đ Whatâs Inside This CAT Paragraph Summary Question Post?
đ Authentic CAT Paragraph Summary QuestionPractice with a real CAT Paragraph Summary Question from a previous CAT exam.
â
Detailed Question with Step-by-Step SolutionEach question is explained thoroughly for better understanding.
đ„ Video Solutions by Prashant Sir Watch detailed video solutions for quicker concept clarity.
đ In-Depth Paragraph AnalysisGain insights through line-by-line and paragraph-wise analysis
đ Vocabulary Enhancement: Top 5 words explained from the paragraph
Paragraph Summary Questions
Q. 34: The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the authorâs position.
Should the moral obligation to rescue and aid persons in grave peril, felt by a few, be enforced by the criminal law? Should we follow the lead of a number of European countries and enact bad Samaritan laws? Proponents of bad Samaritan laws must overcome at least three different sorts of obstacles. First, they must show the laws are morally legitimate in principle, that is, that the duty to aid others is a proper candidate for legal enforcement. Second, they must show that this duty to aid can be defined in a way that can be fairly enforced by the courts. Third, they must show that the benefits of the laws are worth their problems, risks and costs.
A. A number of European countries that have successfully enacted bad Samaritan laws may serve as model statutes.
B. Everyone agrees that people ought to aid others, the only debate is whether to have a law on it.
C. If bad Samaritan laws are found to be legally sound and enforceable they must be enacted.
D. Bad Samaritan laws may be desirable but they need to be tested for legal soundness.
Solution with Explanation
Answer: D
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:
To answer this question, you need to know two things â who is a good Samaritan, and what do Bad Samaritan laws generally comprise of. A (good) Samaritan is a casual term used for a charitable or helpful person. And, bad-Samaritan-laws would oblige people to provide rescue or assistance to people in danger, and not doing so will be considered as a punishable crime.
The author is mainly debating whether Bad Samaritan laws should be legally enforced, and describes the three obstacles that need to be overcome by those who are supporting the implementation.
Option A just states a piece of information provided in the passage, and does not capture the gist of the passage. Hence, it can be eliminated.
Option B is a generally acceptable statement â âEveryone agrees that people ought to aid othersâ â however, it has not been specifically stated or implied anywhere in the passage. So, we can eliminate Option B as well.
The passage begins with a couple of rhetorical questions about possible legal ramifications if one does not uphold his/her moral obligation of helping a person in need. Then, the author highlights three obstacles or implementation-issues of bad Samaritan laws. If we look at the passage pragmatically, and not make any assumptions about the tone of the author, we can see that the author is not actually taking any sides. So, we can rule out Option C.
Only Option D upholds the essence of arguments in the passage. Hence, Option D is the correct answer.
Word 1: Obligation
Context:
"Should the moral obligation to rescue and aid persons in grave peril, felt by a few, be enforced by the criminal law?"
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "obligation" refers to something a person is bound to do, either legally or morally. Itâs a duty or commitment that compels someone to take action or behave in a certain way. In the context of the sentence, it emphasizes the internal sense of moral duty to help others, and raises the question of whether such duties should be backed by legal enforcement.
Meaning: A duty or commitment that compels someone to act (Noun)
Pronunciation: ob-li-GAY-shun
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin *obligare*, meaning "to bind."
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Obligation can be both internal (moral/ethical) and external (legal/formal). Understanding the context in which it's used is keyâlegal obligations carry consequences; moral ones rely on personal conscience.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: duty, responsibility, commitment, burden, requirement
Antonyms: freedom, choice, exemption, liberty
Usage Examples:
- She felt a strong obligation to care for her elderly parents.
- Legal obligations require companies to follow safety standards.
- Thereâs a moral obligation to speak out against injustice.
- He broke the terms of his financial obligation to the bank.
Cultural Reference:
"With great power comes great responsibility." â This quote from Spider-Man echoes the concept of moral obligation.
Think About It:
Should society enforce moral obligations through law, or should individuals be left to act on conscience alone?
Quick Activity:
Write down three obligations you have in your daily lifeâone moral, one legal, and one personal. Reflect on how each influences your actions.
Memory Tip:
Think: âAn *obligation* binds you like a chainâlegal or moral, you canât just ignore it.â
Real-World Application:
Understanding obligations is essential in law, healthcare, education, and workplace ethicsâknowing when you're legally bound versus morally compelled helps in decision-making and accountability.
Word 2: Enforced
Context:
"They must show that this duty to aid can be defined in a way that can be fairly enforced by the courts."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Enforced" refers to the act of compelling compliance with a rule, law, or obligation. It implies that an authority ensures people follow a requirement through supervision or punishment. In this sentence, it raises the question of whether a moral duty can be clearly structured and imposed fairly through legal systems.
Meaning: Imposed or carried out with authority to ensure compliance (Verb â past tense)
Pronunciation: en-FORST
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Old French *enforcier*, from Latin *infortiare*, meaning "to strengthen or force."
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Remember, enforcement involves power and authority. A rule or law may exist, but it's enforcement that gives it actual weight in society.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: imposed, upheld, implemented, executed, administered
Antonyms: ignored, neglected, waived, overlooked
Usage Examples:
- Speed limits are enforced by traffic police using cameras and patrols.
- Curfews were strictly enforced during the state of emergency.
- The contract terms must be enforced to maintain fairness between parties.
- Without being enforced, even the best laws become meaningless.
Cultural Reference:
"The law is not law, if it violates the principles of eternal justice." â Lydia Maria Child, reflecting the idea that enforcement must be fair.
Think About It:
Can laws be justly enforced if the underlying moral duties are debated or unclear?
Quick Activity:
Make a list of three rules you follow daily. Then, identify who enforces themâyourself, society, or an official authority?
Memory Tip:
âEnforcedâ has âforceâ inside itâthink of rules backed by the âforceâ of law or authority.
Real-World Application:
Enforcement is key in law, workplace regulations, parenting, and governanceâwithout it, systems lose structure and accountability fades.
Word 3: Legitimate
Context:
"First, they must show the laws are morally legitimate in principle, that is, that the duty to aid others is a proper candidate for legal enforcement."
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "legitimate" refers to something that is lawful, reasonable, or morally acceptable. In the given sentence, it highlights the importance of proving that a law is not only legally valid but also morally justifiable. A legitimate rule or duty stands on solid ethical ground and earns respect and compliance due to its fairness and righteousness.
Meaning: Conforming to law or to rules; morally or ethically justified (Adjective)
Pronunciation: le-JIT-uh-mit
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *legitimus*, meaning "lawful," derived from *lex*, meaning "law."
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Legitimate" is a power-packed wordâit helps assess whether an action, rule, or authority has both legal grounding and moral acceptability. It's often used in debates around justice and governance.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: lawful, valid, justifiable, authorized, rightful
Antonyms: illegitimate, unlawful, unjustified, invalid, dubious
Usage Examples:
- The court ruled that the protest was a legitimate form of free speech.
- She raised a legitimate concern about the safety protocols at work.
- The government must gain legitimate authority through fair elections.
- Only legitimate businesses are eligible for tax exemptions.
Cultural Reference:
In political theory, Max Weber defined legitimate authority as power that is accepted by society because it is viewed as right and properâhighlighting the blend of legal and moral validation.
Think About It:
Can a law be considered legitimate if it is legal but widely viewed as morally wrong?
Quick Activity:
List two actions that are legal but may not be considered legitimate by all. Reflect on why legitimacy requires more than legality.
Memory Tip:
Think: âLegit = real.â If something is *legitimate*, itâs the real dealâlawful, ethical, and justified.
Real-World Application:
Understanding what makes rules or authority legitimate helps citizens evaluate governance, business practices, and ethical decisions in everyday life.
Word 4: Principle
Context:
"First, they must show the laws are morally legitimate in principle, that is, that the duty to aid others is a proper candidate for legal enforcement."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Principle" refers to a fundamental truth, rule, or belief that guides thoughts and actions. It acts as a foundation for reasoning or behavior. In the context of the sentence, it means the concept or idea that underlies the legitimacy of the lawâwhether, at its core, the duty to help others aligns with sound moral reasoning and thus deserves legal status.
Meaning: A fundamental rule or belief that serves as the foundation for a system of thought or behavior (Noun)
Pronunciation: PRIN-suh-pul
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *principium*, meaning "beginning, foundation, origin."
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Don't confuse *principle* (an idea or value) with *principal* (a person or main part). This word is key in ethics, law, and personal conductâprinciples shape the 'why' behind actions.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: doctrine, tenet, belief, standard, guideline
Antonyms: dishonesty, lawlessness, ambiguity, inconsistency
Usage Examples:
- She refused the offer on principle, believing it to be unfair.
- Freedom of speech is a fundamental democratic principle.
- The school is founded on principles of respect and equality.
- In principle, the idea seems fair, but it may not work in practice.
Cultural Reference:
"In matters of principle, stand like a rock." â Thomas Jefferson, emphasizing the unwavering value of foundational beliefs.
Think About It:
What principles guide your everyday decisions, and where do they come fromâsociety, religion, experience, or something else?
Quick Activity:
Write down your top three personal principles. Now, reflect: How often do you act in accordance with them?
Memory Tip:
Principle = rule or belief. Remember: "The *le* in principle stands for 'law' or 'ethics'."
Real-World Application:
Knowing your principles helps you make consistent ethical choices in work, relationships, and civic lifeâitâs a compass in a world full of options.
Word 5: Enact
Context:
"Should we follow the lead of a number of European countries and enact bad Samaritan laws?"
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "enact" means to make a proposal into a law through a formal legislative process. It refers to the official act of passing rules or statutes. In the given sentence, it questions whether certain moral expectationsâsuch as helping someone in distressâshould be turned into enforceable laws, as done in some European nations with "bad Samaritan" laws.
Meaning: To make into law; to officially establish a rule or regulation (Verb)
Pronunciation: en-AKT
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin *enactare*, from *in-* (in) + *actum* (thing done), related to *agere* (to do).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Use "enact" specifically for laws or formal rules. Don't confuse it with "act out" in dramaâitâs a legal and legislative term first and foremost.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: legislate, implement, establish, decree, authorize
Antonyms: repeal, annul, revoke, rescind
Usage Examples:
- The government plans to enact new environmental protection laws.
- In response to the crisis, Parliament quickly enacted emergency measures.
- The law was enacted to ensure equal access to education for all.
- Activists urged the state to enact policies against hate speech.
Cultural Reference:
In the U.S., the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted to end segregation and outlaw discriminationâan iconic example of legislative action shaping society.
Think About It:
Should moral dutiesâlike helping othersâbe enacted into law, or should they remain voluntary?
Quick Activity:
Write a one-line proposal for a law you believe should be enacted in your country. Keep it specific and impactful.
Memory Tip:
âEnactâ sounds like âin + actââthink of putting an idea *into action* by making it a law.
Real-World Application:
Understanding how laws are enacted helps you engage meaningfully in civic processesâwhether you're voting, protesting, or participating in public debate.
