Test - GRE-Reading Comprehension

Select one or more choices from the given options.

1

A feature of language that makes it especially useful in human interaction is selection. Selection is the power we have to select what to keep private and what to make public by putting it into words. Sharing and withholding information are among the most important ways in which we manage our social relationships. Nobody in their right mind wants to blurt out every fleeting thought and feeling. Society as we know it largely depends on the fact that some things are better left unsaid. So language gives us control over what we share with whom, and whether we share something in the first place. Take a simple question such as 'How are you?' The words you select in response to it have more to do with social relations than with information: this is how you distinguish between the delivery driver and your best friend. This is the power of selection in action.
If we weren't judiciously wielding the power of selection, awkwardness would accumulate and social life would be sent into gridlock. To avoid this, we have, as a society, tacitly agreed to limit self-disclosure. In the words of the American sociologist Harvey Sacks, 'everyone has to lie', but it is not for the purpose of deception. Those who don't heed this – the blabbermouths and oversharers – tend to pay for it socially and sometimes also economically. On balance, selectivity is a small price to pay for the possibility of a normal social life.

Which one of the following is most analogous to the author's assertion made in the highlighted sentence?

People who do not know the art of selectivity are susceptible to banking frauds.

People who do not have brain-to-mouth filter are less desirable to work with.

A celebrity who comments on every issue may get involved in a controversy.

Select one answer choice from the given options.

2

A feature of language that makes it especially useful in human interaction is selection. Selection is the power we have to select what to keep private and what to make public by putting it into words. Sharing and withholding information are among the most important ways in which we manage our social relationships. Nobody in their right mind wants to blurt out every fleeting thought and feeling. Society as we know it largely depends on the fact that some things are better left unsaid. So language gives us control over what we share with whom, and whether we share something in the first place. Take a simple question such as 'How are you?' The words you select in response to it have more to do with social relations than with information: this is how you distinguish between the delivery driver and your best friend. This is the power of selection in action.
If we weren't judiciously wielding the power of selection, awkwardness would accumulate and social life would be sent into gridlock. To avoid this, we have, as a society, tacitly agreed to limit self-disclosure. In the words of the American sociologist Harvey Sacks, 'everyone has to lie', but it is not for the purpose of deception. Those who don't heed this – the blabbermouths and oversharers – tend to pay for it socially and sometimes also economically. On balance, selectivity is a small price to pay for the possibility of a normal social life.

Which of the following is implied when the author states 'this is how you distinguish between the delivery driver and your best friend'?

A delivery driver exercises discretion in selecting his words unlike one's best friend.

The response to a driver is markedly verbose compared to that to a best friend.

One may be more selective in responding to a stranger as compared to his best friend.

Language reins in a person's ability to communicate depending on the status of his social relationship.

Friendship coaxes one to unbosom himself easily as compared to talking to a stranger.

Select one answer choice from the given options.

3

A feature of language that makes it especially useful in human interaction is selection. Selection is the power we have to select what to keep private and what to make public by putting it into words. Sharing and withholding information are among the most important ways in which we manage our social relationships. Nobody in their right mind wants to blurt out every fleeting thought and feeling. Society as we know it largely depends on the fact that some things are better left unsaid. So language gives us control over what we share with whom, and whether we share something in the first place. Take a simple question such as 'How are you?' The words you select in response to it have more to do with social relations than with information: this is how you distinguish between the delivery driver and your best friend. This is the power of selection in action.
If we weren't judiciously wielding the power of selection, awkwardness would accumulate and social life would be sent into gridlock. To avoid this, we have, as a society, tacitly agreed to limit self-disclosure. In the words of the American sociologist Harvey Sacks, 'everyone has to lie', but it is not for the purpose of deception. Those who don't heed this – the blabbermouths and oversharers – tend to pay for it socially and sometimes also economically. On balance, selectivity is a small price to pay for the possibility of a normal social life.

Which of the following does the author imply about 'lying' in the last paragraph?

Lying for selection and deception are not mutually exclusive.

Lying has a dual purpose: to deceive others and to protect oneself.

No one should speak the complete truth; some lie should always be added.

One should not lie to deceive under the pretext of being selective.

Lying, which is akin to withholding information, may not violate someone's trust.

Select one answer choice from the given options.

4

The reason Canadian cities look so dull and unexciting compared to, say, European ones is only partly because the latter are much younger. After all, Rotterdam (Netherlands) was almost totally flattened by German bombs during the Second World War, yet it became beautiful again by making purposeful, daring design choices for its central train station, museums, a culinary market hall, the Erasmus Bridge (Netherlands), and other constructions. We could blame it on not having a home base of exceptional architecture from which to draw inspiration—but that's not quite it either. The architect community is international, and European firms bid frequently to build in Canada.
Even the United States has more compelling architecture than Canada, particularly in its big cities. Chicago's gorgeous Millennium Park, for instance, was the result of a public-private partnership that relied heavily on the philanthropic sector. Wealthy individuals, as well as foundations and other organizations, pitched in 220 million dollars (US) for the park and an adjoining arts theatre—almost half of the total cost of the project. Its most recognizable feature, a 23 dollars million bean-shaped mirrored sculpture, was privately funded through donations. In Canada, philanthropy is most generous toward hospitals, schools, and the arts.

The passage is primarily concerned with

comparing the architecture of Canada with that of Europe and the USA

asserting that Canadian cities are lacking not in architecture but in many other aspects

discussing why architecture in Canadian cities is not as appealing as in other cities

explaining how philanthropy has shaped the appearance of Canadian cities

establishing lack of architectural services in Canada as the main cause of its unimpressive cities

Select one or more choices from the given options.

5

The reason Canadian cities look so dull and unexciting compared to, say, European ones is only partly because the latter are much younger. After all, Rotterdam (Netherlands) was almost totally flattened by German bombs during the Second World War, yet it became beautiful again by making purposeful, daring design choices for its central train station, museums, a culinary market hall, the Erasmus Bridge (Netherlands), and other constructions. We could blame it on not having a home base of exceptional architecture from which to draw inspiration—but that's not quite it either. The architect community is international, and European firms bid frequently to build in Canada.
Even the United States has more compelling architecture than Canada, particularly in its big cities. Chicago's gorgeous Millennium Park, for instance, was the result of a public-private partnership that relied heavily on the philanthropic sector. Wealthy individuals, as well as foundations and other organizations, pitched in 220 million dollars (US) for the park and an adjoining arts theatre—almost half of the total cost of the project. Its most recognizable feature, a $23 million dollars bean-shaped mirrored sculpture, was privately funded through donations. In Canada, philanthropy is most generous toward hospitals, schools, and the arts.

Which of the following is true about architecture in Canadian cities?

It is usually based on old techniques due to inaccessibility to excellent modern European techniques.

Its lackluster appearance may be due to the lack of philanthropic interests in recreational buildings.

It is evidenced in buildings meant for public welfare but other buildings remain deprived of its exceptional styles.

Select one or more choices from the given options.

6

Today in the techno-societies there is an almost ironclad consensus about the future of freedom. Maximum individual choice is regarded as the democratic ideal. Yet most writers predict that we shall move further and further from this ideal. They conjure up a dark vision of the future, in which people appear as mindless consumer-creatures, surrounded by standardized goods, educated in standardized schools, fed a diet of standardized mass culture, and forced to adopt standardized styles of life.
Put in its simplest form, this Theory of Vanishing Choice rests on a crude syllogism: science and technology have fostered standardization. Science and technology will advance, making the future even more standardized than the present. Ergo: man will progressively lose his freedom of choice.
If instead of blindly accepting this syllogism, we stop to analyze it, however, we make an extraordinary discovery. For not only is the logic itself faulty, the entire idea is premised on sheer factual ignorance about the nature, the meaning and the direction of the super-industrial revolution. Ironically, the people of the future may suffer not from an absence of choice, but from a paralyzing surfeit of it.

According to the passage, why do some writers call members of the modern societies "mindless consumer-creatures"?

The members of the modern societies feel inadequate for failing to use their discretion in choosing a standardized model.

The members of the modern societies have a surfeit of everything and thus feel that they are spoilt for choice.

The members of the modern societies are increasingly accepting of formalized models that dictate their lives.

Select one answer choice from the given options.

7

There are scholars who regard Lincoln as an unabashed booster of the Baconian project to master nature. But this is a serious misreading. This is not to say that he was hostile to technological advance — after all, he is the only American president to have obtained a patent for an invention. Issued in 1849, the patent was for a device that would lift boats over sandbars. But although Lincoln sought to make a contribution to transportation technology, he was acutely aware that not every discovery or invention is a boon for mankind. His reservations about technology are grounded ultimately in his recognition that the human quest for mastery is morally questionable.

Which of the following is true of the author's assertion about Lincoln as evident in the passage?

He believed in the supreme potential of science and had even made a remarkable scientific discovery.

His inclination towards scientific advancement was conditional for he was wary of its misuse.

He was extremely cautious in bringing technological advancement to the country.

He understood that scientific discoveries made in the past were not of much use to humans.

He recognized the benefits of technology but also understood that its dangers were far more.

Select one answer choice from the given options.

8

There are scholars who regard Lincoln as an unabashed booster of the Baconian project to master nature. But this is a serious misreading. This is not to say that he was hostile to technological advance — after all, he is the only American president to have obtained a patent for an invention. Issued in 1849, the patent was for a device that would lift boats over sandbars. But although Lincoln sought to make a contribution to transportation technology, he was acutely aware that not every discovery or invention is a boon for mankind. His reservations about technology are grounded ultimately in his recognition that the human quest for mastery is morally questionable.

In the context in which it appears, the word "reservations" most nearly means

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GRE-Reading Comprehension - 5