CAT 2024 Slot 2 VARC Question 24

Multiple choice (+3 / −1) · Verbal Ability · Parasummary · Try it, then check the answer and solution below.

The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
John Cleese told Fox News Digital that comedians do not have the freedom to be funny in 2022. "There's always been limitations on what they're allowed to say," Cleese said. “I think it's particularly worrying at the moment because you can only create in an atmosphere of freedom, where you're not checking everything you say critically before you move on. What you have to be able to do is to build without knowing where you're going because you've never been there before. That's what creativity is you have to be allowed to build. And a lot of comedians now are sitting there and when they think of something, they say something like, ‘Can I get away with it? I don't think so. So and so got into trouble, and he said that, oh, she said that.' You see what I mean? And that's the death of creativity."
Answer and solution

Answer: A) Freedom and creativity are essential for comedy. Fear about offending people hinders originality.

Step-by-Step Explanation:
1
Passage Context & Central Idea:
The passage discusses John Cleese's concern about the limitations on comedians' freedom in 2022, emphasizing that fear of offending others stifles creativity. The central argument is that freedom is crucial for creativity in comedy, and self-censorship due to fear hinders originality.
2
Question Stem Analysis:
The question requires identifying the summary that best captures the passage's essence, focusing on the relationship between freedom, creativity, and the impact of fear on originality.
3
Option-by-Option Elimination:
Option A: Correctly identifies the necessity of freedom and creativity for comedy and links fear of offending to hindered originality, aligning with the passage.
Option B: Overstates the case by suggesting comedians shouldn't check their words at all, which isn't supported.
Option C: Exaggerates the situation by implying an outright prevention of speech and equates it to the death of the art form, which isn't the focus.
Option D: Misrepresents the passage by discussing critical thinking, which isn't addressed.
4
Final Answer Confirmation:
The correct answer is Option A as it accurately reflects the passage's main ideas without distortion.
Correct Answer: A

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