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CAT 2025 Slot 1 VARC Question & Solution

Verbal AbilityMedium

Question

The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.

Zombie cells may contribute to age-related chronic inflammation: this finding could help scientists understand more about the aging process and why the immune system becomes less effective as we get older. Zombie or “senescent” cells are damaged cells that can no longer divide and grow like normal cells. Scientists think that these cells can contribute to chronic health system is more effective at clearing senescent cells from the body through a process called apoptosis, but as we age this process becomes less efficient. As a result, there is an accumulation of senescent cells in different organs in the body, either through increased production or reduced clearance by the immune system. The zombie cells continue to use energy though they do not divide, and often secrete chemicals that cause inflammation, which if persistent for longer periods of time can damage healthy cells leading to chronic diseases.

Options

Senescent “zombie” cells are inactive or malfunctioning cells that can be found throughout the body.
A younger person's immune system is healthy and is able to clear the damaged cells, but as people age, the zombie cells resist apoptosis, and start accumulating in the body.
Aging leads to less effective apoptosis, and therefore zombie cells start to accumulate in the body, causing inflammation, which accelerates aging and leads to chronic diseases.
Dead cells accelerate chronic inflammation weakening the immune system and lead to aging.

Solution

Main Idea of the Passage

The passage explains the relationship between ageing, a declining immune system, and chronic disease. It introduces senescent or “zombie” cells and shows that:

  • Younger bodies can clear these cells more effectively
  • With age, this clearance process slows down
  • As a result, zombie cells accumulate
  • Their accumulation leads to chronic inflammation and damage to healthy tissue

Overall, the passage presents a clear cause-and-effect chain linking ageing to inflammation and long-term disease.

Explanation of the Correct Answer

Why Option C Is Correct

Option C best captures the passage’s argument because it includes the entire logical sequence described:

  • Ageing leads to a less effective immune response/apoptosis
  • Senescent (zombie) cells are not cleared efficiently
  • These cells build up over time
  • Their accumulation causes inflammation and contributes to chronic disease

This option matches both the structure and the focus of the passage, making it the most accurate summary.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect

  • Option A:

    • Correctly identifies senescent cells as malfunctioning
    • But is too narrow
    • Ignores ageing, reduced clearance, inflammation, and disease progression

  • Option B:

    • Mentions immune system differences and apoptosis
    • Incorrectly states that zombie cells resist apoptosis
    • The passage instead focuses on a weakened immune system
    • Also omits inflammation and chronic disease

  • Option D:

    • Goes out of scope
    • Treats zombie cells as dead cells, which is incorrect
    • Suggests inflammation directly weakens immunity, a claim not made in the passage

Final Answer

Correct Answer: Option C