than as an ally. (4) As a result, fundamental innovations are becoming scarce in the automobile industry. (5) As a result, everyone loses in the long run.

Solution: - Option (1) seems absolutely out of context. Option (2) is not correct because ‘adversary’ and ‘ally’ are very strong words in this context. Option (3) talks about ‘supply chain’ and ‘inefficiencies’ but it is again out of context because if a customer holds back the information about his true desires, it will not result in inefficiencies in the supply chain. Option (4) is not related at all because the mentioned reasons are not the only reasons due to which fundamental innovations are becoming scarce in the automobile industry. Hence option (5) is the best option. Ans. (5) 3. In the evolving world order, the comparative advantage of the United States lies in its

military force. Diplomacy and international law have always been regarded as annoying encumbrances, unless they can be used to advantage against an enemy. Every active player in world affairs professes to seek only peace and to prefer negotiation to violence and coercion. (1) However, diplomacy has often been used as a mask by nations which intended to use

force. (2) However, when the veil is lifted, we commonly see that diplomacy is understood as a

disguise for the rule of force. (3) However, history has shown that many of these nations do not practice what they

profess. (4) However, history tells us that peace is professed by those who intend to use violence. (5) However, when unmasked, such nations reveal a penchant for the use of force.

Solution: - Options (1), (3) and (4) can be eliminated because they are talking about history, whereas the paragraph is talking about the present evolving world order. Now the 5th option directly talks about the ‘nations’ and their penchant for the use of force. But the 2nd option fits in because the paragraph initially talks about diplomacy and international law. Reading only the last sentence we know that 2nd option is the best continuation. Ans. (2)


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4. Age has a curvilinear relationship with the exploitation of opportunity. Initially, age will increase the likelihood that a person will exploit an entrepreneurial opportunity because people gather much of the knowledge necessary to exploit opportunities over the course of their lives, and because age provides credibility in transmitting that information to others. However, as people become older, their willingness to bear risks declines, their opportunity costs rise, and they become less receptive to new information. (1) As a result, people transmit more information rather than experiment with new ideas as

they reach an advanced age. (2) As a result, people are reluctant to experiment with new ideas as they reach an

advanced age. (3) As a result, only people with lower opportunity costs exploit opportunity when they reach

an advanced age. (4) As a result, people become reluctant to exploit entrepreneurial opportunities when they

reach an advanced age. (5) As a result, people depend on credibility rather than on novelty as they reach an

advanced age. Solution: - Here (1), (3) and (5) can be eliminated. (2) is wrong as people are reluctant to experiment with new ‘ideas’ is mentioned, while the paragraph is talking only about them being reluctant to exploit an ‘entrepreneurial opportunity’. Option (4) is the most concise. Ans. (4) 5. We can usefully think of theoretical models as maps, which help us navigate unfamiliar

territory. The most accurate map that it is possible to construct would be of no practical use whatsoever, for it would be an exact replica, on exactly the same scale, of the place where we were. Good maps pull out the most important features and throw away a huge amount of much less valuable information. Of course, maps can be bad as well as good - witness the attempts by medieval Europe to produce a map of the world. In the same way, a bad theory, no matter how impressive it may seem in principle, does little or nothing to help us understand a problem. (1) But good theories, just like good maps, are invaluable, even if they are simplified. (2) But good theories, just like good maps, will never represent unfamiliar concepts in

detail. (3) But good theories, just like good maps, need to balance detail and feasibility of

representation. (4) But good theories, just like good maps, are accurate only at a certain level of

abstraction. (5) But good theories, just like good maps, are useful in the hands of a user who knows

their limitations. Solution: - Option (3) is out as it has a prescribing tone. The use of the words ‘need to balance’ show that. Again option (2) is out as it talks about ‘unfamiliar concepts’ which is nowhere mentioned in the paragraph. Option (1) is better than option (4) and (5) because, since the starting of the paragraph, the author is talking about good maps being those which pull out the most important features and throw away a huge amount of much less valuable information. That means that even though they are simplified, they are good. Hence, in the end when we talk about the similarity of good maps and good theories, the point of their being good even if being simple, will have to be taken into account for showing their similarity. Ans. (1) Comments: If your reading skills are in place, you should solve this section without any glitches. One needs to have a discerning eye to identify the lead words and to eliminate the options. Unlike RC, each word here is important, as it could prove to be a great hint. At times, it becomes a


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mechanical process also. Overall one should have got at least 3 corrects even if one does not attempt a doubtful one on the test. TThhee SSuurrpprriissee EElleemmeenntt:: FFAACCTT –– IINNFFEERREENNCCEE –– JJUUDDGGEEMMEENNTT Roughly after a decade Fact-Inference-Judgement (FIJ) questions resurfaced on CAT. This move took even the chronic CAT veterans by a spin. But still one must have not got unnerved as the test setters provided the definitions of Facts, Inference and Judgement very lucidly. Once you were clear about the stated definitions, you could have solved the questions confidently. A golden rule to be followed here is – Throw out the conventional definition or perceived definition of FIJ from your mind and adhere to the definitions given in the test. For eg: The sentence that conforms to the stated definition of FACT should be classified as ‘fact’ and so on. Before decoding the FIJ questions, let us get clear with the definitions. Facts, which deal with pieces of information that one has heard, seen or read, and which are open to discovery or verification (the answer option indicates such a statement with an ‘F‘). Inferences, which are conclusions drawn about the unknown, on the basis of the known (the answer option indicates such a statement with an ‘I‘). Judgements, which are opinions that imply approval or disapproval of persons, objects, situations and occurrences in the past, the present or the future (the answer option indicates such a statement with a ‘J‘). Interpretations of these definitions Facts would mean – Something spoken by someone; someone’s views {As per Dr. M.M. Singh, the Nuke deal will benefit India}; events (past and present); inventions; discoveries; something that can be measured, calculated and positively verified. Inference would mean – Something inferred about the things to happen or is yet not known but on the basis of the known; something predicted on the basis of a fact. E.g. According to the public health department’s report of the state ‘X’, the supply of the contaminated water by the municipality seems to be the main reason of the spread of disease ‘Y’ in the state. Judgment would mean – Opinions of individual that can be approved or disapproved; a sentence that can be challenged; doubted and debated; something that is a matter of perception. E.g. Tax should be imposed on the amount of advertisement expenditure incurred in excess of certain limits. Having understood the definitions, let us start with CAT questions.


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Directions for questions: Each question has a set of four sequentially ordered statements. Each statement can be classified as one of the Fact, Judgement or inference. The definitions of Fact, Inference and Judgement as given above hold true for the following questions too. From the given set of five options chose the one which best expresses the four statements. 1.

1. So much of our day-to-day focus seems to be on getting things done, trudging our way through the tasks of living - it can feel like a treadmill that gets you nowhere; where is the childlike joy? 2. We are not doing the things that make us happy; that which brings us joy; the things that we cannot wait to do because we enjoy them so much. 3. This is the stuff that joyful living is made of - identifying your calling and committing yourself wholeheartedly to it. 4. When this happens, each moment becomes a celebration of you; there is a rush of energy that comes with feeling completely immersed in doing what you love most. (1) IIIJ (2) IFIJ (3) JFJJ (4) JJJJ (5) JFII

Solution: - This is a very tricky one but as we can see there is no statement that can be called a fact, so we eliminate (2), (3) and (5). Also we can see that (1), (2) and (3) are not conclusions based on any fact given as there are simply no facts presented. This eliminates (5). So it is a set of four judgments. Ans. (4) 2.

1. Given the poor quality of service in the public sector, the HIV/AIDS affected should be switching to private initiatives that supply anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) at a low cost. 2. The government has been supplying free drugs since 2004, and 35000 have benefited up to now œ though the size of the affected population is 150 times this number. 3. The recent initiatives of networks and companies like AIDS Care Network, Emcure, Reliance-Cipla-CII, would lead to availability of much - needed drugs to a larger number of affected people. 4. But how ironic it is that we should face a perennial shortage of drugs when India is one of the world‘s largest suppliers of generic drugs to the developing world. (1) JFIJ (2) JIIJ (3) IFIJ (4) IFFJ (5) JFII

Solution: - Here statement 2 is a fact, so option (2) is out. Now, statement 1 is a judgement because of the use of the words ‘should be’ in the first statement, so options (3) and (4) are out. Now the last statement can either be fact or a judgement. But we can see that none of the option ends with an ‘F’. Thus, Ans. (1) 3.

1. According to all statistical indications, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has managed to keep pace with its ambitious goals. 2. The Mid-day Meal Scheme has been a significant incentive for the poor to send their little ones to school, thus establishing the vital link between healthy bodies and healthy minds. 3. Only about 13 million children in the age group of 6 to 14 years are out of school. 4. The goal of universalisation of elementary education has to be a pre-requisite for the evolution and development of our country. (1) IIFJ (2) JIIJ (3) IJFJ (4) IJFI (5) JIFI


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Solution: - Here statement 1 is surely an inference as it is a conclusion based on known facts and 3 is a fact. This eliminates (2) and (5). Also statement 4 is a judgment as it is simply an opinion, ruling out (4). Also, statement (2), which can be taken to be an inference by a lot many, is, indeed a judgment as there is no reason presented here as to why this is happening. So in the absence of sufficient, this statement should be considered a ‘judgement’. Ans. (3) 4.

1. We should not be hopelessly addicted to an erroneous belief that corruption in India is caused by the crookedness of Indians. 2. The truth is that we have more red tape - we take eighty-nine days to start a small business, Australians take two. 3. Red tape leads to corruption and distorts a people‘s character. 4. Every red tape procedure is a point of contact with an official, and such contacts have the potential to become opportunities for money to change hands. (1) JFIF (2) JFJJ (3) JIJF (4) IFJF (5) JFJI

Solution: - Here 1 and 3 are judgments – these are opinions on ‘not so firm evidence’ – as given in the question and 2 is a fact. This eliminates (1) and (4). The last statement can either be an inference or a judgement, which eliminates option (3). Now, there is contention between the 2nd option and the 5th option. The 4th statement cannot be a judgement because it is not an approval or a disapproval of anything. It is just a opinion based on the something known (the second part of the sentence). Hence, Ans. (5) 5.

1. Inequitable distribution of all kinds of resources is certainly one of the strongest and most sinister sources of conflict. 2. Even without war, we know that conflicts continue to trouble us - they only change in character. 3. Extensive disarmament is the only insurance for our future; imagine the amount of resources that can be released and redeployed. 4. The economies of the industrialized western world derive 20% of their income from the sale of all kinds of arms. (1) IJJI (2) JIJF (3) IIJF (4) JIIF (5) IJIF

Solution: - Here 1 and 3 are judgments as they express an opinion and not a conclusion based on a set of facts. Also 4 is a fact. This helps us eliminate (1), (3), (4) and (5). Ans. (2) Comments: Test takers often get shocked and are left thinking by verbal logic questions owing to the novelty of such questions. In addition, what makes it more unpredictable is unlike in QA or DI questions, there is no counter-checking possible. One may think that his or her answer is correct, without actually looking at it from a different angle.


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Try these questions (answers in the end) Directions for questions 1 to 5: 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. 1. Sherlock Holmes had encyclopaedic knowledge on criminal matters. At the same time, he

did not know that the earth went round the sun. When Dr Watson remonstrates about his ignorance, Holmes replies, "Now that you have told me, I will endeavour to forget it because your information is of no use to me." Holmes had an extreme view about learning but was making an important observation: Knowledge should be utilitarian. The rich can afford esoteric knowledge but for the poor, utility is what counts most.

(____________________________) 1) When we insist that our poor must have ten years of academic schooling, we are

echoing the idea that the poor should eat cake if they do not have bread. 2) Our education system is designed for the well-to-do by the well-to-do who are copying

ideas from rich Western countries. 3) Schools forget that the needs of the poor in India are different from those of the rich

economies and our poor are in dire need of employable skills. 4) Also, Rampant indiscipline in schools implies that there too many students do not see

value in the education they are getting. 2. From no-hopers to world champions - all it took was two weeks for India to traverse the

journey. A new captain, a young team, and lack of experience in this format were all touted as reasons why India could not win, but these were weaknesses only on paper; out on the field, each of these turned out to be strengths: Mahendra Singh Dhoni was vibrant and positive in the field, backing his hunches at key moments; the young team added oodles of energy to fielding, while the lack of experience in playing this game freed them of excess baggage and allowed them to learn quickly and formulate customised strategies which they believed would work for them. (______________________)

1) Even more than the actual results perhaps, what was so refreshingly different was the

manner in which they played the game. 2) There was a fearlessness to their approach which can only come from self-belief. 3) A prime example was the decision to bat first, even as most experts suggested chasing

was the way to go. 4) There were clear signs that they were enjoying the game and each other's successes.


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3. Sometimes a dexterous use of words appears to us to be only a kind of parlor trick. And sometimes it is just that. The command of a wide vocabulary is in truth an accomplishment, and like any other accomplishment it may be used for show. But not necessarily. Just as a man may have money without "flashing" it, or an extensive wardrobe without sporting gaudy neckties or wearing a dress suit in the morning, so may he possess linguistic resources without making a caddish exhibition of them. (____________________________)

1) Indeed the more distant he stands from verbal bankruptcy, the less likely he is to indulge

in needless display. 2) Again, glibness of speech sometimes awakens our distrust. 3) We like actions rather than words; we prefer that character, personality, and kindly

feelings should be their own mouthpiece. 4) It is only when language is insincere--when it expresses lofty sentiments or generous

sympathies, yet springs from designing selfishness--that it justly arouses misgivings. 4. But what is most remarkable is that rather than rising with the help of the state, India is in

many ways rising despite the state. The entrepreneur is clearly at the center of India's success story. India now boasts highly competitive private companies, a booming stock market, and a modern, well-disciplined financial sector. And since 1991 especially, the Indian state has been gradually moving out of the way - not graciously, but kicked and dragged into implementing economic reforms. It has lowered trade barriers and tax rates, broken state monopolies, unshackled industry, encouraged competition, and opened up to the rest of the world. (____________________________)

1) The pace has been slow, but the reforms are starting to add up. 2) India is poised at a key moment in its history. 3) Rapid growth will likely continue - and even accelerate. 4) But India cannot take this for granted.

5. No single institution has come to disappoint Indians more than their bureaucracy. In the

1950s, Indians bought into the cruel myth, promulgated by Nehru, that India's bureaucracy was its "steel frame," supposedly a means of guaranteeing stability and continuity after the British raj. Indians also accepted that a powerful civil service was needed to keep a diverse country together and administer the vast regulatory framework of Nehru's "mixed economy." But in the holy name of socialism, the Indian bureaucracy created thousands of controls and stifled enterprise for 40 years. (___________________)

1) India may have had some excellent civil servants, but none really understood business --

even though they had the power to ruin it. 2) Today, Indians believe that their bureaucracy has become a prime obstacle to

development, blocking instead of shepherding economic reforms. 3) One of the reasons is the bureaucracy's perverse incentive system; another is poor

training in implementation. 4) Indians tend to blame ideology or democracy for the failure of bureacracy, but the real

problem is that they value ideas over accomplishment.


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Directions for questions: Each question has a set of four sequentially ordered statements. Each statement can be classified as one of the Fact, Judgement or inference. Mark F-I-J accordingly. The definitions of Fact, Inference and Judgement are as given below. Facts, which deal with pieces of information that one has heard, seen or read, and which are open to discovery or verification (the answer option indicates such a statement with an ‘F‘). Inferences, which are conclusions drawn about the unknown, on the basis of the known (the answer option indicates such a statement with an ‘I‘). Judgements, which are opinions that imply approval or disapproval of persons, objects, situations and occurrences in the past, the present or the future (the answer option indicates such a statement with a ‘J‘). Mark the option which best classifies the four statements into Fact, Inference and Judgements. 6.

1) Unemployed allowance should be given to all unemployed Indian youths above 18 years of age.

2) Lack of stimulation in the first four or five years of life can have adverse consequences. 3) At that age the child reaches appropriate level of development and ready to learn, so it

is desirable to put the child in the school at the age of 5 or so. 4) No budgetary provision for the purpose of appointing additional faculty has been made

in the context of institute's changed financial priorities. (1) JJII (2) JJJF (3) FJJF (4) FJIF (5) JJIF

7.

1) Those people are mistaken, as is obvious from the fact that in each of the past six years, our state has spent more money per mile on road improvements than any other state.

2) Several of the particle accelerators at major research institutions were out of service the year before last of repairs, so it is likely that the low number of articles was due to the decline in availability of particle accelerators.

3) When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

4) Each rancher would be tempted to overuse common land because the benefits would accrue to the individual, while the costs of reduced land quality that results from overuse would be spread among all users.

(1) IIJI (2) IIFJ (3) JJJI (4) JJJF (5) IJIF

8.

1) A compelling optical illusion called the illusion of velocity and size makes objects appear to be moving more slow the larger the objects are.

2) Biological functions of many plants and animals vary in cycles that are repeated every 24 hours.

3) When people move from one time zone to another, their daily biological rhythms adjust in a matter of days to the periods of sunlight and darkness in the new zone.

4) Although migraine headaches are believed to be caused by food allergies, putting patients on diets that eliminate those foods to which the patients have been demonstrated to have allergic migraine reactions frequently does not stop headaches.


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(1) JFJF (2) JJJJ (3) FJFJ (4) IIII (5) FFFF

9. 1) The net savings in medical resources achieved by some preventive health measures

are smaller than the net losses attributable to certain other measures of this kind. 2) Recently a court ruled that current law allows companies to reject a job applicant if

working in the job would entail a 90 percent chance that the applicant would suffer a heart attack.

3) Because the satellites can be repaired only in orbit, astronauts are needed to repair them.

4) In an attempt to promote the widespread use of paper rather than plastic, and thus reduce non biodegradable waste, the council of a small town plans to ban the sale of disposable plastic goods for which substitutes made of paper exist.

(1) JFIJ (2) FFII (3) JJII (4) JFIF (5) FJFI

10. 1) The more frequently employees take time to exercise during working hours each week,

the fewer sick days they take. 2) The development of cost-effective manufacturing techniques is of the highest priority for

civilian business and would be neglected if resources go to military projects, which do not emphasize cost efficiency.

3) The increase in taxes or government debt needed to finance the project will severely reduce the vitality of the civilian economy.

4) According to a review of 61 studies of patients suffering from severely debilitating depression, in a large majority of the patients missing a night’s sleep immediately lifted their depression.

(1) JJJI (2) FJIF (3) FJFF (4) JJIF (5) JJJF

(Answers on next page) The author Chandramauli Bhatt is Senior Faculty, Endeavor Careers Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad and a versatile CAT Trainer. A brief profile: Endeavor, as the name suggests is a journey, a mission, a movement! Endeavor is a spirited effort by the best in business to provide the guidance to the young aspirants, shape their attitude, boost their confidence and shatter all the myths and mystic that surrounds entrance exams due to proliferation of revenue oriented coaching centers in India. It offers classroom as well as correspondence coaching for various entrance exams like CAT, GMAT, GRE and GCET. You can reach them at http://www.endeavorcareers.com/. Source: www.PaGaLGuY.com – India’s largest MBA community and portal. For more such articles, visit the PaGaLGuY.com CAT 2007 Series. For more Verbal section resources shared by thousands of CAT aspirants, Click Here.

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Answers 1 – (1) 2 – (1) 3 – (1) 4 – (1) 5 – (1) 6 – (5) 7 – (1) 8 – (5) 9 – (4) 10 – (5)

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