The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
In investigating memory-beliefs, there are certain points which must be borne in mind. In the first place, everything constituting a memory-belief is happening now, not in that past time to which the belief is said to refer. It is not logically necessary to the existence of a memory-belief that the event remembered should have occurred, or even that the past should have existed at all. There is no logical impossibility in the hypothesis that the world sprang into being five minutes ago, exactly as it then was, with a population that "remembered" a wholly unreal past. There is no logically necessary connection between events at different times; therefore nothing that is happening now or will happen in the future can disprove the hypothesis that the world began five minutes ago. Hence the occurrences which are CALLED knowledge of the past are logically independent of the past; they are wholly analysable into present contents, which might, theoretically, be just what they are even if no past had existed.
The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
In investigating memory-beliefs, there are certain points which must be borne in mind. In the first place, everything constituting a memory-belief is happening now, not in that past time to which the belief is said to refer. It is not logically necessary to the existence of a memory-belief that the event remembered should have occurred, or even that the past should have existed at all. There is no logical impossibility in the hypothesis that the world sprang into being five minutes ago, exactly as it then was, with a population that "remembered" a wholly unreal past. There is no logically necessary connection between events at different times; therefore nothing that is happening now or will happen in the future can disprove the hypothesis that the world began five minutes ago. Hence the occurrences which are CALLED knowledge of the past are logically independent of the past; they are wholly analysable into present contents, which might, theoretically, be just what they are even if no past had existed.
Show Hint
- When we discuss the concept of memory-beliefs, we must understand that it is not logically impossible for the event remembered to have never happened at all; it could just be a figment of our imagination.
- Memory-beliefs depend wholly on what is remembered in the present, and not on anything else; just as it is not logically impossible that the world came into being five minutes ago, and that everyone now just remembers a wholly imaginary past for it.
- When investigating memory beliefs, we must keep in mind that an actual past event is not a prerequisite for a memory-belief to exist, and that what we know of the past could theoretically need a past at all.
- That which we call "knowledge of the past" is logically independent of the past, since the act of remembering which forms memory-beliefs happens in the present, and does not need to be based in real past occurrences, or even need a past at all.
The Correct Option is D
Approach Solution - 1
To identify the correct summary of the given passage, we must understand the central theme regarding memory-beliefs. The passage explores the concept of memory-beliefs, emphasizing that these beliefs are entirely present-oriented and not necessarily linked to actual past events. The passage suggests that memory does not require a past existence, as it could theoretically be based on purely present elements, even if the past were fictitious.
Let's examine each option:
- The first option suggests that it is possible for a remembered event to be imaginary. While this is true, it does not fully capture the passage's essence that emphasizes logical independence from the past.
- The second option centers on memory-beliefs being rooted in the present and mentions the hypothetical scenario of the world beginning five minutes ago. While this relates to the passage, it doesn't highlight the key point of logical independence from the actual past.
- The third option discusses the idea that a past event is not needed for a memory-belief, but fails to mention the logical independence stated in the passage.
- The correct option concludes that knowledge of the past does not logically depend on real past events, as memory-beliefs are formed in the present. This option encapsulates the passage's main idea that memory does not require an actual past, making it the best summary.
Conclusion: The correct summary is the one that explains how memory-beliefs are logically independent of the past, which is conveyed in the fourth option. This aligns with the passage's thesis that memory-beliefs are present constructs rather than necessarily linked to past truths.
Approach Solution -2
To solve this comprehension problem, let's analyze the passage and the given options step-by-step to determine which summary best captures the essence of the passage.
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Understanding the Passage:
The passage explores the concept of memory-beliefs and emphasizes that these beliefs are formed in the present. The author argues that memory-beliefs do not require an actual past event to exist. The hypothesis suggests that everything about our past knowledge can be purely present-based and could exist without a genuine historical past. -
Evaluating the Options:
- Option 1: This option highlights the possibility of events never having happened, implying that memory beliefs could be purely imaginary. This is partially accurate but doesn't fully convey the essence of the passage which centers on the independence of present memory-beliefs from an actual past.
- Option 2: Suggests memory-beliefs rely entirely on present-day recollections and implies a potential for an imaginary past, matching a component of the passage's logic. However, it does not emphasize the independence of knowledge of the past from an actual history.
- Option 3: Points out the lack of requirement for a past event for memory-beliefs, aligning with part of the passage. However, it convolutes the message with less focus on 'presentness' and logical independence.
- Option 4: Concisely captures the main idea that "knowledge of the past" is logically independent of the past, focusing on the act of remembering being rooted in the present, regardless of actual past occurrences. It clearly reflects the passage's emphasis on logical independence.
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Selecting the Correct Answer:
The most accurate summary of the passage is Option 4 - "That which we call 'knowledge of the past' is logically independent of the past, since the act of remembering which forms memory-beliefs happens in the present, and does not need to be based in real past occurrences, or even need a past at all."
This option is chosen because it captures the crucial point about the independence of memory-beliefs from actual historical events, focusing on how our understanding of the past is theoretically rooted in present experiences instead of requiring a concrete past.
Top Questions on Para Summary
- 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. - The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
In 1903, left-wing feminist Elizabeth Magie invented The Landlord’s Game, the original version of what became Monopoly. It was designed as a powerful teaching tool to illustrate the dangers of monopolies and how wealth could concentrate in the hands of a few. The game featured a circular path, properties, and a “Go to Jail” space. Magie created two rule sets: one “monopolist” version where players crushed opponents through accumulation, and another, more radical “Prosperity” version, where everyone shared in the wealth, promoting fairness and equity. Years later, unemployed Charles Darrow sold a simplified version to Parker Brothers. They paid Magie only 500 Dollar for her patent—without royalties—and credited Darrow as the sole inventor. For decades, his tale of inventing the game in his basement remained the official story, while Magie’s name and her original, anti-capitalist message were left in the shadows. - The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
The return to the tailor is the juxtaposition of three key things for the mindful Indian shopper. The first is the conscious shift away from the homogeneity of fast fashion, the idea of a hundred other people owning exactly the same Zara trench coat or H & M pleated skirt. The second is an actual understanding of the waste behind the fast fashion market, and wanting not to contribute to that anymore. The last is the shift toward customisation and fit—the idea of having imaginations brought to life and to have them fit exactly; without paying exorbitant rates for that bespoke tailoring. For the individual with a keen fashion sense and a genuine desire to move away from the waste and uniformity of fast fashion without paying the premium for it that indie brands would invariably demand, the tailor is the perfect crossover. - The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Zombie cells may contribute to age-related chronic inflammation: this finding could help scientists understand more about the aging process and why the immune system becomes less effective as we get older. Zombie or “senescent” cells are damaged cells that can no longer divide and grow like normal cells. Scientists think that these cells can contribute to chronic health problems when they accumulate in the body. In younger people, the immune system is more effective at clearing senescent cells from the body through a process called apoptosis, but as we age this process becomes less efficient. As a result, there is an accumulation of senescent cells in different organs in the body, either through increased production or reduced clearance by the immune system. The zombie cells continue to use energy though they do not divide, and often secrete chemicals that cause inflammation, which if persistent for longer periods of time can damage healthy cells leading to chronic diseases. Para-Summary Paragraph:
Public debates often oversimplify complex issues into binary choices such as right/wrong or safe/unsafe. This reductive framing limits nuanced thinking, discourages dialogue, and pushes people to defend positions rather than understand diverse viewpoints.Which sentence best summarizes this paragraph?
- Public debates today have become unnecessarily aggressive.
- Oversimplifying issues into binaries prevents meaningful discussion.
- People avoid nuanced thinking due to lack of education.
- Complex issues should always involve experts.
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