CAT 2023 Slot 1 — VARC Question 24
The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Colonialism is not a modern phenomenon. World history is full of examples of one society gradually expanding by incorporating adjacent territory and settling its people on newly conquered territory. In the sixteenth century, colonialism changed decisively because of technological developments in navigation that began to connect more remote parts of the world. The modern European colonial project emerged when it became possible to move large numbers of people across the ocean and to maintain political control in spite of geographical dispersion. The term colonialism is used to describe the process of European settlement, violent dispossession and political domination over the rest of the world, including the Americas, Australia, and parts of Africa and Asia.
Answer & solution
- A
Colonialism surged in the 16th century due to advancements in navigation, enabling British settlements abroad and global dominance.
- B
As a result of developments in navigation technology, European colonialism, led to the displacement of indigenous populations and global political changes in the 16th century.
Technological advancements in navigation in the 16th century, transformed colonialism, enabling Europeans to establish settlements and exert political dominance over distant regions.
- D
Colonialism, conceptualized in the 16th century, allowed colonizers to expand their territories, establish settlements, and exercise political power.
Easy
Para-summary. The passage's spine: colonialism is old, but in the 16th century navigational technology transformed it, letting Europeans move masses across oceans and keep political control over distant lands. The right summary keeps "technology," "16th-century transformation," "European," and "distant political control" — without distorting any.
"…enabling British settlements abroad…" The passage says European, not specifically British — an unwarranted narrowing. Reject.
"…led to the displacement of indigenous populations…" The passage stresses Europeans' ability to move their own people and maintain control; it does not frame the summary around displacing indigenous peoples. Adds an emphasis the passage doesn't make. Reject.
"Technological advancements in navigation in the 16th century transformed colonialism, enabling Europeans to establish settlements and exert political dominance over distant regions." Matches every key idea — technology, 16th-century transformation, Europeans, distant political dominance. Best summary.
"Colonialism, conceptualized in the 16th century…" Factually wrong per the passage: colonialism is not modern — it existed long before and merely changed decisively in the 16th century. "Conceptualized" misstates this. Reject.
Option C. It alone preserves the passage's claim — that 16th-century navigational technology transformed an already-old colonialism into European settlement and political dominance over distant regions — without the errors in A, B, and D.