The first bimolecular motors with tiny metal propellers to reach inside our cells and probe their secrets have been built and pilot-tested and scalpels fitted with probes that can instantly reveal whether cells are cancerous may soon help surgeons operating on tumours to detect cancer at the earliest stages, perhaps even replacing biopsies. That Einstein ousted Gandhi as Time's Man of the Century clearly reflects the Zeitgeist. As Stephen Hawking writes, The world has changed far more in the last 100 years than in any other century in history. The reason is not political or economic, but technological - technologies that flowed directly from advances in basic science.
The reflection of the Zeitgeist, even as it stands witness to the enormity of man's reach, is also a warning: that when man's reach exceeds his grasp, it is time to pause and ponder over priorities. From time to time, a natural disaster might push us back to oil lamps and cooking by wood fire but a baby born a whole hundred hours after the mother was trapped under heavy rubble will also establish the sovereignty of other forces. Baby buying on the Internet illustrates the lowest human motivations at work, but harnessing its reach to attract global aid for earthquake victims reflects higher human impulsions.
By using the phrase technological trajectory traversed by man the writer means
- Man has progressed stupendously
- Man has become a slave of technology
- Man has no regressive progression
- Man has enlightened revolutionary minds
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
To answer the question regarding the phrase "technological trajectory traversed by man," it's essential to comprehend the context provided in the comprehension passage.
The passage highlights the significant advancements in technology that mankind has achieved over time. It compares the evolution of communication and transport (from pigeon mail to email) and compares it to notable scientific advances such as the biotechnological revolution. It also refers to other technological innovations like bimolecular motors and technologies that surpass earlier capacities of human endeavors.
Here is the reasoning for selecting the correct answer:
- The phrase "technological trajectory traversed by man" signifies the path or course humanity has followed concerning technological advancements.
- The passage enumerates the substantial progress in technology over the centuries, emphasizing the extensive scale of progression.
- The correct option is "Man has progressed stupendously." This choice accurately captures the essence of the passage, which underscores tremendous advancements and breakthroughs achieved by mankind.
The other options can be ruled out based on the context:
- "Man has become a slave of technology": Although the passage mentions certain warnings about technological reach exceeding grasp, it primarily celebrates progress rather than implying enslavement to technology.
- "Man has no regressive progression": This choice is incorrect because the passage does not imply a lack of regression; rather, it celebrates forward progress.
- "Man has enlightened revolutionary minds": While revolutionary thinking is a part of scientific progress, the phrase in question is specifically about the trajectory of technological development rather than enlightenment or revolution.
Therefore, the phrase "technological trajectory traversed by man" is best summarized by the option "Man has progressed stupendously," emphasizing the great strides humanity has taken in advancing technology.
Why does the writer compare Noah’s Ark and biotechnological revolution to technological trajectory traversed by man?
- He does so to substantiate his account
- He does so to beguile the reader
- He does so because he feels that these developments should be brought to light
- He does so because it has been a revolutionizing progression
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The question asks why the writer compares Noah's Ark and the biotechnological revolution with the technological trajectory traversed by man. To answer this, we must analyze the context provided in the comprehension passage.
- Comparison of Technological Trajectories: The passage compares technological advancements in communication and transport with the advancements from Noah's Ark to the biotechnological revolution. This emphasizes the drastic progress in human history.
- Revolutionizing Progression: The comparison is meant to highlight the transformative impact of technological advancements over time, portraying them as revolutionary changes.
- Substantiation and Enlightenment: While the passage provides evidence of technological progress substantiating the account, the primary intent is to showcase the revolutionary nature of these changes rather than just substantiate them or merely enlighten the reader.
- Conclusion: Therefore, the writer's comparison aims to emphasize the revolutionary progression of human technology. Hence, the correct option is: "He does so because it has been a revolutionizing progression."
The phrase ‘dreams are multi-hued today’ implies
- They are of various colors
- They have greater scope of materialization
- They have limited forms
- They are eagerly sought after
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The phrase "dreams are multi-hued today" comes from a passage that discusses the advancements in technology and human aspirations. Let's analyze the context and the meaning to determine the correct answer.
- The passage highlights the progress from traditional methods to modern technology, such as e-mail and videoconferencing compared to older means of communication.
- It mentions the massive achievements in biotechnology, like bimolecular motors, that imply a variety of expansive opportunities presented by modern science.
- The phrase "dreams are multi-hued" suggests richness and variety in dreams, much like how multiple colors combine to form a vibrant picture.
- The context indicates that "multi-hued" refers to the diversity and variety of dreams and ambitions enabled by technological advancements.
Considering these points, the phrase implies that dreams (or ambitions and aspirations) now come in various forms and possibilities due to the scope of technological and intellectual advancements.
Thus, the correct answer is: They are of various colors, which metaphorically represents the wide range of opportunities and dreams that can now be realized.
Let's evaluate why the other options are incorrect:
- They have greater scope of materialization: While the passage does discuss the potential for new dreams to be realized, "multi-hued" emphasizes variety rather than potential scope for materialization.
- They have limited forms: This option contradicts "multi-hued," which suggests diversity and variety.
- They are eagerly sought after: The passage's focus is on the variety due to technology, not on how eagerly dreams are pursued.
Therefore, the most accurate interpretation is that "multi-hued" reflects the variety, leading to the conclusion that "They are of various colors" is the correct answer.
The purpose of metal propellers is to
- Reach inside malignant tumors
- Reach inside our cells
- Reach inside our tissues
- Reach inside the carcass
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The question asks about the purpose of metal propellers as mentioned in a specific comprehension passage. To answer this, let's break down the relevant part of the passage:
-
The passage discusses advancements in technology, specifically focusing on biotechnological progresses.
-
It mentions the development of bimolecular motors with tiny metal propellers that can navigate inside our cells.
-
The primary purpose of these metal propellers, as specified, is to "reach inside our cells and probe their secrets," which highlights their biomedical applications and potential to advance understanding of cellular processes.
Considering the options given:
- Option 1: Reach inside malignant tumors - While the passage talks about technology aiding in cancer detection, the specific role of metal propellers is to explore cells more generally, not just tumors.
- Option 2: Reach inside our cells - This matches exactly with the passage's description, identifying the correct scope and application of these metal propellers. This is the correct answer.
- Option 3: Reach inside our tissues - While cells are part of tissues, the specific mention was about probing individual cells, not broader tissue structures.
- Option 4: Reach inside the carcass - This is not relevant to the context provided in the passage.
In conclusion, the correct answer is that the purpose of metal propellers is to reach inside our cells, as this is explicitly stated in the comprehension passage.
Which of the following statements is not true according to the passage?
- Advancements have been a result of tremendous human endeavor
- Natural disasters propel us to work harder
- Dreams are not only multifarious but often soar beyond our reach
- The world is believed to have changed a great deal over the past 100 years
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The question asks us to identify the statement that is not true according to the given passage. Let's analyze each statement with respect to the passage:
- Statement 1: "Advancements have been a result of tremendous human endeavor."
- Analysis: The passage discusses the immense technological progress, indicating collective human efforts in fields like communication and biotechnology. Thus, this statement is consistent with the passage.
- Statement 2: "Natural disasters propel us to work harder."
- Analysis: The passage suggests that natural disasters might push us back temporarily, but it does not imply that they directly inspire harder work. Therefore, this statement does not align with the passage.
- Statement 3: "Dreams are not only multifarious but often soar beyond our reach."
- Analysis: This statement is supported by the passage, which notes the expansive nature of human dreams and endeavors.
- Statement 4: "The world is believed to have changed a great deal over the past 100 years."
- Analysis: According to the passage and Stephen Hawking's comment, this is true. There is an emphasis on significant changes primarily due to technological advances.
Conclusion: The statement that is not true according to the passage is: "Natural disasters propel us to work harder."
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- Acrucial moderating factor in how people experience comparisons is self-esteem. Individuals with high self-esteem are more likely to interpret upward comparison as informative rather than threatening. They are more resilient in the face of others’ success and more likely to believe they can reach their own goals. In contrast, people with low self-esteem are more prone to interpret comparison as judgment, reinforcing negative self-views and triggering feelings of inadequacy.
This dynamic creates a self-reinforcing loop. People with high self-esteem are less vulnerable to upward comparison, which intensifies those doubts. Those with a secure sense of self are more likely to use comparison as a learning tool. The same external stimulus—a colleague’s achievements, a friend’s popularity—can have radically different effects depending on internal stability.
Self-esteem also influences how people choose their comparison targets. Research has found that individuals often engage in “selective comparison,” seeking out those who confirm their existing beliefs about themselves. This can become a subtle form of self-sabotage. Someone who feels unworthy may subconsciously seek out targets that reinforce that sense, perpetuating a narrative of inferiority. One of the most promising antidotes to social comparison is temporal comparison—evaluating oneself not against others, but against one’s own past. This method has been shown to increase motivation and satisfaction, especially when individuals can see concrete progress. Temporal comparison activates the same reward circuits as social comparison but avoids the threat systems associated with social ranking. It also reinforces agency: individuals focus on what they can control and improve rather than what others control. In therapeutic and coaching settings, temporal comparison is used to help clients build self-efficacy and track growth over time.
Moreover, people who focus on self-improvement rather than social dominance are less likely to fall into cycles of envy or self-pity. They can still use others as inspiration, but they do so without attaching their self-worth to the outcome. This is not to say they never compare—but that they focus on learning, rather than judgment. The most skilful approach to comparison may lie in eliminating it, but in reframing it as feedback. When we interpret comparison as information rather than a verdict, we can ask, “What can I learn from this?” This shift turns comparison into a growth tool. Teachers mentor their students, not as rivals. Psychologists emphasize that the key variable here is mindset.
A fixed mindset sees comparison as a threat. If someone else is better, it means we are worse. A growth mindset sees comparison as a map. If someone else has reached a certain level, it means the path exists. This reframing is not just a cognitive trick. It changes the emotional tone of comparison, making it more likely to inspire than to wound. Reframing also requires emotional regulation—the ability to notice an initial pang of envy or shame without reacting impulsively. With practice, individuals can learn to pause, reflect, and reinterpret their emotional responses. Over time, this builds resilience and self-trust, allowing comparison to become a learning tool rather than a cage.- XAT - 2026
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Reading Comprehension
When people who are talking don’t share the same culture, knowledge, values, and assumptions, mutual understanding can be especially difficult. Such understanding is possible through the negotiation of meaning. To negotiate meaning with someone, you have to become aware of and respect both the differences in your backgrounds and when these differences are important. You need enough diversity of cultural and personal experience to be aware that divergent world views exist and what they might be like. You also need the flexibility in world view, and a generous tolerance for mistakes, as well as a talent for finding the right metaphor to communicate the relevant parts of unshared experiences or to highlight the shared experiences while demphasizing the others. Metaphorical imagination is a crucial skill in creating rapport and in communicating the nature of unshared experience. This skill consists, in large measure, of the ability to bend your world view and adjust the way you categorize your experiences. Problems of mutual understanding are not exotic; they arise in all extended conversations where understanding is important.
When it really counts, meaning is almost never communicated according to the CONDUIT metaphor, that is, where one person transmits a fixed, clear proposition to another by means of expressions in a common language, where both parties have all the relevant common knowledge, assumptions, values, etc. When the chips are down, meaning is negotiated: you slowly figure out what you have in common, what it is safe to talk about, how you can communicate unshared experience or create a shared vision. With enough flexibility in bending your world view and with luck and charity, you may achieve some mutual understanding.
Communication theories based on the CONDUIT metaphor turn from the pathetic to the evil when they are applied indiscriminately on a large scale, say, in government surveillance or computerized files. There, what is most crucial for real understanding is almost never included, and it is assumed that the words in the file have meaning in themselves—disembodied, objective, understandable meaning. When a society lives by the CONDUITmetaphor on a large scale, misunderstanding, persecution, and much worse are the likely products.- XAT - 2026
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Reading Comprehension
Later, I realized that reviewing the history of nuclear physics served another purpose as well: It gave the lie to the naive belief that the physicists could have come together when nuclear fission was discovered (in Nazi Germany!) and agreed to keep the discovery a secret, thereby sparing humanity such a burden. No. Given the development of nuclear physics up to 1938, development that physicists throughout the world pursued in all innocence of any intention of finding the engine of a new weapon of mass destruction—only one of them, the remarkable Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard, took that possibility seriously—the discovery of nuclear fission was inevitable. To stop it, you would have had to stop physics. If German scientists hadn’t made the discovery when they did, French, American, Russian, Italian, or Danish scientists would have done so, almost certainly within days or weeks. They were all working at the same cutting edge, trying to understand the strange results of a simple experiment bombarding uranium with neutrons. Here was no Faustian bargain, as movie directors and other naifs still find it intellectually challenging to imagine. Here was no evil machinery that the noble scientists might hide from the problems and the generals. To the contrary, there was a high insight into how the world works, an energetic reaction, older than the earth, that science had finally devised the instruments and arrangements to coart forth. “Make it seem inevitable,” Louis Pasteur used to advise his students when they prepared to write up their discoveries. But it was. To wish that it might have been ignored or suppressed is barbarous. “Knowledge,” Niels Bohr once noted, “is itself the basis for civilization.” You cannot have the one without the other; the one depends upon the other. Nor can you have only benevolent knowledge; the scientific method doesn’t filter for benevolence. Knowledge has consequences, not always intended, not always comfortable, but always welcome. The earth revolves around the sun, not the sun around the earth. “It is a profound and necessary truth,” Robert Oppenheimer would say, “that the deep things in science are not found because they are useful; they are found because it was possible to find them.”
...Bohr proposed once that the goal of science is not universal truth. Rather, he argued, the modest but relentless goal of science is “the gradual removal of prejudices.” The discovery that the earth revolves around the sun has gradually removed the prejudice that the earth is the center of the universe. The discovery of microbes is gradually removing the prejudice that disease is a punishment from God. The discovery of evolution is gradually removing the prejudice that Homo sapiens is a separate and special creation.- XAT - 2026
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Reading Comprehension
As the post–World War II generation of liberal democratic leaders forged new, highly successful domestic and international institutions and policies throughout the West, the weaknesses of liberal democracy that dominated the two decades after World War II faded from view. But they did not go away.
First, because liberal democracy restrains majorities, it slows the achievement of goals that majorities support. This generates frustration with institutional restraints, and an unacknowledged envy of authoritarian systems that can act quickly and decisively. China can build huge cities in the time it takes the United States to review the environmental impact of small highway projects. Liberal democracy requires more patience than many possess. Second, liberal democracy requires tolerance for minority views and ways of life to which many citizens are deeply opposed. It is natural to feel that if we consider certain views or ways of life to be odious, we should use public power to suppress them. In many such cases, liberal democracy restrains this impulse, a psychological burden that some will find unbearable.
This leads directly to the third inherent problem of liberal democracy—the distinction it requires us to make between civic identity and personal or group identity. For example, although we may consider certain religious views false and even dangerous, we must, for civic purposes, accept those who hold these views as our equals. They may freely express these views; they may organize to promote them; they may vote, and their votes are given the same weight as ours. The same goes for race, ethnicity, gender, and all the particularities that distinguish us from one another.
This requirement often goes against the grain of natural sentiments. We want the public sphere to reflect what we find most valuable about our private commitments. Liberal democracy prevents us from fully translating our personal identities into our public lives as citizens. This too is not always easy to bear. The quest for wholeness—for a political community, or even a world, that reflects our most important commitments—is a deep yearning to which liberal leaders can always appeal.
Nor is the fourth inherent difficulty of liberal democracy—the necessity of compromise—easy to bear. If what I want is good and true, why should I agree that public decisions must incorporate competing views? James Madison gives us the answer: in circumstances of liberty, diversity of views is inevitable, and unless those who agree with us form a majority so large as to be irresistible, the alternative to compromise is inaction, which is often more damaging, or oppression, which always is.- XAT - 2026
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Reading Comprehension
Beware of the old newspapers
stacked
on that little three legged stool over there.
Don’t disturb them.
I know it for a fact
that snakes have spawned in between these sheets.
Don’t even look in that direction.
It’s not because of breeze
that their corners are fluttering.
It’s alive, that nest of newspapers.
new born snakes, coiling and uncurling,
are turning their heads to look at you.
That white corner has spread its hood.
A forked tongue
shoots out of its mouth.
Keep your eyes closed.
Get rid of the whole goddamn pile if you
want to
in the morning.- XAT - 2026
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Reading Comprehension
Questions Asked in IBSAT exam
If the price of a commodity increases by 25%, by what percentage should the consumption be reduced to keep the expenditure the same?
- IBSAT - 2025
- Ratios and Percentages
A shopkeeper marks his goods 40% above cost price and offers a 10% discount. What is his percentage profit?
- IBSAT - 2025
- Ratios and Percentages
- If all cats are animals and some animals are dogs, which of the following conclusions is definitely true?
- IBSAT - 2025
- Statements and Inferences
- A train travels 240 km in 4 hours. If the speed is increased by 20\%, how much time will it take to cover the same distance?
- IBSAT - 2025
- Ratios and Percentages
- If A is the brother of B, C is the sister of A, and D is the father of B, then how is C related to D?
- IBSAT - 2025
- Synonyms