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Critical Reasoning: Animal Social Structure

CAT 1999 Slot 1 · Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension · Medium · Verbal Ability

This is a medium Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension question from the CAT 1999 Slot 1 paper. It tests Verbal Ability. The full answer key and a step-by-step explanation are below — try it yourself first, then reveal the solution.

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Animals, in general, are shrewd in proportion as they cultivate society. Elephants and beavers show the greatest signs of this sagacity when they are together in large numbers, but when man invades their communities they lose all their spirit of industry. Among insects, the labours of the bee and the ant have attracted the attention and admiration of naturalists, but all their sagacity seems to be lost upon separation, and a single bee or ant seems destitute of every degree of industry. It becomes the most stupid insect imaginable, and it languishes and soon dies.

Which of the following can be inferred from the above passage?

  1. A.

    Humankind is responsible for the destruction of the natural habitat of animals and insects.

  2. B.

    Animals, in general, are unable to function effectively outside their normal social environment.

  3. C.

    Naturalists have great admiration for bees and ants, despite their lack of industry upon separation.

  4. D.

    Elephants and beavers are smarter than bees and ants in the presence of human beings.

Answer

B

Explanation

The passage illustrates that animals and insects lose their intelligence and industry when separated from their social group or community.

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