ParaSummary Question 2 - CAT 2025
The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
The return to the tailor is the juxtaposition of three key things for the mindful Indian shopper. The first is the conscious shift away from the homogeneity of fast fashion, the idea of a hundred other people owning exactly the same Zara trench coat or H&M pleated skirt. The second is an actual understanding of the waste behind the fast fashion market, and wanting not to contribute to that anymore. The last is the shift toward customisation and fit—the idea of having imaginations brought to life and to have them fit exactly; without paying exorbitant rates for that bespoke tailoring. For the individual with a keen fashion sense and a genuine desire to move away from the waste and uniformity of fast fashion without paying the premium for it that indie brands would invariably demand, the tailor is the perfect crossover.
A. The mindful Indian shoppers are returning to the tailor with a genuine desire to wear clothes which are less expensive, fit them well and are yet fashionable.
B. The mindful Indian shopper is shifting away from convenience and uniformity of clothing, and waste in fashion, to customisation and less exorbitantly priced clothing.
C. All Indian shoppers are opting for customisation and a shift away from homogeneity over expensive clothing brands like Zara and H&M.
D. In the Indian retail market, people believe that expensive branded clothes are wasteful and, therefore, are returning to the neighbourhood tailor.
Step-by-Step Explanation
Answer: B
The passage gives three reasons why mindful shoppers are returning to tailors: avoiding the sameness of fast fashion, reducing waste, and getting customised clothes at a reasonable price. Option B includes all three ideas, so it is the best summary.
đź’ˇ FundaMakers Tip: A good summary should cover every major point of the passage without adding new information.
ParaSummary Shortcuts & Tricks
How to Solve Para Summary Questions in CAT
Para Summary questions in CAT test your ability to identify the central idea of a passage and select the option that captures it accurately and concisely. These questions may appear straightforward, but the options are often closely worded, making careful reading and elimination important.
1. Identify the Central Idea
Read the paragraph to understand what the author is primarily trying to communicate. Focus on the main argument rather than individual examples, facts, or supporting details. A good summary should represent the paragraph as a whole.
2. Separate Main Ideas from Supporting Details
Examples, statistics, explanations, and illustrations usually support the central argument. Avoid choosing an option simply because it mentions a prominent example from the paragraph. The correct answer should capture the broader point that these details support.
3. Check the Scope of Each Option
An incorrect option may be too broad or too narrow compared with the original paragraph. Compare each option with the scope of the passage and eliminate choices that generalise beyond what the author says or focus on only one part of the discussion.
4. Watch for Distorted Information
Some options use ideas from the paragraph but change their meaning slightly. Pay attention to words that make a statement stronger, more absolute, or more certain than the original. The correct summary should preserve the author's argument without adding new conclusions.
5. Consider the Author's Tone
A summary should also reflect the author's position accurately. If the paragraph presents a cautious or balanced argument, an option making an extreme claim is unlikely to be correct. Look for an answer that maintains both the meaning and tone of the original passage.
6. Eliminate Options Before Selecting the Answer
Instead of immediately searching for the perfect option, eliminate choices with clear problems. Common reasons for elimination include:
- Missing the central idea
- Focusing only on an example
- Introducing information not present in the passage
- Being too broad or too narrow
- Changing the author's argument or tone
Once these options are removed, comparing the remaining choices becomes easier.
7. Practise Summarising in Your Own Words
Before looking at the options, try to express the paragraph's main idea in one sentence. You do not need to create a polished summary. A rough understanding of what the paragraph essentially says can help you recognise the option closest to the author's intended message.
How to Improve Para Summary Accuracy for CAT
Regular practice is important for improving accuracy in CAT Para Summary questions. While practising, analyse why each incorrect option is wrong instead of only checking the correct answer. Over time, this helps you recognise common option traps and distinguish between the central argument and supporting information more quickly.
The key to solving Para Summary questions in CAT is to retain the central idea, preserve the author's meaning, and eliminate options that alter the scope or emphasis of the original paragraph.