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
The correct answer is (C):
The example of blankets is used to demonstrate the benefits of greater depths of low-density snow to insulate the ground. Hence, (1), (2) and (4) which explain the mechanics of winter bedtime are rejected. The answer is thus (3).
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 correct answer is (C):
The sentence “ Ms Musk is selling a dream that the world wants to believe in” in the second paragraph gives a peep into the author's scepticism. The second sentence of the third paragraph talks about “unattainable self-fulfilment”. The subsequent sentences talk about how the potential car- buyer is never told of the traffic jams which will rob him of independence. Thus, the myth of independence of the private car is perpetuated.
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
The correct answer is (D):
The 4th paragraph mentions clearly that in place of today's oil despots, there will be new undeserving despots – those who control these rare material for batteries - who will become fantastically rich. This makes 1 true; thus 1 is ruled out. “...once more breathable ..” in the same paragraph makes 2 true ; thus 2 is ruled out. “Traffic jams will be abolished only when. . . . ” in the last paragraph makes 3 true ; thus 3 is ruled out.
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 correct answer is (D):
“The sleek and swift .... autonomy and power” at the beginning of the 4th paragraph makes 4 the right choice. The other points : “ more cost-effective than fossil fuel-driven cars”, “tax subsidy for Tesla” or “ the company upscaling charging stations ...” are not explicitly mentioned in the passage.
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
The correct answer is (C):
At the beginning of the last paragraph, the author says “the fantasy of autonomy comes full circle” . What the author suggests by the use of the term “comes full circle,” is that it completes a cycle and returns to its beginnings. That is, there will be no autonomy. He goes on to say, through the balance part of the paragraph, that public transport will be reinvented. Thus, the future may well be public transport.
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
The correct answer is (C):
In the last paragraph, the author says through the sentence “The logical outcome of cars which need no driver is that they will need no owner either”. This means that they will become public transport. The author clinches his point through phrases like “summoned at will”.
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
“Why do they pull down and do away with crooked streets, I wonder, which are my delight, and hurt no man living? Every day the wealthier nations are pulling down one or another in their capitals and their great towns: they do not know why they do it; neither do I. It ought to be enough, surely, to drive the great broad ways which commerce needs and which are the life-channels of a modern city, without destroying all history and all the humanity in between: the islands of the past.”
(From Hilaire Belloc’s “The Crooked Streets”)
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the following statements is true?- GATE PH - 2025
- General Aptitude
- Reading Comprehension
“Why do they pull down and do away with crooked streets, I wonder, which are my delight, and hurt no man living? Every day the wealthier nations are pulling down one or another in their capitals and their great towns: they do not know why they do it; neither do I. It ought to be enough, surely, to drive the great broad ways which commerce needs and which are the life-channels of a modern city, without destroying all history and all the humanity in between: the islands of the past.” (From Hilaire Belloc’s “The Crooked Streets”)
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the following statements is true?
- GATE CE - 2025
- General Aptitude
- Reading Comprehension
- “His life was divided between the books, his friends, and long walks. A solitary man, he worked at all hours without much method, and probably courted his fatal illness in this way. To his own name there is not much to show; but such was his liberality that he was continually helping others, and fruits of his erudition are widely scattered, and have gone to increase many a comparative stranger’s reputation.”
(From E.V. Lucas’s “A Funeral”)
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the following statements is true?- GATE CE - 2025
- General Aptitude
- Reading Comprehension
- Read the excerpt from a Handicrafts Manual: ‘Advanced Knitting Techniques’ and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate answer.
THE FAIR ISLE METHOD: Fair Isle knitting is a traditional technique that involves using two or more colours of yarn in a single row to create intricate patterns and designs. This method requires careful tension management to ensure even stitches and prevent puckering. To begin, select your colours and cast on the desired number of stitches. As you knit, alternate between colours every few stitches, carrying the unused yarn along the back of the work. Mastering the Fair Isle technique allows you to create stunning visual effects in garments, accessories, and home textiles.
THE CONTINENTAL STYLE: The Continental knitting style, often referred to as “picking,” involves holding the yarn in the left hand while the right hand manipulates the needles. This method allows for greater speed and efficiency, particularly when working with complex patterns or multiple colours. To practice this style, start by casting on your stitches and using your left hand to tension the yarn. With each stitch, simply “pick” the yarn with your right needle, forming a quick and fluid motion. As you become comfortable with this technique, you may find that your overall knitting speed and comfort improve significantly.
THE SHORT-ROW TECHNIQUE: Short-row knitting is an advanced technique that allows for the creation of shaped garments, such as sleeves and shoulders, without the need for complex shaping. To make a sleeve using this technique, begin by casting on the required number of stitches. Work a portion of the row, then turn your work and return without completing the full row to create the “short rows” that shape the curves of the sleeve. To prevent holes at the turn, wrap the stitch before you turn your work. Repeat this process as needed to achieve the desired shaping and dimension of the sleeve. Once you have shaped the sleeve, you can then sew the side seams to connect the pieces of your garment and finally, complete the edges to ensure a clean finish. This method not only helps shape curves but also adds dimension to your piece, allowing you to enhance fit and style.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Read the following passage and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate answer.
The Story of Coffee
Coffee, a beloved beverage enjoyed by millions around the globe, has a rich and captivating history that spans centuries. The story of coffee begins in the ancient highlands of Ethiopia, where, according to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi discovered the stimulating effects of coffee beans. One day, Kaldi noticed his goats frolicking with unusual energy after eating red berries from a certain tree. Curious, he tried the berries himself and experienced a newfound alertness. This discovery soon spread to monasteries, where monks used it to stay awake during long hours of prayer. From Ethiopia, coffee cultivation and consumption spread to the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Yemen, where the practice of roasting coffee beans and brewing the drink began to take shape. By the 15th century, coffee had become a popular beverage in the Islamic world, with coffee houses known as ‘qahveh khaneh’ emerging as social hubs for conversation, music, and intellectual exchange. These coffee houses became centers of culture and commerce, influencing the spread of coffee to Turkey and beyond, eventually reaching Europe. In Europe, coffee initially faced resistance from religious authorities who considered it a ‘Muslim drink’ and tried to ban it. However, its popularity persisted, and by the 17th century, coffee houses had sprung up in major European cities, becoming important gathering places for artists, writers, and thinkers. The stimulating effects of coffee were embraced during the Age of Enlightenment, where it was seen as a catalyst for intellectual discussion and innovation. The journey of coffee continued with the establishment of colonial plantations in tropical regions such as the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. These plantations fuelled the global demand for coffee, transforming it from a regional specialty to a major commodity. The industrial revolution further accelerated coffee production and consumption, leading to innovations in coffee brewing methods and the development of instant coffee. In the modern era, coffee has evolved into a deeply ingrained part of daily life for people worldwide. Its cultural significance spans from the bustling cafes of Paris to the quiet coffee farms of Colombia. Today, coffee remains not only a popular beverage but also a symbol of social interaction, productivity, and enjoyment. Whether sipped slowly over a conversation with friends or grabbed hastily on the way to work, the story of coffee continues to unfold, intertwining with the histories and cultures of countless societies across the globe.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Questions Asked in CAT exam
- A certain amount of water was poured into a 300 litre container and the remaining portion of the container was filled with milk. Then an amount of this solution was taken out from the container which was twice the volume of water that was earlier poured into it, and water was poured to refill the container again. If the resulting solution contains 72% milk, then the amount of water, in litres, that was initially poured into the container was
- CAT - 2024
- Mixtures and Allegations
- If x and y satisfy the equations |x| + x + y = 15 and x + |y| − y = 20, then (x − y) equals
- CAT - 2024
- Algebra
- For any natural Number 'n', let an be the largest number not exceeding \(\sqrt{n}\) , then a1 + a2 + a3... +a50 =
- CAT - 2024
- Number Systems
- The number of all positive integers up to 500 with non-repeating digits is
- CAT - 2024
- Number Systems
- The sum of all real values of $k$ for which $(\frac{1}{8})^k \times (\frac{1}{32768})^{\frac{4}{3}} = \frac{1}{8} \times (\frac{1}{32768})^{\frac{k}{3}}$ is
- CAT - 2024
- Logarithms