CAT Questions | CAT Text Completion Questions

The question is from CAT Text Completion. Text Completion for Verbal Ability for CAT. Text Completion questions often feature in the CAT. A couple of sentences with blanks are given, along with word options for each blank. You need to choose the right combination of words that make sense in the given context. Have a look at this question from Text Completion. Solve CAT Questions from Text Completion to get more practice and 2IIMs CAT questions bank provides you with CAT questions that can help you gear for CAT Exam .

Question 19: Religious belief is fluid and protean, _________ ideology is procrustean, enforcing uniformity. Religion can be syncretic ________ ideology is restrictive.

1. while, whereas
2. hence, but
3. similarly, yet
4. by contrast, likewise

Explanatory Answer

Method of solving this CAT Question from Text Completion:

Blank (1)- When we say something is protean, we mean that it changes shape easily. It is extremely variable. The word procrustean is an adjective, referring to a tendency to produce conformity by using violent means.

We do not however, need to know the meanings of these words to select the choice for blank (1), as we have other words in the sentence which clarify what it is about.

Religious belief is fluid. Ideology enforces uniformity. The two are in contrast. Of the 4 given choices, the options help join these sentences are ‘while’ (option a) or ‘by contrast’ (option d).

Blank (2)- Religion can be syncretic (unite different opposing principles, practices or parties). Ideology is restrictive. Options for conjunctions that make sense here are ‘whereas’ and ‘but’.

Only option a has both word choices that fit.

The question is "Choose the correct option to fill the blanks"

Hence, the answer is A

Choice A is the correct answer.