Indrajeet Singh, the CEO of iQuanta gave a new direction to the world of online teaching where the doubts get cleared within seconds or minutes using the previously neglected medium, Facebook as his platform. He started iQuanta last year, and it delivered splendid results in its very first year with two 100%ilers, sixteen 99.6+ %ilers & around 30 final converts from IIM A,B,C and XLRI. iQuanta is mostly about unconventional methods and concepts which aren’t taught in conventional coaching centres and his free peer learning platform i.e. CAT Preparation group is 93k members strong and is highly active – https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rockthecat/
Paragraph Completion (PC) has been a regular feature of CAT papers since 2005. Before we attempt the PC questions, we must try to understand what the questions test. PCs test the candidate’s thought process, his ability to conclude, summarize, continue or keep track of an idea or an argument.
Let’s look at the question direction of PC questions. It says: Each of the following questions has a paragraph from which the last sentence has been deleted. From the given options, choose the one that completes the paragraph in the most appropriate way.
The question asks us to complete the paragraph in the most appropriate way, not in the most logical way. Students preparing for GMAT must have come across similar questions in which the questions ask the test taker to logically complete the passage.
Since what is appropriate is a subjective view, test takers often make a choice based on their intuition, leaving room for uncertainty. Often the accuracy percentage is around 50%.
The last line of a paragraph usually continues a discussion/ description or concludes an argument. In short, there is either continuity or a conclusion
So, what should the last line have and not have? Let’s see:
If the last line is a conclusion, then:
- The last line should bring the paragraph to a smooth end; it should not be abrupt.
- The conclusion should be logically derivable from the premises already stated or from evidences already cited and should reflect the correct line of reasoning.
- The conclusion should focus on the main idea of the passage.
- The conclusion must be relevant to the key issues discussed in the passage.
If the last line is a continuation of an idea, then:
- The last line must not have a new element not at all related to the ideas discussed earlier.
- The last line should have structure and order very similar to the preceding ideas.
- The logical arrangement of the last line should be such that it gives a logical flow to the entire paragraph.
- The idea in the last line should reflect a smooth transition from the idea in the preceding lines.
Above all, the candidate must ensure that the tone of the last line is consistent with the tone of the entire paragraph.
Let’s take a simple example from CAT 2006.
Relations between the factory and the dealer are distant and usually strained as the factory tries to force cars on the dealers to smooth out production. Relations between the dealer and the customer are equally strained because dealers continuously adjust prices—make deals—to adjust demand with supply while maximizing profits. This becomes a system marked by a lack of long-term commitment on either side, which maximizes feelings of mistrust. In order to maximize their bargaining positions, everyone holds back information—the dealer about the product and the consumer about his true desires. _________________
- As a result, ‘deal making’ becomes rampant, without concern for customer satisfaction.
- As a result, inefficiencies creep into the supply chain.
- As a result, everyone treats the other as an adversary, rather than as an ally.
- As a result, fundamental innovations are becoming scarce in the automobile industry.
- As a result, everyone loses in the long run.
From the options, we come to know that the question wants us to logically conclude the paragraph. So, the last line is a conclusion, not a continuation.
Before we take the options, we must find out the central argument of the passage. What is the passage all about? The passage discusses the relations between three entities, and that relation is strained. Now let’s take the options one at a time:
Option A: If the relations are strained, then how can deal-making become rampant?
Option B: The author is discussing strained relations; we must ask ‘how can strained relations cause inefficiencies in the supply chain?’ We just don’t have strong evidences to arrive at such a conclusion.
Option C: Seems a good choice, but only at first glance. If the relations between the manufacturer and the distributor are not good, then they both will lose in the long run because they both depend on each other. And, how can the customer become an adversary of the manufacturer? The customer is competing neither with the manufacturer nor with the distributor. In short, option C is too far-fetched.
Option D: The issues with option D are very similar to those of option B. The logic of ‘strained relations vs innovations’ must be convincing. What has good or strained relations to do with innovations? The option does not sound convincing.
Option E: Sees perfect. Carefully read the last line of the passage: In order to maximize their bargaining positions, everyone holds back information—the dealer about the product and the consumer about his true desires. To maximize their bargaining positions, they are holding back information; as a result, they all will lose in the long run. The option is logical and sensible; it is not far-fetched or irrelevant like the others.
I request the students to study from the right source. Please don’t study from material that is dubious.
-Brijesh Pandey,
CAT VA, 100 %ler
4 years experience in teaching
Comments
Jayant kumar L
One of the nicest inspirational story i have ever read. Few people are afraid to take a big step in life thinking of the obstacles they may face. Few start but get struck in the middle because of the regular obstacles they and few go ahead and make it big. But what if an unknown/never imagined incident like this throws you down in your life..Even then you should never stay on the ground and rise up for a better tomorrow...Your story motivates to do so c
24 Mar 2017, 01.45 AM
+Read Replies (1)
priya jagan
Kudos to your determination ...very inspiring :)
24 Mar 2017, 01.50 AM |
Gauri Shankar
Thanks for kind words :)
24 Mar 2017, 04.02 AM
Harish V
The best inspirational story which I ever read...
24 Mar 2017, 11.51 AM
Govind Chandra Sahu
Really inspiring Sir! Thanks for the motivation! Good luck :-)
25 Mar 2017, 12.13 AM
Akash Gupta
Thanks for penning it down over here . It may not be useful to few but to me that's nt the case.
25 Mar 2017, 01.23 AM
p b
Truly inspiring !! A story that people can look out for and stay motivated in times of misery. Keep writing :)
25 Mar 2017, 12.28 PM
Hitesh Takhtani
We are into our prisons of self deeds - me "But you see, I have, let's say, sixty years to live. Most of that time will be spent working. I've chosen the work I want to do. If I find no joy in it, then I'm only condemning myself to sixty years of torture. And I can find the joy only if I do my work in the best way possible to me. But the best is a matter of standards--and I set my own standards. I inherit nothing. I stand at the end of no tradition. I may, perhaps, stand at the beginning of one." - HOWARD ROARK “Do not let the hero in your soul parish, in lonely frustration, for the life you deserved but never have been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.” - AYN RAND
You're an inspiration !
27 Mar 2017, 12.47 AM
Jehan Charle
Kick ass ! Kudos to your friend!
27 Mar 2017, 01.59 AM
Gauri Shankar
Thanks all :)
27 Mar 2017, 10.35 PM
Tushar Udernani
cool $impLe boy whHIch LOVES 2 eNjOY lYf At FuLlEST.......
It is indeed the most inspiring story Thanks for bringing this out so that people like us get motivated and don't loose hope no matter what !
28 Mar 2017, 01.01 AM
+Read Replies (1)
Gauri Shankar
Thanks :)
30 Mar 2017, 12.05 AM |
Parthajit Doley
Truly inspiring story
30 Mar 2017, 02.06 PM
Rashid Zaman
Amazing !! Salute to your determination:) One of the most inspiring stories I have read!
2 Apr 2017, 11.00 PM
Minjae ThangKhal
This is what i need to keep moving on... a story that relates to me and the struggles so determining which pushes ones beyond their fantasized reality
3 Apr 2017, 12.43 PM
Pradeep Poojary
I'm MBA Aspirant
Awesome inspiration story
30 Jul 2017, 12.01 AM
Shyam Pandey
kudos to your persevarance and determination.
23 Apr 2018, 03.02 PM
Pankaj Madhwani
Really inspiring, life is all about ups and downs and they are necessary and it shows that we are still alive.
27 Apr 2018, 12.49 AM