Paragraph Insertion: Silver in Business of Show

CAT 2025 Slot 1 · Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension · Medium · VARC

This is a medium Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension question from the CAT 2025 Slot 1 paper. It tests VARC. The full answer key and a step-by-step explanation are below — try it yourself first, then reveal the solution.

The given sentence is missing in the paragraph below. Decide where it best fits among the options 1, 2, 3, or 4 indicated in the paragraph.

Sentence: "Historically, silver has been, and still is, an important element in the business of 'show' visible in private houses, churches, government and diplomacy."

Paragraph: ____(1) ____. Timothy Schroder put it succinctly in suggesting that electric light and eating in the kitchen eroded this need. As he explained to the author, 'Silver, when illuminated by flickering candlelight, comes alive and almost dances before the eyes, but when lit by electric light it becomes flat and dead.' ____(2) ____. Domestic and economic changes may have worked against the market, but the London silver trade remained buoyant, thanks to the competition of collectors seeking grand display silver at the top end, and the buyers of 'collectables', like spoons and wine labels and 'novelties', at the bottom. ____(3) ____. Another factor that came into play was the systematic collection building of certain American museums over the period. Boston, Huntington Art Gallery and Williamsburg, among others, were largely supplied by London dealers. ____(4) ____.

  1. A.

    Option 1

  2. B.

    Option 2

  3. C.

    Option 3

  4. D.

    Option 4

Answer

A

Explanation

The phrase "eroded this need" in the sentence following position (1) requires a preceding statement that defines a particular requirement or custom. The inserted sentence introduces silver's role in display/show, which perfectly matches "this need". Hence, position (1) is the logical fit.

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