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Paragraph Summary Questions
24. The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
The unlikely alliance of the incumbent industrialist and the distressed unemployed worker is especially powerful amid the debris of corporate bankruptcies and layoffs. In an economic downturn, the capitalist is more likely to focus on costs of the competition emanating from free markets than on the opportunities they create. And the unemployed worker will find many others in a similar condition and with anxieties similar to his, which will make it easier for them to organize together. Using the cover and the political organization provided by the distressed, the capitalist captures the political agenda.
A. In an economic downturn, the capitalists use the anxieties of the unemployed and their political organisation to set the political agenda to suit their economic interests.
B. The purpose of an unlikely alliance between the industrialist and the unemployed during an economic downturn is to stifle competition in free markets.
C. An economic downturn creates competition because of which the capitalists capture the political agenda created by the political organisation provided by the unemployed.
D. An unlikely alliance of the industrialist and the unemployed happens during an economic downturn in which they come together to unite politically and capture the political agenda.
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:Upon a close examination of the paragraph's content, several pivotal themes emerge:
- Unlikely alliance: Economic downturns foster an unusual coalition between industrialists and unemployed workers, making them a potent force.
- Motivations: While the unemployed organize politically due to shared anxieties, the industrialists use the downturn to focus on curbing competition.
- Exploitation: The industrialist capitalizes on this political momentum, set in motion by the distressed, to capture and drive the political agenda in their favor.
Analysis of the Options:
- Option A: Accurately captures the relationship where the capitalist uses the political organization of the unemployed to drive their economic interests â Correct.
- Option B: Implies that stifling free market competition is the explicit goal of the alliance, which is not directly stated â Incorrect.
- Option C: Incorrectly claims that economic downturn creates competition, whereas the passage discusses competition as a concern for capitalists â Incorrect.
- Option D: Suggests a mutual goal and collaboration, missing the nuance that capitalists leverage the unemployed's movement for their benefit â Incomplete/Incorrect.
Conclusion: Option A most accurately summarizes the essence of the passage.
Word 1: Incumbent
Context:
"The unlikely alliance of the incumbent industrialist and the distressed unemployed worker is especially powerful amid the debris of corporate bankruptcies and layoffs."
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "incumbent" is used to describe someone who currently holds a particular position, especially in a professional or political capacity. In this sentence, it refers to an industrialist who still retains their role or influence within a collapsing corporate environment. The term underscores the power dynamics between the still-in-power figure and those who have lost their positions or livelihoods.
Meaning: Currently holding a particular office or position (Adjective / Noun)
Pronunciation: in-KUM-buhnt
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *incumbentem*, present participle of *incumbere*, meaning "to lie or lean upon".
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Incumbent" is a key word in politics and corporate sectors. Often seen during elections or management transitions, it indicates who is 'currently in charge.' It can also imply responsibility or obligation in phrases like "it is incumbent upon you".
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: current holder, office-bearer, reigning, sitting, existing
Antonyms: challenger, opponent, newcomer, successor
Usage Examples:
- The incumbent mayor is seeking re-election for a third term.
- It is incumbent upon every citizen to uphold democratic values.
- The board voted to remove the incumbent CEO after repeated scandals.
- Even as an incumbent leader, he showed humility and openness to feedback.
Cultural Reference:
"In politics, incumbents often have a significant advantage due to name recognition and access to campaign finance." - Electoral Studies Journal
Think About It:
Why do you think incumbents are often re-elected despite calls for change or reform?
Quick Activity:
Identify five positions (political or professional) where someone could be called an "incumbent". Write a sentence for each using the word correctly.
Memory Tip:
Think of "in" + "cumber" (as in encumber or occupy). The person is âinâ the position and holding itâan incumbent is someone who is *in the cubicle* of power!
Real-World Application:
The term "incumbent" is frequently used in news reports during elections, business leadership changes, and legal contexts to distinguish the current holder of a role from challengers or successors.
Word 2: Distressed
Context:
"Using the cover and the political organization provided by the distressed, the capitalist captures the political agenda."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Distressed" refers to people who are suffering from extreme anxiety, pain, financial hardship, or emotional turmoil. In the sentence above, it points to a vulnerable or struggling groupâperhaps those economically or socially disadvantagedâwhose plight is strategically used by someone more powerful for political gain. The term highlights emotional or socioeconomic suffering and can be applied in a range of contexts from mental health to economics.
Meaning: Experiencing sorrow, suffering, or severe difficulty (Adjective)
Pronunciation: dis-TREST
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic to Intermediate
Etymology: From Old French *destrescer*, based on Latin *distringere* meaning "to stretch apart".
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Distressed" has strong emotional and economic connotations. In finance, it refers to assets that are undervalued due to hardship (like 'distressed debt'), while emotionally it denotes someone overwhelmed or anguished. Learn both dimensions for richer usage.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: troubled, anguished, devastated, impoverished, grief-stricken
Antonyms: content, relieved, well-off, calm, reassured
Usage Examples:
- The distressed villagers sought refuge after the natural disaster.
- She appeared visibly distressed upon hearing the news.
- Investors often take advantage of distressed properties to make profits.
- In wartime, distressed populations face food shortages and displacement.
Cultural Reference:
"Distressed denim" became a popular fashion trend in the 1980s, symbolizing rebellion and individuality, despite the original term suggesting damage or suffering.
Think About It:
How can society balance genuine aid for the distressed without letting their struggles be exploited for political or financial gain?
Quick Activity:
Write a short paragraph using "distressed" to describe a person, a financial situation, and a product (like furniture or clothing). Try to use the word in all three contexts.
Memory Tip:
Think: âDistressed = stress dressed up!ââitâs when stress shows up in different forms: emotionally, financially, or physically.
Real-World Application:
In news reports, aid programs, and mental health discussions, "distressed" is frequently used to describe people or communities in crisis. It also appears in investment jargon when referring to undervalued assets or companies on the verge of bankruptcy.
Word 3: Emanating
Context:
"In an economic downturn, the capitalist is more likely to focus on costs of the competition emanating from free markets than on the opportunities they create."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Emanating" is used to describe something that comes out or flows from a source. In the sentence, it refers to the competition that arises or originates from free-market systems. The word suggests a natural, almost inevitable release or spread of somethingâbe it sound, energy, influence, or even economic forces. Understanding this word helps grasp how certain effects or influences can seem to radiate outward from a particular origin.
Meaning: To originate from or be produced by a source (Verb)
Pronunciation: EM-uh-nay-ting
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *emanare* meaning "to flow out", from *e-* (out) + *manare* (to flow).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âEmanatingâ is a powerful verb when discussing influence or impact. Whether itâs light emanating from a lamp or fear emanating from a tense atmosphere, it always conveys origin and direction. Think about both abstract and concrete uses when learning this word.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: radiating, issuing, originating, springing, exuding
Antonyms: absorbing, terminating, ending, ceasing
Usage Examples:
- A strange humming sound was emanating from the old refrigerator.
- The warmth emanating from the fireplace made the cabin feel cozy.
- Confidence seemed to be emanating from her every word.
- The scent of jasmine was gently emanating from the garden.
Cultural Reference:
In philosophy, especially in Neoplatonism, the concept of "emanation" refers to all existence flowing out from a single sourceâthe One or the Divine. This idea portrays the universe as an unfolding from a central origin of truth.
Think About It:
What kinds of emotions or energies do you think naturally emanate from people or environments, and how can they influence others?
Quick Activity:
List 5 non-physical things that can emanate from a person (e.g., confidence, fear). Use each in a sentence.
Memory Tip:
Think of a *fan*âair âemanatesâ from it. The word contains âmana,â like magical energy radiating out in a fantasy game!
Real-World Application:
You'll encounter "emanating" in descriptions of sound, light, scent, and abstract forces like emotion or power in writing, journalism, literature, and economics. It adds a vivid, directional feel to sentences.
Word 4: Anxieties
Context:
"And the unemployed worker will find many others in a similar condition and with anxieties similar to his, which will make it easier for them to organize together."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Anxieties" refer to feelings of worry, nervousness, or uneaseâoften about something uncertain or potentially negative. In the context of the sentence, the unemployed worker is surrounded by others facing similar emotional and existential concerns, such as financial insecurity, joblessness, and social instability. These shared anxieties become a unifying force, enabling them to bond and act collectively in response to their shared struggles.
Meaning: Feelings of worry or nervousness, typically about uncertain outcomes (Noun - plural)
Pronunciation: ang-ZY-uh-teez
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic to Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *anxietas*, from *anxius* meaning âtroubled in mindâ.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âAnxietiesâ are emotional indicators of stress and fear. In both psychological and social discussions, this word captures the silent battles many face. It is a strong term when exploring personal or collective mental states, especially in difficult times like unemployment, exams, or social upheaval.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: worries, fears, concerns, apprehensions, nervousness
Antonyms: calmness, ease, peace of mind, relaxation, tranquility
Usage Examples:
- Many students experience anxieties before their final exams.
- Economic downturns often heighten the anxieties of low-income families.
- Her anxieties about public speaking kept her from presenting at the conference.
- The counselor helped him manage the anxieties that had been affecting his sleep.
Cultural Reference:
âAnxieties of our ageâ is a recurring theme in literature and film, especially in the works of authors like Franz Kafka or in contemporary dramas exploring mental health and societal pressure.
Think About It:
How can shared anxieties bring people together, and what role do they play in collective movements or social change?
Quick Activity:
List three anxieties you think a person might face in the modern workplace. Then write one sentence using "anxieties" to describe them collectively.
Memory Tip:
âAnxietiesâ contains âanxâ â like âangstâ â both linked to unease. Imagine tiny âantsâ (anx) crawling when youâre worriedâuncomfortable and restless!
Real-World Application:
Used widely in psychology, journalism, and everyday conversations, "anxieties" describe both personal emotional states and collective societal worriesâfrom job security to climate change to health concerns.
Word 5: Agenda
Context:
"Using the cover and the political organization provided by the distressed, the capitalist captures the political agenda."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Agenda" refers to a set of goals, priorities, or items to be addressed or acted upon, often within a formal or strategic context. In the sentence above, it refers to a political plan or set of issues that are being shaped or influenced by the capitalist. The word suggests control over what topics dominate discussion, decision-making, or policy actions, especially in public or political arenas.
Meaning: A list of items to be discussed or acted upon; a plan or goal-driven strategy (Noun)
Pronunciation: uh-JEN-duh
Difficulty Level: â Basic
Etymology: From Latin *agenda*, plural of *agendum*, meaning âthings to be doneâ, from *agere* (âto doâ).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âAgendaâ is a familiar but versatile word. While itâs often seen in meeting contexts (a list of topics), it also has political weight when referring to underlying motives or dominant ideologies. Beware of the phrase âhidden agendaââit implies manipulation or ulterior motives.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: plan, schedule, program, strategy, itinerary, objective
Antonyms: randomness, spontaneity, aimlessness
Usage Examples:
- The board meeting followed a strict agenda to ensure efficiency.
- Environmental sustainability is now a key item on the global agenda.
- Critics accused the media outlet of pushing a political agenda.
- We need to align our goals with the clientâs agenda before the next pitch.
Cultural Reference:
âThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmentâ is a landmark initiative by the United Nations that outlines global priorities in eradicating poverty, protecting the planet, and promoting peace.
Think About It:
How can recognizing someone's agendaâexplicit or hiddenâhelp you make more informed decisions in both personal and public life?
Quick Activity:
Create your own three-item agenda for improving your daily productivity. Then, identify what your underlying goal is for each item.
Memory Tip:
Think: âAn agenda tells you what needs to GET DONE â A-GEN-DA = âA Get Done List!ââ Easy to remember and use!
Real-World Application:
"Agenda" is used in meetings, politics, journalism, and education. Whether it's a personal planner, a government policy outline, or a conference schedule, agendas shape action and reveal priorities.
