📘 What’s Inside This CAT Paragraph Summary Question Post?
📝 Authentic CAT Paragraph Summary Question:Practice with a real CAT Paragraph Summary Question from a previous CAT exam.
✅ Detailed Question with Step-by-Step Solution:Each question is explained thoroughly for better understanding.
🔍 In-Depth Paragraph Analysis:Gain insights through line-by-line and paragraph-wise analysis
📚 Vocabulary Enhancement: Top 5 words explained from the paragraph
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.
Humans have managed to tweak the underlying biology of various plants and animals to produce high-tech crops and microbes. But regulating these entities is complicated, as the framework of policies and procedures are outdated and not flexible enough to adapt to emerging technology. The question is whether regulation will ever be able to keep up with human innovation, to regulate living things, which are apt to be unpredictable and unique; to capture all the potential risks when new biological entities are introduced, or when they pass on variations of their genes?
A. The mercurial nature of biological entities calls for scientists to shape the regulations governing emerging technology, with regular calibration to handle variations in the field.
B. A new framework of rules and procedures for regulating the most recent research emerging from biotechnology is urgently needed, to keep up with this rapidly changing discipline.
C. Current regulation of biotechnology is outdated, but it is debatable if we can create framework, imaginative and flexible, to cover all contingencies in this fast-changing area.
D. The problem with formulating regulation for innovation in the scientific arena it that it is impossible to imagine the outcomes or risks related to the outcomes of all the research.
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit: The passage raises a core concern: biotechnology is advancing rapidly, and humans are engineering living organisms in unprecedented ways. However, existing regulatory frameworks are outdated and may not be equipped to handle the complexity, unpredictability, and variability of these new biological entities. The deeper issue is not just the need for new regulations, but whether it's even possible to build a framework that is flexible and imaginative enough to anticipate and manage all potential risks in such a fast-evolving and uncertain domain.Option C captures this central dilemma: it recognizes the outdated nature of current regulations while also acknowledging the uncertainty around whether any future framework could be adequate to cover the full spectrum of biotechnological outcomes.
Option-wise Analysis:
- Option A: Incorrect. It focuses on scientists recalibrating regulations, which is not mentioned in the passage. The passage questions whether regulation can ever keep up, not who should do the regulating.
- Option B: Incorrect. While it stresses the need for a new framework, it misses the skeptical tone and deeper concern: can any regulation be comprehensive enough? The passage is not just about urgency—it’s about feasibility.
- Option C: Correct. It summarizes the dual concern of outdated policy and the uncertainty about creating an adaptable, all-encompassing regulatory structure. This reflects the heart of the passage.
- Option D: Incorrect. It focuses too narrowly on the impossibility of predicting outcomes, but does not mention the outdated regulatory system or the challenge of developing a more flexible one.
Word 1: Regulate
Context:
"The question is whether regulation will ever be able to keep up with human innovation, to regulate living things." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "regulate" refers to the act of controlling or maintaining the operation of a system or process by means of rules or restrictions. In modern discourse, it is often used in the context of governments or authorities managing industries, behaviors, or technologies to ensure safety, fairness, or efficiency. The context of regulating living things highlights the challenge of governing complex, evolving biological systems with ethical and scientific oversight.
Meaning: To control, govern, or direct according to rules or principles (Verb)
Pronunciation: REG-yuh-layt
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Easy
Etymology: From Latin "regulatus", past participle of "regulare", meaning "to rule, guide", derived from "regula" (rule).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Regulate" is a foundational word in public policy, governance, and biology. It conveys a sense of order and structure imposed externally or internally. It's especially relevant today when discussing tech, AI, and genetic modification.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: control, manage, govern, supervise, administer
Antonyms: neglect, ignore, disorganize, deregulate, abandon
Usage Examples:
- The government is working to regulate emissions from factories.
- Parents often regulate their children's screen time to ensure balance.
- The thermostat regulates the room’s temperature automatically.
- We need better laws to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in warfare.
Cultural Reference:
"If you regulate the people’s lives too much, you crush their spirit." – A paraphrase of sentiments often found in libertarian political philosophy.
Think About It:
Should all technological innovations be regulated by the government, or are there areas where self-regulation is more effective?
Quick Activity:
List 3 areas in life where regulations are necessary and 1 area where you think too much regulation might be harmful. Explain your choices briefly.
Memory Tip:
Think of a "regulator" on a machine—just like it controls the system, to "regulate" is to apply control or order.
Real-World Application:
"Regulate" is used in law, technology, medicine, and even everyday life to describe how processes or behaviors are guided by rules. For example, food industries are regulated to ensure safety and hygiene standards.
Word 2: Framework
Context:
"But regulating these entities is complicated, as the framework of policies and procedures are outdated and not flexible enough to adapt to emerging technology." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Framework" refers to a basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text. In governance or technical contexts, it often means a set of rules, ideas, or beliefs used to plan or decide something. In the example, the framework of policies is described as outdated, meaning that the foundational structure guiding decisions isn't keeping up with fast-changing technological advancements. A solid framework provides consistency, but it also needs flexibility to remain effective in dynamic environments.
Meaning: A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or process (Noun)
Pronunciation: FRAYM-wurk
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Middle English "framwerk", combining "frame" + "work", meaning a structural or conceptual skeleton.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Think of a "framework" as the invisible skeleton holding an idea, process, or system together. Whether it's in law, education, software, or business, a good framework provides support and consistency—but must evolve over time.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: structure, system, outline, skeleton, architecture
Antonyms: chaos, disorganization, mess, confusion
Usage Examples:
- The legal framework for data protection needs updating in the digital age.
- Education systems require a flexible framework to cater to diverse learning needs.
- We built the app on a solid software framework to ensure scalability.
- A conceptual framework helps researchers organize their hypotheses.
Cultural Reference:
"Frameworks are not solutions; they are scaffolding to think about solutions." – A paraphrased idea commonly emphasized in agile software and policy design.
Think About It:
Can a rigid framework become a barrier to innovation? How do we balance stability and flexibility?
Quick Activity:
Choose a system you're familiar with (like education, health, or technology) and list 3 core components that would form its framework. Briefly explain why each is important.
Memory Tip:
Think of a "framework" like the frame of a house—it holds everything together, even if it’s not always visible.
Real-World Application:
"Framework" is widely used in project planning, software development, policymaking, and education. For instance, governments use regulatory frameworks to guide industries, and developers use software frameworks like React or Django to build web applications efficiently.
Word 3: Flexible
Context:
"But regulating these entities is complicated, as the framework of policies and procedures are outdated and not flexible enough to adapt to emerging technology." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "flexible" describes something that can bend easily without breaking, or more figuratively, something adaptable and responsive to change. In the given context, "flexible" refers to systems or rules that can evolve or adjust in response to new developments, such as emerging technologies. A lack of flexibility in policies means they cannot accommodate innovation efficiently, resulting in regulatory delays or inefficiencies.
Meaning: Capable of bending or being modified without breaking; adaptable (Adjective)
Pronunciation: FLEK-suh-buhl
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Easy
Etymology: From Latin "flexibilis", from "flectere" meaning "to bend".
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Flexible" is a key word for success in today’s fast-changing world. Whether it’s your mindset, schedule, or policy, being flexible means being ready for change—and that’s a powerful trait.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: adaptable, adjustable, pliable, versatile, malleable
Antonyms: rigid, inflexible, unyielding, stubborn, firm
Usage Examples:
- She has a flexible work schedule that allows her to balance family and career.
- Flexible materials are essential in making wearable electronics.
- In negotiations, it's important to remain flexible and open to compromise.
- The company adopted a more flexible approach to remote working after the pandemic.
Cultural Reference:
"Be like water, my friend." – Bruce Lee. This quote emphasizes the power of flexibility and adaptability in both philosophy and daily life.
Think About It:
Can too much flexibility lead to a lack of structure or discipline? Where should we draw the line between being flexible and being inconsistent?
Quick Activity:
List 2 areas in your personal life and 2 in society where flexibility has led to positive change. Briefly explain why.
Memory Tip:
Think of a yoga pose — flexibility in the body mirrors the concept of flexibility in thinking and rules. Bend, don’t break!
Real-World Application:
"Flexible" is commonly used in workplace policies (e.g., flexible hours), education (e.g., flexible curriculum), and even in product design (e.g., flexible screens in modern smartphones).
Word 4: Contingencies
Context:
"Current regulation of biotechnology is outdated, but it is debatable if we can create framework, imaginative and flexible, to cover all contingencies in this fast-changing area." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Contingencies" refers to possible future events or circumstances that cannot be predicted with certainty. These are the 'what if' scenarios that we try to plan for in advance. In the context of biotechnology regulation, contingencies include unforeseen risks, ethical dilemmas, or technological developments that current laws might not address. Preparing for contingencies means anticipating challenges and building adaptable, forward-looking systems.
Meaning: Possible future events or conditions that may or may not happen (Noun, plural)
Pronunciation: kuhn-TIN-juhn-seez
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin "contingentia", meaning "possibility" or "eventuality", from "contingere" — to happen, befall.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Understanding "contingencies" is key to smart planning. This word often appears in business, military, and emergency preparedness contexts—anywhere there’s a need to be ready for unpredictable events.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: possibilities, eventualities, emergencies, potential outcomes, risks
Antonyms: certainties, guarantees, inevitabilities
Usage Examples:
- The company has a contingency plan in case of a cyberattack.
- Budgeting for contingencies is essential in large-scale construction projects.
- Military leaders always prepare for various contingencies before a mission.
- We must consider the legal contingencies of introducing this new medical procedure.
Cultural Reference:
"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." — A timeless piece of advice that captures the essence of planning for contingencies.
Think About It:
Can we ever truly prepare for all contingencies in a world driven by rapid innovation and unpredictability?
Quick Activity:
Write down three personal or societal contingencies you've planned (or should plan) for, such as health, career, or climate-related events. Briefly explain how you're preparing for each.
Memory Tip:
Think of “contingencies” like backup plans in your mental suitcase—ready just in case the journey doesn't go as expected.
Real-World Application:
Contingencies are vital in fields like insurance (e.g., life or travel coverage), public health (e.g., pandemic response), and business strategy (e.g., crisis management or disaster recovery plans).
Word 5: Biotechnology
Context:
"A new framework of rules and procedures for regulating the most recent research emerging from biotechnology is urgently needed, to keep up with this rapidly changing discipline." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Biotechnology" refers to the use of biological systems, living organisms, or parts of them to develop products and technologies for specific purposes. It blends biology with technology to create innovations in medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. In this context, biotechnology is presented as a fast-evolving field that requires updated regulations to manage its scientific and ethical complexities.
Meaning: The application of biological systems or organisms to develop useful products or technologies (Noun)
Pronunciation: bye-oh-tek-NOL-uh-jee
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Greek "bios" (life) + "technologia" (systematic treatment), the term emerged in the early 20th century to describe industrial use of biological processes.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Biotechnology" is not just a buzzword—it’s at the heart of cutting-edge fields like genetic engineering, vaccine development, and sustainable farming. Understanding this term is essential for navigating discussions on science, ethics, and public policy.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: genetic engineering, life science technology, bioengineering, molecular biology applications
Antonyms: traditional agriculture, non-technological biology, manual farming methods
Usage Examples:
- Biotechnology has enabled the rapid development of vaccines for emerging diseases.
- Farmers now use biotechnology to grow crops that resist pests and require less water.
- The ethical implications of biotechnology in human gene editing are still under debate.
- Biotechnology startups are driving innovation in the health and environment sectors.
Cultural Reference:
“Biotechnology is the science of the future — and the present.” This sentiment reflects the growing influence of biotech in shaping global health, food, and ethics.
Think About It:
Should there be limits to how far we go with biotechnology in altering life forms? Who should decide where the line is drawn?
Quick Activity:
Make a two-column chart. In one column, list 3 positive applications of biotechnology; in the other, list 3 potential risks or ethical concerns. Reflect on which side seems more impactful to you.
Memory Tip:
Break it down: "Bio" (life) + "Technology" = using life for tech solutions. Think of test tubes and DNA strands helping solve world problems.
Real-World Application:
Biotechnology is used to produce insulin, create genetically modified crops, clean up oil spills using microbes, and even manufacture biodegradable plastics. Its real-world relevance is enormous and growing every day.
