CAT 2021 Slot 1 — VARC Question 19
Directions for Summary: A paragraph is followed by four options which have summarized the passage in their own way. Pick the option that best summarizes the passage:
Foreign peacekeepers often exist in a bubble in the poor countries in which they are deployed; they live in posh compounds, drive fancy vehicles, and distance themselves from locals. This may be partially justified as they are outsiders, living in constant fear, performing a job that is emotionally draining. But they are often despised by the locals, and many would like them to leave. A better solution would be bottom-up peacebuilding, which would involve their spending more time working with communities, understanding their grievances and earning their trust, rather than only meeting government officials.
Answer & solution
- A
The environment in poor countries has tended to make foreign peacekeeping forces live in enclaves, but it is time to change this scenario.
- B
Extravagant lifestyles and an aloof attitude among the foreigners working as peacekeepers in poor countries have justifiably make them the target of local anger.
Peacekeeping forces in foreign countries have tended to be aloof for valid reasons but would be more effective if they worked more closely with local communities.
- D
Peacekeeping duties would be more effectively performed by local residents given their better understanding, knowledge and rapport with their own communities.
Easy
Para-summary. The paragraph has three movements: (1) peacekeepers stay aloof in a "bubble"; (2) this aloofness is partly justified (they are fearful outsiders doing draining work); (3) but a better fix is bottom-up peacebuilding — working with communities. A good summary must keep all three, especially the "valid reasons" and the "work-with-communities solution".
Option (a) — incomplete. It says the environment made them live in enclaves and "it is time to change this", but it omits both the valid reasons for aloofness and the specific solution (working with communities). Too thin.
Option (b) — distorts + omits. It dwells on extravagance and "justifiably" makes them targets of local anger, but offers no solution. The paragraph's main message is the prescriptive fix, which this misses. Eliminated.
Option (c) — complete. "Peacekeeping forces... have tended to be aloof for valid reasons but would be more effective if they worked more closely with local communities." This balances the justification and the bottom-up solution. Best summary.
Option (d) — adds a claim. It proposes that locals themselves perform peacekeeping. The paragraph only urges peacekeepers to work with communities, never to hand the duty to residents. Out of scope. Eliminated.
The correct answer is option (c).