CAT 2025 Slot 2 VARC Question & Solution

Verbal AbilityHard

Question

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

For millennia, in the process of opening up land for agriculture, gardens, grazing and hunting, humans have created ecological “mosaics”, or “patchworks”: landscapes holding a mixture of habitats, like meadows, gardens and forests. These were not designed as nature reserves, but often catered to hugely diverse animal life. Research indicates that European hay meadows cultivated for animal feed were actually more successful at preserving a vast array of species than meadows explicitly cultivated for biodiversity. Studying the early Holocene, researchers have found that human presence was about as likely to increase biodiversity as reduce it. Of course, not all humancreated landscapes have the same value. A paved subdivision with astroturfed lawns is very different to a village with diverse vegetable and flower gardens. But scientists continue to find evidence that the old idea of humans as antithetical to nature is also wrong-headed, and that rosy visions of thriving, human-free
environments are more imaginary than real.

Options

In our attempts to shape the world around us to our needs, humans have often created landscapes like meadows, gardens, and forests, which support hugely diverse species, and are more successful at preserving them, than parks created specifically for this.

In terms of preserving biodiversity, scientists are finding increasing evidence that human action is not always antithetical to nature, but often assists the preservation of meadows, landscapes, and flourishing of species.

Studying the early Holocene and human practices over millennia, researchers say that while agricultural meadows, gardens, and forests were not explicitly designed as nature reserves, they actually preserved a vast array of species, belying the idea that humans harm nature.

Contrary to the idea that humans always hurt nature and that it thrives in their absence, a lot of human action across history has been equally likely to increase biodiversity than reduce it, often creating varied ecological landscapes that support a vast array of species.

Solution

Identifying the Main Idea of the Passage

The passage challenges the common belief that humans always harm nature. It argues that:

Throughout history, humans have often created diverse, mixed landscapes
These landscapes can support a wide variety of species
Research shows that human presence can increase biodiversity, not just reduce it

The passage also questions the assumption that nature thrives only in the absence of people.

Why Option D Is the Best Summary

Option D best captures the main idea because it:

Clearly contrasts the traditional belief (humans harm nature; nature does best without people)
Presents the newer perspective that humans have often enhanced biodiversity
Mentions the creation of different types of landscapes, which aligns closely with the passage

This option reflects both the argument and the balanced tone of the passage.

Why the Other Options Are Less Effective

Option A:
- Is too narrow
- Focuses mainly on intentional human shaping of nature
- Misses the broader idea of the human-versus-nature debate
Option B:
- Is too vague
- Does not include the historical perspective
- Ignores the importance of mixed landscapes
Option C:
- Comes closer to the passage’s idea
- Is still too specific, focusing on limited times or actions
- Fails to fully capture the overall shift in how humans and nature are viewed