Comprehension
The Evolution of Democracy
Democracy, as a form of governance, has evolved significantly over centuries. From its origins in ancient Athens, where citizens directly participated in decision-making, to modern representative democracies, the concept has adapted to societal changes. In Athens, only free male citizens could vote, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners. Today, universal suffrage is a cornerstone of most democratic systems, though challenges like voter suppression and electoral fraud persist. The rise of digital technology has introduced new dimensions, such as e-voting and online campaigns, but also risks like misinformation and cyber interference. Despite these challenges, democracy remains a powerful tool for ensuring accountability and representation.
Democracy, as a form of governance, has evolved significantly over centuries. From its origins in ancient Athens, where citizens directly participated in decision-making, to modern representative democracies, the concept has adapted to societal changes. In Athens, only free male citizens could vote, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners. Today, universal suffrage is a cornerstone of most democratic systems, though challenges like voter suppression and electoral fraud persist. The rise of digital technology has introduced new dimensions, such as e-voting and online campaigns, but also risks like misinformation and cyber interference. Despite these challenges, democracy remains a powerful tool for ensuring accountability and representation.
Question: 1
What is the primary difference between ancient Athenian democracy and modern democracy?
What is the primary difference between ancient Athenian democracy and modern democracy?
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Focus on the passage’s main contrast to identify the primary difference in comprehension questions.
Updated On: Jul 24, 2025
- Direct participation vs. representative system
- Universal suffrage vs. limited voting rights
- Use of technology vs. manual voting
- Exclusion of women vs. inclusion of all citizens
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The passage highlights the structural difference between Athenian and modern democracies.
- Step 1: Identify Athenian democracy’s feature: The passage states, "citizens directly participated in decision-making," indicating a direct democracy.
- Step 2: Identify modern democracy’s feature: It mentions "modern representative democracies," suggesting elected representatives make decisions.
- Step 3: Compare options:
- (a) Direct participation vs. representative system: Matches the passage’s core distinction.
- (b) Universal suffrage vs. limited voting rights: Relevant but secondary, as suffrage is a feature, not the primary system difference.
- (c) Use of technology vs. manual voting: Technology is a modern addition, not the main difference.
- (d) Exclusion vs. inclusion: A subset of suffrage, not the primary structural difference.
- Step 4: Confirm: Option a directly addresses the system of participation, the main focus.
Thus, the answer is a.
- Step 1: Identify Athenian democracy’s feature: The passage states, "citizens directly participated in decision-making," indicating a direct democracy.
- Step 2: Identify modern democracy’s feature: It mentions "modern representative democracies," suggesting elected representatives make decisions.
- Step 3: Compare options:
- (a) Direct participation vs. representative system: Matches the passage’s core distinction.
- (b) Universal suffrage vs. limited voting rights: Relevant but secondary, as suffrage is a feature, not the primary system difference.
- (c) Use of technology vs. manual voting: Technology is a modern addition, not the main difference.
- (d) Exclusion vs. inclusion: A subset of suffrage, not the primary structural difference.
- Step 4: Confirm: Option a directly addresses the system of participation, the main focus.
Thus, the answer is a.
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Question: 2
According to the passage, what is a modern challenge to democracy?
According to the passage, what is a modern challenge to democracy?
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Look for specific examples of issues or risks mentioned in the passage for challenge-based questions.
Updated On: Jul 24, 2025
- Exclusion of certain groups
- Lack of voter participation
- Misinformation and cyber interference
- Absence of universal suffrage
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage discusses challenges in modern democracies.
- Step 1: Locate challenges: The passage states, "risks like misinformation and cyber interference" due to digital technology.
- Step 2: Evaluate options:
- (a) Exclusion of certain groups: Refers to ancient Athens, not modern challenges.
- (b) Lack of voter participation: Not mentioned in the passage.
- (c) Misinformation and cyber interference: Directly matches the passage’s text.
- (d) Absence of universal suffrage: Incorrect, as suffrage is a cornerstone today.
- Step 3: Confirm: Option c is explicitly stated in the passage.
Thus, the answer is c.
- Step 1: Locate challenges: The passage states, "risks like misinformation and cyber interference" due to digital technology.
- Step 2: Evaluate options:
- (a) Exclusion of certain groups: Refers to ancient Athens, not modern challenges.
- (b) Lack of voter participation: Not mentioned in the passage.
- (c) Misinformation and cyber interference: Directly matches the passage’s text.
- (d) Absence of universal suffrage: Incorrect, as suffrage is a cornerstone today.
- Step 3: Confirm: Option c is explicitly stated in the passage.
Thus, the answer is c.
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Question: 3
What does the passage suggest about the role of democracy today?
What does the passage suggest about the role of democracy today?
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Focus on concluding statements to understand the passage’s perspective on a concept’s role.
Updated On: Jul 24, 2025
- It eliminates all governance issues
- It ensures accountability and representation
- It prevents electoral fraud
- It relies entirely on digital technology
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The passage discusses democracy’s current role.
- Step 1: Identify the role: The passage concludes, "democracy remains a powerful tool for ensuring accountability and representation."
- Step 2: Match with options:
- (a) Eliminates all issues: Too absolute, not claime(d)
- (b) Ensures accountability and representation: Directly matches the passage.
- (c) Prevents electoral fraud: Not stated, as fraud persists.
- (d) Relies on digital technology: Incorrect, technology is an addition, not the basis.
- Step 3: Confirm: Option b is a direct quote from the passage.
Thus, the answer is b.
- Step 1: Identify the role: The passage concludes, "democracy remains a powerful tool for ensuring accountability and representation."
- Step 2: Match with options:
- (a) Eliminates all issues: Too absolute, not claime(d)
- (b) Ensures accountability and representation: Directly matches the passage.
- (c) Prevents electoral fraud: Not stated, as fraud persists.
- (d) Relies on digital technology: Incorrect, technology is an addition, not the basis.
- Step 3: Confirm: Option b is a direct quote from the passage.
Thus, the answer is b.
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Question: 4
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to "cornerstone" as used in the passage.
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to "cornerstone" as used in the passage.
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Use the word’s context in the passage to select the most precise synonym.
Updated On: Jul 24, 2025
- Foundation
- Obstacle
- Supplement
- Restriction
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The word "cornerstone" appears in "universal suffrage is a cornerstone of most democratic systems."
- Step 1: Determine context: "Cornerstone" implies a fundamental or essential element.
- Step 2: Evaluate synonyms:
- (a) Foundation: Means a basis or core element, fitting the context.
- (b) Obstacle: Implies a barrier, opposite in meaning.
- (c) Supplement: Suggests something additional, not essential.
- (d) Restriction: Implies limitation, not fitting.
- Step 3: Confirm: "Foundation" aligns with "cornerstone" as a key component.
Thus, the answer is a.
- Step 1: Determine context: "Cornerstone" implies a fundamental or essential element.
- Step 2: Evaluate synonyms:
- (a) Foundation: Means a basis or core element, fitting the context.
- (b) Obstacle: Implies a barrier, opposite in meaning.
- (c) Supplement: Suggests something additional, not essential.
- (d) Restriction: Implies limitation, not fitting.
- Step 3: Confirm: "Foundation" aligns with "cornerstone" as a key component.
Thus, the answer is a.
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Question: 5
What is the antonym of "persist" as used in the passage?
What is the antonym of "persist" as used in the passage?
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Ensure the antonym fits the word’s specific usage in the passage’s context.
Updated On: Jul 24, 2025
- Cease
- Continue
- Endure
- Prevail
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The word "persist" is used in "challenges like voter suppression and electoral fraud persist," meaning to continue.
- Step 1: Define "persist": To continue or remain over time.
- Step 2: Find antonym: The opposite is to stop or en(d)
- Step 3: Evaluate options:
- (a) Cease: Means to stop, directly opposite.
- (b) Continue: Synonym of persist.
- (c) Endure: Similar to persist, meaning to withstan(d)
- (d) Prevail: Implies triumph, not opposite.
- Step 4: Confirm: "Cease" is the clear antonym.
Thus, the answer is a.
- Step 1: Define "persist": To continue or remain over time.
- Step 2: Find antonym: The opposite is to stop or en(d)
- Step 3: Evaluate options:
- (a) Cease: Means to stop, directly opposite.
- (b) Continue: Synonym of persist.
- (c) Endure: Similar to persist, meaning to withstan(d)
- (d) Prevail: Implies triumph, not opposite.
- Step 4: Confirm: "Cease" is the clear antonym.
Thus, the answer is a.
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Question: 6
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
"The government .......... to implement reforms to address voter suppression."
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
"The government .......... to implement reforms to address voter suppression."
"The government .......... to implement reforms to address voter suppression."
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Check subject-verb agreement and tense consistency for fill-in-the-blank questions.
Updated On: Jul 24, 2025
- Plan
- Plans
- Planning
- Planned
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The sentence requires a verb that matches the singular subject "The government" and the present tense context.
- Step 1: Identify subject and tense: "The government" is singular, and the context suggests a current action.
- Step 2: Evaluate options:
- (a) Plan: Incorrect, plural or infinitive form.
- (b) Plans: Correct, singular present tense.
- (c) Planning: Gerund, requires auxiliary verb (e.g., "is planning").
- (d) Planned: Past tense, doesn’t fit context.
- Step 3: Confirm: "The government plans" ensures subject-verb agreement.
Thus, the answer is b.
- Step 1: Identify subject and tense: "The government" is singular, and the context suggests a current action.
- Step 2: Evaluate options:
- (a) Plan: Incorrect, plural or infinitive form.
- (b) Plans: Correct, singular present tense.
- (c) Planning: Gerund, requires auxiliary verb (e.g., "is planning").
- (d) Planned: Past tense, doesn’t fit context.
- Step 3: Confirm: "The government plans" ensures subject-verb agreement.
Thus, the answer is b.
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Question: 7
Identify the incorrect sentence:
Identify the incorrect sentence:
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Prioritize subject-verb agreement when identifying grammatical errors in sentences.
Updated On: Jul 24, 2025
- Democracy is a system where citizens has a say in governance.
- Every citizen should exercise their right to vote.
- The politician’s speech was inspiring to the audience.
- Voting are essential for a functioning democracy.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
We need to find the sentence with a grammatical error.
- Step 1: Analyze each sentence:
- (a) "citizens has": Incorrect, plural "citizens" requires "have."
- (b) "their right": Correct, "their" agrees with plural "citizens."
- (c) "was inspiring": Correct, proper verb and structure.
- (d) "Voting are": Incorrect, singular "voting" requires "is."
- Step 2: Compare errors: Both a and d have errors, but CLAT typically seeks one answer. Sentence a’s error ("citizens has") is a clear subject-verb agreement issue.
- Step 3: Correct sentence a: Should be "citizens have."
Thus, the answer is a.
- Step 1: Analyze each sentence:
- (a) "citizens has": Incorrect, plural "citizens" requires "have."
- (b) "their right": Correct, "their" agrees with plural "citizens."
- (c) "was inspiring": Correct, proper verb and structure.
- (d) "Voting are": Incorrect, singular "voting" requires "is."
- Step 2: Compare errors: Both a and d have errors, but CLAT typically seeks one answer. Sentence a’s error ("citizens has") is a clear subject-verb agreement issue.
- Step 3: Correct sentence a: Should be "citizens have."
Thus, the answer is a.
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