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Reading Comprehension on Meritocracy and Equality

XAT 2025 · Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning · Medium · Reading Comprehension

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Passage / data set

No one argues that the rich should be rich because they were born to wealthy parents. Critics of inequality may complain that those who would abolish inheritance taxes are implicitly endorsing hereditary privilege... Most of our debates about access to jobs, education, and public office proceed from the premise of equal opportunity... When people complain about meritocracy, the complaint is usually not about the ideal but about our failure to live up to it...

Question 1 of 3

Based on the passage, which of the following inferences CANNOT be drawn?

  1. A.

    Though the wealthy can pass their advantages to their children, wealth and privilege cannot undermine meritocracy.

  2. B.

    Equality of opportunity is widely accepted in principle, but there is disagreement about how to achieve it.

  3. C.

    Meritocracy is a popular ideal in political rhetoric, promoted across the political spectrum.

  4. D.

    Hereditary privilege is not openly defended but can be perpetuated through policies like the abolition of inheritance taxes.

  5. E.

    Meritocracy is seen by some as an unfulfilled promise, with the system still skewed in favour of the well-connected.

Answer

A

Explanation

The text explicitly states that passing advantages to children converts meritocracy into a hereditary aristocracy, thereby undermining it. Thus A CANNOT be drawn.

Question 2 of 3

Which of the following can be BEST concluded from the passage?

  1. A.

    Meritocracy is a utopian system that is difficult to implement as the wealthy rigs the system.

  2. B.

    In an unequal society, any attempt to execute meritocracy perpetuates inequality.

  3. C.

    Meritocracy is desired by everybody, but despised by those rejected by it.

  4. D.

    Meritocracy is accepted by everyone, but not understood by anyone.

  5. E.

    Everybody admires meritocracy, until it is they or their children's career on the line.

Answer

B

Explanation

When meritocracy is implemented in an unequal society where wealthy families pass down structural advantages, it reinforces existing inequalities under the guise of merit.

Question 3 of 3

Based on the passage, which of the following will the defenders of affirmative action identify as the main problem in the implementation of the meritocratic system?

  1. A.

    Meritocratic system does not acknowledge the initial disadvantages in opportunities.

  2. B.

    Meritocratic system supports those having hereditary privileges.

  3. C.

    Meritocratic system rewards individuals based on the outcome they produce.

  4. D.

    Meritocratic system intentionally favours the rich.

  5. E.

    Meritocratic system is based on structural bias.

Answer

A

Explanation

Defenders of affirmative action argue that meritocracy fails if it ignores historical discrimination and initial disadvantages faced by marginalized groups.

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