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CAT Main Idea and Title - Practice Questions & MCQ
Edited By admin | Updated on Oct 04, 2023 04:34 PM | #CAT
Quick Facts
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1 Questions around this concept.
Solve by difficulty
Directions for Question : Read the passage given below and answer the question with the most appropriate choice.
Passage 2
It’s time to take a look at the line between “pet” and “animal.” When the ASPCA sends an agent to the home of a Brooklyn family to arrest one of its members for allegedly killing a hamster, something is wrong. That “something” is this: we protect “companion animals” like hamsters while largely ignoring what amounts to the torture of chickens and cows and pigs. In short, if I keep a pig as a pet, I can’t kick it. If I keep a pig I intend to sell for food, I can pretty much torture it. State laws known as “Common Farming Exemptions” allow industry — rather than lawmakers — to make any practice legal as long as it’s common. “In other words,” as Jonathan Safran Foer, the author of “Eating Animals,” wrote to me via e-mail, “the industry has the power to define cruelty. It’s every bit as crazy as giving burglars the power to define trespassing.”
Meanwhile, there are pet police. So when 19-year-old Monique Smith slammed her sibling’s hamster on the floor and killed it, as she may have done in a fit of rage last week, an ASPCA agent — there are 18 of them, busily responding to animal cruelty calls in the five boroughs and occasionally beyond — arrested her. In light of the way most animals are treated in this country, I’m pretty sure that ASPCA agents don’t need to spend their time in Brooklyn defending rodents.
In fact, there’s no rationality to be found here. Just a few blocks from Ms. Smith’s home, along the M subway line, the city routinely is poisoning rodents as quickly and futilely as it possibly can, though rats can be pets as well. But that’s hardly the point. This is: we “process” (that means kill) nearly 10 billion animals annually in this country, approximately one-sixth of the world’s total. Many, if not most, of these animals are raised (or not, since probably a couple of hundred million are killed at birth) industrially, in conditions that the philosopher Peter Singer and others have compared to concentration camps. Might we more usefully police those who keep egg-laying hens in cages so small the birds can’t open their wings, for example, than anger-management-challenged young people accused of hamstercide?
Yet Ms. Smith was charged as a felon, because in New York (and there are similar laws in other states) if you kick a dog or cat or hamster or, I suppose, a guppy, enough to “cause extreme physical pain” or do so “in an especially depraved or sadistic manner” you may be guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals, as long as you do this “with no justifiable purpose.” But thanks to Common Farming Exemptions, as long as I “raise” animals for food and it’s done by my fellow “farmers” (in this case, manufacturers might be a better word), I can put around 200 million male chicks a year through grinders, castrate — mostly without anesthetic — 65 million calves and piglets a year, breed sick animals (don’t forget: more than half a billion eggs were recalled last summer, from just two Iowa farms) who in turn breed antibiotic-resistant bacteria, allow those sick animals to die without individual veterinary care, imprison animals in cages so small they cannot turn around, skin live animals, or kill animals en masse to stem disease outbreaks. All of this is legal, because we will eat them. We have “justifiable purposes”: pleasure, convenience — there are few things more filling per dollar than a cheeseburger — and of course corporate profits.
Arguing for the freedom to eat as much meat as you want is equivalent to arguing for treating farm animals as if they could not feel pain. Yet no one would defend Ms. Smith’s cruel action because it was a pet and therefore not born to be put through living hell. Is it really that bad? After all, a new video from Smithfield, the world’s largest pork producer, makes industrial pig-raising seem like a little bit of heaven. But undercover videos from the Humane Society of the United States tell quite a different story, and a repulsive one.
Our fantasy is that until the industrial era domesticated animals were treated decently. Maybe that’s true, and maybe it isn’t; but certainly they weren’t turned out by the tens of thousands as if they were widgets. We’re finally seeing some laws that take the first steps toward generally ameliorating cruelty to farm animals, and it’s safe to say that most of today’s small farmers and even some larger ones raise animals humanely. These few, at least, are treated with as much respect as the law believes we should treat a hamster. For the majority of non-pets, though, it’s tough luck.
Question :
The appropriate title for the passage is:
Concepts Covered - 1
Main Idea and Title
Main Idea and Title
Main Idea:
Definition:
The main idea is the central message or theme that an author intends to convey through a passage. It represents the primary focus or purpose of the author's writing. Identifying the main idea is crucial for comprehensive understanding and effective summarization of a passage.
Importance:
Understanding the main idea is essential because it provides a roadmap for comprehending the supporting details and arguments within a passage. It acts as an anchor, helping the reader stay focused on the core message amid potentially complex or verbose content.
Locating the Main Idea:
- Introductory Paragraph: Often, the main idea is explicitly stated in the opening paragraph. The author may present the central theme early on to provide readers with context.
- Concluding Paragraph: Similarly, the main idea may be restated or summarised in the concluding paragraph. This serves to reinforce the core message and leave a lasting impression on the reader.
- Implicit Throughout: In more complex passages, the main idea may be implicitly woven throughout the text. In such cases, readers must carefully consider the recurring themes, arguments, or concepts presented.
Approach to Main Idea Questions:
- Active Reading: Engage with the passage, actively seeking out the author's main argument and key points.
- Identify Central Themes: Look for recurring ideas, arguments, or concepts that underpin the passage's content.
- Opening and Closing Focus: Pay close attention to the introductory and concluding paragraphs, as they often contain explicit statements of the main idea.
- Avoid Getting Bogged Down: While details are important, prioritise capturing the overarching message of the passage.
- Consider the Author's Purpose: Reflect on why the author is writing and what message they intend to convey to the reader.
Main Idea Examples:
- Passage Excerpt:
"Advancements in artificial intelligence have revolutionised various industries, from healthcare to finance. The integration of AI-driven algorithms has led to increased efficiency and accuracy in decision-making processes."
Main Idea: The main idea of this passage is the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on various industries, emphasising its role in enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
- Passage Excerpt:
"Exploring the intricacies of human behaviour, psychology sheds light on the underlying factors influencing our thoughts, emotions, and actions. It provides valuable insights for personal growth and interpersonal relationships."
Main Idea: The main idea here is the significance of psychology in understanding human behaviour and its applications in personal development and relationships.
- Passage Excerpt:
"The concept of sustainability is at the forefront of global discussions, driving efforts to address environmental challenges. Embracing eco-friendly practices is paramount for a sustainable future."
Main Idea: The central theme of this passage is the importance of sustainability and the need for adopting environmentally-friendly practices.
Mastering the skill of identifying the main idea and crafting effective titles will greatly enhance your ability to comprehend and engage with passages in the VARC section of management exams.
Title:
Definition:
The title of a passage is a concise representation of the entire passage's content. It serves as a preview of the subject matter and should encapsulate the main idea.
Characteristics of an Effective Title:
- Reflects Main Idea: The title should accurately represent the central theme or message of the passage.
- Concise and Clear: It should be brief yet descriptive, providing a clear indication of the content to follow.
- Engaging: A well-crafted title piques the reader's interest, encouraging them to delve into the passage.
- Avoids Misleading Information: The title should not misrepresent the content or mislead the reader about the passage's focus.
Title Examples:
- Passage Topic: "The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation"
Title: "Cultivating Inner Peace: The Power of Mindfulness Meditation"
- Passage Topic: "The Influence of Art on Society"
Title: "Brushstrokes of Change: Art's Impact on Cultural Shifts"
- Passage Topic: "The Evolution of Urban Planning"
Title: "Blueprints for Progress: A Journey through Urban Planning"
- Passage Topic: "The Role of Technology in Education"
Title: "Empowering Minds: Technology's Educational Revolution"
- Passage Topic: "The Psychology of Decision-Making"
Title: "Deciphering Choices: Unravelling the Psychology of Decision-Making"
Remember, an effective title captures the essence of the passage, providing readers with a clear and engaging preview of the content. Additionally, understanding the main idea allows for a more nuanced comprehension of the supporting details within the passage.
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