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Question 26: The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
A distinguishing feature of language is our ability to refer to absent things, known as displaced reference. A speaker can bring distant referents to mind in the absence of any obvious stimuli. Thoughts, not limited to the here and now, can pop into our heads for unfathomable reasons. This ability to think about distant things necessarily precedes the ability to talk about them. Thought precedes meaningful referential communication. A prerequisite for the emergence of human-like meaningful symbols is that the mental categories they relate to can be invoked even in the absence of immediate stimuli.
A. Displaced reference is particular to humans and thoughts pop into our heads for no real reason.
B. The ability to think about objects not present in our environment precedes the development of human communication.
C. Thoughts are essential to communication and only humans have the ability to think about objects not present in their surroundings.
D. Thoughts precede all speech acts and these thoughts pop up in our heads even in the absence of any stimulus.
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:
Let us pick the method of elimination to answer this question.
Options A and C can be eliminated as the passage does not mention that the ability to think about absent things is particularly present in humans âonlyâ.
Option D suggests that thoughts precede âall speech actsâ â though this would look like a logical statement to some, actually the author states that âThought precedes meaningful referential communicationâ â and not all speech acts.
Option B summarizes the paragraph in a crisp manner, and captures the gist. Hence Option B is the correct answer.
Word 1: Distinguishing
Context:
"A distinguishing feature of language is our ability to refer to absent things, known as displaced reference." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Distinguishing" refers to something that sets one thing apart from othersâsomething that identifies or highlights uniqueness. In the given context, it means that the ability to refer to things that are not present (displaced reference) is a unique and defining trait of human language. The word often appears in discussions about characteristics, features, and qualities that differentiate one subject or object from another.
Meaning: Serving to identify as different or distinct (Adjective/Verb - Present participle)
Pronunciation: dih-STING-gwish-ing
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic to Intermediate
Etymology: From Old French distinguer, from Latin distinguere meaning âto separate between, discriminate.â
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Think of âdistinguishingâ as a spotlightâitâs what makes something stand out from the crowd. In vocabulary, identifying distinguishing features helps you remember words and concepts better.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: identifying, unique, defining, notable, characteristic
Antonyms: common, ordinary, generic, unremarkable
Usage Examples:
- One distinguishing feature of mammals is the presence of hair or fur.
- Her distinguishing trait is her calm demeanor under pressure.
- The bright stripes are distinguishing marks of a tiger.
- Distinguishing the real painting from a replica can be quite difficult without expertise.
Cultural Reference:
"A distinguishing mark of great minds is their ability to simplify the complex." â Often quoted in discussions on genius and clarity.
Think About It:
What is one distinguishing feature that sets you apart from others in your field or community?
Quick Activity:
Pick any object nearby (like a pen or phone) and list three distinguishing features that set it apart from others.
Memory Tip:
Remember: âDistinguishingâ helps you âdistinguishââit highlights the âdifferenceâ or âdistinctivenessâ in something.
Real-World Application:
In marketing, branding, and communication, identifying and promoting distinguishing features of a product or service is essential to attract attention and stand out in a crowded market.
Word 2: Stimuli
Context:
"A speaker can bring distant referents to mind in the absence of any obvious stimuli." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Stimuli" is the plural form of "stimulus" and refers to events, objects, or factors that provoke a response or reaction in a person, organism, or system. In the context of language and cognition, stimuli might be things we see, hear, or experience that trigger memory, thought, or speech. The sentence emphasizes how language allows people to refer to things even without any present or physical stimuliâhighlighting the abstract and imaginative power of the human mind.
Meaning: Things that provoke a response or reaction (Noun â plural of stimulus)
Pronunciation: STIM-yuh-lye
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin stimulus, meaning âa goad, spur, or incentive.â
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Think of stimuli as triggersâthey can be external like a loud sound, or internal like a memory. The beauty of language lies in how we can respond to *imagined* stimuli, not just physical ones. Thatâs what makes human communication so powerful.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: triggers, cues, incentives, signals, prompts
Antonyms: suppressants, deterrents, blockages, inhibitors
Usage Examples:
- Bright lights and loud noises are strong stimuli for infants.
- In psychology, behavior is often analyzed as a reaction to external stimuli.
- The scent of cinnamon acted as a stimulus that triggered childhood memories.
- Even without external stimuli, the speaker vividly described a faraway place.
Cultural Reference:
In Pavlovâs famous experiments, dogs responded to auditory stimuli like bells by salivatingâillustrating conditioned behavior.
Think About It:
Can our imagination create more powerful responses than real-world stimuli? Why might that be the case?
Quick Activity:
Look around your room and identify 3 different stimuli that affect your mood, attention, or behavior. Write a sentence on how each one influences you.
Memory Tip:
Remember: âStimuliâ *stimulate*âthey trigger action, emotion, or thought. Think of them as mental or physical nudges!
Real-World Application:
Stimuli are critical in education, therapy, marketing, and designâwhere understanding what triggers human response can lead to more effective communication and influence.
Word 3: Unfathomable
Context:
"Thoughts, not limited to the here and now, can pop into our heads for unfathomable reasons." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Unfathomable" describes something that is so deep, complex, or mysterious that it cannot be fully understood or explained. In the given context, it refers to the puzzling or inexplicable nature of thoughts that arise spontaneously in our minds. These thoughts seem to come from nowhere, with causes or triggers that we can't logically traceâmaking them âunfathomable.â The word is often used to describe profound mysteries or emotions.
Meaning: Too strange or difficult to be understood or explained (Adjective)
Pronunciation: uhn-FATH-uh-muh-bul
Difficulty Level: ââââ Advanced
Etymology: From Old English fĂŠĂ°m meaning âto embrace or surround,â originally referring to depth (especially of water) that could not be measured.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âUnfathomableâ brings a poetic qualityâit often shows up when we try to describe something deeply emotional or intellectually confusing. Itâs a powerful word that signals awe, mystery, or overwhelming complexity.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: incomprehensible, inscrutable, mysterious, baffling, puzzling
Antonyms: understandable, clear, obvious, simple
Usage Examples:
- The universe is vast and, to many, unfathomable in its complexity.
- Her grief was so deep it felt unfathomable to those around her.
- They were driven by an unfathomable desire for power and recognition.
- The reasons behind his sudden decision remain unfathomable to this day.
Cultural Reference:
In literature, authors like Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft often explore the âunfathomableââthe eerie, unknowable depths of the mind and universe.
Think About It:
Whatâs one experience or emotion you've had that felt truly unfathomableâsomething you struggled to describe or explain?
Quick Activity:
Write a short sentence about a dream, feeling, or moment that seemed unfathomable at the time. What made it so hard to grasp?
Memory Tip:
âUnfathomableâ = âcanât be fathomedââimagine trying to measure the depth of an endless ocean and failing. Thatâs the idea behind the word.
Real-World Application:
This word is commonly used in journalism, literature, and emotional storytelling when dealing with natural disasters, acts of kindness or cruelty, or complex psychological states that defy logic.
Word 4: Prerequisite
Context:
"A prerequisite for the emergence of human-like meaningful symbols is that the mental categories they relate to can be invoked even in the absence of immediate stimuli." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Prerequisite" refers to something that must be present or completed before something else can happen. Itâs often used in academic, technical, or developmental contexts to indicate a necessary condition. In the sentence above, the ability to mentally recall categories without external triggers is described as a prerequisite for the development of meaningful human-like symbolsâhighlighting how foundational abilities support more advanced cognitive processes.
Meaning: A thing that is required as a prior condition for something else to happen or exist (Noun)
Pronunciation: pree-REK-wuh-zit
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin prÊrequīsītus, from prÊ- ("before") + requīrere ("to require").
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âPrerequisiteâ is a power word in planning and learning. Always ask: what must I know or have before I can move ahead? Whether it's mastering a concept or building a habit, identifying prerequisites can fast-track your progress.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: requirement, condition, necessity, obligation, essential
Antonyms: optional element, nonessential, luxury, superfluity
Usage Examples:
- Basic algebra is a prerequisite for taking advanced calculus classes.
- Trust is a prerequisite for any meaningful relationship.
- Physical fitness is a prerequisite for joining the military academy.
- Reading the introductory article is a prerequisite before joining the research discussion.
Cultural Reference:
In universities worldwide, students must fulfill "prerequisites"âcertain courses or gradesâbefore enrolling in higher-level subjects, reinforcing structured learning pathways.
Think About It:
What personal or intellectual prerequisites do you think are essential for lifelong learning or success in your field?
Quick Activity:
Think of a skill you want to develop. List three prerequisites you must fulfill to begin learning it effectively.
Memory Tip:
Break it down: âpre-â (before) + ârequisiteâ (required). A prerequisite is whatâs required *before* something else can happen.
Real-World Application:
In job listings, course catalogs, and software installations, prerequisites are clearly stated to ensure readiness and compatibilityâknowing them helps avoid failure and wasted effort.
Word 5: Referential
Context:
"Thought precedes meaningful referential communication." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "referential" relates to the act of referring to somethingâespecially in the context of language or communication. Referential communication involves using language to point to or represent real or imagined things, ideas, or events. In the sentence provided, it highlights that before we can use language meaningfully to refer to things, thought or conceptual understanding must come first.
Meaning: Relating to the act of referring to something, especially using words or symbols to indicate a specific object or idea (Adjective)
Pronunciation: reh-fuh-REN-shuhl
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin referre, meaning âto carry backâ or âto refer.â
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âReferentialâ is a technical but useful term, especially in linguistics and philosophy. It reminds us that words are not just soundsâthey point to thoughts, things, and meanings. Strong communication depends on clear referential use of language.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: denotative, indicative, pointing, allusive
Antonyms: non-referential, vague, abstract (depending on context)
Usage Examples:
- Referential language allows humans to talk about people, places, and objects not currently present.
- The baby's gestures gradually became referential as she pointed to toys she wanted.
- In literary analysis, the term "referential meaning" distinguishes literal references from metaphorical ones.
- Animals can exhibit basic forms of referential communication, though not as abstract as human language.
Cultural Reference:
In linguistics, referential communication is contrasted with expressive or emotional communicationâwhere the former is about facts or objects, and the latter about feelings or moods.
Think About It:
Can language ever be completely non-referentialâor is every word tied to some thought, thing, or concept?
Quick Activity:
Look at five objects around you. Try using a sentence that includes referential words or phrases to describe each one. (e.g., âThe pen on the table belongs to me.â)
Memory Tip:
âReferentialâ contains âreferââthink of words that refer to things or ideas. Itâs all about pointing to meaning.
Real-World Application:
Referential language is critical in education, science, law, and communication, where clarity and precision are needed to refer to specific people, places, events, or data points.
