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Q.21 The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Cartographers design and create maps to communicate information about phenomena located somewhere on our planet. In the past, cartographers did not worry too much about who was going to read their maps. Although some simple âusabilityâ research was doneâlike comparing whether circle or bar symbols worked bestâcartographers knew how to make maps. This has changed now, however, due to all kinds of societal and technological developments. Today, map readers are more demandingâmostly because of the tools they use to read maps. Cartographers, who are also influenced by these trends, are now more interested in seeing if their products are efficient, effective, and appreciated.
Options:
A. Today, cartographers also need to look into the usability of maps because of the new technological developments.
B. Modern mapmakers evaluate a mapâs effectiveness efficiency and satisfaction of the user through a series of experiments.
C. Maps are being used for a variety of reasons and therefore map readers have become more demanding.
D. New technological developments have prompted cartographers to experiment with their maps by applying these new innovations.
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:The central theme of the passage is the evolution in the role and focus of cartographers. Earlier, mapmakers were confident in their methods and didn't pay much attention to how readers used their maps. However, with technological advancements and more demanding users, there has been a shift. Modern cartographers are now more concerned with the usability of mapsâhow effective, efficient, and satisfying they are for users.
Therefore, the main idea revolves around the growing importance of map usability driven by technological and societal changes. Option A summarizes this shift clearly and concisely.
Option-by-Option Analysis:
- Option A: This captures the cause (technological developments) and the effect (increased focus on usability), aligning perfectly with the passageâs primary argument.
- Option B: Although it mentions map evaluation, it introduces a detail not discussed in the passageâspecifically, the idea of cartographers running a series of experiments. The passage notes a general shift in attitude but doesnât provide specifics on methods.
- Option C: This option misrepresents the passage. The emphasis is not on the variety of map uses, but on how users have become more discerning, prompting changes in cartographic practices.
- Option D: While technology is mentioned, the passage does not state that cartographers are actively experimenting with innovations. It focuses more on how user behavior has changed due to technology, not on how mapmakers are experimenting with tools.
Word 1: Cartographers
Context:
"Cartographers design and create maps to communicate information about phenomena located somewhere on our planet." - Geography Text
Explanatory Paragraph:
âCartographersâ are specialists who design, draw, and produce maps. Their job is not only artistic but also scientificâthey collect geographic data and turn it into visual representations that help people understand spatial relationships and geographic information. Whether itâs mapping climate zones, city layouts, or population density, cartographers play a key role in visualizing and interpreting our world. Modern cartographers use tools like GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to enhance the accuracy and interactivity of maps.
Meaning: People who create and design maps (Noun â plural of *cartographer*)
Pronunciation: kar-TAW-gruh-furz
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From French *cartographie* (map-making), from *carte* (map) + *-graphe* (writing or drawing)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Great word for geography and data visualization topics. Remember, cartographers don't just âdraw mapsââthey interpret data and tell visual stories. A highly interdisciplinary field blending geography, design, and technology.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: mapmakers, geospatial analysts, GIS specialists
Antonyms: (None exact, but) map users, navigators, laypersons
Usage Examples:
- Cartographers use satellite data to create detailed maps of remote regions.
- Ancient cartographers often relied on travelers' stories to sketch distant lands.
- The digital era has transformed how cartographers work, introducing interactive online maps.
- Cartographers play a crucial role in disaster management by mapping vulnerable zones.
Cultural Reference:
Gerardus Mercator, a 16th-century Flemish cartographer, revolutionized navigation with his world map projectionâstill influential in modern cartography despite its distortions.
Think About It:
How might the way a cartographer chooses to represent borders, colors, or scale influence political or cultural understanding?
Quick Activity:
Sketch a rough map of your neighborhood from memory. What choices did you make about what to include or leave outâjust like a cartographer?
Memory Tip:
âCarto-â means map and â-grapherâ means someone who writes or draws â a *cartographer* is someone who draws maps!
Real-World Application:
Cartographers work in urban planning, navigation apps, environmental science, military intelligence, and even game designâwherever spatial data needs to be clearly visualized and communicated.
Word 2: Usability
Context:
"Although some simple âusabilityâ research was doneâlike comparing whether circle or bar symbols worked bestâcartographers knew how to make maps." - Map Design and Research Text
Explanatory Paragraph:
âUsabilityâ refers to how easy and efficient it is for people to use a product, tool, or system. In design and technology, it is a core concept that measures whether something is user-friendly. In the context of cartography, usability means creating maps that are easy to understand, interpret, and use. If a symbol is confusing or a color hard to read, usability suffers. The goal is always to design maps that communicate information clearly and help users navigate or learn effectively.
Meaning: The quality of being easy and effective to use (Noun)
Pronunciation: yoo-zuh-BIL-ih-tee
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From âusableâ (fit or ready for use) + â-ityâ (a suffix forming nouns of quality or condition)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a core word in UX (User Experience), tech, and design fields. It measures how well something âworksâ for people. Even in traditional fields like cartography, usability is keyâbecause a map that isnât easy to use isnât serving its purpose. Think: clarity, intuitiveness, and user comfort.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: user-friendliness, accessibility, practicality, functionality
Antonyms: complexity, difficulty, impracticality, inaccessibility
Usage Examples:
- The website underwent several revisions to improve its usability.
- Usability testing showed that users preferred larger labels on the map.
- High usability often leads to greater user satisfaction and success.
- Designers prioritize usability to ensure that even non-experts can understand the product.
Cultural Reference:
Jakob Nielsen, a key figure in the field of human-computer interaction, defined usability as âa quality attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use,â and proposed five key components: learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction.
Think About It:
Is something truly well-designed if it looks good but lacks usability? Which should matter moreâform or function?
Quick Activity:
Pick a digital or physical object you use daily (like a remote or app). List two features that support its usability and one that could be improved.
Memory Tip:
Think âusabilityâ = âability to use easily.â If itâs not easy to use, it fails the usability test!
Real-World Application:
Usability is a critical factor in designing websites, apps, tools, packaging, signage, and even public transportation systems. High usability ensures that the end user can achieve their goals quickly and comfortably.
Word 3: Societal
Context:
"This has changed now, however, due to all kinds of societal and technological developments." - Social Commentary on Technological Shifts
Explanatory Paragraph:
âSocietalâ is an adjective used to describe anything related to society as a wholeâits structures, values, norms, and behaviors. It is often used to discuss large-scale or collective issues such as societal change, societal pressure, or societal norms. In the context given, societal developments refer to the changes in how communities or populations think, act, and function due to evolving cultural, political, or economic factorsâoften hand-in-hand with technological advancements.
Meaning: Relating to society or the organization of society (Adjective)
Pronunciation: suh-SIGH-uh-tl
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From âsocietyâ + the adjective-forming suffix *-al*, meaning âpertaining toâ
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âSocietalâ is a formal, academic-sounding wordâoften used in essays or reports to describe big-picture trends. Itâs a more analytical alternative to âsocial,â which sometimes refers more to interpersonal relations or informal settings. Use âsocietalâ when talking about systems, not individual behavior.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: cultural, communal, collective, civil
Antonyms: individual, personal, solitary, private
Usage Examples:
- Societal attitudes toward mental health have shifted dramatically in recent years.
- The film explores deep societal divisions and the impact of inequality.
- Climate change is not only an environmental issue but a major societal challenge.
- Societal and technological developments have reshaped how we access and share information.
Cultural Reference:
In sociology, theorists like Ămile Durkheim studied societal structures, arguing that institutions shape individual behavior through what he called âsocial facts.â This laid the groundwork for modern discussions of societal influence.
Think About It:
What is one societal norm or expectation that you think should be questioned or changedâand why?
Quick Activity:
List three current societal issues in your country. For each, write one sentence on how technology has affected itâfor better or worse.
Memory Tip:
âSocietalâ = related to âsociety.â Think big: systems, norms, institutionsânot just people hanging out socially.
Real-World Application:
âSocietalâ is widely used in research papers, news articles, and policy discussions. It helps frame issues like inequality, healthcare, education, and technology from a broad, systems-level perspective.
Word 4: Technological
Context:
"New technological developments have prompted cartographers to experiment with their maps by applying these new innovations." - Cartography and Innovation Context
Explanatory Paragraph:
âTechnologicalâ is an adjective used to describe anything related to technologyâtools, machines, methods, or systems that are used to solve problems or improve efficiency. In this context, technological developments refer to innovations in digital mapping tools, GPS systems, data visualization software, and more. These changes have encouraged cartographers to evolve their map-making practices and explore new possibilities for visualizing geographic data in more dynamic and user-friendly ways.
Meaning: Relating to or involving technology, especially scientific or industrial advances (Adjective)
Pronunciation: tek-nuh-LOJ-ih-kuhl
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Greek *techne* (art, craft, skill) + *-logia* (study), modernized through Latin and English with the suffix *-ical* forming adjectives
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a key word across disciplinesâoften paired with âadvances,â ârevolution,â or âdevelopments.â Always keep in mind that âtechnologicalâ isnât just about gadgetsâit refers to any innovation that changes how we work, think, or interact with the world.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: digital, innovative, scientific, high-tech, automated
Antonyms: manual, traditional, outdated, analog
Usage Examples:
- Technological advances have revolutionized education and remote learning.
- The carâs technological features include autonomous driving and voice control.
- Technological change often outpaces laws and social norms.
- Cartographers now rely on technological tools like GIS and satellite imagery.
Cultural Reference:
Marshall McLuhan, a pioneer in media theory, famously said, âThe medium is the message,â highlighting how technological toolsânot just their contentâshape the way we perceive the world.
Think About It:
Is every technological development a step forward? How do we balance progress with potential downsides like privacy loss or automation-related job loss?
Quick Activity:
List three technological developments that have changed how you learn, travel, or communicate. How has each improved or complicated your life?
Memory Tip:
Think âtechnoâ = tools and machines + âlogicalâ = system or method â âTechnologicalâ = systems involving tools or innovation.
Real-World Application:
âTechnologicalâ is a go-to word in discussions about innovationâfrom business and education to healthcare and urban planning. It helps frame debates about the impact of new tools and methods on everyday life and global systems.
Word 5: Efficient
Context:
"Cartographers, who are also influenced by these trends, are now more interested in seeing if their products are efficient, effective, and appreciated." - Cartography and User-Centered Design Text
Explanatory Paragraph:
âEfficientâ refers to the ability to achieve a desired result without wasting time, effort, or resources. Itâs a key term in productivity, design, and systems thinking. In the context of cartography, an efficient map is one that communicates information quickly and clearly, using minimal visual clutter. Efficiency is not only about speedâitâs also about smart design that enables users to get what they need with ease and precision.
Meaning: Performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort (Adjective)
Pronunciation: ih-FISH-uhnt
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin *efficere* meaning "to accomplish," from *ex-* ("out") + *facere* ("to do or make")
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âEfficientâ is one of those crucial words in academic and business writing. It's often used with âeffective,â but theyâre not the sameâefficient is about *how* smoothly something works, not just whether it works. In design or systems, efficiency is about cutting waste and maximizing clarity or output.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: streamlined, productive, optimized, well-organized
Antonyms: wasteful, disorganized, slow, inefficient
Usage Examples:
- The new metro system is fast, clean, and highly efficient.
- We need an efficient method for gathering and analyzing user feedback.
- The design of the map was efficientâit conveyed the data without unnecessary clutter.
- Being efficient doesnât mean rushing; it means working smartly with resources.
Cultural Reference:
In modern workplaces, efficiency is often linked to the principles of âlean managementâ and âKaizen,â a Japanese philosophy that emphasizes continuous improvement by eliminating waste and optimizing performance.
Think About It:
Can something be efficient but not effective? Which is more important when it comes to tools like maps or apps?
Quick Activity:
Think of a time when you did something in an inefficient way. What could you have changed to make the process more efficient?
Memory Tip:
sâEfficientâ = âEffective + Smartâ â Getting things done well *and* with minimal waste or extra effort.
Real-World Application:
Efficiency is a goal in everything from map design to business operations, environmental sustainability, and transportation systems. Itâs used to evaluate performance in any field that values time, resources, and clarity.
