NinetynineCAT 2023 Slot 1 VARC Q23 Para Summary
Question 23 of the Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) section, CAT 2023 Slot 1, with CAT's official answer and a worked solution.
The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Manipulating information was a feature of history long before modern journalism established rules of integrity. A record dates back to ancient Rome, when Antony met Cleopatra and his political enemy Octavian launched a smear campaign against him with "short, sharp slogans written upon coins." The perpetrator became the first Roman Emperor and "fake news had allowed Octavian to hack the republican system once and for all". But the 21st century has seen the weaponization of information on an unprecedented scale. Powerful new technology makes the fabrication of content simple, and social networks amplify falsehoods peddled by States, populist politicians, and dishonest corporate entities. The platforms have become fertile ground for computational propaganda, 'trolling' and 'troll armies'.
Manipulating information was a feature of history long before modern journalism established rules of integrity. A record dates back to ancient Rome, when Antony met Cleopatra and his political enemy Octavian launched a smear campaign against him with "short, sharp slogans written upon coins." The perpetrator became the first Roman Emperor and "fake news had allowed Octavian to hack the republican system once and for all". But the 21st century has seen the weaponization of information on an unprecedented scale. Powerful new technology makes the fabrication of content simple, and social networks amplify falsehoods peddled by States, populist politicians, and dishonest corporate entities. The platforms have become fertile ground for computational propaganda, 'trolling' and 'troll armies'.
- ADisinformation, which is mediated by technology today, is not new and has existed since ancient times.
- BPeople need to become critical of what they read, since historically, weaponization of information has led to corruption.
- CUse of misinformation for attaining power, a practice that is as old as the Octavian era, is currently fueled by technology.
- DOctavian used fake news to manipulate people and attain power and influence, just as people do today.
Answer: (C) Use of misinformation for attaining power, a practice that is as old as the Octavian era, is currently fueled by technology. Para Summary MCQ
Solution
- The passage's example is purposeful: Octavian's fake news let him 'hack the republican system' and become emperor, and today states and populist politicians weaponise information through technology.
- So the essence is misinformation used to gain power, an old practice now fuelled by technology: option C.
- A drops the purpose (gaining power) and just says disinformation is old; D is limited to Octavian; B adds advice the passage never gives.