2. Reading Passages [4]
Section 1: Critical Reasoning - Part B
Reading Passages (4 Marks)
Objective: This section assesses your ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate complex written material typical of academic and professional settings. It tests not just what is stated, but what is implied, the structure of the argument, and the application of ideas.
Question Format:
Passage: A single passage of approximately 200-400 words on a technical, scientific, social science, or business topic. The language will be formal and dense with ideas.
Questions: Two questions (worth 2 marks each) will follow the passage. Question types include:
Main Idea / Primary Purpose: What is the passage mainly about? Why did the author write it?
Inference: What can be logically concluded from the passage, even if not explicitly stated?
Detail/Specific Information: Direct questions about facts mentioned in the passage.
Vocabulary-in-Context: The meaning of a word as it is used in the specific passage.
Author's Tone/Attitude: Is the author critical, supportive, neutral, skeptical?
Logical Structure: How is the argument built? What is the function of a specific sentence or paragraph?
Skills Tested:
Analysis: Breaking down the argument into its components (premise, evidence, conclusion).
Evaluation: Judging the strength of the evidence or the logic of the argument.
Synthesis: Connecting different parts of the passage to form a coherent understanding.
Interpretation: Understanding implied meanings and nuanced positions.
Sample Reading Passage & Questions (4 Marks Total)
Passage:
The concept of "technological determinism," the idea that technology is the primary driver of social change, has been widely criticized in sociological circles. Critics argue that this view is reductive, ignoring the complex interplay between technology and the society that invents, adopts, and adapts it. A more nuanced model, "social shaping of technology" (SST), posits that technology does not emerge from a vacuum. Its design, implementation, and ultimate use are filtered through existing cultural values, economic structures, and power relations. For instance, the development of the factory assembly line was not merely an inevitable outcome of mechanical innovation; it was shaped by managerial desires for control, efficiency metrics of the time, and the prevailing labor market conditions. Thus, SST suggests that to understand a technology's impact, one must first understand the social world that molded it.
(Word Count: 145)
Question 1 (2 Marks): Inference
Which of the following statements would a proponent of the "social shaping of technology" (SST) theory most likely agree with?
A) The invention of the internet made global social movements inevitable. B) The features of a new software platform are influenced by the business models of its developers. C) Once a powerful technology like nuclear fission is discovered, its application is beyond societal control. D) The internal logic of engineering principles is the sole determinant of a technology's final form.
Answer & Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: B) The features of a new software platform are influenced by the business models of its developers.
Explanation: SST holds that technology is shaped by social factors like "economic structures." A business model is a direct example of such an economic structure influencing design. This choice mirrors the passage's example of the assembly line being shaped by "managerial desires."
Why the others are wrong:
A: This is a classic technological determinist view ("technology X made Y inevitable"), which SST explicitly opposes.
C: This claims society loses control, while SST emphasizes society's role in shaping application.
D: This claims "sole determinant" is internal logic (engineering), directly contradicting SST's core premise that social factors are crucial.
Question 2 (2 Marks): Logical Structure / Detail
In the passage, the author discusses the factory assembly line primarily to:
A) Trace the historical evolution of manufacturing technology. B) Provide a counterexample that disproves technological determinism. C) Illustrate the SST model with a concrete example. D) Highlight the superiority of 20th-century managerial practices.
Answer & Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: C) Illustrate the SST model with a concrete example.
Explanation: The passage introduces the SST theory and then says, "For instance,..." before discussing the assembly line. The function of an example is to illustrate the preceding abstract concept. The author explains how the assembly line was "shaped by" social factors, making SST tangible.
Why the others are wrong:
A: "Historical evolution" is too broad and not the passage's focus. The assembly line is used as a one-off example, not a point in a historical trace.
B: It is an example that supports SST. While SST contrasts with determinism, the author's primary purpose here is not to "disprove" but to "illustrate" the alternative.
D: This misinterprets the detail. The passage mentions managerial practices as one shaping factor, not to praise their superiority.
Strategic Approach for Reading Passages:
Active Reading is Non-Negotiable: Don't just read the words; interrogate the text.
As you read, mentally note: What is the TOPIC? What is the author's main THESIS/ARGUMENT? What EVIDENCE is used? What is the author's TONE?
The Two-Pass Method (Recommended for Exams):
First Pass (Skim - 1 minute): Read quickly for the gist. Identify the topic, conclusion, and paragraph structure. Often, the main idea is in the first or last sentence.
Second Pass (Scan - while answering): Go back to the passage to find evidence for each answer. Never rely on memory alone. The correct answer will always be directly supported by the text.
Process of Elimination is Your Best Friend:
Eliminate options that are:
Out of Scope: Bring in outside information not discussed.
Too Extreme: Use words like always, never, solely, inevitable, completely (unless the passage explicitly does).
Direct Contradictions: State the opposite of what the passage says.
Misrepresentations: Twist a detail from the passage.
For "Main Idea" Questions: Ask yourself: "If I had to summarize this passage for a friend in one sentence, what would I say?" The correct answer will be broad enough to cover the entire passage, not just one paragraph.
You Need MORE Practice
For real preparation, one passage is a drop in the ocean. You should aim to practice with at least 20-30 passages of this kind.
Where to Find Practice Material:
GRE Reading Comprehension sections (from official guides or reputable prep sites) are the gold standard for this question type.
GMAT Critical Reasoning and Reading passages.
Academic journals' abstracts (e.g., from Science, Nature) are perfect for practicing dense, technical reading.