📘 What’s Inside This CAT Paragraph Summary Question Post?
📝 Authentic CAT Paragraph Summary QuestionPractice with a real CAT Paragraph Summary Question from a previous CAT exam.
✅ Detailed Question with Step-by-Step SolutionEach question is explained thoroughly for better understanding.
🎥 Video Solutions by Prashant Sir Watch detailed video solutions for quicker concept clarity.
🔍 In-Depth Paragraph AnalysisGain insights through line-by-line and paragraph-wise analysis
📚 Vocabulary Enhancement: Top 5 words explained from the paragraph
Paragraph Summary Questions
25. Five sentences related to a topic are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a meaningful and coherent short paragraph. Identify the odd one out.
1. Much has been recently discovered about the development of songs in birds.
2. Some species are restricted to a single song learned by all individuals, others have a range of songs.
3. The most important auditory stimuli for the birds are the sounds of other birds.
4. For all bird species there is a prescribed path to development of the final song.
5. A bird begins with the subsong, passes through plastic song, until it achieves the species song.
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: 3
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:
After reading all the sentences, we can gather that, when put together, the coherent passage should talk about the process of development of songs in bird species.
If we consider the passage, Sentence-1 will make the opening sentence as it is in general format, and introduces the topic of song development in birds. The next statement should be about the general process of song development for all birds, hence, Sentence-4 comes next. Then we pick about the subset of species, and how they differ from the general rule, which means that Sentence-2 will get placed here. And finally, we describe the flow of song-development, hence Sentence-5 will complete the passage. 1425 will be the logical sequence of sentences.
Sentence-3 does not contribute to the main theme, hence, it is the odd one out.
Word 1: Species
Context:
"Some species are restricted to a single song learned by all individuals, others have a range of songs." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "species" refers to a distinct group of living organisms that share common characteristics and are capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring. In the context of the sentence, it highlights how different groups of animals or birds may display different vocal behaviors, depending on their biological classification. Each species has its own evolutionary path, which influences its traits, behaviors, and environmental needs.
Meaning: A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring (Noun)
Pronunciation: SPEE-sheez
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Basic
Etymology: From Latin *species*, meaning “appearance, form, kind.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Often confused with "specie" (which refers to money in coin form), "species" is a fundamental term in biology. Its plural form is also "species", which can trip up many students. Always use context to decide singular or plural.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: type, kind, breed, category, classification
Antonyms: whole, generality (in some contexts)
Usage Examples:
- There are over 300 species of hummingbirds worldwide.
- The giant panda is an endangered species.
- Each species has adapted uniquely to its environment.
- Scientists discovered a new species deep in the Amazon rainforest.
Cultural Reference:
"The origin of species by means of natural selection" – the title of Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking book on evolution.
Think About It:
Why do you think humans have classified living organisms into species, and how has this helped scientific understanding?
Quick Activity:
List five animal species that you are familiar with and one unique characteristic of each.
Memory Tip:
Remember: “Species” has the word “spec” in it — think of “specific kinds” of animals or plants.
Real-World Application:
The concept of species is vital in biology, conservation, and environmental science — understanding species helps protect biodiversity and ecosystems.
Word 2: Auditory
Context:
"The most important auditory stimuli for the birds are the sounds of other birds." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Auditory" refers to anything related to hearing or the sense of sound. In the sentence, it highlights how birds are highly responsive to sounds, especially those made by other birds. This word is frequently used in scientific, medical, and educational contexts to describe functions or experiences involving the ear and hearing.
Meaning: Related to hearing or the sense of sound (Adjective)
Pronunciation: AW-di-tuh-ree
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *audīre*, meaning “to hear”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word often appears in science-related topics. A common confusion is with “audio” (a noun referring to sound recordings or signals). “Auditory” is an adjective that specifically relates to the *sense* of hearing.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: acoustic, aural, hearing-related
Antonyms: visual, tactile
Usage Examples:
- The auditory nerve transmits sound signals from the ear to the brain.
- Children with auditory processing disorders may struggle to understand spoken language.
- Auditory learning involves using listening as the main way to absorb information.
- The dog's sharp auditory senses allow it to detect the faintest noises.
Cultural Reference:
"The auditory cortex is where the brain processes sounds" – often cited in neuroscience and psychology literature.
Think About It:
How would the world be different if humans had no auditory sense? What would we lose or gain?
Quick Activity:
Close your eyes for 30 seconds and write down all the sounds you hear — that's your auditory awareness test.
Memory Tip:
Think of “audio” (sound) + “story” = auditory — a story you hear!
Real-World Application:
Understanding auditory skills is essential in education, therapy, and designing user experiences like voice commands and speech recognition technologies.
Word 3: Stimuli
Context:
"The most important auditory stimuli for the birds are the sounds of other birds." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Stimuli" refers to things or events that provoke a reaction in a living organism. In this context, it describes the sounds that cause birds to respond or behave in certain ways. Birds, like humans and other animals, react to external inputs from their environment—these inputs are called stimuli. The plural form "stimuli" comes from the singular "stimulus" and is commonly used in biology, psychology, and sensory studies.
Meaning: Things that cause a reaction or response in an organism (Plural Noun)
Pronunciation: STIM-yuh-lie
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *stimulus*, meaning “a goad or spur”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
“Stimuli” is the plural of “stimulus”—a word that often confuses students. Always match it with plural verbs (e.g., *stimuli are important*, not *stimuli is important*). Used a lot in scientific and academic contexts.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: triggers, prompts, cues, signals, incentives
Antonyms: deterrents, discouragements, suppressants
Usage Examples:
- Bright lights and loud noises are common stimuli for infants.
- Plants grow towards light as a response to environmental stimuli.
- The brain processes multiple stimuli at once, including sights, sounds, and smells.
- Marketing campaigns use visual stimuli to capture consumer attention.
Cultural Reference:
"Conditioned responses are learned reactions to specific stimuli" — a key principle in Pavlov’s classical conditioning theory in psychology.
Think About It:
Can you think of a situation where too many stimuli might overwhelm someone? How can we manage sensory overload in modern life?
Quick Activity:
List five different stimuli you experience every morning (e.g., alarm clock, sunlight, smell of breakfast).
Memory Tip:
Remember: "Stimuli" = many *stimulus* = multiple triggers or signals that stir a response.
Real-World Application:
Understanding stimuli is crucial in education, marketing, therapy, and design, where influencing or interpreting reactions is key.
Word 4: Prescribed
Context:
"For all bird species there is a prescribed path to development of the final song." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Prescribed" refers to something that has been officially laid out, recommended, or ordered, usually by an authority. In the context of birds, it suggests that there is a predetermined or set pattern that the birds follow during the process of learning and developing their song. The word often carries a sense of something that must be followed according to plan, rule, or recommendation.
Meaning: Officially recommended or set according to rules (Verb - past participle/adjective)
Pronunciation: preh-SCRYBD
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *praescribere*, meaning “to write before, order in advance”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Often used in medical and formal settings. It’s the past form of “prescribe,” not to be confused with “proscribe,” which means to ban. Keep an eye out for the context—it could mean suggested (like medicine) or mandated (like a routine).
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: assigned, designated, recommended, mandated, stipulated
Antonyms: optional, spontaneous, unregulated, improvised
Usage Examples:
- The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics to treat the infection.
- Students must follow the prescribed format for submitting their reports.
- There is a prescribed training routine for new employees.
- Birdsong development follows a prescribed sequence of stages.
Cultural Reference:
"Take only as prescribed" – a common warning label on medication packaging emphasizing the importance of following professional guidelines.
Think About It:
When does following a prescribed path help growth, and when might it limit creativity or flexibility?
Quick Activity:
Write a 3-step prescribed morning routine that helps you start your day productively.
Memory Tip:
Think of a doctor’s prescription — “prescribed” always implies something set or directed ahead of time.
Real-World Application:
"Prescribed" is used in education (prescribed syllabus), medicine (prescribed drugs), and behavior (prescribed rules), guiding formal procedures in many fields.
Word 5: Development
Context:
"For all bird species there is a prescribed path to development of the final song." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Development" refers to the process of growth, progress, or evolution over time. In the context of birdsong, it describes the stages birds go through as they gradually form and refine their final song. This word is widely used in biology, psychology, technology, and business to denote transformation, advancement, or formation of something from a simpler to a more complex state.
Meaning: The process of growth, progress, or evolution over time (Noun)
Pronunciation: dih-VEL-up-muhnt
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Basic
Etymology: From Old French *desvoluper*, meaning “to unwrap or unfold”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a foundational academic word. Use it in both abstract and concrete ways — the development of skills, a country’s development, or even the development of a plot in a novel. Always pair it with the context to clarify what is being developed.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: growth, progress, evolution, expansion, advancement
Antonyms: decline, stagnation, regression, deterioration
Usage Examples:
- The development of language in children follows a predictable pattern.
- Urban development has transformed the rural landscape.
- The scientist studied the development of the virus over several months.
- Personal development is an ongoing journey of learning and growth.
Cultural Reference:
"Sustainable development" – a key concept in global environmental policy, balancing economic growth with ecological responsibility.
Think About It:
What factors do you think most influence the development of a person’s identity or character over time?
Quick Activity:
Write three areas in your life where you’ve seen personal development in the last year. What caused that growth?
Memory Tip:
Think of "developing a photo" — something hidden slowly comes to life. Development means unfolding potential.
Real-World Application:
"Development" appears in nearly every field — child development in education, software development in tech, and economic development in policymaking.
