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Paragraph Summary Questions
25. The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the authorâs position.
20. The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Passage:
To defend the sequence of alphabetisation may seem bizarre, so obvious is its application that it is hard to imagine a reference, catalogue or listing without it. But alphabetical order was not an immediate consequence of the alphabet itself. In the Middle Ages, deference for ecclesiastical tradition left scholars reluctant to categorise things according to the alphabet â to do so would be a rejection of the divine order. The rediscovery of the ancient Greek and Roman classics necessitated more efficient ways of ordering, searching and referencing texts. Government bureaucracy in the 16th and 17th centuries quickened the advance of alphabetical order, bringing with it pigeonholes, notebooks and card indexes.
Options:
A. Unlike the alphabet, once the efficacy of the alphabetic sequence became apparent to scholars and administrators, its use became widespread.
B. The alphabetic order took several centuries to gain common currency because of religious beliefs and a lack of appreciation of its efficacy in the ordering of things.
C. The ban on the use by scholars of any form of categorisation - but the divinely ordained one - delayed the adoption of the alphabetic sequence by several centuries.
D. While adoption of the written alphabet was easily accomplished, it took scholars several centuries to accept the alphabetic sequence as a useful tool in their work.
Solution with Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation:
The main ideas of the passage can be distilled into the following key points:
- The use of alphabetical order wasnât immediate, despite the long-standing existence of alphabets.
- Medieval scholars were hesitant to use it due to religious deference, fearing it would challenge divine order.
- The practice gained momentum much later, especially with the rediscovery of classical texts and the rise of bureaucracy in early modern Europe.
Why Option B is correct:
Option B captures the two central reasons for the delay in adopting alphabetical order: religious beliefs and an initial lack of recognition of its practicality. It mirrors the logic of the passage and conveys both the resistance and the eventual utility that led to its adoption.
Why the others are incorrect:
- Option A mentions that once the sequence's efficacy was clear it spread widely, but it omits the core reason behind the delayâreligious resistance.
- Option C inaccurately introduces the idea of a "ban," which is not supported by the text.
- Option D captures the delay in adoption but doesnât mention the religious context, which is essential to the passageâs point.
Therefore, Option B is the correct summary.
Word 1: Alphabetisation
Context:
"To defend the sequence of alphabetisation may seem bizarre, so obvious is its application that it is hard to imagine a reference, catalogue or listing without it."
Explanatory Paragraph:
Alphabetisation refers to the act or process of arranging words, names, or items in the order of the letters of the alphabet. It's such a commonplace system that it often goes unquestioned, yet it plays a vital role in how we organize, retrieve, and structure information in dictionaries, indexes, and databases. Despite its seeming simplicity, alphabetisation is a foundational principle in information management.
Meaning: The process of arranging words or items in alphabetical order (Noun)
Pronunciation: al-fuh-bet-uh-ZAY-shun
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic
Etymology: From Medieval Latin *alphabetizare*, from Greek *alphabÄtos*, referring to the alphabet sequence starting with alpha and beta.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Alphabetisation is the kind of word that seems mundane, but its utility cannot be overstated. It's an invisible force that organizes our dictionaries, libraries, school registers, and even phone contacts.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: sequencing, ordering, categorization
Antonyms: disorganization, randomization
Usage Examples:
- The library uses alphabetisation to arrange its vast collection of books.
- When filling out forms, make sure your last name appears according to standard alphabetisation rules.
- Alphabetisation makes it easier to search for names in a phonebook or directory.
- The students practiced alphabetisation by arranging word cards in order from A to Z.
Cultural Reference:
"The Oxford English Dictionary, one of the most respected lexicons in the world, owes much of its usability to precise alphabetisation." - Library Archives Journal
Think About It:
Why do you think alphabetisation became the universal method for organizing knowledge, and can you think of alternatives that might work better in todayâs digital age?
Quick Activity:
Write down 10 random words and arrange them in alphabetical order. Then explain why each word shifted positions during the process.
Memory Tip:
Think of âABC-isationââturning things into an A-to-Z order. Thatâs alphabetisation!
Real-World Application:
Alphabetisation is critical in everything from organizing spreadsheets, managing digital databases, to arranging names in election ballots and official documents.
Word 2: Deference
Context:
"In the Middle Ages, deference for ecclesiastical tradition left scholars reluctant to categorise things according to the alphabet."
Explanatory Paragraph:
Deference is the respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, or will of anotherâespecially someone in authority or higher status. It often involves showing respect not just through actions but also in decisions or beliefs. In historical contexts, deference was frequently shown toward religious or political institutions, influencing how knowledge was organized or communicated.
Meaning: Respectful submission or courteous yielding to the opinion, wishes, or judgment of another (Noun)
Pronunciation: DEF-er-ens
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From French *dĂ©fĂ©rence*, from Latin *deferre* meaning âto yield, to bring down.â Originally related to carrying something down or away, it evolved into yielding to another's authority.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Deference is key in understanding how power dynamics and traditions influence behavior. Itâs not blind obedience, but a respectful regard for someone else's position or experience.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: respect, submission, reverence, obedience
Antonyms: defiance, disobedience, disrespect, insolence
Usage Examples:
- In deference to his mentorâs wishes, he declined the job offer.
- The judge showed deference to the senior lawyerâs extensive experience.
- Many traditional societies operate on a system of deference to elders.
- She bowed her head in deference, acknowledging the priestâs authority.
Cultural Reference:
"British culture has historically placed a strong emphasis on class and deference, especially toward the monarchy and aristocracy." - BBC Culture Documentary
Think About It:
Is showing deference always a sign of respect, or can it sometimes suppress critical thinking and progress?
Quick Activity:
List three situations where showing deference is appropriate and three where it might be problematic. Reflect on what makes the difference.
Memory Tip:
Think âDefer to someoneâ â to yield or bow to their opinion. Thatâs the root idea of *deference*.
Real-World Application:
In professional settings, deference is often shown to managers or senior colleagues during meetings and decision-making. It's essential in diplomacy, law, and traditional cultures where hierarchy matters.
Word 3: Ecclesiastical
Context:
"In the Middle Ages, deference for ecclesiastical tradition left scholars reluctant to categorise things according to the alphabet."
Explanatory Paragraph:
Ecclesiastical relates to the Christian Church or its clergy. It refers to anything associated with the institution, traditions, or governance of the Church. In historical settings, the ecclesiastical order held considerable influence, not just in religious matters, but also in politics, education, and social norms. As a result, traditions and decisionsâsuch as how knowledge was organizedâwere shaped by religious authority.
Meaning: Relating to the Christian Church or its clergy (Adjective)
Pronunciation: ih-klee-zee-AS-ti-kuhl
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Late Latin *ecclesiasticus*, from Greek *ekklesiastikos*, from *ekklesia* meaning âassemblyâ or âchurch.â
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Understanding the term *ecclesiastical* is crucial when exploring medieval and early modern history, where the Church wielded immense control. Itâs a gateway word for grasping the power structure of those times.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: clerical, church-related, religious, canonical
Antonyms: secular, nonreligious, lay
Usage Examples:
- The council debated ecclesiastical reforms that would change the structure of the Church.
- He specialized in ecclesiastical law, focusing on disputes within the Church.
- The buildingâs architecture is heavily influenced by ecclesiastical designs from the Gothic era.
- Ecclesiastical authority once dictated what knowledge could be published or taught.
Cultural Reference:
"Ecclesiastical power shaped the intellectual life of Europe for centuries, with monasteries being centers of both prayer and learning." - Kenneth Clark, *Civilisation* (BBC Documentary Series)
Think About It:
What are the implications of allowing ecclesiastical institutions to control access to education and information?
Quick Activity:
List three ways in which ecclesiastical authority influenced daily life in the Middle Ages. Compare them with modern-day secular systems.
Memory Tip:
Think of âecclesiaâ (Greek for church) + â-asticalâ (related to). If it sounds like church bells or clergy robes, itâs likely ecclesiastical!
Real-World Application:
Understanding the term ecclesiastical is useful in law, history, architecture, and literatureâespecially when dealing with church influence, canon law, or theological writings.
Word 4: Necessitated
Context:
"The rediscovery of the ancient Greek and Roman classics necessitated more efficient ways of ordering, searching and referencing texts."
Explanatory Paragraph:
Necessitated means to have made something necessary, inevitable, or required due to certain conditions or developments. It is often used when one event or change creates a demand for another action or solution. In historical contexts like the revival of classical literature, the complexity and volume of texts made it essential to develop better systems of organizationâhence, they necessitated improved methods of referencing.
Meaning: Made something necessary or unavoidable (Verb â past tense of "necessitate")
Pronunciation: nuh-SES-ih-tay-tid
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *necessitatus*, past participle of *necessitare*, meaning âto make necessary,â derived from *necessitas* (necessity).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âNecessitatedâ is a power verbâit clearly shows cause and effect. Use it when one event forces or demands another. Itâs excellent for essays and formal arguments.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: required, demanded, compelled, called for
Antonyms: eliminated, negated, prevented, avoided
Usage Examples:
- The storm necessitated the cancellation of all outdoor events.
- Technological changes have necessitated constant learning in the workplace.
- His injury necessitated immediate medical attention.
- The new syllabus necessitated a revision of our teaching approach.
Cultural Reference:
"The rapid spread of COVID-19 necessitated unprecedented global lockdowns and public health responses." - WHO Pandemic Report
Think About It:
Can all necessities be predicted in advance, or do some only emerge when systems or knowledge expand?
Quick Activity:
Think of a major invention (e.g., the internet, electricity, smartphones). What new developments or behaviors did it necessitate? List 3 examples.
Memory Tip:
If something becomes a necessity, itâs necessitated! Just link ânecessityâ to the action of making something necessary.
Real-World Application:
The word ânecessitatedâ is often used in academic writing, business reports, and policy discussions to explain why certain decisions or actions were required in response to changing conditions.
Word 5: Bureaucracy
Context:
"Government bureaucracy in the 16th and 17th centuries quickened the advance of alphabetical order, bringing with it pigeonholes, notebooks and card indexes."
Explanatory Paragraph:
Bureaucracy refers to a system of government or management in which decisions are made by state officials or administrators rather than elected representatives. It's often characterized by a rigid structure, complex procedures, and detailed rules. Historically, as government operations expanded, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, the need for orderly filing and retrieval systems like alphabetical ordering became vital to handle administrative tasks efficiently.
Meaning: A system of government or management with many departments and officials, typically involving complex rules and procedures (Noun)
Pronunciation: byoo-ROCK-ruh-see
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From French *bureaucratie*, combining *bureau* (âofficeâ or âdeskâ) and *-cratie* (âruleâ or âpowerâ), first coined in the 18th century to describe administrative rule.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Bureaucracy is a double-edged swordâit brings order but often delays. Understanding the term helps explain both the structure and frustration found in many large organizations.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: administration, officialdom, red tape, civil service
Antonyms: informality, anarchy, disorganization
Usage Examples:
- The application process was delayed due to government bureaucracy.
- She had to navigate a sea of bureaucracy just to get a construction permit.
- Modern startups often resist traditional bureaucracy in favor of flexible systems.
- Increased bureaucracy helped organize colonial records during the empireâs expansion.
Cultural Reference:
"Max Weber, a foundational sociologist, described bureaucracy as the most efficient and rational way in which human activity could be organized." - *The Theory of Social and Economic Organization*
Think About It:
Can a society function without bureaucracy, or does order always require some form of structured administration?
Quick Activity:
Think of a time you encountered bureaucracy (in school, government, or business). Describe the process in 3â4 sentences, then suggest one way it could be improved.
Memory Tip:
Think of a âbureauâ (office) full of papers and rulesâbureaucracy is the system that governs that space!
Real-World Application:
Bureaucracy affects everything from passport applications to school board decisions. Understanding how it works helps you navigate systems and advocate for more efficient processes.
