Comprehension
Analyse the following passage and provide an appropriate answer for the questions that follow.
When we speak of the “probability of death”, the exact meaning of the experience can be defined in the following way only. We must not think of an individual, but of a certain class as a whole, e.g., “all insured men forty-one years old living in a given country and not engaged in certain dangerous occupations.”
A probability of death is attached to the class of men or to another class that can be defined in a similar way. We can say nothing about the probability of death of an individual even if we know this condition of life and health in detail. The phrase “probability of death”, when it refers to a single person, has no meaning at all.
When we speak of the “probability of death”, the exact meaning of the experience can be defined in the following way only. We must not think of an individual, but of a certain class as a whole, e.g., “all insured men forty-one years old living in a given country and not engaged in certain dangerous occupations.”
A probability of death is attached to the class of men or to another class that can be defined in a similar way. We can say nothing about the probability of death of an individual even if we know this condition of life and health in detail. The phrase “probability of death”, when it refers to a single person, has no meaning at all.
Question: 1
Analyse the passage on “probability of death” and identify which conclusions follow from it.
1) Singular, non-replicable events can be assigned a numerical probability value.
2) Probability calculation requires data about a class of people or of events.
3) Data about a class of events can be used to predict the future of any specific event.
Analyse the passage on “probability of death” and identify which conclusions follow from it.
1) Singular, non-replicable events can be assigned a numerical probability value.
2) Probability calculation requires data about a class of people or of events.
3) Data about a class of events can be used to predict the future of any specific event.
2) Probability calculation requires data about a class of people or of events.
3) Data about a class of events can be used to predict the future of any specific event.
Show Hint
When a passage contrasts \textbf{class} vs \textbf{individual}, map options to: (i) frequency over many similar trials (allowed) vs (ii) single, non-repeatable case (not allowed).
Updated On: Mar 20, 2026
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Extract the thesis of the passage.
The passage insists that probability has meaning only for a class (e.g., “all insured men aged 41 in a given country not engaged in dangerous occupations”). For a single person (a non-replicable one-off), “probability of death” has no meaning.
Step 2: Test each statement against the thesis.
(1) Singular, non-replicable events can be assigned probability.
This contradicts the passage: the author explicitly denies attaching probability to a single, unique case. Reject 1.
(2) Probability requires class data.
This is exactly the author’s requirement—probability is defined over a class with countable outcomes/frequencies. Accept 2.
(3) Class data predict any specific future event.
The passage does not license determinative prediction for a particular case; it only allows a frequency statement about the class. Reject 3.
Step 3: Conclude.
Only Statement 2 follows. \[ \boxed{\text{2 only (B)}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 2
“The outcome of a boxing match to be held in Los Angeles between two boxers, Joe and Mark, belonging to two different boxing clubs can be analysed and an outcome can be assigned a numerical value.” Which statement would the author(s) \textbf{disagree with the most?}
“The outcome of a boxing match to be held in Los Angeles between two boxers, Joe and Mark, belonging to two different boxing clubs can be analysed and an outcome can be assigned a numerical value.” Which statement would the author(s) \textbf{disagree with the most?}
Show Hint
When asked who/what the author would “disagree with most,” pick the option that \textbf{most directly violates} the passage’s central constraint—in this passage, any method tied to a single, unique case.
Updated On: Mar 23, 2026
- if assignment of the boxers’ current fitness levels and their strengths is done by experts.
- by analysis of outcomes of fights between the boxers belonging to the two clubs.
- by analysis of outcomes of fights between the two boxers at different venues.
- by comparing outcomes of fights between the two boxers against same opponents.
- by analysis of outcomes of fights between the two boxers at the same venue in Los Angeles.
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Recall the passage rule.
Probabilities meaningfully attach to classes/aggregates, not to a single event/individual case. Step 2: Classify the options.
- (A) Judges this single match by expert assessment of the two individuals. This keeps us in the one-off, non-replicable, individual realm the author rejects. Maximal disagreement.
- (B) Uses many fights among boxers from the two clubs → aggregates/class-type data. Compatible.
- (C) Uses many fights between the same pair at different venues → repeated outcomes → quasi-class. More compatible than A.
- (D) Compares each boxer’s results vs same opponents → pooled performance data → class-like. Compatible.
- (E) Uses many fights at the same venue → again an aggregate. Compatible.
Step 3: Conclude.
The author would most strongly disagree with (A) because it treats an individual, one-off outcome as probabilistically assessable via expert opinion rather than class frequencies. \[ \boxed{\text{Option (A)}} \]
Probabilities meaningfully attach to classes/aggregates, not to a single event/individual case. Step 2: Classify the options.
- (A) Judges this single match by expert assessment of the two individuals. This keeps us in the one-off, non-replicable, individual realm the author rejects. Maximal disagreement.
- (B) Uses many fights among boxers from the two clubs → aggregates/class-type data. Compatible.
- (C) Uses many fights between the same pair at different venues → repeated outcomes → quasi-class. More compatible than A.
- (D) Compares each boxer’s results vs same opponents → pooled performance data → class-like. Compatible.
- (E) Uses many fights at the same venue → again an aggregate. Compatible.
Step 3: Conclude.
The author would most strongly disagree with (A) because it treats an individual, one-off outcome as probabilistically assessable via expert opinion rather than class frequencies. \[ \boxed{\text{Option (A)}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 3
With the same boxing-match claim as in Q17, which statement would the author(s) agree with the most?
With the same boxing-match claim as in Q17, which statement would the author(s) agree with the most?
Show Hint
When several choices use data, prefer the one that most clearly defines a \textbf{broad, homogeneous reference class}. The broader and more systematic the class, the closer it is to the passage’s frequency interpretation of probability.
Updated On: Mar 20, 2026
- if assignment of the boxers’ current fitness levels and their strengths is done by experts.
- by analysis of outcomes of fights between the boxers belonging to the two clubs.
- by analysis of outcomes of fights between the two boxers at different venues.
- by comparing outcomes of fights between the two boxers against same opponents.
- by analysis of outcomes of fights between the two boxers at the same venue in Los Angeles.
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Apply the class-data principle.
Agreement will go to the option that most clearly aggregates over a class rather than isolates an individual case.
Step 2: Compare viable aggregates.
- (B) Looks at outcomes of fights involving many boxers from each club — the broadest, most clearly defined class. Strongest match.
- (C), (D), (E) aggregate too, but remain narrower (same two boxers; same opponents; same venue), hence less class-like than (B).
- (A) is individual expert assessment of the single event → violates the principle.
Step 3: Conclude.
The author’s view aligns best with (B). \[ \boxed{\text{Option (B)}} \]
Agreement will go to the option that most clearly aggregates over a class rather than isolates an individual case.
Step 2: Compare viable aggregates.
- (B) Looks at outcomes of fights involving many boxers from each club — the broadest, most clearly defined class. Strongest match.
- (C), (D), (E) aggregate too, but remain narrower (same two boxers; same opponents; same venue), hence less class-like than (B).
- (A) is individual expert assessment of the single event → violates the principle.
Step 3: Conclude.
The author’s view aligns best with (B). \[ \boxed{\text{Option (B)}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 4
“The sum of behaviour is to retain a man’s dignity without intruding upon the liberty of others”, stated Sir Francis Bacon. If this is the case, then not intruding upon another’s liberty is impossible. The conclusion strongly implied by the author of the passage is:
“The sum of behaviour is to retain a man’s dignity without intruding upon the liberty of others”, stated Sir Francis Bacon. If this is the case, then not intruding upon another’s liberty is impossible. The conclusion strongly implied by the author of the passage is:
Show Hint
Convert “X without Y is impossible” into logic: achieving X requires Y. Always prefer necessity over possibility.
Updated On: Dec 4, 2025
- Retaining one’s dignity is impossible without intruding upon others’ liberty.
- Retaining dignity does not necessarily involve robbing others’ liberty.
- Dignity and liberty are mutually exclusive.
- There is always the possibility of a “dignified intrusion”.
- Retaining dignity never involves intrusion into others’ liberty.
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Decode the conditional claim.
The passage says: retain dignity without intruding others’ liberty; however, it immediately adds that “not intruding is impossible.”
\Rightarrow If “no intrusion” is impossible, then any actual attempt to retain dignity will necessarily involve some intrusion.
Step 2: Test options against this necessity.
(A) Exactly restates the logical implication: dignity \Rightarrow intrusion (since “no intrusion” is impossible). ✓
(B) Says “does not necessarily involve” \Rightarrow contradicts the necessity just derived. ✗
(C) Says dignity and liberty are mutually exclusive \Rightarrow stronger than warranted. ✗
(D) Speaks of mere possibility, not necessity. ✗
(E) Says never involves intrusion \Rightarrow opposite of the statement. ✗
Step 3: Conclude.
Only (A) captures the necessity implied. \[ \boxed{\text{Option (A)}} \]
The passage says: retain dignity without intruding others’ liberty; however, it immediately adds that “not intruding is impossible.”
\Rightarrow If “no intrusion” is impossible, then any actual attempt to retain dignity will necessarily involve some intrusion.
Step 2: Test options against this necessity.
(A) Exactly restates the logical implication: dignity \Rightarrow intrusion (since “no intrusion” is impossible). ✓
(B) Says “does not necessarily involve” \Rightarrow contradicts the necessity just derived. ✗
(C) Says dignity and liberty are mutually exclusive \Rightarrow stronger than warranted. ✗
(D) Speaks of mere possibility, not necessity. ✗
(E) Says never involves intrusion \Rightarrow opposite of the statement. ✗
Step 3: Conclude.
Only (A) captures the necessity implied. \[ \boxed{\text{Option (A)}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top XAT Questions
- Ashok, a maths teacher in the school, asked his students to guess his date of birth by giving the following hints.
Hint 1: He was born in 1995
Hint 2: The sum of the products of his birth date multiplied by 24 and his birthday month multiplied by 60 is 1284.
Find the sum of Ashok’s birth date, birth month, and birth year. - Solve for the number of integral values of \(x: \frac{(x^2-15x+47)(x-13)}{(x-8)}<0\).
- In an examination, Akhil scored 11.11% less than the pass marks and Akshay scored 12.5% more than the pass marks. Find the percentage of pass marks if the sum of the scores of Akhil and Akshay is 25% more than the total marks.
- The ratio of paint and oil in Tank A is 3: 4, whereas in Tank B, the respective ratio is 4: 5 . Then, 96 liters of a mixture consisting of paint and oil in the ratio of 5: 1 is added to Tank A, such that the respective ratio in Tank A becomes exactly the reverse of that in Tank B. Find the amount (in liters) of the mixture from Tank B that is poured into Tank A such that the amount of paint and water in Tank A become equal.
- The points (–4, 3) and (–1, –4) are two end points of a diagonal of a parallelogram. If the other diagonal has the equation 7y + 3x + c = 0, then find the value of c.
View More Questions