Comprehension
Mr. Screwwala, a highly successful investment banker, had a career of nearly 25 years. In his circle, he was respected for his straight-shooter image and industrious behaviour. Screwwala loved travelling; he travelled extensively, both for his job and personal interests. He always wanted to share his life experiences with people at large.
He chanced upon such an opportunity when his old friend, Mr. Patel, a well-known publisher, offered Screwwala to publish a book based on his life experiences. Screwwala grabbed the opportunity; however, given his thorough nature, he took a three-year long sabbatical to finish the book.
During that period, Patel guided Screwwala at every step, reviewing every chapter personally. At the end, the book turned out to be a bestseller, and Screwwala became famous.
Patel had a new proposal for Screwwala: he wanted Screwwala to work on a detective novel. Patel promised him good money but proposed that Screwwala would only write the final chapter of the novel, after his co-authors had completed the first nine chapters. Screwwala was surprised at the offer; since he never tried writing anything creative, and definitely not fiction. He wanted to be sure whether he could actually measure up with the co-authors who were established creative writers.
He chanced upon such an opportunity when his old friend, Mr. Patel, a well-known publisher, offered Screwwala to publish a book based on his life experiences. Screwwala grabbed the opportunity; however, given his thorough nature, he took a three-year long sabbatical to finish the book.
During that period, Patel guided Screwwala at every step, reviewing every chapter personally. At the end, the book turned out to be a bestseller, and Screwwala became famous.
Patel had a new proposal for Screwwala: he wanted Screwwala to work on a detective novel. Patel promised him good money but proposed that Screwwala would only write the final chapter of the novel, after his co-authors had completed the first nine chapters. Screwwala was surprised at the offer; since he never tried writing anything creative, and definitely not fiction. He wanted to be sure whether he could actually measure up with the co-authors who were established creative writers.
Question: 1
Which of the following, IF TRUE, will be the MOST compelling reason for Screwwala to accept the offer?
Which of the following, IF TRUE, will be the MOST compelling reason for Screwwala to accept the offer?
Show Hint
When faced with a new challenge, having a trusted mentor with a proven track record can provide the necessary confidence and motivation to move forward.
Updated On: Jan 7, 2026
- Screwwala is earning a decent royalty on the sales of his first book.
- Patel is an experienced publisher who mentored many successful writers in the past.
- Writing the novel will pay Screwwala to travel across the world.
- Screwwala loved taking up challenging assignments during his stint as an investment banker.
- Screwwala has enjoyed working on his first book and does not want to go back to investment banking.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understand the situation.
Screwwala has been offered an opportunity to write the final chapter of a detective novel, but he is unsure if he should take it up, as he has no experience in writing fiction. Patel, who has a history of mentoring successful writers, is an influential figure and plays a key role in encouraging Screwwala.
Step 2: Evaluate each option.
- (A) The royalty from Screwwala’s first book is not directly relevant to his ability to take on the new writing project.
- (B) Patel’s experience in mentoring successful writers makes him a credible figure who can guide Screwwala in this new venture, making this a compelling reason to accept the offer.
- (C) Writing the novel to travel across the world does not provide a strong professional or personal incentive compared to working with a reputed mentor.
- (D) While Screwwala might have enjoyed taking on challenges as an investment banker, writing fiction is a different type of challenge and not directly related to his career.
- (E) The fact that Screwwala enjoyed working on his first book might be true, but it does not directly convince him to take on the novel project without further professional guidance.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The best reason for Screwwala to accept the offer is (B), as Patel’s experience in mentoring successful writers is a strong assurance that Screwwala will be supported and guided throughout the process.
Screwwala has been offered an opportunity to write the final chapter of a detective novel, but he is unsure if he should take it up, as he has no experience in writing fiction. Patel, who has a history of mentoring successful writers, is an influential figure and plays a key role in encouraging Screwwala.
Step 2: Evaluate each option.
- (A) The royalty from Screwwala’s first book is not directly relevant to his ability to take on the new writing project.
- (B) Patel’s experience in mentoring successful writers makes him a credible figure who can guide Screwwala in this new venture, making this a compelling reason to accept the offer.
- (C) Writing the novel to travel across the world does not provide a strong professional or personal incentive compared to working with a reputed mentor.
- (D) While Screwwala might have enjoyed taking on challenges as an investment banker, writing fiction is a different type of challenge and not directly related to his career.
- (E) The fact that Screwwala enjoyed working on his first book might be true, but it does not directly convince him to take on the novel project without further professional guidance.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The best reason for Screwwala to accept the offer is (B), as Patel’s experience in mentoring successful writers is a strong assurance that Screwwala will be supported and guided throughout the process.
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Question: 2
Patel had a new proposal for Screwwala: he wanted Screwwala to work on a detective novel. Patel proposed that Screwwala would only write the final chapter of the detective novel, after his co-authors. Screwwala accepted the offer.
Though the project started on time, a few of the authors could not manage to submit their chapters within the given timeline. Hence, it created a delay for the authors to follow.
Having to wait endlessly for the other authors to finish their chapters, with no end in sight, Screwwala started getting impatient. In the meantime, he was offered another proposal from a rival publisher to write a travelogue on a country of his choice, which would involve all-expenses-paid trips. Because of his love for travel, Screwwala felt inclined to accept the offer. However, this would mean getting out of the contract of the detective novel, which could cause a serious friction with Patel.
Which of the following, IF TRUE, will be the MOST compelling reason for Screwwala to continue with the detective-novel project?
Patel had a new proposal for Screwwala: he wanted Screwwala to work on a detective novel. Patel proposed that Screwwala would only write the final chapter of the detective novel, after his co-authors. Screwwala accepted the offer.
Though the project started on time, a few of the authors could not manage to submit their chapters within the given timeline. Hence, it created a delay for the authors to follow.
Having to wait endlessly for the other authors to finish their chapters, with no end in sight, Screwwala started getting impatient. In the meantime, he was offered another proposal from a rival publisher to write a travelogue on a country of his choice, which would involve all-expenses-paid trips. Because of his love for travel, Screwwala felt inclined to accept the offer. However, this would mean getting out of the contract of the detective novel, which could cause a serious friction with Patel.
Which of the following, IF TRUE, will be the MOST compelling reason for Screwwala to continue with the detective-novel project?
Though the project started on time, a few of the authors could not manage to submit their chapters within the given timeline. Hence, it created a delay for the authors to follow.
Having to wait endlessly for the other authors to finish their chapters, with no end in sight, Screwwala started getting impatient. In the meantime, he was offered another proposal from a rival publisher to write a travelogue on a country of his choice, which would involve all-expenses-paid trips. Because of his love for travel, Screwwala felt inclined to accept the offer. However, this would mean getting out of the contract of the detective novel, which could cause a serious friction with Patel.
Which of the following, IF TRUE, will be the MOST compelling reason for Screwwala to continue with the detective-novel project?
Show Hint
When deciding between projects, it’s important to consider the impact on your future work and audience perception.
Updated On: Jan 7, 2026
- Screwwala believes that he owes it to Patel for the help he has received in his journey as a writer.
- Patel did tell Screwwala that writing the detective novel would test his patience.
- Screwwala is not sure whether writing two books on similar topics consecutively will be well received.
- The rival publisher is not as well-known as Patel.
- Screwwala has already invested considerable time in the detective novel.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understand the situation.
Screwwala has been offered a chance to switch projects, but he is unsure whether it would be a good idea, especially since it might not be well received. The other project (detective novel) is already progressing, but the delays in the submission of chapters are causing frustration.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- (A) Screwwala may owe Patel for helping him, but this doesn't directly impact his decision to continue with the detective novel.
- (B) Patel told Screwwala that it would test his patience, which might make him feel it’s part of the process, but it doesn't give him enough reason to continue.
- (C) Writing two books on similar topics consecutively could result in a lack of variety in his work and make it harder to attract attention, which is a strong concern for Screwwala.
- (D) The rival publisher not being as well-known as Patel is irrelevant compared to the potential benefits or drawbacks of switching projects.
- (E) While Screwwala has already invested time, this reason alone may not be enough to convince him to stay with the detective novel project.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The best reason for Screwwala to continue with the detective novel project is (C), since he is uncertain whether writing two books on similar topics will be well received, making it a more strategic choice to finish the current project.
Screwwala has been offered a chance to switch projects, but he is unsure whether it would be a good idea, especially since it might not be well received. The other project (detective novel) is already progressing, but the delays in the submission of chapters are causing frustration.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- (A) Screwwala may owe Patel for helping him, but this doesn't directly impact his decision to continue with the detective novel.
- (B) Patel told Screwwala that it would test his patience, which might make him feel it’s part of the process, but it doesn't give him enough reason to continue.
- (C) Writing two books on similar topics consecutively could result in a lack of variety in his work and make it harder to attract attention, which is a strong concern for Screwwala.
- (D) The rival publisher not being as well-known as Patel is irrelevant compared to the potential benefits or drawbacks of switching projects.
- (E) While Screwwala has already invested time, this reason alone may not be enough to convince him to stay with the detective novel project.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The best reason for Screwwala to continue with the detective novel project is (C), since he is uncertain whether writing two books on similar topics will be well received, making it a more strategic choice to finish the current project.
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Question: 3
While waiting for his turn to come to write his chapter for the detective novel, Screwwala started writing a travel blog. Because of his radiant style, the blog became popular. Hence, he started mulling over converting the blog articles into a book.
When Screwwala shared this idea, Patel sprung a surprise by pointing out to a clause in their contract. The clause forbade Screwwala from publishing anything else until the detective novel got published. Screwwala signed the contract without reading it as he trusted Patel as a good friend. Further, Patel offered Screwwala an extra sum of money if he would delay the publication of his travel blog articles as a book.
Screwwala felt betrayed. Which of the following will be the MOST compelling reason for Screwwala to continue with publishing his blog as a book, ignoring the contract with Patel?
While waiting for his turn to come to write his chapter for the detective novel, Screwwala started writing a travel blog. Because of his radiant style, the blog became popular. Hence, he started mulling over converting the blog articles into a book.
When Screwwala shared this idea, Patel sprung a surprise by pointing out to a clause in their contract. The clause forbade Screwwala from publishing anything else until the detective novel got published. Screwwala signed the contract without reading it as he trusted Patel as a good friend. Further, Patel offered Screwwala an extra sum of money if he would delay the publication of his travel blog articles as a book.
Screwwala felt betrayed. Which of the following will be the MOST compelling reason for Screwwala to continue with publishing his blog as a book, ignoring the contract with Patel?
When Screwwala shared this idea, Patel sprung a surprise by pointing out to a clause in their contract. The clause forbade Screwwala from publishing anything else until the detective novel got published. Screwwala signed the contract without reading it as he trusted Patel as a good friend. Further, Patel offered Screwwala an extra sum of money if he would delay the publication of his travel blog articles as a book.
Screwwala felt betrayed. Which of the following will be the MOST compelling reason for Screwwala to continue with publishing his blog as a book, ignoring the contract with Patel?
Show Hint
Trust issues with collaborators can provide strong justification for making difficult decisions, especially when it impacts professional integrity.
Updated On: Jan 7, 2026
- Screwwala discovers that Patel replaced an originally contracted author from the project because of Patel’s differences with the author.
- It is never Screwwala’s nature to take it quietly when he realizes that he has been taken unfair advantage of.
- Screwwala feels that most readers who like his writing style are already regular readers of his blog as well.
- The rival publisher is not as well-known as Patel.
- Screwwala is frustrated with the slow progress of the detective novel and has lost interest in it.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understand the situation.
Screwwala feels betrayed by Patel, but he needs a strong reason to justify going against the contract. He has the option to continue with his blog book, but he must evaluate the consequences.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- (A) Discovering that Patel replaced an author because of his personal differences gives Screwwala a strong reason to feel that Patel is not as trustworthy, making it easier for him to break the contract.
- (B) While it’s true that Screwwala may not tolerate unfair treatment, it doesn’t offer a solid reason to go against Patel's contract, especially considering the legal ramifications.
- (C) Although his readers might be interested in his blog articles as a book, this doesn’t justify violating the contract or disrespecting Patel’s wishes.
- (D) The rival publisher’s lack of fame does not directly impact his decision.
- (E) Although Screwwala is frustrated with the detective novel, this reason alone doesn’t justify breaking the contract.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The best reason for Screwwala to continue with publishing his blog as a book is (A), as the revelation that Patel replaced another author due to personal differences gives him a compelling reason to break the contract.
Screwwala feels betrayed by Patel, but he needs a strong reason to justify going against the contract. He has the option to continue with his blog book, but he must evaluate the consequences.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- (A) Discovering that Patel replaced an author because of his personal differences gives Screwwala a strong reason to feel that Patel is not as trustworthy, making it easier for him to break the contract.
- (B) While it’s true that Screwwala may not tolerate unfair treatment, it doesn’t offer a solid reason to go against Patel's contract, especially considering the legal ramifications.
- (C) Although his readers might be interested in his blog articles as a book, this doesn’t justify violating the contract or disrespecting Patel’s wishes.
- (D) The rival publisher’s lack of fame does not directly impact his decision.
- (E) Although Screwwala is frustrated with the detective novel, this reason alone doesn’t justify breaking the contract.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The best reason for Screwwala to continue with publishing his blog as a book is (A), as the revelation that Patel replaced another author due to personal differences gives him a compelling reason to break the contract.
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