CAT 2021 Slot 3 — VARC Question 21
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:
Brazil's growth rate has been low, yet most Brazilians say their financial situation has improved, and they expect it to get even better. This is because most incomes are rising fast, with higher minimum wages and very low unemployment. The result is falling inequality and a growing middle class - the result of economic stabilization, improved social security and universal primary education. But despite recent improvements the Brazilian economy is still painfully unequal, with poor Brazilians paying the biggest share of their income in taxes and getting the least back in government services.
Answer & solution
- A
Good economic indicators have masked the unfair taxation of the poor that is likely to destabilise the Brazilian economy in the next few years.
- B
Economic reforms have benefitted many Brazilians, but they are unaware of the impending problems from rising inequalities in their society.
Most Brazilians feel they have benefitted from recent economic events, but the poor continue to be dealt unfairly by the state.
- D
With rising incomes and falling unemployment, most Brazilians are being misled into thinking that their economy is doing well.
Easy
A para-summary. The paragraph has a clear contrast structure: a string of improvements but a persisting unfairness to the poor. A good summary keeps both the positive perception and the "but" — and avoids predictions the passage never makes.
Identify the two halves. Half 1: despite low growth, most Brazilians feel their finances have improved (rising incomes, higher minimum wages, low unemployment, falling inequality, a growing middle class). Half 2 (the "but"): the economy is still painfully unequal — the poor pay the biggest share of income in taxes and get the least back in services.
Option (a) — adds a prediction. Claiming unfair taxation "is likely to destabilise the Brazilian economy in the next few years" is a forecast the passage never makes. Reject.
Option (b) — distorts the inequality point. The passage says inequality is falling; (b) speaks of "impending problems from rising inequalities" of which Brazilians are "unaware." Both the direction and the prediction are wrong. Reject.
Option (c) — captures both halves. "Most Brazilians feel they have benefitted from recent economic events" = Half 1; "but the poor continue to be dealt unfairly by the state" = Half 2 (the heavier taxes, fewer services). Accurate and complete. Keep.
Option (d) — distorts the perception. Brazilians are not "being misled into thinking their economy is doing well"; their improved finances are real (rising incomes, low unemployment). The passage does not call their optimism a delusion. Reject.
The best summary is option (c) — Brazilians feel they have benefitted, but the poor are still treated unfairly by the state.