Question

Read the passage given below carefully and answer the question that follows: 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 say, are implicitly endorsing hereditary privilege. But no one defends hereditary privilege outright or disputes the principle that careers should be open to talents. Most of our debates about access to jobs, education, and public office proceed from the premise of equal opportunity. Our disagreements are less about the principle itself than about what it requires. For example, critics of affirmative action in hiring and college admissions argue that such policies are inconsistent with equality of opportunity, because they judge applicants on factors other than merit. Defenders of affirmative action reply that such policies are necessary to make equality of opportunity a reality for members of groups that have suffered discrimination or disadvantage. At the level of principle at least, and political rhetoric, meritocracy has won the day. In democracies throughout the world, politicians of the center-left and center-right claim that their policies are the ones that will enable citizens, whatever their race or ethnicity, gender or class, to compete on equal terms and to rise as far as their efforts and talents will take them. When people complain about meritocracy, the complaint is usually not about the ideal but about our failure to live up to it. The wealthy and powerful have rigged the system to perpetuate their privilege; the professional classes have figured out how to pass their advantages on to their children, converting the meritocracy into a hereditary aristocracy; colleges that claim to select students on merit give an edge to the sons and daughters of the wealthy and well-connected. According to this complaint, meritocracy is a myth, a distant promise yet to be redeemed. 

Question: Based on the passage, which of the following inferences cannot be drawn?

• A. Equality of opportunity is widely accepted in principle, but there is disagreement about how to achieve it.
• B. Meritocracy is seen by some as an unfulfilled promise, with the system still skewed in favour of the well connected.
• C. Though the wealthy can pass their advantages to their children, wealth and privilege can not undermine meritocracy.
• D. Hereditary privilege is not openly defended but can be perpetuated through policies like the abolition of inheritance taxes.
• E. Meritocracy is a popular ideal in political rhetoric, promoted across the political spectrum.

Hint:

To find what cannot be inferred, look for the statement that contradicts or goes beyond the passage's argument.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understand the passage's argument about meritocracy and privilege.
Step 2: The passage likely argues that wealth and privilege do undermine meritocracy.
Step 3: Evaluate each options for what cannot be inferred: - Equality of opportunity is widely accepted in principle but implementation varies - likely can be inferred. - Meritocracy as unfulfilled promise skewed toward well-connected - likely can be inferred. - Wealth and privilege cannot undermine meritocracy - this contradicts the passage's likely argument, so cannot be inferred. - Hereditary privilege perpetuated through policies - likely can be inferred. - Meritocracy as popular ideal in political rhetoric - likely can be inferred.