Many human phenomena and characteristics - such as behaviors, beliefs, economies, genes, incomes, life expectancies, and other things - are influenced both by geographic factors and by non-geographic factors. Geographic factors mean physical and biological factors tied to geographic location, including climate, the distributions of wild plant and animal species, soils, and topography. Non-geographic factors include those factors subsumed under the term culture, other factors subsumed under the term history, and decisions by individual people.... [T]he differences between the current economies of North and South Korea ... cannot be attributed to the modest environmental differences between [them] ... They are instead due entirely to the different [government] policies ... At the opposite extreme, the Inuit and other traditional peoples living north of the Arctic Circle developed warm fur clothes but no agriculture, while equatorial lowland peoples around the world never developed warm fur clothes but often did develop agriculture. The explanation is straightforwardly geographic, rather than a cultural or historical quirk unrelated to geography. . . Aboriginal Australia remained the sole continent occupied only by hunter/gatherers and with no indigenous farming or herding ... [Here the] explanation is biogeographic: the Australian continent has no domesticable native animal species and few domesticable native plant species. Instead, the crops and domestic animals that now make Australia a food and wool exporter are all nonnative (mainly Eurasian) species such as sheep, wheat, and grapes, brought to Australia by overseas colonists.
Today, no scholar would be silly enough to deny that culture, history, and individual choices play a big role in many human phenomena. Scholars don't react to cultural, historical, and individual-agent explanations by denouncing "cultural determinism," "historical determinism," or "individual determinism," and then thinking no further. But many scholars do react to any explanation invoking some geographic role, by denouncing "geographic determinism" ... Several reasons may underlie this widespread but nonsensical view. One reason is that some geographic explanations advanced a century ago were racist, thereby causing all geographic explanations to become tainted by racist associations in the minds of many scholars other than geographers. But many genetic, historical, psychological, and anthropological explanations advanced a century ago were also racist, yet the validity of newer non-racist genetic etc. explanations is widely accepted today. Another reason for reflex rejection of geographic explanations is that historians have a tradition, in their discipline, of stressing the role of contingency (a favorite word among historians) based on individual decisions and chance. Often that view is warranted . . . But often, too, that view is unwarranted. The development of warm fur clothes among the Inuit living north of the Arctic Circle was not because one influential Inuit leader persuaded other Inuit in 1783 to adopt warm fur clothes, for no good environmental reason. A third reason is that geographic explanations usually depend on detailed technical facts of geography and other fields of scholarship ... Most historians and economists don't acquire that detailed knowledge as part of the professional training.
The examples of the Inuit and Aboriginal Australians are offered in the passage to show:
- that despite geographical isolation, traditional societies were self-sufficient and adaptive.
- how physical circumstances can dictate human behaviour and cultures.
- how environmental factors lead to comparatively divergent paths in livelihoods and development.
- human resourcefulness across cultures in adapting to their surroundings.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Option B is the correct choice since the passage uses examples such as those of the Inuit and Aboriginal Australians to demonstrate how physical conditions, notably environmental factors, shape human behavior and cultural norms. The narrative delves into the emergence of insulated fur attire among the Inuit due to Arctic conditions and the absence of indigenous agriculture in Aboriginal Australia owing to the dearth of domesticable local species. These instances underscore how physical conditions wield influence over certain facets of human conduct and mold cultural adjustments. Consequently, Option B accurately captures the main idea conveyed by the examples provided in the passage.
Option D lacks explicit emphasis within the passage, which concentrates more on the impact of environmental factors on behavior and cultures.
Option A: The passage does not expressly address self-sufficiency but rather elucidates the influence of specific environmental factors on societal development.
Option C is not entirely erroneous, yet Option B more precisely captures the focus on physical conditions shaping human behavior and cultures within the framework of the provided examples.
So, the correct option is (B): how physical circumstances can dictate human behaviour and cultures.
All of the following can be inferred from the passage EXCEPT:
- several academic studies of human phenomena in the past involved racist interpretations.
- agricultural practices changed drastically in the Australian continent after it was colonised.
- individual dictat and contingency were not the causal factors for the use of fur clothing in some very cold climates
- while most human phenomena result from culture and individual choice, some have biogeographic origins.
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Option A: The author notes that certain geographical explanations proposed a century ago carried racial undertones, leading to a tarnishing of all geographical theories by association with racism in the eyes of many scholars.
Option B: The author analyzes the present state of agricultural methodologies in Australia, highlighting that the agricultural produce and livestock contributing to Australia's status as a food and wool exporter today primarily comprise non-native species (predominantly Eurasian) introduced to the continent by foreign settlers. The usage of "non-native" suggests a departure in agricultural practices from the original flora and fauna indigenous to Australia.
Option C: The author examines the evolution of insulated fur garments among the Inuit populace residing north of the Arctic Circle, attributing it not to a specific individual decision or historical circumstance in 1783, but rather as a reaction to environmental stimuli.
Option D cannot be directly extrapolated from the passage. While the text does delve into the impact of both geographical elements (such as biogeography) and non-geographical factors (including culture, history, and individual decisions) on human phenomena, it does not explicitly quantify or compare the predominance of these influences by asserting that "most human phenomena stem from culture and individual choice."
So, the correct option is (D): while most human phenomena result from culture and individual choice, some have biogeographic origins.
All of the following are advanced by the author as reasons why non-geographers disregard geographic influences on human phenomena EXCEPT their:
- belief in the central role of humans, unrelated to physical surroundings, in influencing phenomena.
- dismissal of explanations that involve geographical causes for human behaviour.
- lingering impressions of past geographic analyses that were politically offensive.
- disciplinary training which typically does not include technical knowledge of geography
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Option B is not explicitly presented by the author as a rationale for the dismissal of geographic influences by non-geographers. The author implies that scholars often react unfavorably to explanations involving geography by condemning "geographic determinism." However, the specific notion of dismissal is not overtly articulated in the passage.
On the other hand, the remaining options can be inferred from the text:
Option A can be inferred from the following passage: "Another reason for reflex rejection of geographic explanations is that historians have a tradition, in their discipline, of stressing the role of contingency (a favorite word among historians) based on individual decisions and chance."
Option C can be deduced from the following excerpt: "One reason is that some geographic explanations advanced a century ago were racist, thereby causing all geographic explanations to become tainted."
Option D can be derived from the concluding paragraph of the passage: "Geographic explanations usually depend on detailed technical facts of geography and other fields of scholarship... Most historians and economists don't acquire that detailed knowledge as part of the professional training."
So, the correct option is (B): dismissal of explanations that involve geographical causes for human behaviour.
The author criticises scholars who are not geographers for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:
- the importance they place on the role of individual decisions when studying human phenomena.
- their outdated interpretations of past cultural and historical phenomena.
- their labelling of geographic explanations as deterministic.
- their rejection of the role of biogeographic factors in social and cultural phenomena.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The passage does not directly address scholars' critique for maintaining antiquated interpretations of historical and cultural occurrences. The author primarily critiques scholars for their inclination to overlook geographical elements, categorize geographic explanations as deterministic, and link geographic analyses to historical racism.
So, the correct option is (B): their outdated interpretations of past cultural and historical phenomena.
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 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
- Read the following passage and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate answer.
The intricate world of modern manufacturing is a web of precision and innovation, where even the tiniest components play a pivotal role. One such element, often overlooked but crucial, is the sub-subpart. Whether it’s a carpenter fashioning a bespoke piece of furniture or an automobile engineer designing the next generation of vehicles, the creation of sub-subparts is a fundamental process that demands meticulous craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. In the realm of woodworking, carpenters frequently work with sub-subparts like dowels, screws, and hinges. These minute components may appear insignificant, yet they determine the structural integrity and functionality of the final product. Crafting a dowel, for instance, begins with selecting the appropriate wood species, followed by precision cutting and shaping. The result is a perfectly cylindrical, sturdy sub-subpart that seamlessly joins two larger pieces of wood. The advent of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer numerical control (CNC) machines has revolutionised this process, enabling carpenters to create sub-subparts with unparalleled precision.
Similarly, in the automobile industry, sub-subparts are the unsung heroes of vehicle construction. Take, for instance, the ball bearing—a minuscule but essential component in the wheels and transmission system. Manufacturing these precision-engineered spheres involves intricate processes like forging, heat treatment, and precision machining. Modern techniques such as laser cutting and 3D printing have streamlined production, ensuring that these sub-subparts meet the demanding standards of the automotive sector. The manufacturing of sub-subparts is a testament to the convergence of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. Whether it’s a carpenter’s workshop or a high-tech automotive assembly line, the quest for perfection in sub-subpart creation remains unwavering. The attention to detail and precision required in these processes is a testament to the dedication of craftsmen and engineers alike.
To conclude, while sub-subparts may be small in size, their significance in various industries cannot be overstated. Whether it’s a carpenter working on a timeless piece of furniture or an automotive engineer striving for superior performance, the manufacturing of sub-subparts is a crucial step towards achieving excellence in craftsmanship and technology. This fusion of tradition and innovation accentuates the essence of modern manufacturing.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Questions Asked in CAT exam
- 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
- When $10^{100}$ is divided by 7, the remainder is ?
- CAT - 2024
- Basics of Numbers
- In September, the incomes of \(K\), \(A\), and \(V\) are in the ratio \(8:6:5\). They rent a house, contributing \(15\%\), \(12\%\), and \(18\%\) of their respective incomes. In October, the rent remains the same, but the salaries of \(K\), \(A\), and \(V\) increase by \(10\%\), \(12\%\), and \(15\%\), respectively. What percentage of their total income is paid as house rent in October? (Round to the nearest percentage.)
- CAT - 2024
- Percentages