CAT 2017 Slot 1 — VARC Question 26
Answer the following question based on the information given below.
Do sports mega events like the Summer Olympic Games benefit the host city economically? It depends, but the prospects are less than rosy. The trick is converting… several billion dollars in operating costs during the 17-day fiesta of the games into a basis for long-term economic returns. These days, the Summer Olympic games themselves generate total revenue of 5 billion, but the lion’s share of this goes to the International Olympics Committee, the National Olympics Committees and the International sports Federations. Any economic benefit would have to flow from the value of the Games as an advertisement for the city, the new transportation and communications infrastructure that was created for the Games, or the ongoing use of the new facilities.
Evidence suggests that the advertising effect is far from certain. The infrastructure benefit depends on the initial condition of the city and the effectiveness of the planning. The facilities benefits is dubious at best for buildings such as velodromes or natatoriums and problematic for 100,000-seat Olympic stadiums. The latter require a conversion plan for future use, the former are usually doomed to near vacancy. Hosting the summer Games generally requires 30-plus sports venues and dozens of training centers. Today, the bird’s Nest in Beijing sits virtually empty, while the Olympic stadium in Sydney costs some $30 million a year to operate.
Part of the problem is that Olympics planning takes place in a frenzied and time-pressured atmosphere of intense competition with the other prospective host cities – not optimal conditions for contemplating the future shape of an urban landscape. Another part of the problem is that urban land is generally scarce and growing scarcer. The new facilities often stand for decades or longer. Even if they have future use, are they the best use of precious urban real estate?Further, cities must consider the human cost, Residential areas often are razed and citizens relocated (without adequate preparation or compensation). Life is made more hectic and congested. There are, after all, other productive uses that can be made of vanishing fiscal resources.
The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the author’s position.
A translator of literary works needs a secure hold upon the two languages involved, supported by a good measure of familiarity with the two cultures. For and Indian translating works in an Indian language into English, finding satisfactory equivalents in a generalized western culture of practices and symbols in the original would be less difficult than gaining fluent control of contemporary English. When a westerner works on texts in Indian languages the interpretation of cultural elements will be the major challenge, rather than control over the grammar and essential vocabulary of the language concerned. It is much easier to remedy lapses in language in a text translated into English, than flaws of content. Since it is easier for an Indian to learn the English language than it is for a Briton or American to comprehend Indian culture, translations of Indian texts is better left to Indians.
Answer & solution
- A
While translating, the Indian and the westerner face the same challenges but they have different skill profile and the former has the advantage.
- B
As preserving cultural meanings is the essence of literary translation Indians’ knowledge of the local culture outweighs the initial disadvantage of lower fluency in English.
Indian translators should translate Indian texts into English as their work is less likely to pose cultural problems which are harder to address than the quality of language.
- D
Westerners might be good at gaining reasonable fluency in new languages, but as understanding the culture reflected in literature is crucial, Indians remain better placed.
The main points in the passage are:
- A literary translator needs a secure hold over the two languages and the two cultures.
- While translating Indian text into English, an Indian understands the culture better though a westerner understands the language better.
- An Indian should translate Indian text – as language errors are easier to remedy.
Option 1 is incorrect. It is too general and does not adequately capture the author’s position. The idea of the secure hold upon the languages and cultures is missing in this option. Eliminate option 1.
Option 2 is incorrect. It does not state the author’s position that an Indian should translate Indian text. Except for this precise stand of the author, the option captures the essence of the paragraph. Eliminate option 2 in favor of option 3.
Option 3 is correct. Briefly, the author’s position is about why an Indian should translate Indian works of literature into English, rather than a westerner who has superior command over the English language. This position is adequately captured in option 3. Retain option 3.
Option 4 is incorrect. It does not talk about the translation of literary works. Eliminate option 4.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.