CAT 2024 Slot 1 VARC Question & Solution
Passage
The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.
The idea of craftsmanship is not simply nostalgic. Crafts require distinct skills, an allround approach to work that involves the whole product, rather than individual parts, and an attitude that necessitates devotion to the job and a focus on the communal interest. The concept of craft emphasises the human touch and individual judgment.
Essentially, the crafts concept seems to run against the preponderant ethos of management studies which, as the academics note, have long prioritised efficiency and consistency.Craft skills were portrayed as being primitive and traditionalist.
The contrast between artisanship and efficiency first came to the fore in the 19th century when British manufacturers suddenly faced competition from across the Atlantic as firms developed the “American system” using standardised parts. . . . the worldwide success of the Singer sewing machine showed the potential of a mass-produced device. This process created its own reaction, first in the form of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century, and then again in the “small is beautiful” movement of the 1970s. A third crafts movement is emerging as people become aware of the environmental impact of conventional industry.
There are two potential markets for those who practise crafts. The first stems from the existence of consumers who are willing to pay a premium price for goods that are deemed to be of extra quality. The second market lies in those consumers who wish to use their purchases to support local workers, or to reduce their environmental impact by taking goods to craftspeople to be mended, or recycled.
For workers, the appeal of craftsmanship is that it allows them the autonomy to make creative choices, and thus makes a job far more satisfying. In that sense, it could offer hope for the overall labour market. Let the machines automate dull and repetitive tasks and let workers focus purely on their skills, judgment and imagination. As a current example, the academics cite the “agile” manifesto in the software sector, an industry at the heart of technological change. The pioneers behind the original agile manifesto promised to prioritise “individuals and interactions over processes and tools”. By bringing together experts from different teams, agile working is designed to improve creativity.
But the broader question is whether crafts can create a lot more jobs than they do today. Demand for crafted products may rise but will it be easy to retrain workers in sectors that might get automated (such as truck drivers) to take advantage? In a world where products and services often have to pass through regulatory hoops, large companies will usually have the advantage.
History also suggests that the link between crafts and creativity is not automatic. Medieval craft guilds were monopolies which resisted new entrants. They were also highly hierarchical with young men required to spend long periods as apprentices and journeymen before they could set up on their own; by that time the innovative spirit may have been knocked out of them. Craft workers can thrive in the modern era, but only if they don’t get too organised.
Question 1
We can infer from the passage that medieval crafts guilds resembled mass production in that both
Solution:
Option A is the correct answer.
The passage mentions that medieval craft guilds were monopolies that resisted new entrants and required long apprenticeship periods, which could stifle innovative spirit. Similarly, the ethos of mass production prioritizes efficiency and consistency, which often comes at the expense of creativity. Therefore, Option A could be inferred.
Option B: While it is true that medieval guilds restricted entry through strict rules, the passage does not suggest that mass production involves such restrictions.
Option C: The passage does not discuss whether mass production or medieval guilds employed egalitarian processes.
Option D: The passage does not mention that medieval guilds or mass production focused excessively on product quality.
Question 2
Which one of the following statements is NOT inconsistent with the views stated in the passage?
Solution:
Option B is the correct answer.
The passage mentions that medieval craft guilds were monopolistic and hierarchical, resisting new entrants and imposing long apprenticeships, which could stifle innovation. It also warns that modern craft workers “can thrive... only if they don’t get too organised,” supporting option B.
Option A: This is an extreme interpretation. The passage does not argue that supporting crafts is the only way to retain the creativity intrinsic to their production.
Option C: The Arts and Crafts movement is described as a reaction against the “American system” and the rise of mass production, not an inspiration drawn from it.
Option D: Agile movement is praised for prioritizing creativity and collaboration, whereas medieval craft guilds are described as hierarchical and restrictive, which stifled innovation. These are contrasting ideas. Therefore, agile movement cannot be a throwback to the tenets (principles) of medieval craft guilds)
Question 3
The author questions the ability of crafts to create substantial employment opportunities presently because
Solution:
Option B is the correct answer.
The author says "In a world where products and services often have to pass through regulatory hoops, large companies will usually have the advantage." From this, we can infer that the author doubts whether crafts can create substantial employment opportunities because smaller craft businesses may struggle to compete with larger companies due to regulatory barriers.
Option A: The passage does not focus on the low scale of crafts production as the primary obstacle. Instead, the author emphasizes regulatory challenges and not the scale.
Option C: The passage does not argue that workers wouldn’t want to pursue crafts-related work, just that retraining them for these roles might be difficult.
Option D: The passage mentions that craft guilds resisted new entrants, but it does not suggest that they are unlikely to accept large number of trainees. The passage suggests that craft workers can thrive in the modern era, but the challenge lies in how modern crafts are organized and their potential to scale up in a competitive market.
Question 4
The most recent revival in interest in the crafts is a result of the emergence of all of the following EXCEPT:
Solution:
Option A is the correct answer.
While the passage mentions the premium for high-quality crafted goods and the contrast between mass production and craftsmanship, it does not mention that there is support for "individual creations" as opposed to mass-produced goods. The focus is on quality and sustainability rather than explicitly advocating for individuality in products.
Option B: This is mentioned. The passage talks about consumers wanting to reduce environmental impact by supporting local workers or recycling goods, which reflects growing concerns over mass production.
Option C: This is mentioned. The passage describes a market of consumers who pay a premium for high-quality, hand-crafted goods.
Option D: This is mentioned. The passage highlights a market where consumers buy from local workers to support the community and reduce environmental impact.