Question

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow.
No one argues that the rich should be rich because they were born to wealthy parents. Critics of inequality may complain that those who would abolish inheritance taxes, say, are implicitly endorsing hereditary privilege. But no one defends hereditary privilege outright or disputes the principle that careers should be open to talents. Most of our debates about access to jobs, education, and public office proceed from the premise of equal opportunity. Our disagreements are less about the principle itself than about what it requires. For example, critics of affirmative action in hiring and college admissions argue that such policies are inconsistent with equality of opportunity, because they judge applicants on factors other than merit. Defenders of affirmative action reply that such policies are necessary to make equality of opportunity a reality for members of groups that have suffered discrimination or disadvantage.
At the level of principle at least, and political rhetoric, meritocracy has won the day. In democracies throughout the world, politicians of the center-left and center-right claim that their policies are the ones that will enable all citizens, whatever their race or ethnicity, gender or class, to compete on equal terms and to rise as far as their efforts and talents will take them. When people complain about meritocracy, the complaint is usually not about the ideal but about our failure to live up to it: The wealthy and powerful have rigged the system to perpetuate their privilege; the professional classes have figured out how to pass their advantages on to their children, converting the meritocracy into a hereditary aristocracy; colleges that claim to select students on merit give an edge to the sons and daughters of the wealthy and the well-connected. According to this complaint, meritocracy is a myth, a distant promise yet to be redeemed.
Based on the passage, which of the following inferences CANNOT be drawn?

• A. Though the wealthy can pass their advantages to their children, wealth and privilege cannot undermine meritocracy.
• B. Equality of opportunity is widely accepted in principle, but there is disagreement about how to achieve it.
• C. Meritocracy is seen by some as an unfulfilled promise, with the system still skewed in favour of the well-connected.
• D. Hereditary privilege is not openly defended but can be perpetuated through policies like the abolition of inheritance taxes.
• E. Meritocracy is a popular ideal in political rhetoric, promoted across the political spectrum.
• A. Everybody admires meritocracy, until it is they or their children’s career on the line.
• B. Meritocracy is a utopian system that is difficult to implement as the wealthy rigs the system.
• C. In an unequal society, any attempt to execute meritocracy perpetuates inequality.
• D. Meritocracy is accepted by everyone, but not understood by anyone.
• J. Meritocracy is desired by everybody, but despised by those rejected by it.
• A. Meritocratic system is based on structural bias.
• B. Meritocratic system intentionally favours the rich.
• C. Meritocratic system supports those having hereditary privileges.
• D. Meritocratic system rewards individuals based on the outcome they produce.
• O. Meritocratic system does not acknowledge the initial disadvantages in opportunities.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Identify the main theme.
The passage discusses equality of opportunity, meritocracy, and how wealth and privilege often undermine these ideals. It emphasizes that while the principle of meritocracy is widely accepted, in practice it is often corrupted by inherited advantages.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- Option A: Incorrect inference. The passage explicitly says that wealth and privilege do undermine meritocracy by converting it into hereditary aristocracy. Hence this statement \emph{cannot} be drawn. - Option B: Correct inference. The text highlights consensus on equality of opportunity in principle, but disagreements on methods (e.g., affirmative action). - Option C: Correct inference. Many see meritocracy as an unfulfilled promise, skewed toward the well-connected. - Option D: Correct inference. Hereditary privilege is not openly defended, but the abolition of inheritance taxes is implicitly tied to perpetuating privilege. - Option E: Correct inference. Meritocracy is described as a widespread political ideal across party lines.
Step 3: Conclude.
Therefore, the only inference that \emph{cannot} be drawn is Option A.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{A}} \]

Answer 2

Step 1: Recall the passage’s key argument.
The passage establishes that while meritocracy is universally accepted in principle, in practice it often fails because the wealthy and powerful manipulate the system to pass on their advantages to their children.
Step 2: Evaluate options.
- Option A: Too specific and cynical; the passage critiques systemic manipulation, not individual hypocrisy. - Option B: Fits perfectly. Meritocracy is seen as an ideal (utopian) but is difficult to realize because the system is rigged in favor of the privileged. - Option C: Too extreme; the passage critiques failure to live up to meritocracy, but not that meritocracy itself perpetuates inequality. - Option D: Incorrect — people understand meritocracy; the problem is implementation. - Option E: Not accurate — the passage doesn’t frame it as “despised by the rejected.”
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, Option B captures the best conclusion.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{B}} \]

Answer 3

Step 1: Recall defenders of affirmative action.
The passage notes that critics say affirmative action is inconsistent with meritocracy, but defenders argue it is necessary to make equality of opportunity real for groups who suffer disadvantage or discrimination.
Step 2: Link to options.
- Option A: Too vague; “structural bias” is not the main phrasing. - Option B: Misleading; the system is manipulated, but not intentionally designed to favour the rich. - Option C: Overlaps with criticism, but not the defenders’ main argument. - Option D: True of meritocracy in principle, not the problem being raised. - Option E: Exactly correct. Affirmative action advocates argue that without acknowledging initial disadvantages, meritocracy simply entrenches inequality.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, Option E is the correct answer.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{E}} \]