Paragraph Completion: Checks and Balances

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.

Sentences given in the question, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a letter. Choose the most logical order of the sentences from among the four given choices to construct a coherent paragraph.

A. Group decision-making, however, does not necessarily fully guard against arbitrariness and anarchy, for individual capriciousness can get substituted by collusion of group members. B. Nature itself is an intricate system of checks and balances, meant to preserve the delicate balance between various environmental factors that affect our ecology. C. In institutions also, there is a need to have in place a system of checks and balances which inhibits the concentration of power in the hands of only some individuals. D. When human interventions alter this delicate balance, the outcomes have been seen to be disastrous.

  1. A.

    CDAB

  2. B.

    BCAD

  3. C.

    CABD

  4. D.

    BDCA

Answer

D

Explanation

BD is a mandatory pair, as 'this delicate balance' in D refers to nature's delicate balance in B. The 'also' in C guides us towards the analogy between institutions and nature, leading to BDCA as the logical order.

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