đ Whatâs Inside This CAT RC Practice Post?
đ Authentic CAT Reading Comprehension Passage: Practice with a real RC passage from a previous CAT exam.
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Detailed Questions with Step-by-Step Solutions: Each question is explained thoroughly for better understanding.
đ In-Depth Passage Analysis: Gain insights through line-by-line and paragraph-wise analysis, supplemented with a quick summary table for efficient revision.
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RC Passage
Direction for the questions 1 to 4: The passage below is accompanied by a set of four questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
The idea of craftsmanship is not simply nostalgic. . . . Crafts require distinct skills, an allround approach to work that involves the whole product, rather than individual parts, and an attitude that necessitates devotion to the job and a focus on the communal interest. The concept of craft emphasises the human touch and individual judgment.
Essentially, the crafts concept seems to run against the preponderant ethos of management studies which, as the academics note, have long prioritised efficiency and consistency. . . . Craft skills were portrayed as being primitive and traditionalist.
The contrast between artisanship and efficiency first came to the fore in the 19th century when British manufacturers suddenly faced competition from across the Atlantic as firms developed the âAmerican systemâ using standardised parts. . . . the worldwide success of the Singer sewing machine showed the potential of a mass-produced device. This process created its own reaction, first in the form of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century, and then again in the âsmall is beautifulâ movement of the 1970s. A third crafts movement is emerging as people become aware of the environmental impact of conventional industry.
There are two potential markets for those who practise crafts. The first stems from the existence of consumers who are willing to pay a premium price for goods that are deemed to be of extra quality. . . . The second market lies in those consumers who wish to use their purchases to support local workers, or to reduce their environmental impact by taking goods to craftspeople to be mended, or recycled.
For workers, the appeal of craftsmanship is that it allows them the autonomy to make creative choices, and thus makes a job far more satisfying. In that sense, it could offer hope for the overall labour market. Let the machines automate dull and repetitive tasks and let workers focus purely on their skills, judgment and imagination. As a current example, the academics cite the âagileâ manifesto in the software sector, an industry at the heart of technological change. The pioneers behind the original agile manifesto promised to prioritise âindividuals and interactions over processes and toolsâ. By bringing together experts from different teams, agile working is designed to improve creativity.
But the broader question is whether crafts can create a lot more jobs than they do today. Demand for crafted products may rise but will it be easy to retrain workers in sectors that might get automated (such as truck drivers) to take advantage? In a world where products and services often have to pass through regulatory hoops, large companies will usually have the advantage.
History also suggests that the link between crafts and creativity is not automatic. Medieval craft guilds were monopolies which resisted new entrants. They were also highly hierarchical with young men required to spend long periods as apprentices and journeymen before they could set up on their own; by that time the innovative spirit may have been knocked out of them. Craft workers can thrive in the modern era, but only if they donât get too organised.
RC Line-wise Explanation
Paragraph 1
Original: âThe idea of craftsmanship is not simply nostalgic.â
Explanation: Craftsmanship is not just something people look back on fondly from the past.
Original: âCrafts require distinct skills, an allround approach to work that involves the whole product, rather than individual parts, and an attitude that necessitates devotion to the job and a focus on the communal interest.â
Explanation: Craft work demands specific abilities, a comprehensive view of the entire task, dedication, and a concern for the communityâs needs, not just isolated tasks.
Original: âThe concept of craft emphasises the human touch and individual judgment.â
Explanation: Craftsmanship values personal involvement and decision-making rather than relying on impersonal processes.
Paragraph 2
Original: Essentially, the crafts concept seems to run against the preponderant ethos of management studies which, as the academics note, have long prioritised efficiency and consistency.
Explanation: Craftsmanship goes against the dominant focus in management on being efficient and uniform.
Original: Craft skills were portrayed as being primitive and traditionalist.
Explanation: People often see craft skills as outdated and belonging to older ways of working.
Paragraph 3
Original: The contrast between artisanship and efficiency first came to the fore in the 19th century when British manufacturers suddenly faced competition from across the Atlantic as firms developed the âAmerican systemâ using standardised parts.
Explanation: The difference between craft and efficiency became clear in the 1800s when American companies used standardized parts to compete with British ones.
Original: The worldwide success of the Singer sewing machine showed the potential of a mass-produced device.
Explanation: Singerâs sewing machine proved that mass production could be very successful globally.
Original: This process created its own reaction, first in the form of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century, and then again in the âsmall is beautifulâ movement of the 1970s.
Explanation: In response to mass production, movements like Arts and Crafts (1800s) and âsmall is beautifulâ (1970s) emerged, advocating for craftsmanship.
Original: A third crafts movement is emerging as people become aware of the environmental impact of conventional industry.
Explanation: Today, a new craft revival is happening due to growing concerns about industrial pollution and sustainability.
Paragraph 4
Original: There are two potential markets for those who practise crafts.
Explanation: Craft workers have two types of customers they can cater to.
Original: The first stems from the existence of consumers who are willing to pay a premium price for goods that are deemed to be of extra quality.
Explanation: Some buyers are ready to pay more for handmade items because they believe these are of higher quality.
Original: The second market lies in those consumers who wish to use their purchases to support local workers, or to reduce their environmental impact by taking goods to craftspeople to be mended, or recycled.
Explanation: Other customers choose crafts to support local artisans or help the environment by fixing or reusing products.
Paragraph 5
Original: For workers, the appeal of craftsmanship is that it allows them the autonomy to make creative choices, and thus makes a job far more satisfying.
Explanation: Workers enjoy craftsmanship because it gives them creative freedom, making their work more fulfilling.
Original: In that sense, it could offer hope for the overall labour market.
Explanation: Craftsmanship might improve job satisfaction and opportunities across industries.
Original: Let the machines automate dull and repetitive tasks and let workers focus purely on their skills, judgment and imagination.
Explanation: Machines should handle boring jobs, while humans do creative and skilled work.
Original: As a current example, the academics cite the âagileâ manifesto in the software sector, an industry at the heart of technological change.
Explanation: The software industry's âagileâ method is used as an example of valuing human input in tech-driven fields.
Original: The pioneers behind the original agile manifesto promised to prioritise âindividuals and interactions over processes and toolsâ.
Explanation: The agile movement emphasizes people and their collaboration over rigid systems or tools.
Original: By bringing together experts from different teams, agile working is designed to improve creativity.
Explanation: Agile practices promote teamwork across departments to boost innovation.
Paragraph 6
Original: But the broader question is whether crafts can create a lot more jobs than they do today.
Explanation: However, a key issue is whether craftsmanship can provide many more jobs than it currently does.
Original: Demand for crafted products may rise but will it be easy to retrain workers in sectors that might get automated (such as truck drivers) to take advantage?
Explanation: Even if demand increases, it might be hard to retrain workers from other industries (e.g., drivers) to become artisans.
Original: In a world where products and services often have to pass through regulatory hoops, large companies will usually have the advantage.
Explanation: Big corporations often benefit more than small artisans because they can better handle rules and regulations.
Paragraph 7
Original: History also suggests that the link between crafts and creativity is not automatic.
Explanation: Past evidence shows that crafts don't always lead to creativity.
Original: Medieval craft guilds were monopolies which resisted new entrants.
Explanation: Old craft groups in medieval times controlled entry and were often closed to newcomers.
Original: They were also highly hierarchical with young men required to spend long periods as apprentices and journeymen before they could set up on their own; by that time the innovative spirit may have been knocked out of them.
Explanation: These guilds made young people go through long, strict training, which could stifle creativity.
Original: Craft workers can thrive in the modern era, but only if they donât get too organised.
Explanation: Craftsmanship can succeed today, but only if it avoids becoming too rigid or bureaucratic like old guilds.
RC Paragraph Explanation
Paragraph 1 Summary
Craftsmanship involves comprehensive skill, dedication, and personal touch, focusing on the whole product and community benefit rather than mechanical or fragmented work.
Paragraph 2 Summary
Modern management often favors efficiency and consistency, which contrasts with the craft approach. Craft skills are often undervalued as outdated.
Paragraph 3 Summary
The shift to mass production in the 19th century highlighted the divide between artisanship and efficiency. This led to various craft revival movements, with a new one emerging due to environmental concerns.
Paragraph 4 Summary
Craftspeople can target two markets: quality-conscious buyers and those who value sustainability and local support.
Paragraph 5 Summary
Craft work offers autonomy and creativity, making jobs more satisfying. The agile model in tech mirrors this by valuing people and interactions over processes.
Paragraph 6 Summary
While craft jobs may grow, retraining workers for these roles could be difficult, and large corporations may still dominate due to regulatory advantages.
Paragraph 7 Summary
Historically, craft systems limited innovation through rigid hierarchies. Modern craftsmanship can thrive if it avoids such over-organization.
RC Quick Table Summary
| Paragraph Number | Main Idea |
|---|---|
| Paragraph 1 | Craftsmanship values skill, holistic work, and personal judgment. |
| Paragraph 2 | Craftwork contrasts with modern efficiency-focused management. |
| Paragraph 3 | Industrial mass production led to craft revival movements. |
| Paragraph 4 | Two key markets support craftâquality-focused and eco-conscious buyers. |
| Paragraph 5 | Craft gives creative autonomy and fits modern agile work models. |
| Paragraph 6 | Expanding craft jobs is tough due to retraining and corporate edge. |
| Paragraph 7 | Craft creativity isnât guaranteed; rigid systems can suppress it. |
RC Questions
Ques 1. We can infer from the passage that medieval crafts guilds resembled mass production in that both
Option-wise Analysis:
⢠Option A: Both systems are portrayed as potentially limiting innovationâmass production through standardization, and guilds through rigid, hierarchical control. The comparison lies in their shared tendency to suppress creativity. ⢠Option B: While medieval guilds are said to restrict entry, there is no mention that mass production imposes similar barriers. This option assumes a similarity that the passage doesnât establish. ⢠Option C: The notion of âegalitarian productionâ is not addressed for either system. There's no evidence that either promoted or avoided egalitarian practices, making this option irrelevant. ⢠Option D: Neither medieval guilds nor mass production are described as excessively focused on quality. Mass production is associated more with efficiency, and the guilds with hierarchy, not product excellence per se.
Ques 2. Which one of the following statements is NOT inconsistent with the views stated in the passage?
Option-wise Analysis:
⢠Option A: The phrase âonly then can we retain the creativityâ makes it sound like crafts are the sole source of creativity, which the passage never claims. This overstates the case, making the option inconsistent with the more nuanced tone of the passage. ⢠Option B:. The passage explicitly cautions against crafts becoming overly organized, drawing on the negative example of medieval guilds. This supports the idea that structure can inhibit creativity. ⢠Option C: This is a factual error. The Arts and Crafts movement wasnât inspired by the American systemâit was a reaction against it. That misinterpretation makes this option incorrect. ⢠Option D: The agile movement promotes collaboration and creativity, while medieval guilds were rigid and hierarchical. Comparing agile methods to guild traditions misrepresents both, making this option clearly inconsistent.
Ques 3. The author questions the ability of crafts to create substantial employment opportunities presently because
Option-wise Analysis:
⢠Option A: The passage does not frame scale as the primary issue. The concern is not about the volume of output, but rather the systemic disadvantages craftspeople face due to regulatory structures. ⢠Option B:. The author explicitly points out that in a heavily regulated environment, large companies have an edge. This implies that crafts outfits may struggle to scale or compete under such constraints. ⢠Option C: Itâs not that workers are unwilling to take up crafts, but rather that retraining them for such roles could be challenging. The passage addresses feasibility, not motivation. ⢠Option D: While craft guilds did resist newcomers in the past, the passage does not suggest that current crafts communities are similarly closed to trainees. Therefore, this is a historical concernânot a current limitation.
Ques 4. The most recent revival in interest in the crafts is a result of the emergence of all of the following EXCEPT:
Option-wise Analysis:
Option A: Correct. While the passage values the human element and creativity in crafts, it does not assert that modern consumers are driven by a desire for unique or individual creations specifically. The focus is more on quality and impact, not individuality per se. Option B: Environmental concerns are a central theme, as the passage notes a third crafts revival driven by the negative ecological impact of mass production. Option C: A niche market of buyers willing to pay more for superior quality is directly mentioned as one of the two identified markets for crafts. Option D: The second market for crafts is composed of consumers supporting local workers and environmentally conscious practices. Buying locally is explicitly part of this trend.
