Paragraph Relationship - Rules of Thumb

XAT 2024 · VALR · Medium · Verbal Ability

Read the following paragraphs and answer the question that follows.

Paragraph 1: Here are some handy rules of thumb. Anyone who calls themselves a thought leader is to be avoided. A man who does not wear socks cannot be trusted. And a company that holds an employee-appreciation day does not appreciate its employees.

Paragraph 2: It is not just that the message sent by acknowledging staff for one out of 260-odd working days is a bit of a giveaway (there isn't a love-your-spouse day ... for the same reason). It is also that the ideas are usually so tragically unappreciative. You have worked hard all year so you get a slice of cold pizza or a rock stamped with the words "You rock"?

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship of the first paragraph with the second paragraph?

  1. A.

    The first paragraph is redundant, in the presence of the second paragraph.

  2. B.

    The first paragraph is humorous, while the second paragraph is sarcastic.

  3. C.

    The second paragraph gives evidence to the claims made by the first paragraph.

  4. D.

    Without the second paragraph the first paragraph is meaningless.

  5. E.

    The first paragraph evokes interest, the second paragraph elaborates.

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