Analyse the following passage and provide appropriate answers for the questions that follow:
An effective way of describing what interpersonal communication is or is not, is perhaps to capture the underlying beliefs using speci c game analogies.
Communication as Bowling: The bowling model of message delivery is probably the most widely held view of communication. I think that’s unfortunate. This model sees the bowler as the sender, who delivers the ball, which is the message. As it rolls down the lane (the channel), clutter on the boards (noise) may de ect the ball (the message). Yet if it is aimed well, the ball strikes the passive pins (the target audience) with a predictable effect. In this one - way model of communication, the speaker (bowler) must take care to select a precisely crafted message (ball) and practice diligently to deliver it the same way every time. Of course, that makes sense only if target listeners are interchangeable, static pins waiting to be bowled over by our words - which they aren’t.
This has led some observers to propose an interactive model of interpersonal communication. Communication as Ping - Pong: Unlike bowling, Ping - Pong is not a solo game. This fact alone makes it a better analogy for interpersonal communication. One party puts the conversational ball in play, and the other gets into position to receive. It takes more concentration and skill to receive than to serve because while the speaker (server) knows where the message is going, the listener (receive) doesn’t. Like a verbal or nonverbal message, the ball may appear straightforward yet have a deceptive spin. Ping - Pong is a back - and - forth game; players switch roles continuously. One moment the person holding the paddle is an initiator; the next second the same player is a responder, gauging the effectiveness of his or her shot by the way the ball comes back. The repeated adjustment essential for good play closely parallels the feedback process described in a number of interpersonal communication theories. Communication as Dumb Charades The game of charades best captures the simultaneous and collaborative nature of interpersonal communication. A charade is neither an action, like bowling a strike, nor an interaction, like a rally in Ping - Pong. It’s a transaction. Charades is a mutual game; the actual play is cooperative. One member draws a title or slogan from a batch of possibilities and then tries to act it out visually for teammates in a silent mini drama. The goal is to get at least one partner to say the exact words that are on the slip of paper. Of course, the actor is prohibited from talking out loud. Suppose you drew the saying “God helps those who help themselves.” For God you might try folding your hands and gazing upward. For helps you could act out offering a helping hand or giving a leg - up boost over a fence. By pointing at a number of real or imaginary people you may elicit a response of them, and by this point a partner may shout out, “God helps those who help themselves.” Success.
Like charades, interpersonal communication is a mutual, on - going process of sending, receiving, and adapting verbal and nonverbal messages with another person to create and alter images in both of our minds. Communication between us begins when there is some overlap between two images, and is effective to the extent that overlap increases. But even if our mental pictures are congruent, communication will be partial as long as we interpret them differently. The idea that “God helps those who help themselves’ could strike one person as a hollow promise, while the other might regard it as a divine stamp of approval for hard work. Dumb Charade goes beyond the simplistic analogy of bowling and ping pong. It views interpersonal communications as a complex transaction in which overlapping messages simultaneously affect and are affected by the other person and multiple other factors.
The meaning CLOSEST to ‘interchangeable’ in the ‘Communication as Bowling’ paragraph is:
Show Hint
- Complementary
- Contiguous
- Conforming
- Compatible
- Comparable
The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
The word \textit{interchangeable} refers to two things that can replace each other without significant difference. It implies that one can be substituted for another, meaning they are comparable or equivalent in use or function.
Step 2: Evaluate each option.
- (A) Complementary: Refers to something that completes or enhances another, not something that can replace it. Hence, incorrect.
- (B) Contiguous: Refers to being adjacent or physically close. This does not convey the meaning of substitutability. Incorrect.
- (C) Conforming: Means complying or adapting to standards or norms, but it does not mean “replaceable.” Incorrect.
- (D) Compatible: Refers to things that can coexist or work together, but not necessarily replace each other. Close, but weaker than the correct choice.
- (E) Comparable: Means similar enough to be equated, measured against, or even substituted. This matches the idea of “interchangeable” most accurately. Correct.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The closest synonym to “interchangeable” is Comparable.
\[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (E) Comparable}} \]
Which of the following options is the CLOSEST to the necessary condition of communication:
Show Hint
- Threshold overlap of shared images
- Simultaneous exchange
- Ability to stimulate affect
- Ability to enact a drama
- Ability to elicit a response
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
At its core, communication requires that a message sent by one person is understood by another. This is possible only when there is some common ground or overlap in meaning between the sender and the receiver. Without this overlap, the symbols, words, or gestures used cannot be interpreted correctly.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- (A) Threshold overlap of shared images — This refers to a minimum shared context or understanding between sender and receiver. This is indeed the closest to the necessary condition of communication.
- (B) Simultaneous exchange — While communication can happen in real-time, simultaneity is not necessary (e.g., letters, emails, recorded messages).
- (C) Ability to stimulate affect — Stimulating emotions may be a result of communication, but it is not a necessary condition.
- (D) Ability to enact a drama — This is a specific form of communication, not its fundamental condition.
- (E) Ability to elicit a response — Responses are desirable, but not always required (e.g., one-way announcements, radio broadcasts). Communication still occurs even if no immediate response comes.
Step 3: Conclude.
The most fundamental requirement is that both parties share at least some overlap in meaning-making, allowing the message to be understood. Hence the correct choice is (A).
\[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (A) Threshold overlap of shared images}} \]
The two inherent LIMITATIONS of Ping-Pong as a metaphor for communication are:
Show Hint
- It is governed by conventions with possibility for appeal; it has clear rules.
- The operating model is win–lose because only one individual or team can win; the receiver can always predict the spin.
- The number of players is limited as very few can be meaningfully engaged at a time; the rules of the game are fixed by the regulators.
- It demands more skills of the receiver than of the speaker; it is as passive as bowling.
- Real life communication is like Dumb Charade with multiple players; there are multiple balls used in Dumb Charade.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Ping-Pong (table tennis) is often used to represent communication because it involves back-and-forth exchange. However, metaphors always have limitations when compared to real-life communication.
Step 2: Examine each option.
(A) “Governed by conventions and clear rules” — this is true of Ping-Pong, but in communication, conventions exist too. This is not a limitation, but rather a similarity.
(B) “Win–lose model” — not inherent to communication. While games have winners, communication is not structured as win–lose; however, the statement about predicting spin is irrelevant and not central.
(C) “Number of players is limited; rules fixed by regulators” — this highlights real limitations. Unlike real communication which can involve multiple people and fluid norms, Ping-Pong only allows two (or four in doubles) players, and rules are rigid. This restricts its metaphorical reach.
(D) “Demands more skills of receiver; as passive as bowling” — inaccurate. In Ping-Pong both sender and receiver are equally active, so this is misleading.
(E) “Like Dumb Charade with multiple balls” — irrelevant exaggeration, not addressing the Ping-Pong metaphor’s limitations.
Step 3: Conclude.
The correct identification of Ping-Pong’s metaphorical limitations for communication is in (C): it is limited in number of participants and constrained by fixed rules.
\[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (C)}} \]
Action, interaction and transaction is CLOSEST to:
Show Hint
- Advertising, Buyer negotiating with a seller, Bidding for a player in Indian Premier League.
- Preparing an election manifesto, Addressing a public gathering, Engaging in door to door canvassing.
- Preparing for MBA entrance exam, Writing the MBA entrance exam, Facing an interview for business school.
- Applying for learner licence, Negotiating with a driving school, Driving a Car.
- Negotiating overseas posting, Applying for visa, Undertaking a journey.
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
- Action refers to an individual act taken by an agent.
- Interaction refers to reciprocal communication/engagement between two or more agents.
- Transaction refers to a structured exchange, usually involving negotiation or a deal.
Step 2 (Evaluate the options).
(A) Advertising = action (a one-way act of promotion). Buyer negotiating = interaction (dialogue between buyer and seller). Bidding in IPL = transaction (formalized exchange with value transfer). Perfect sequence.
(B) Preparing manifesto = action, addressing gathering = interaction, door-to-door canvassing = again interaction, not a formal transaction.
(C) Exam preparation, writing, and interview are sequential tasks but not fitting into the clear action–interaction–transaction framework.
(D) Licence application, negotiation with school, driving a car—again not a clear progression of action–interaction–transaction.
(E) Visa and journey are processes, not exemplars of the three distinct stages.
Step 3 (Conclude).
Only option (A) illustrates the conceptual movement from action → interaction → transaction.
\[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (A)}} \]
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- The advent of social media has dramatically transformed the way individuals consume and share information. In earlier times, people largely depended on newspapers, radio, or television as their primary sources of knowledge about the world. These were institutions that followed established editorial practices and fact-checking processes. With the rise of digital platforms, however, the traditional ‘gatekeepers’ of information have been bypassed. Today, anyone with internet access can create content, express an opinion, or broadcast an idea to a global audience within seconds.
This shift has certainly democratized access and given voice to communities and individuals who were often ignored by mainstream media. Yet, this democratization comes with challenges. Alongside genuine voices, social media has also amplified misinformation, rumours, and half-truths. Unlike traditional journalism, where accountability and verification are built into the system, social media thrives on speed, virality, and emotion. A misleading headline, a misinterpreted statistic, or even a doctored image can travel across the world before fact-checkers have the chance to intervene.
The consequences of such unchecked information can be serious, ranging from the spread of fear and panic to the manipulation of public opinion. The impact of this transformation extends beyond individual users to institutions and democracies. Political campaigns, corporate branding, and even social movements are now shaped by algorithms that decide what people see and when they see it. These algorithms prioritize engagement, often promoting content that provokes stronger emotional reactions rather than balanced analysis.
As a result, echo chambers form, online spaces where people are repeatedly exposed to opinions that mirror their own, reinforcing biases and reducing openness to differing perspectives. This has contributed to increasing polarization in societies across the world. Moreover, the competition for attention has blurred the line between information and entertainment, leading to the rise of sensationalism even in serious public discourse. The credibility of expertise too has been undermined, as opinions from unverified sources are often placed on the same footing as evidence-based knowledge.
In response, several governments and technology companies are exploring ways to promote digital literacy, enhance transparency in algorithms, and strengthen fact-checking collaborations. Ultimately, the challenge lies in balancing the openness of digital spaces with mechanisms that ensure responsibility and trustworthiness in public communication.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- I have still to be brother to a Prince, though I once came near to kinship with what might have been a veritable King, and was promised the reversion of a Kingdom, army, law-courts, revenue, and policy, all complete. But, today, I greatly fear that my King is dead, and if I want a crown I must go and hunt it for myself. The beginning of everything was in a railway train upon the road to Mhow from Ajmir. There had been a deficit in the Budget, which necessitated travelling, not Second class, which is only half as dear as First class, but by Intermediate, which is very awful indeed. There are no cushions in the Intermediate class, and the population is either Intermediate, which is Eurasian, or native, which for a long night journey is nasty; or Loafer, which is amusing though intoxicated. Intermediates do not patronize refreshment rooms. They carry their food in bundles and pots, and buy sweets from the native sweet meat sellers, and drink the roadside water. That is why in the hot weather Intermediates are taken out of the carriages dead, and in all weathers are most properly looked down upon.
My particular Intermediate happened to be empty till I reached Nasirabad, when a huge gentleman in shirt sleeves entered, and following the custom of Intermediates, passed the time of day. He was a wanderer and a vagabond like myself, but with an educated taste for alcohol. He told daring tales of things he had seen and done, of out-of-the-way corners of the Empire into which he had penetrated, and of adventures in which he risked his life for a few days’ food. “If India was filled with men like you and me, not knowing more than the crows where they’d get their next day’s rations, it isn’t seventy millions of revenue the land would be paying, it’s seven hundred millions,” said he; and as I looked at his mouth and chin I was disposed to agree with him.
We talked politics, the politics of Loaferdom that sees things from the underside where the lath and plaster is not smoothed off, and we talked postal arrangements because my friend wanted to send a telegram back from the next station to Ajmir, which is the turning off place from the Bombay to the Mhow line as you travel westward. He had the air of one who had seen strange countries and stranger men, yet bore himself without vanity. There was a restless light in his eyes, the sort that belongs to men who have lived too long without a fixed purpose. When he spoke of the Empire, it was not with loyalty nor with bitterness, but with the detached amusement of one who has played his part and lost interest in the game. His laughter came easily, though it seemed to echo from some remembered hardship. It struck me then that his stories were less of adventure than of survival.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Democracy, often hailed as the most equitable form of governance, is a system where power ultimately rests in the hands of the people. The word derives from the Greek words ”demos” meaning people and ”kratos” meaning power or rule. Democracy aims to provide equal political participation and protect the individual freedoms of all citizens. However, while the idea of democracy is simple, its practice is frequently complex and fraught with challenges. At its core, democracy functions on the principle of majority rule, yet it simultaneously guarantees the protection of minority rights.
This balance ensures that while the majority has the power to make decisions through voting, the fundamental rights of minorities are not trampled upon. Such a system requires consistent vigilance and respect for the rule of law. Without these, democracies can devolve into majoritarian tyranny or authoritarianism. The practice of democracy is not merely limited to voting in elections. It encompasses freedom of speech, an independent judiciary, free press, and protection of individual rights. These elements together create a political environment where citizens can express dissent, hold leaders accountable, and participate actively in decision-making. When any component is weakened, the democratic process becomes vulnerable.
In recent times, democratic societies worldwide have grappled with new challenges. The rise of misinformation and fake news has eroded public trust in institutions and polarized societies. Social media platforms, meant to facilitate communication, have sometimes amplified divisive narratives and falsehoods. This has resulted in voter manipulation and a growing skepticism toward democratic processes. Literacy in media and critical thinking is increasingly vital to safeguard democracy from such threats. Economic inequality poses another significant challenge. While democracy promises equal rights politically, vast disparities in wealth and opportunity undermine this ideal.
This phenomenon raises questions about whether democracy is achievable without addressing socioeconomic inequalities. Furthermore, the involvement of citizens is crucial. Democracy requires that people are informed, engaged, and willing to participate beyond casting votes. Civic education and awareness campaigns play an essential role in nurturing responsible citizenship. Apathy or disengagement weakens the democratic fabric, opening avenues for corruption and other dangers to the system. In conclusion, democracy thrives on the collective responsibility of governments and citizens to protect its pillars and ensure inclusive, fair governance.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
The Rule of Law
by Tom BinghamJustice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?
by Michael J. SandelLetters to a Law Student
by Nicholas J. McBrideIn The Rule of Law, former Lord Chief Justice Tom Bingham explores how the principle of legality underpins modern democratic life. He defines the rule of law as more than just adherence to formal rules; it is the assurance that power is exercised within clear, fair, and publicly known boundaries.
Bingham distills the concept into eight principles, including equality before the law, access to justice, and respect for fundamental human rights. Drawing on cases and historical examples, he warns that national security and administrative efficiency must never override the rights of individuals.
The book bridges legal philosophy and practice, arguing that law must be both predictable and humane. For Bingham, the rule of law represents a moral ideal, one that sustains public trust in justice and curbs arbitrary governance.Michael Sandel’s Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? examines moral reasoning in law and politics. Through examples like price gouging, affirmative action, and taxation, Sandel invites readers to explore competing notions of fairness.
He engages with philosophical traditions such as utilitarianism, libertarianism, and Rawlsian egalitarianism, showing that questions of justice cannot be separated from questions of virtue and the common good.
Sandel rejects the idea of a morally “neutral” legal system, arguing that public deliberation about values is essential to democracy. Ultimately, he argues that a just society is one that cultivates civic responsibility, not merely individual rights.Nicholas McBride’s Letters to a Law Student is a practical and reflective guide for aspiring lawyers. Written as a series of letters to a student beginning law school, it explores what legal study truly involves.
This includes mastering case analysis, understanding precedents, and developing critical reasoning. McBride distinguishes between knowing the law and thinking like a lawyer, the latter requiring analytical discipline and ethical awareness.
He emphasizes that good lawyers combine intellectual rigor with moral judgment and clarity of expression. Beyond academic success, the book urges students to reflect on law’s purpose, balancing order, justice, and compassion in human affairs.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Urban gardening has become increasingly popular as a means to address food security, sustainability, and mental well-being in cities. By growing their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, individuals can reduce their reliance on commercial supply chains that contribute to extensive transportation, energy consumption, and synthetic chemical use. In addition to providing fresh, nutritious food, urban gardening also contributes to environmental sustainability by mitigating urban heat island effects, improving air quality, and managing water runoff. Furthermore, it offers psychological benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, and a sense of accomplishment. Despite its many benefits, urban gardening faces challenges like space limitations, poor soil quality, and inadequate sunlight, which gardeners overcome using innovative techniques such as vertical farming and hydroponics.
- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Questions Asked in XAT exam
- Arun selected an integer \( x \) between 2 and 40, both inclusive. He noticed that the greatest common divisor of the selected integer \( x \) and any other integer between 2 and 40, both inclusive, is 1. How many different choices for such an \( x \) are possible?
- XAT - 2025
- Number Systems
- ABCD is a rectangle where points C and D have coordinates (−2, 0) and (2, 0), respectively. If the area of the rectangle is 24, what is the best way to describe the equation of the line AB?
- XAT - 2025
- Geometry
- Adu and Amu have bought two pieces of land on the Moon from an e-store. Both the pieces of land have the same perimeters, but Adu’s piece of land is in the shape of a square, while Amu’s piece of land is in the shape of a circle. The ratio of the areas of Adu’s piece of land to Amu’s piece of land is:
- XAT - 2025
- Mensuration
- A and B bought lands on the Moon from an eStore, both with the same diameter but A’s land is square-shaped, and B’s land is circular. What is the ratio of the areas of their respective lands?
- XAT - 2025
- Ratio and Proportion
- A bought a phone from a store and paid \(\frac{1}{6}\) of the price using UPI, \(\frac{1}{3}\) of the price in cash, and the remaining balance a year later. He also paid 10% interest on the remaining balance after one year. What was the original price of the phone?
- XAT - 2025
- Percentage