Comprehension
The Nostradamus fad might have been just that, a short-lived blip that would evaporate when the next big thing came along. And it might have been dismissed as nothing more than a few whackos' nutty obsession with doomsday. But a lot of un-nutty Japanese take it seriously and it's influence has persisted for nearly three decades. The most alarming development occurred when certain cults including Shoko Asaharas Aum got in the act. Aum which allegedly masterminded the deadly sarin gas attacks to attract followers alreadygnialbitten by the Nostradamus bug. Other groups did likewise while also providing avenues for surviving doomsday.Writers like Goto fanned a sense of fear. The books sells but they do not have any answer and the cult steps in and generates followers in mere sensationalism. These days Nostradamus has become such an ingrained part of Japanese pop culture that most people are well versed with his doomsday scenario. Even many skeptics pause to consider his predictions when confronted with the real world dangers. Ever since pyongyang sent a missile flying over Japan last August, North Korea has been considered as the most plausible source of apocalyptic of the yen, Martina Hingis loss atWimbledon would suffice among the faithfulas aidoncee that Nostradamus was on to something. This fever in Japan tends to skew towards young people like 18 year old Inoue, who wanted to feel as if she had achieved something before the world ends. The goal she decided would be to create fashion. She promoted beach clothes, cosmetics and drugs that would enhance a woman's bust. Here it is not sure whether she was using Nostradamus to promote a career in marketing And she is a perfect example of how fact and fantasy can coexist in today's Japan. Nishimoto on other hand has made full preparations and needs no convincing. He has outfitted his home in Habikino, a suburb of Osaka with a personal bomb shelter. It has 30 cm thick concrete walls reinforced with steel escape hathes, a hand cranked battery operated generator and a ventilation system that pumps in air while filtering out radioactive elements and biological and chemical contaminants.
Question: 1

What is the author’s view on Japan?

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When answering RC-based tone questions, look for repeated ideas across the passage and how the author presents them—factually, sarcastically, or critically.
Updated On: Jul 28, 2025
  • People in Japan are great believers of Nostradamus
  • People of Japan depend on sensationalism
  • Fact and fantasy coexist in Japan
  • Both (b) and (c)
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation


The author repeatedly highlights how Japanese society has embraced the Nostradamus fad for decades and how fact and fantasy are blending in that culture. For instance, references to missile threats and tennis losses being considered omens show the sensationalism (B), while the combination of high-tech preparations and fantasy-based fear reflect coexistence (C).
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Question: 2

“Here it is not sure whether she was using Nostradamus to promote a career in marketing.” What is the underlying tone in this line?

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Identify sarcasm by watching for ironic phrasing or exaggeration used to mock an idea.
Updated On: Jul 28, 2025
  • Appreciation
  • Sarcasm
  • Criticism
  • Both (a) and (b)
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation


The tone of the line is clearly sarcastic. The author mocks the absurdity of invoking Nostradamus for marketing or fashion purposes. The phrasing “not sure whether she was using Nostradamus” ironically critiques the trivial uses of a doomsday prophet.
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Question: 3

Which of the following can be implied from the passage?

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For inference questions, eliminate options that are sarcastic or exaggerations and favor those that are factually supported.
Updated On: Jul 28, 2025
  • Nostradamus’ prophecies have been influencing the people of Japan for the past thirty years.
  • Nostradamus’ prophecies have been the inspiration for various pop songs in Japanese.
  • Nostradamus predicted the Korean missile, Hingis' Wimbledon loss, weakness of the yen and the European chicken.
  • (a) and (b)
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation


Statement (A) is directly stated in the passage — that Nostradamus’ influence has lasted three decades. Statement (B) is implied where it’s said that pop culture integrates his prophecies. However, (C) is clearly sarcastic and not meant to be taken as literal predictions.
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Question: 4

What according to the passage is probably the most deadly effect of the Nostradamus fad?

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When multiple statements are all supported by different parts of the passage, “All of these” is often the right choice—but verify each carefully.
Updated On: Jul 28, 2025
  • It seriously influenced Japanese people.
  • The cult gains strength.
  • The scare is one that demands blind following.
  • A sense of power that generates no real followers.
  • All of these
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The Correct Option is

Solution and Explanation


Each of the options mentioned is supported in the passage. The fad is said to have seriously influenced Japanese society (A), built cult-like followings (B), evoked irrational fear (C), and perpetuated cycles of fear with no real answers (D). Hence, option (E) best captures the overall impact.
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