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Question 18: The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Petitioning is an expeditious democratic tradition, used frequently in prior centuries, by which citizens can bring issues directly to governments. As expressions of collective voice, they support procedural democracy by shaping agendas. They can also recruit citizens to causes, give voice to the voteless, and apply the discipline of rhetorical argument that clarifies a point of view. By contrast, elections are limited in several respects: they involve only a few candidates, and thus fall far short of a representative democracy. Further, voters’ choices are not specific to particular policies or laws, and elections are episodic, whereas the voice of the people needs to be heard and integrated constantly into democratic government.
A. By giving citizens greater control over shaping political and democratic agendas, political petitions are invaluable as they represent an ideal form of a representative democracy.
B. Citizens become less inclined to petitioning as it enables vocal citizens to shape political agendas, but this needs to change to strengthen democracies today.
C. Petitioning has been important to democratic functioning, as it supplements the electoral process by enabling ongoing engagement with the government.
D. Petitioning is definitely more representative of the collective voice, and the functioning of democratic government could improve if we relied more on petitioning rather than holding periodic elections.
Solution with Explanation
Answer: C
Solution by Wordpandit:
The passage under examination delves into the multifaceted role that petitioning plays within the framework of democratic governance. It outlines various ways in which petitioning serves as a vital mechanism: from shaping political agendas and rallying citizens around causes to offering a platform for those without voting rights and helping to crystallize points of view through reasoned argument. In this context, the passage also points out that petitioning acts as a supplement to the electoral system, allowing for continuous citizen engagement with government authorities.
Option C encapsulates this nuanced discussion most accurately. It touches upon the diverse roles that petitioning plays in a democratic setup without making evaluative comparisons between petitioning and electoral processes, thereby aligning closely with the essence of the passage.
Option A deviates from the original content by implying that the passage touts petitioning as "an ideal form of representative democracy." While the passage enumerates the benefits of petitioning, such as lending a voice to the disenfranchised, it stops short of extolling it as an ideal or superior form of democratic expression.
Option B errs in its representation of the passage, as it suggests that there is a declining interest in petitioning among citizens. The passage, in fact, does not delve into the current trends or popularity levels of petitioning at all, making Option B inaccurate.
Option D misinterprets the passage by insinuating that it claims petitioning to be more representative of collective voices than electoral processes. Although the passage acknowledges the capacity of petitioning to give a voice to those who might otherwise be voiceless, it does not pitch it as a more effective alternative to elections. Moreover, the passage avoids making speculative statements about whether increasing reliance on petitioning would enhance democratic functioning. It simply elucidates how petitioning has traditionally contributed to democracy and complements the electoral process by offering ongoing opportunities for civic engagement.
Therefore, Option C stands as the most accurate reflection of the passage's main points and themes.
Word 1: Expeditious
Context:
"Petitioning is an expeditious democratic tradition, used frequently in prior centuries, by which citizens can bring issues directly to governments."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Expeditious" refers to something done quickly and efficiently, without unnecessary delay. It’s often used in formal or administrative contexts to praise speed and effectiveness in action or decision-making. In the sentence provided, the word is used to describe the tradition of petitioning — emphasizing how this method offered a swift and direct way for people to communicate with governing bodies, especially when more bureaucratic or institutional methods were too slow or indirect.
Meaning: Done with speed and efficiency; prompt (Adjective)
Pronunciation: ek-spuh-DISH-us
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *expeditus*, meaning “unimpeded, ready for action,” from *ex-* (out) + *pedis* (foot).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
“Expeditious” is the formal cousin of “fast.” It doesn't just mean quick, but *efficiently quick*. Use it when describing well-managed actions that get the job done without delays. Ideal for writing in legal, academic, or bureaucratic contexts.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: swift, prompt, efficient, rapid, speedy
Antonyms: slow, delayed, sluggish, inefficient
Usage Examples:
- The court promised an expeditious review of the urgent petition.
- They offered expeditious customer service during the holiday rush.
- The government needs an expeditious plan to distribute relief funds.
- She handled the documents in an expeditious and professional manner.
Cultural Reference:
The U.S. Freedom of Information Act includes deadlines to ensure expeditious processing of public records requests, reinforcing transparency and responsiveness in governance.
Think About It:
Is being expeditious always better, or can speed sometimes compromise quality and thoroughness?
Quick Activity:
List three everyday tasks you could perform more expeditiously. What changes would help you do so?
Memory Tip:
“Expeditious” sounds like “express delivery”—fast, efficient, and to the point!
Real-World Application:
Expeditious methods are valued in customer service, law enforcement, logistics, and emergency response—any area where time is of the essence and well-managed speed matters.
Word 2: Procedural
Context:
"As expressions of collective voice, they support procedural democracy by shaping agendas."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Procedural" refers to something related to an established or official process or method of doing things. In politics and governance, "procedural democracy" emphasizes the importance of rules, systems, and procedures—such as voting, public debate, and legislative processes—to ensure fairness and transparency. In the sentence provided, the term describes a form of democracy that relies on organized, rule-based participation where actions like petitioning help shape public agendas within a legal and structured framework.
Meaning: Relating to a set procedure, process, or method (Adjective)
Pronunciation: pruh-SEE-juh-ruhl
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *procedere* meaning "to go forward" + *-al* (adjective-forming suffix), related to “procedure.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Think of “procedural” as anything that follows a set of steps. In democracy, it emphasizes the fairness of the process over the result. Even in law or programming, “procedural” thinking means step-by-step, rule-bound logic.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: methodical, rule-based, systematic, formal, regulatory
Antonyms: arbitrary, informal, spontaneous, unstructured
Usage Examples:
- The court dismissed the case due to a procedural error in the filing.
- Procedural democracy ensures citizens participate through structured means like elections and petitions.
- He followed a strict procedural approach to writing code.
- Debates over lawmaking often hinge on procedural fairness as much as policy content.
Cultural Reference:
In TV genres, a “procedural” refers to shows like *Law & Order* or *CSI* where the plot focuses on step-by-step investigation processes, mirroring the word’s meaning of following structured methods.
Think About It:
Can a society be truly fair if its procedures are followed strictly, but the outcomes remain unjust?
Quick Activity:
Describe a daily task you perform in a procedural way. List the steps you follow and how skipping one could affect the outcome.
Memory Tip:
“Procedural” comes from “procedure”—so if it sounds official and step-by-step, it’s procedural!
Real-World Application:
Understanding procedural rules is vital in law, politics, software development, and medicine—any field where clear, repeatable steps are essential for fairness, accuracy, and efficiency.
Word 3: Rhetorical
Context:
"They can also recruit citizens to causes, give voice to the voteless, and apply the discipline of rhetorical argument that clarifies a point of view."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Rhetorical" relates to the art of using language effectively and persuasively. In classical traditions, rhetoric was one of the main disciplines of education and civic life, teaching people how to argue, persuade, and present ideas. In the context above, “rhetorical argument” refers to a thoughtful, persuasive presentation of a viewpoint—designed not just to express emotion, but to logically convince others. The word can also describe speech that is showy or meant to impress, though in this case it highlights structured, persuasive communication.
Meaning: Related to the art of persuasive speaking or writing (Adjective)
Pronunciation: reh-TOR-ih-kuhl
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Greek *rhetorikos*, from *rhetor* meaning “speaker” or “orator.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
“Rhetorical” is more than just fancy talk—it’s about making structured, compelling arguments. Students often study rhetorical strategies (like ethos, pathos, and logos) to become better speakers and writers. Watch out: sometimes it’s used negatively to mean “all talk, no action.”
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: persuasive, oratorical, eloquent, articulate, expressive
Antonyms: inarticulate, unpersuasive, blunt, nonverbal
Usage Examples:
- She crafted a strong rhetorical argument in favor of environmental reform.
- The speech was filled with rhetorical devices that stirred the audience.
- He asked a rhetorical question, expecting no answer but making a strong point.
- Rhetorical training was essential in ancient Greece for political leadership.
Cultural Reference:
In classical education, the *Trivium* consisted of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Great leaders from Aristotle to Martin Luther King Jr. used rhetorical skills to inspire and drive change.
Think About It:
Do rhetorical skills make someone more persuasive—or can they sometimes mask weak arguments behind eloquent language?
Quick Activity:
Write a short rhetorical question about a social issue you care about. Then explain what message your question is meant to deliver.
Memory Tip:
Think: *Rhetorical = Ready to reason + Talk* — it’s all about convincing with powerful speech.
Real-World Application:
Rhetorical skills are essential in law, politics, marketing, teaching, and activism. Whether you’re debating in parliament or pitching an idea, mastering rhetoric can be the difference between being heard and being ignored.
Word 4: Representative
Context:
"By contrast, elections are limited in several respects: they involve only a few candidates, and thus fall far short of a representative democracy."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Representative" refers to someone or something that stands in for, reflects, or speaks on behalf of a larger group. In a political or democratic context, a “representative” system is one where elected officials act on behalf of the people. The term “representative democracy” means that instead of citizens voting on every law or issue themselves, they choose leaders who make those decisions for them. In this sentence, the author suggests that typical elections, which often offer limited candidate choices, may not fully reflect the diversity or will of the broader population.
Meaning: Acting or speaking on behalf of someone or something; serving as a typical example (Adjective/Noun)
Pronunciation: rep-ri-ZEN-tuh-tiv
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner to Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *repraesentare*, meaning "to show, display, or bring before" + *-ive* (forming adjectives and nouns).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
“Representative” can be both a **noun** (a person who represents others) and an **adjective** (describing something that reflects a group). In political discussions, watch for phrases like “representative sample,” “representative democracy,” or “elected representative.”
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: spokesperson, delegate, proxy, agent, typical
Antonyms: unrepresentative, exception, misrepresentative
Usage Examples:
- The member of parliament acts as a representative of her constituency.
- This data set is not representative of the entire population.
- He was chosen as the company’s representative at the conference.
- Critics argue that the current system is not truly representative of the public's views.
Cultural Reference:
The United States and India are often cited as examples of representative democracies, where citizens elect officials to legislate and govern on their behalf rather than vote directly on laws.
Think About It:
Can a system still be called “representative” if large portions of the population feel unheard or excluded?
Quick Activity:
Think of three people who could be considered representatives (in any context: politics, school, workplace). Write what or whom they represent.
Memory Tip:
“Representative” = someone who *represents* others → think: REPresent = REPresenting many!
Real-World Application:
Understanding representation is crucial in civics, politics, statistics, and workplace leadership. Whether you're voting, sampling data, or assigning a spokesperson, being truly representative ensures fairness and accuracy.
Word 5: Episodic
Context:
"Further, voters’ choices are not specific to particular policies or laws, and elections are episodic, whereas the voice of the people needs to be heard and integrated constantly into democratic government."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Episodic" describes something that occurs at irregular intervals or in isolated episodes, rather than continuously. In the sentence above, it’s used to criticize the nature of elections in representative democracy — they happen periodically (e.g., every few years), which means they offer only brief and infrequent opportunities for public input. The idea is that democracy should involve ongoing participation, not just occasional voting moments. So "episodic" here contrasts with the need for sustained, constant engagement.
Meaning: Occurring occasionally or in separate intervals; not continuous (Adjective)
Pronunciation: ep-uh-SOD-ik
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Greek *episodios*, meaning "coming in besides" or "incident," from *epi-* (in addition) + *hodos* (way).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
“Episodic” is often used to describe things that come in bursts or segments — like a TV series or short-lived events. In political analysis, it’s used more critically to highlight gaps in continuity or involvement.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: periodic, intermittent, occasional, sporadic, fragmentary
Antonyms: continuous, constant, sustained, ongoing
Usage Examples:
- The country’s engagement with citizens has been too episodic to build real trust.
- Her interest in painting was episodic — it came and went every few months.
- TV dramas are usually released in episodic format, with weekly installments.
- Policy reform should not be based on episodic crises but on long-term vision.
Cultural Reference:
In psychology, “episodic memory” refers to the ability to recall specific events or episodes in one’s life — distinct from general knowledge, which is called semantic memory.
Think About It:
Can a democracy function effectively if public engagement is only episodic, or does it require continuous participation?
Quick Activity:
Write two examples of activities in your life that are episodic and two that are continuous. Reflect on which ones have more impact and why.
Memory Tip:
Think of your favorite TV show — it’s *episodic*, meaning it comes in parts, not all at once. Use that image to remember the word!
Real-World Application:
“Episodic” is a useful word in politics, medicine, storytelling, and education — anytime you’re analyzing whether something is happening in parts or as a whole.
