Some of it reflects the remarkable abilities of Elon Musk, the company's founder, as a salesman, engineer, and a man able to get the most out his factory workers and the governments he deals with...Mr Musk is selling a dream that the world wants to believe in.
This last may be the most important factor in the story. The private car is...a device of immense practical help and economic significance, but at the same time a theatre for myths of unattainable self-fulfilment. The one thing you will never see in a car advertisement is traffic, even though that is the element in which drivers spend their lives. Every single driver in a traffic jam is trying to escape from it, yet it is the inevitable consequence of mass car ownership.
The sleek and swift electric car is at one level merely the most contemporary fantasy of autonomy and power. But it might also disrupt our exterior landscapes nearly as much as the fossil fuel-engined car did in the last century. Electrical cars would of course pollute far less than fossil fuel-driven ones; instead of oil reserves, the rarest materials for batteries would make undeserving despots and their dynasties fantastically rich. Petrol stations would disappear. The air in cities would once more be breathable and their streets as quiet as those of Venice. This isn't an unmixed good. Cars that were as silent as bicycles would still be as dangerous as they are now to anyone they hit without audible warning.
The dream goes further than that. The electric cars of the future will be so thoroughly equipped with sensors and reaction mechanisms that they will never hit anyone. Just as brakes don't let you skid today, the steering wheel of tomorrow will swerve you away from danger before you have even noticed it...
This is where the fantasy of autonomy comes full circle. The logical outcome of cars which need no driver is that they will become cars which need no owner either. Instead, they will work as taxis do, summoned at will but only for the journeys we actually need. This the future towards which Uber...is working. The ultimate development of the private car will be to reinvent public transport. Traffic jams will be abolished only when the private car becomes a public utility. What then will happen to our fantasies of independence? We'll all have to take to electrically powered bicycles.
Which of the following statements best reflects the author's argument?
- Hybrid and electric vehicles signal the end of the age of internal combustion engines.
- Elon Musk is a remarkably gifted salesman.
- The private car represents an unattainable myth of independence.
- The future Uber car will be environmentally friendlier than even the Tesla.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
- It mentions the decline of traditional engines with the rise of hybrid and electric vehicles, demonstrated by companies like Volvo & Tesla.
- It describes Tesla's strategy, highlighting Elon Musk's skills in promotion and execution.
- It contemplates the practical and mythical aspects of private car ownership—how cars represent a fantasy of independence despite the reality of traffic and communal transport inefficiencies.
- It projects future developments in autonomous and electric vehicles, which could reshape personal mobility and blur lines between private and public transportation paradigms.
- Finally, it concludes that the real transformation lies in private cars evolving into public transportation, thus confronting the myth of independence and getting us closer to practical, shared mobility solutions.
The author points out all of the following about electric cars EXCEPT
- Their reliance on rare materials for batteries will support despotic rule.
- They will reduce air and noise pollution.
- They will not decrease the number of traffic jams.
- They will ultimately undermine rather than further driver autonomy.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage discusses the transformation of the automotive industry with the advent of electric cars and the societal and environmental impacts associated with this shift. Key points mentioned include:
- Electric cars will reduce air and noise pollution, making urban environments more livable by freeing them from the emissions of internal combustion engines and making city streets quieter. This benefit is clearly pointed out in the statement that “the air in cities would once more be breathable and their streets as quiet as those of Venice.”
- The reliance on rare materials for electric car batteries could lead to geopolitical issues, enriching despotic rulers in regions where these materials are mined. This is evident from the passage, stating that “the rarest materials for batteries would make undeserving despots and their dynasties fantastically rich.”
- Electric cars will ultimately reduce driver autonomy. The passage notes that the development in technology might make cars driverless, leading us toward a future where cars become more like public transport (akin to a taxi service), which decreases individual ownership and autonomy. This notion is completed by saying, "The logical outcome of cars which need no driver is that they will become cars which need no owner either."
However, the passage does not explicitly address electric cars' impact on the number of traffic jams. Traffic jams are directly linked to the ownership and usage pattern of private cars, and while the passage suggests that traffic jams would be reduced only when cars are entirely shared, this is not directly connected to the technology of electric cars themselves, but rather to a shift to a taxi-like service model. Therefore, the correct inference is that the passage does not explicitly address whether electric cars themselves will impact the number of traffic jams directly. Thus, the correct response to the question (points out all the following except) is the statement: "They will not decrease the number of traffic jams."
According to the author, the main reason for Tesla's remarkable sales is that
- in the long run, the Tesla is more cost effective than fossil fuel-driven cars.
- the US government has announced a tax subsidy for Tesla buyers.
- the company is rapidly upscaling the number of specialised charging stations for customer convenience.
- people believe in the autonomy represented by private cars.
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
According to the passage, despite practical challenges like limited charging stations, the allure of owning a private car, and the dream it represents, is a powerful driving force. This is described as the "fantasy of autonomy," where cars symbolize independence and control. In essence, the main reason for Tesla's remarkable sales is not merely cost-effectiveness or infrastructure improvements, but rather the powerful symbol of autonomy that private cars represent. Thus, the correct answer from the given options is: "people believe in the autonomy represented by private cars."
The author comes to the conclusion that
- car drivers will no longer own cars but will have to use public transport.
- cars will be controlled by technology that is more efficient than car drivers.
- car drivers dream of autonomy but the future may be public transport.
- electrically powered bicycles are the only way to achieve autonomy in transportation.
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The comprehension passage discusses the future of transportation, highlighting the end of the internal combustion engine era and the rise of electric vehicles. It explores the cultural myths associated with car ownership, such as autonomy and self-fulfillment, while acknowledging the practical realities like traffic jams that contradict these ideals.
Key points from the passage include:
- The shift towards hybrid and electric vehicles, with companies like Volvo and Tesla leading the change.
- The environmental and societal impacts of electric cars, such as reduced pollution and changes in urban soundscapes.
- The technological advancements in vehicles, leading to safer, sensor-equipped cars that may become autonomous.
- The potential evolution of cars into a public utility system, akin to taxis, thus blurring the lines between private and public transport.
- The overarching theme of the passage is the transformation of transportation, suggesting that the ultimate autonomy might be achieved through electric bicycles rather than traditional car ownership.
Given these insights, the conclusion aligns with the option stating: electrically powered bicycles are the only way to achieve autonomy in transportation.
In paragraphs 5 and 6, the author provides the example of Uber to argue that
- in the future, electric cars will be equipped with mechanisms that prevent collisions.
- in the future, traffic jams will not exist.
- in the future, the private car will be transformed into a form of public transport.
- in the future, Uber rides will outstrip Tesla sales.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
In paragraph 6, the author mentions electrically powered bicycles to argue that
- if Elon Musk were a true visionary, he would invest funds in developing electric bicycles.
- our fantasies of autonomy might unexpectedly require us to consider electric bicycles.
- in terms of environmental friendliness and safety, electric bicycles rather than electric cars are the future.
- electric buses are the best form of public transport.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
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