Comprehension
The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.
The job of a peer reviewer is thankless. Collectively, academics spend around 70 million hours every year evaluating each other’s manuscripts on the behalf of scholarly journals — and they usually receive no monetary compensation and little if any recognition for their effort. Some do it as a way to keep abreast with developments in their field; some simply see it as a duty to the discipline. Either way, academic publishing would likely crumble without them.
In recent years, some scientists have begun posting their reviews online, mainly to claim credit for their work. Sites like Publons allow researchers to either share entire referee reports or simply list the journals for whom they’ve carried out a review….
The rise of Publons suggests that academics are increasingly placing value on the work of peer review and asking others, such as grant funders, to do the same. While that’s vital in the publish-or-perish culture of academia, there’s also immense value in the data underlying peer review. Sharing peer review data could help journals stamp out fraud, inefficiency, and systemic bias in academic publishing.….
Peer review data could also help root out bias. Last year, a study based on peer review data for nearly 24,000 submissions to the biomedical journal eLife found that women and non Westerners were vastly underrepresented among peer reviewers. Only around one in every five reviewers was female, and less than two percent of reviewers were based in developing countries…. Openly publishing peer review data could perhaps also help journals address another problem in academic publishing: fraudulent peer reviews. For instance, a minority of authors have been known to use phony email addresses to pose as an outside expert and review their own manuscripts.…
Opponents of open peer review commonly argue that confidentiality is vital to the integrity of the review process; referees may be less critical of manuscripts if their reports are published, especially if they are revealing their identities by signing them. Some also hold concerns that open reviewing may deter referees from agreeing to judge manuscripts in the first place, or that they’ll take longer to do so out of fear of scrutiny….
Even when the content of reviews and the identity of reviewers can’t be shared publicly, perhaps journals could share the data with outside researchers for study. Or they could release other figures that wouldn’t compromise the anonymity of reviews but that might answer important questions about how long the reviewing process takes, how many researchers editors have to reach out to on average to find one who will carry out the work, and the geographic distribution of peer reviewers.
Of course, opening up data underlying the reviewing process will not fix peer review entirely, and there may be instances in which there are valid reasons to keep the content of peer reviews hidden and the identity of the referees confidential. But the norm should shift from opacity in all cases to opacity only when necessary.
The job of a peer reviewer is thankless. Collectively, academics spend around 70 million hours every year evaluating each other’s manuscripts on the behalf of scholarly journals — and they usually receive no monetary compensation and little if any recognition for their effort. Some do it as a way to keep abreast with developments in their field; some simply see it as a duty to the discipline. Either way, academic publishing would likely crumble without them.
In recent years, some scientists have begun posting their reviews online, mainly to claim credit for their work. Sites like Publons allow researchers to either share entire referee reports or simply list the journals for whom they’ve carried out a review….
The rise of Publons suggests that academics are increasingly placing value on the work of peer review and asking others, such as grant funders, to do the same. While that’s vital in the publish-or-perish culture of academia, there’s also immense value in the data underlying peer review. Sharing peer review data could help journals stamp out fraud, inefficiency, and systemic bias in academic publishing.….
Peer review data could also help root out bias. Last year, a study based on peer review data for nearly 24,000 submissions to the biomedical journal eLife found that women and non Westerners were vastly underrepresented among peer reviewers. Only around one in every five reviewers was female, and less than two percent of reviewers were based in developing countries…. Openly publishing peer review data could perhaps also help journals address another problem in academic publishing: fraudulent peer reviews. For instance, a minority of authors have been known to use phony email addresses to pose as an outside expert and review their own manuscripts.…
Opponents of open peer review commonly argue that confidentiality is vital to the integrity of the review process; referees may be less critical of manuscripts if their reports are published, especially if they are revealing their identities by signing them. Some also hold concerns that open reviewing may deter referees from agreeing to judge manuscripts in the first place, or that they’ll take longer to do so out of fear of scrutiny….
Even when the content of reviews and the identity of reviewers can’t be shared publicly, perhaps journals could share the data with outside researchers for study. Or they could release other figures that wouldn’t compromise the anonymity of reviews but that might answer important questions about how long the reviewing process takes, how many researchers editors have to reach out to on average to find one who will carry out the work, and the geographic distribution of peer reviewers.
Of course, opening up data underlying the reviewing process will not fix peer review entirely, and there may be instances in which there are valid reasons to keep the content of peer reviews hidden and the identity of the referees confidential. But the norm should shift from opacity in all cases to opacity only when necessary.
Question: 1
All of the following are listed as reasons why academics choose to review other scholars’ work EXCEPT:
All of the following are listed as reasons why academics choose to review other scholars’ work EXCEPT:
Updated On: Nov 13, 2025
- It is seen as an opportunity to expand their influence in the academic community.
- Some use this as an opportunity to publicise their own review work.
- It is seen as a form of service to the academic community.
- It helps them keep current with cutting-edge ideas in their academic disciplines.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The given passage discusses the reasons academics engage in peer review, emphasizing service to the academic community and staying informed about new developments. It also notes that some use platforms like Publons to publicize their reviews for credit, indicating a shift in recognizing the value of peer reviews.
Analyzing the provided options against this context, we identify the correct exception:
- Opportunity to expand influence: Not directly mentioned or supported as a reason in the passage. Correct choice as the exception.
- Publicizing review work: Addressed in the passage with reference to Publons.
- Form of service: Explicitly mentioned as a reason for peer reviewing.
- Keeping current with ideas: Cited as a motive for participating in peer review.
Therefore, the statement "It is seen as an opportunity to expand their influence in the academic community" does not align with the rationale presented in the passage and is the correct exception.
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Question: 2
According to the passage, some are opposed to making peer reviews public for all the following reasons EXCEPT that it
According to the passage, some are opposed to making peer reviews public for all the following reasons EXCEPT that it
Updated On: Nov 13, 2025
- makes reviewers reluctant to review manuscripts, especially if these are critical of the submitted work.
- delays the manuscript evaluation process as reviewers would take longer to write their reviews.
- deters reviewers from producing honest, if critical, reviews that are vital to the sound publishing process.
- leaves the reviewers unexposed to unwarranted and unjustified criticism or comments from others.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The passage discusses the pros and cons of open peer review, emphasizing that confidentiality is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the process. Critics of open peer review argue against making it public due to several reasons. To determine the correct answer, we examine the given options and identify the one not mentioned in the passage as a reason for opposition.
1. Makes reviewers reluctant to review manuscripts, especially if these are critical of the submitted work: The passage indicates that referees might be less critical if their reports are published, implying that revealing reviews publicly could deter them from providing honest feedback.
2. Delays the manuscript evaluation process as reviewers would take longer to write their reviews: The passage mentions the concern that open reviewing might cause delays as referees would take more time out of fear of scrutiny.
3. Deters reviewers from producing honest, if critical, reviews that are vital to the sound publishing process: This aligns with the argument that openness could lead to less critical reviews, as referees may hesitate to be honest if their identities are public.
4. Leaves the reviewers unexposed to unwarranted and unjustified criticism or comments from others: This option is not supported by the passage. In fact, open peer review could lead to exposure and criticism, not the opposite.
Given these assessments, the statement "leaves the reviewers unexposed to unwarranted and unjustified criticism or comments from others" is the correct answer as it is not a reason mentioned in the passage for opposing open peer review.
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Question: 3
Based on the passage we can infer that the author would most probably support
Based on the passage we can infer that the author would most probably support
Updated On: Nov 13, 2025
- greater transparency across the peer review process in academic publishing.
- preserving the anonymity of reviewers to protect them from criticism.
- publicising peer review data rather than the publication of actual reviews.
- more careful screening to ensure the recruitment of content-familiar peer reviewers.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The passage discusses the importance of peer review in academic publishing and highlights opportunities for improvements through greater transparency. It specifically mentions the potential benefits of sharing peer review data to combat fraud, inefficiency, and bias. The author argues for a shift in the norm from general opacity to openness, except when confidentiality is necessary. While the author acknowledges the challenges and opposition to open peer review, the emphasis is on the benefits of transparency.
The correct inference is: greater transparency across the peer review process in academic publishing.
| Options | Analysis |
| greater transparency across the peer review process in academic publishing. | This option aligns with the author's argument for using peer review data to increase transparency and address systemic issues in publishing. |
| preserving the anonymity of reviewers to protect them from criticism. | The author discusses anonymity but mainly in the context of opposition arguments, not as a preferred stance. |
| publicising peer review data rather than the publication of actual reviews. | The author does suggest sharing data while maintaining confidentiality in some cases, but this isn't the primary support. |
| more careful screening to ensure the recruitment of content-familiar peer reviewers. | Not directly supported by the passage, which focuses more on transparency. |
The correct inference is: greater transparency across the peer review process in academic publishing.
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Question: 4
According to the passage, which of the following is the only reason NOT given in favour of making peer review data public?
According to the passage, which of the following is the only reason NOT given in favour of making peer review data public?
Updated On: Nov 13, 2025
- It will deal with peer review fraud such as authors publishing bogus reviews of their work.
- It could address various inefficiencies and fraudulent practices that continue in academic publishing process.
- It can tackle the problem of selecting appropriately qualified reviewers for academic writing.
- It would highlight the gender and race biases currently existing in the selection of reviewers.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage elaborates on the benefits and limitations of making peer review data public. It primarily argues for openness to combat fraud, inefficiency, and bias within the academic publishing process. Let's evaluate each option to determine which reason is not mentioned in the passage:
- It will deal with peer review fraud such as authors publishing bogus reviews of their work.The passage explicitly mentions that open peer review data could help combat fraudulent peer reviews, such as authors using phony identities to review their work.
- It could address various inefficiencies and fraudulent practices that continue in the academic publishing process.The text clearly states that sharing peer review data could help eliminate inefficiency and fraud in academic publishing.
- It can tackle the problem of selecting appropriately qualified reviewers for academic writing.This option is not addressed in the passage. The text does not discuss the use of peer review data for improving the selection of qualified reviewers.
- It would highlight the gender and race biases currently existing in the selection of reviewers.The passage provides evidence that public peer review data could bring attention to gender and race bias, as it cites underrepresentation of women and non-Westerners.
After analyzing the options, the correct answer is:
It can tackle the problem of selecting appropriately qualified reviewers for academic writing.
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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
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- 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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