consistently held that people who are presented with a few options make better, easier decisions than those presented with many. . . . Helping consumers figure out what to buy amid an endless sea of choice online has become a cottage industry unto itself. Many brands and retailers now wield marketing buzzwords such as curation, differentiation, and discovery as they attempt to sell an assortment of stuff targeted to their ideal customer. Companies find such shoppers through the data gold mine of digital advertising, which can catalog people by gender, income level, personal interests, and more. Since Americans have lost the ability to sort through the sheer volume of the consumer choices available to them, a ghost now has to be inthe retail machine, whether it’s an algorithm, an influencer, or some snazzy ad tech to help a product follow you around the internet. Indeed, choice fatigue is one reason so many people gravitate toward lifestyle influencers on Instagram—the relentlessly chic young moms and perpetually vacationing 20-somethings—who present an aspirational worldview, and then
recommend the products and services that help achieve it. . . .
For a relatively new class of consumer-products start-ups, there’s another method entirely.
Instead of making sense of a sea of existing stuff, these companies claim to disrupt stuff as
Americans know it. Casper (mattresses), Glossier (makeup), Away (suitcases), and many others have sprouted up to offer consumers freedom from choice: The companies have a few
aesthetically pleasing and supposedly highly functional options, usually at mid-range prices.
They’re selling nice things, but maybe more importantly, they’re selling a confidence in those
things, and an ability to opt out of the stuff rat race. . . .
One-thousand-dollar mattresses and $300 suitcases might solve choice anxiety for a certain tier of consumer, but the companies that sell them, along with those that attempt to massage the larger stuff economy into something navigable, are still just working within a consumer market that’s broken in systemic ways. The presence of so much stuff in America might be more valuable if it were more evenly distributed, but stuff’s creators tend to focus their energy on those who already have plenty. As options have expanded for people with disposable income, the opportunity to buy even basic things such as fresh food or quality diapers has contracted for much of America’s lower classes.
For start-ups that promise accessible simplicity, their very structure still might eventually push
them toward overwhelming variety. Most of these companies are based on hundreds of
millions of dollars of venture capital, the investors of which tend to expect a steep growth rate
that can’t be achieved by selling one great mattress or one great sneaker. Casper has expanded into bedroom furniture and bed linens. Glossier, after years of marketing itself as no-makeup makeup that requires little skill to apply, recently launched a full line of glittering color cosmetics. There may be no way to opt out of stuff by buying into the right thing.
Which of the following hypothetical statements would add the least depth to the author’s prediction of the fate of start-ups offering few product options?
- With Casper and Glossier venturing into new product ranges, their regular customers start losing trust in the companies and their products.
- Start-ups with few product options are no exception to the American consumer market that is deeply divided along class lines.
- An exponential surge in their sales enables start-ups to meet their desired profit goals without expanding their product catalogue.
- With the motive of promoting certain rival companies, the government decides to double the tax-rates for these start-ups.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Based on your analysis, let's break down the options:
- Option 1 adds depth to the prediction that start-ups, under the pressure of revenue, will likely expand their product offerings. Since this aligns with the author's prediction, Option 1 is unlikely to weaken the argument.
- Option 2 suggests that start-ups are not exempt from the general trend and may face challenges or need to change. While this doesn't directly contradict the author's prediction, it introduces an element of skepticism about the success of start-ups, which may slightly weaken the argument.
- Option 3, as you mentioned, brings out a point that contradicts the idea that start-ups will necessarily offer more product varieties. This option introduces a counterpoint to the author's prediction, making it a potential weakening factor.
- Option 4 predicts the failure of start-ups, supporting the author's argument about their fate. This aligns with the author's viewpoint and, therefore, does not weaken the argument.
Considering your analysis, Option 3 appears to be the choice that introduces a point contradictory to the author's prediction, potentially weakening the argument.
Which one of the following best sums up the overall purpose of the examples of Casper and Glossier in the passage?
- They are facilitating a uniform distribution of commodities in the market.
- They might transform into what they were exceptions to.
- They are exceptions to a dominant trend in consumer markets.
- They are increasing the purchasing power of poor Americans.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Correctly identifying the answer involves synthesizing information from various parts of the paragraphs. The provided excerpts highlight the evolution of certain companies:
- "Casper (mattresses), Glossier (makeup), Away (suitcases), and many others have sprouted up to offer consumers freedom from choice."
- "For start-ups that promise accessible simplicity, their very structure still might eventually push them toward overwhelming variety."
- "Casper has expanded into bedroom furniture and bed linens. Glossier, after years of marketing itself as no-makeup makeup that requires little skill to apply, recently launched a full line of glittering color cosmetics."
Considering these statements collectively, both companies, Casper and Glossier, began by offering simplicity and limited choices but eventually expanded their product lines to include a more extensive and varied range. Thus, Option 2 accurately captures this evolution, making it the correct choice.
A new food brand plans to launch a series of products in the American market. Which of the following product plans is most likely to be supported by the author of the passage?
- A range of 25 products priced between $10 and $25.
- A range of 10 products priced between $5 and $10
- A range of 10 products priced between $10 and $25.
- A range of 25 products priced between $5 and $10.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The author expresses a favorable stance toward two main points: limiting the range of choices and endorsing mid-range pricing.
Evaluating the options, both Option 2 and Option 3 advocate for reduced variety, but only Option 2 aligns with the additional criterion of mid-range pricing. The passage supports this combination, as indicated by the statement,
"The companies have a few aesthetically pleasing and supposedly highly functional options, usually at mid-range prices." Therefore, Option 2 is the accurate choice as it concurs with the author's preferences for limited variety and mid-range pricing.
All of the following, IF TRUE, would weaken the author’s claims EXCEPT:
- product options increased market competition, bringing down the prices of commodities, which, in turn, increased purchasing power of the poor.
- the annual sales growth of companies with fewer product options were higher than that of companies which curated their products for target consumers.
- the empowerment felt by purchasers in buying a commodity were directly proportional to the number of options they could choose from.
- the annual sale of companies that hired lifestyle influencers on Instagram for marketing their products were 40% less than those that did not.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
- Product options increased market competition: This statement suggests increased choice leads to positive outcomes, potentially weakening the author's claim that too much choice is overwhelming.
- The annual sales growth of companies with fewer product options were higher: This supports the idea that offering fewer, curated options can be beneficial, aligning with the claims in the passage. Thus, it does not weaken the author's argument.
- Empowerment felt by purchasers was directly proportional to the number of options: This statement opposes the author's assertion of choice anxiety, as it suggests more options lead to empowerment, thus weakening the argument.
- Sales of companies using influencers were 40% less: This contradicts the idea that influencers help navigate choice, potentially weakening the author's point about choice fatigue driving people towards influencers.
Based on the passage, all of the following can be inferred about consumer behavior EXCEPT that:
- too many options have made it difficult for consumers to trust products.
- consumers tend to prefer products by start-ups over those by established companies.
- having too many product options can be overwhelming for consumers.
- consumers are susceptible to marketing images that they see on social media.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Based on the provided passage, we are tasked with identifying a statement that cannot be inferred regarding consumer behavior. The passage discusses multiple facets of consumer behavior, particularly in the context of online shopping and the overwhelming plethora of choices available to consumers today.
Let's analyze the options in light of the passage:
1. Too many options have made it difficult for consumers to trust products. The passage discusses choice anxiety and how consumers are faced with numerous options, making decision-making more challenging. This sentiment is consistent with the idea that trust could be undermined in the sea of choices.
2. Consumers tend to prefer products by start-ups over those by established companies. The passage does not state that consumers have a preference for start-ups. Instead, it mentions start-ups offering limited options as a method to ease choice anxiety, but no comparative preference is expressed directly for start-ups over established brands.
3. Having too many product options can be overwhelming for consumers. This is directly stated in the passage through the reference to "choice anxiety," where too many options lead to decision difficulty.
4. Consumers are susceptible to marketing images that they see on social media. The passage mentions the influence of lifestyle influencers and aspirational worldviews on Instagram, a social media platform, indicating that consumers are indeed influenced by such marketing strategies.
Considering the passage and each option's analysis, the statement "consumers tend to prefer products by start-ups over those by established companies" cannot be inferred. The passage highlights a method used by start-ups to ease choice anxiety without discussing consumer preference over established companies. Thus, this is the correct choice for what cannot be inferred from the passage.
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- Shown below are letters ‘e’ taken from four popular logos, arranged in a sequence. Which of the options is the correct sequence?
- UCEED - 2026
- English Language Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Shown below are four options, each showing consecutive frames representing the movement of a pendulum of an old-style wall clock for an animation movie. Which is the correct option?
- UCEED - 2026
- English Language Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Acrucial moderating factor in how people experience comparisons is self-esteem. Individuals with high self-esteem are more likely to interpret upward comparison as informative rather than threatening. They are more resilient in the face of others’ success and more likely to believe they can reach their own goals. In contrast, people with low self-esteem are more prone to interpret comparison as judgment, reinforcing negative self-views and triggering feelings of inadequacy.
This dynamic creates a self-reinforcing loop. People with high self-esteem are less vulnerable to upward comparison, which intensifies those doubts. Those with a secure sense of self are more likely to use comparison as a learning tool. The same external stimulus—a colleague’s achievements, a friend’s popularity—can have radically different effects depending on internal stability.
Self-esteem also influences how people choose their comparison targets. Research has found that individuals often engage in “selective comparison,” seeking out those who confirm their existing beliefs about themselves. This can become a subtle form of self-sabotage. Someone who feels unworthy may subconsciously seek out targets that reinforce that sense, perpetuating a narrative of inferiority. One of the most promising antidotes to social comparison is temporal comparison—evaluating oneself not against others, but against one’s own past. This method has been shown to increase motivation and satisfaction, especially when individuals can see concrete progress. Temporal comparison activates the same reward circuits as social comparison but avoids the threat systems associated with social ranking. It also reinforces agency: individuals focus on what they can control and improve rather than what others control. In therapeutic and coaching settings, temporal comparison is used to help clients build self-efficacy and track growth over time.
Moreover, people who focus on self-improvement rather than social dominance are less likely to fall into cycles of envy or self-pity. They can still use others as inspiration, but they do so without attaching their self-worth to the outcome. This is not to say they never compare—but that they focus on learning, rather than judgment. The most skilful approach to comparison may lie in eliminating it, but in reframing it as feedback. When we interpret comparison as information rather than a verdict, we can ask, “What can I learn from this?” This shift turns comparison into a growth tool. Teachers mentor their students, not as rivals. Psychologists emphasize that the key variable here is mindset.
A fixed mindset sees comparison as a threat. If someone else is better, it means we are worse. A growth mindset sees comparison as a map. If someone else has reached a certain level, it means the path exists. This reframing is not just a cognitive trick. It changes the emotional tone of comparison, making it more likely to inspire than to wound. Reframing also requires emotional regulation—the ability to notice an initial pang of envy or shame without reacting impulsively. With practice, individuals can learn to pause, reflect, and reinterpret their emotional responses. Over time, this builds resilience and self-trust, allowing comparison to become a learning tool rather than a cage.- XAT - 2026
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Reading Comprehension
When people who are talking don’t share the same culture, knowledge, values, and assumptions, mutual understanding can be especially difficult. Such understanding is possible through the negotiation of meaning. To negotiate meaning with someone, you have to become aware of and respect both the differences in your backgrounds and when these differences are important. You need enough diversity of cultural and personal experience to be aware that divergent world views exist and what they might be like. You also need the flexibility in world view, and a generous tolerance for mistakes, as well as a talent for finding the right metaphor to communicate the relevant parts of unshared experiences or to highlight the shared experiences while demphasizing the others. Metaphorical imagination is a crucial skill in creating rapport and in communicating the nature of unshared experience. This skill consists, in large measure, of the ability to bend your world view and adjust the way you categorize your experiences. Problems of mutual understanding are not exotic; they arise in all extended conversations where understanding is important.
When it really counts, meaning is almost never communicated according to the CONDUIT metaphor, that is, where one person transmits a fixed, clear proposition to another by means of expressions in a common language, where both parties have all the relevant common knowledge, assumptions, values, etc. When the chips are down, meaning is negotiated: you slowly figure out what you have in common, what it is safe to talk about, how you can communicate unshared experience or create a shared vision. With enough flexibility in bending your world view and with luck and charity, you may achieve some mutual understanding.
Communication theories based on the CONDUIT metaphor turn from the pathetic to the evil when they are applied indiscriminately on a large scale, say, in government surveillance or computerized files. There, what is most crucial for real understanding is almost never included, and it is assumed that the words in the file have meaning in themselves—disembodied, objective, understandable meaning. When a society lives by the CONDUITmetaphor on a large scale, misunderstanding, persecution, and much worse are the likely products.- XAT - 2026
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Reading Comprehension
Later, I realized that reviewing the history of nuclear physics served another purpose as well: It gave the lie to the naive belief that the physicists could have come together when nuclear fission was discovered (in Nazi Germany!) and agreed to keep the discovery a secret, thereby sparing humanity such a burden. No. Given the development of nuclear physics up to 1938, development that physicists throughout the world pursued in all innocence of any intention of finding the engine of a new weapon of mass destruction—only one of them, the remarkable Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard, took that possibility seriously—the discovery of nuclear fission was inevitable. To stop it, you would have had to stop physics. If German scientists hadn’t made the discovery when they did, French, American, Russian, Italian, or Danish scientists would have done so, almost certainly within days or weeks. They were all working at the same cutting edge, trying to understand the strange results of a simple experiment bombarding uranium with neutrons. Here was no Faustian bargain, as movie directors and other naifs still find it intellectually challenging to imagine. Here was no evil machinery that the noble scientists might hide from the problems and the generals. To the contrary, there was a high insight into how the world works, an energetic reaction, older than the earth, that science had finally devised the instruments and arrangements to coart forth. “Make it seem inevitable,” Louis Pasteur used to advise his students when they prepared to write up their discoveries. But it was. To wish that it might have been ignored or suppressed is barbarous. “Knowledge,” Niels Bohr once noted, “is itself the basis for civilization.” You cannot have the one without the other; the one depends upon the other. Nor can you have only benevolent knowledge; the scientific method doesn’t filter for benevolence. Knowledge has consequences, not always intended, not always comfortable, but always welcome. The earth revolves around the sun, not the sun around the earth. “It is a profound and necessary truth,” Robert Oppenheimer would say, “that the deep things in science are not found because they are useful; they are found because it was possible to find them.”
...Bohr proposed once that the goal of science is not universal truth. Rather, he argued, the modest but relentless goal of science is “the gradual removal of prejudices.” The discovery that the earth revolves around the sun has gradually removed the prejudice that the earth is the center of the universe. The discovery of microbes is gradually removing the prejudice that disease is a punishment from God. The discovery of evolution is gradually removing the prejudice that Homo sapiens is a separate and special creation.- XAT - 2026
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Reading Comprehension
Questions Asked in CAT exam
- The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
In the dynamic realm of creativity, artists often find themselves at the crossroads between drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and inadvertently crossing into the territory of cultural appropriation. Inspiration is the lifeblood of creativity, driving artists to create works that resonate across borders. In a globalized era of the modern world, artists draw from a vast array of cultural influences. When approached respectfully, inspiration becomes a bridge, fostering understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. However, the line between inspiration and cultural appropriation can be thin and easily blurred.
Cultural appropriation occurs when elements from a particular culture are borrowed without proper understanding, respect, or acknowledgment. This leads to the commodification of sacred symbols, the reinforcement of stereotypes, and the erasure of the cultural context from which these elements originated. It is essential to recognize that the impact of cultural appropriation extends beyond the realm of artistic expression, influencing societal perceptions and perpetuating power imbalances.- CAT - 2025
- Para Summary
- The number of distinct integers $n$ for which $\log_{\left(\frac14\right)}(n^2 - 7n + 11)>0$ is:
- CAT - 2025
- Linear Inequalities
- In the set of consecutive odd numbers $\{1, 3, 5, \ldots, 57\}$, there is a number $k$ such that the sum of all the elements less than $k$ is equal to the sum of all the elements greater than $k$. Then, $k$ equals?
- CAT - 2025
- Number Systems
- The number of distinct pairs of integers $(x, y)$ satisfying the inequalities $x>y \ge 3$ and $x + y<14$ is:
- CAT - 2025
- Number Systems
For any natural number $k$, let $a_k = 3^k$. The smallest natural number $m$ for which \[ (a_1)^1 \times (a_2)^2 \times \dots \times (a_{20})^{20} \;<\; a_{21} \times a_{22} \times \dots \times a_{20+m} \] is:
- CAT - 2025
- Linear Inequalities