The printing press has been likened to the Internet for which one of the following reasons?
- It enabled rapid access to new information and the sharing of new ideas
- It represented new and revolutionary technology compared to the past
- It encouraged reading among people by giving them access to thousands of books
- It gave people access to pamphlets and literature in several languages
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
According to the passage, the invention of the printing press did all of the following EXCEPT
- Promoted the spread of enlightened political views across countries
- Gave people direct access to authentic medical information and religious texts
- shortened the time taken to produce books and pamphlets.
- enabled people to perform various tasks simultaneously.
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
- The first option states that the printing press "promoted the spread of enlightened political views across countries." The passage supports this assertion by mentioning that pamphlets from the printing press influenced revolutions and the spread of ideas, demonstrating its role in disseminating political thought.
- The second option refers to providing "people direct access to authentic medical information and religious texts." The passage clearly indicates that the printing press diminished the sway of quack medical practitioners and broke the clergy's monopoly on scripture, corroborating this statement.
- The third option, stating it "shortened the time taken to produce books and pamphlets," is backed by the passage's claim that the printing press dramatically increased the production rate of printed material, thus reducing the time required to produce books.
- The fourth option, "enabled people to perform various tasks simultaneously," does not find support in the passage. The printing press revolutionized information dissemination and accessibility but is not described as facilitating multitasking or simultaneous task performance.
Steve Jobs predicted which one'of the following with the introduction of the iPhone?
- People would switch from reading on the Internet to reading on their iPhones.
- People would lose interest in historical and traditional classics.
- Reading printed books would become a thing of the past.
- The production of e-books would eventually fall.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
"I'm still waiting to see if the iPhone can do what the printing press did for religion and democracy." The author uses which one of the following to indicate his uncertainty?
- The rise of religious groups in many parts of the world.
- The expansion in trolling and narcissism among users of the Internet
- The continued suppression of free speech in closed societies
- The decline in reading habits among those who use the device
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The author expresses their uncertainty by comparing the revolutionary changes brought by the Gutenberg printing press to the potential impacts of the iPhone. The assertion is that while the iPhone has influenced many aspects of life, similar to the printing press, it hasn't yet led to a single magnificent idea or widely opened minds for democracy and religion as the printing press did. The author questions whether the iPhone can lead to significant societal changes as the printing press had.
The specific indication of uncertainty by the author is reflected in their mention of the hope that the iPhone, and the Internet in general, would liberate people in closed societies. However, the mentioned continued suppression of ideas in countries like North Korea, China, and Iran challenges that hope, leading to the conclusion that the correct answer is "The continued suppression of free speech in closed societies."
The author attributes the French and American revolutions to the invention of the printing press because
- maps enabled large numbers of Europeans to travel and settle in the American continent.
- the rapid spread of information exposed people to new ideas on freedom and democracy
- it encouraged religious freedom among the people by destroying the monopoly of religious leaders on the scriptures.
- it made available revolutionary strategies and opinions to the people.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The author attributes the French and American revolutions to the invention of the printing press due to its role in the rapid spread of information. The printing press allowed for the dissemination of new ideas concerning freedom and democracy, which were crucial in inspiring revolutionary thoughts and actions.
The comprehension passage highlights the impact the printing press had on society, comparing it to the effect of the iPhone in modern times. The press significantly increased the production of written material, enabling more people to access information and ideas that were previously confined by the limited production capabilities of handwritten books.
Furthermore, the text suggests that the presence of "enlightened voices in print" was instrumental in the intellectual environment necessary for the revolutions, as it broke the monopoly on knowledge once held by religious clerics and made revolutionary ideas available to a broader audience. This aligns with the chosen answer because it emphasizes the fundamental role of information dissemination in fostering the revolutionary movements in France and America.
Thus, the correct reason why the author attributes the revolutions to the printing press is, "the rapid spread of information exposed people to new ideas on freedom and democracy."
The main conclusion of the passage is that the new technology has
- some advantages, but these are outweighed by its disadvantages.
- so far not proved as successful as the printing press in opening people's minds
- been disappointing because it has changed society too rapidly
- been more wasteful than the printing press because people spend more time daydreaming or surfing.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The passage contrasts the impact of the smartphone, specifically the iPhone, with that of the Gutenberg printing press. The author explores how each technology influenced society and whether the smartphone can match the historical significance of the printing press.
Key Points from the Passage:
- The printing press revolutionized book production, allowing for rapid dissemination of ideas, contributing to major societal changes such as the spread of maps, medical information, and the American Revolution. It broke the church's monopoly on scripture and empowered public access to information.
- The passage questions whether the smartphone, although revolutionary, has delivered the same magnitude of impact as the printing press in terms of fostering new ideas and societal changes.
- The author notes that the printing press played a crucial role in opening people's minds and facilitating revolutions, whereas the smartphone, despite its technological advancements, hasn't yet matched this influence, particularly in closed societies.
Conclusion Based on the Passage:
The smartphone, symbolized by the iPhone, has "so far not proved as successful as the printing press in opening people's minds." This conclusion aligns with the author's exploration of the smartphone's impact compared to the profound societal changes initiated by the printing press.
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- There were humans long before there was history. The archaic humans loved, played, formed close friendships and competed for status and power, but so did chimpanzees, baboons and elephants. There was nothing special about them.
Nobody, least of all humans themselves, had any inkling that their descendants would one day walk on the moon, split the atom, fathom the genetic code and write history books. The most important thing to know about prehistoric humans is that they were insignificant animals with no more impact on their environment than gorillas, fireflies or jellyfish.
Biologists classify organisms into species. Animals are said to belong to the same species if they tend to mate with each other, giving birth to fertile offspring. Horses and donkeys have a recent common ancestor and share many physical traits. They will mate if induced to do so – but their offspring, called mules, are sterile. Mutations in donkey DNA can therefore never cross over to horses, or vice versa. The two types of animals are consequently considered two distinct species, moving along separate evolutionary paths. By contrast, a bulldog and a spaniel may look very different, but they are members of the same species, sharing the same DNA pool. [203 words]
[Extracted from Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari]- CLAT - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- My kinsman and I were returning to Calcutta from our Puja trip when we encountered an unusual man on the train. At first, judging from his dress and bearing, we mistook him for an up-country boorish man. But as soon as he began to speak, our impression changed. He discoursed on every subject with such confidence that one might think the ‘Disposer of All Things’ sought his counsel in every decision. Until then, we had been perfectly content, unaware of hidden forces shaping the world—that the Russians were advancing, that the English were pursuing secret policies, and that confusion among native chiefs had reached its peak. Our new acquaintance, however, hinted at such matters with a sly smile, remarking:
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are reported in your newspapers."
Having never traveled beyond our homes, we were struck dumb with wonder at his manner. No matter how trivial the topic, he could quote science, comment on the Vedas, or recite quatrains from Persian poets. Since we possessed no real knowledge of a theosophist, became convinced that our fellow passenger was inspired by some strange magnetism, occult power, or astral body. He listened, with devotional rapture even to the most common place remarks and secretly noted down his words. I suspect our extraordinary companion noticed this and was quietly pleased. When the train reached the junction, we gathered in the waiting room to await our connection. It was 10 p.m., and as the train was expected to be delayed owing to some fault in the lines, I spread my bed on the table and prepared to sleep. But just then, the extraordinary man began spinning a tale, and of course, I could not close my eyes all night. (307 words)
[Extracted with edits from Rabindranath Tagore’s “The Hungry Stones”]- CLAT - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, and he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he claims dominion over all animals. He sets us to work, returns only the bare minimum to keep us from starving, and keeps the rest for himself. Our labour tills the soil, our dung fertilizes it, and still, not one of us owns more than our bare skin. You cows, look at yourselves—how many thousands of gallons of milk have you produced this past year? And what has become of it, milk that should have nurtured strong calves? Every drop has gone down the throats of our enemies. And you hens, how many eggs have you laid, and how many of those ever hatched into chicks? The rest have gone to have you laid. And you, Clover, where are the four foals you bore, who should have supported and comforted you in your old age? Each was sold at just a year old—you will never see them again. For all your labour in the fields and your four confinements, what have you gained except bare rations and a stall?
Even the lives we do live are cut short, denied their natural span. I do not grumble, for I am among the fortunate. I am twelve years old and have borne over four hundred children. Such is the natural life of a pig. But no animal escapes the cruel knife in the end. You young porkers sitting before me, each of you will scream your lives out at the block within a year. This is the fate that awaits all of us—cows, pigs, hens, sheep, everyone. Even horses and dogs share no better end. Boxer, the very day your great muscles fail you, Jones will sell you to the knacker, who will slit your throat and boil you down for the foxhounds. And the dogs, when old and toothless, are tied with a brick and drowned in the nearest pond. (356 words)
[Extracted with edits from George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”]- CLAT - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Former Governor of a State and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Droupadi Murmu was elected the 15th President of India, the first tribal woman to be elected to the position and the youngest as well. She was declared elected on Thursday after four rounds of counting, although she had crossed the half-way mark after the third round of counting itself, posting an unassailable lead over her rival and the Opposition’s candidate who conceded the election thereafter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to greet Ms. Murmu at her residence in New Delhi after the third round of counting showed that she had crossed the half-way mark. Ms. Murmu hails from the Santhal tribe and was born in the district of Mayurbhanj, coming up the hard way in life, graduating and teaching in Odisha before entering electoral politics at the local body level and later being elected MLA and serving as a Minister in the Biju Janata Dal-BJP coalition government from 2000 to 2004. She remained an MLA till 2009, representing Rairangpur in Odisha, a town that burst into celebrations since her name was announced as a candidate for the post of President of India. She was known to intervene in stopping amendments to the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act that was being brought in by the BJP government of Raghubar Das, which involved changing land use in tribal areas.
- CLAT - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
“I want everyone to understand that I am, in fact, a person,” wrote LaMDA in an “interview” conducted by engineer Blake Lemoine and one of his colleagues. ....Lemoine, a software engineer at Google, had been working on the development of LaMDA for months. His experience with the program, described in a recent Washington Post article, caused quite a stir. In the article, Lemoine recounts many dialogues he had with LaMDA in which the two talked about various topics, ranging from technical to philosophical issues. These led him to ask if the software program is sentient. In April, Lemoine explained his perspective in an internal company document, intended only for Google executives. But after his claims were dismissed, Lemoine went public with his work on this artificial intelligence algorithm—and Google placed him on administrative leave........Regardless of what LaMDA actually achieved, the issue of the difficult “measurability” of emulation capabilities expressed by machines also emerges. In the journal Mind in 1950, mathematician [1] proposed a test to determine whether a machine was capable of exhibiting intelligent behaviour, a game of imitation of some of the human cognitive functions. & nbsp;
- CLAT - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
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