Comprehension
’Religions, like camel caravans, seem to avoid mountain passes. Buddhism spread quickly south from Buddha’s birth-place in southern Nepal across the flat Gangetic plain to Sri Lanka. But it took a millennium to reach China ... The religious belt stretched eventually to Mongolia and Japan, but in Afghanistan Buddhism filled only a narrow belt that left pagans among the valleys to the east and west in Kailash and Ghor’.
Question: 1
Which of the following best summarizes the subject of this paragraph?
Which of the following best summarizes the subject of this paragraph?
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For summary questions, pick the most general option that captures the central theme — not just a specific example.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- The Afghan people were hostile to Buddhism.
- Geography has considerable impact on the spread of religions.
- Buddhism does not flourish in mountainous regions.
- Religion has a considerable impact on geography.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understand the theme of the paragraph
The passage highlights how Buddhism spread rapidly in flat terrain (from Nepal to Sri Lanka) but much slower when it encountered geographical barriers like mountains (in Afghanistan). It notes that Buddhism struggled to expand in mountainous regions like the Hindu Kush and regions of China due to geographical difficulties. Step 2: Evaluate each option - (a) The Afghan people were hostile to Buddhism}: This is not stated or implied. The obstacle was geography, not hostility. So, this is incorrect. - (b) Geography has considerable impact on the spread of religions}: This reflects the central idea — mountain passes hindered Buddhism's spread, showing geography played a major role. - (c) Buddhism does not flourish in mountainous regions}: Too narrow — the passage discusses how religion (not just Buddhism) is affected by geography in general. - (d) Religion has a considerable impact on geography}: This reverses the cause-effect relationship. The passage discusses how geography affects religion, not the other way around. Thus, (b) is the best and most general summary of the paragraph. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{\text{(b)}} \]
The passage highlights how Buddhism spread rapidly in flat terrain (from Nepal to Sri Lanka) but much slower when it encountered geographical barriers like mountains (in Afghanistan). It notes that Buddhism struggled to expand in mountainous regions like the Hindu Kush and regions of China due to geographical difficulties. Step 2: Evaluate each option - (a) The Afghan people were hostile to Buddhism}: This is not stated or implied. The obstacle was geography, not hostility. So, this is incorrect. - (b) Geography has considerable impact on the spread of religions}: This reflects the central idea — mountain passes hindered Buddhism's spread, showing geography played a major role. - (c) Buddhism does not flourish in mountainous regions}: Too narrow — the passage discusses how religion (not just Buddhism) is affected by geography in general. - (d) Religion has a considerable impact on geography}: This reverses the cause-effect relationship. The passage discusses how geography affects religion, not the other way around. Thus, (b) is the best and most general summary of the paragraph. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{\text{(b)}} \]
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Question: 2
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion to the above argument?
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion to the above argument?
Show Hint
To weaken an argument, look for a counterexample that challenges its central assumption or conclusion.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2025
- Christianity took several centuries to cross the Atlantic Ocean to America.
- The Hindukush mountains made no difference to the speed with which Islam spread.
- Buddhism is strongest in mountainous regions.
- Jainism is less popular in cold climates.
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Restate the passage’s conclusion
The passage argues that geographical features like mountain passes hinder the spread of religion, as illustrated by the case of Buddhism in Afghanistan. Step 2: Identify what would weaken this
We’re looking for a statement that shows geography (specifically mountains) did not} significantly impact the spread of religion. Step 3: Evaluate each option - (a) Christianity took several centuries to cross the Atlantic Ocean to America}: This supports the argument — a geographical barrier slowed the spread. Hence, it does not weaken it. - (b) The Hindukush mountains made no difference to the speed with which Islam spread}: Perfect. This shows that mountains do not always obstruct religious spread — thus weakening the argument. - (c) Buddhism is strongest in mountainous regions}: This may seem to contradict the passage, but “strength” is different from “rate of spread”. It's not a direct weakening. - (d) Jainism is less popular in cold climates}: This introduces a new factor (climate, not geography) and is about a different religion — so it doesn’t directly weaken the argument. Thus, (b) is the best option. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{\text{(b)}} \]
The passage argues that geographical features like mountain passes hinder the spread of religion, as illustrated by the case of Buddhism in Afghanistan. Step 2: Identify what would weaken this
We’re looking for a statement that shows geography (specifically mountains) did not} significantly impact the spread of religion. Step 3: Evaluate each option - (a) Christianity took several centuries to cross the Atlantic Ocean to America}: This supports the argument — a geographical barrier slowed the spread. Hence, it does not weaken it. - (b) The Hindukush mountains made no difference to the speed with which Islam spread}: Perfect. This shows that mountains do not always obstruct religious spread — thus weakening the argument. - (c) Buddhism is strongest in mountainous regions}: This may seem to contradict the passage, but “strength” is different from “rate of spread”. It's not a direct weakening. - (d) Jainism is less popular in cold climates}: This introduces a new factor (climate, not geography) and is about a different religion — so it doesn’t directly weaken the argument. Thus, (b) is the best option. % Final Answer \[ \boxed{\text{(b)}} \]
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Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
From a very early age, I knew that when I grew up, I should be a writer. I had the lonely child's habit of making up stories and holding conversations with imaginary persons, and I think from the very start my literary ambitions were mixed up with the feeling of being isolated and undervalued. I knew that I had a facility with words and a power of facing unpleasant facts, and I felt that this created a sort of private world in which I could get my own back for my failure in everyday life. I wanted to write enormous naturalistic novels with unhappy endings, full of detailed descriptions and arresting similes, and also full of purple passages in which words were used partly for the sake of their sound. I give all this background information because I do not think one can assess a writer's motives without knowing something of his early development.
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