CAT 2020 Question Paper | VARC Slot 2

CAT Previous Year Paper | CAT VARC Questions | Question 22

Para Summary is a part of the Verbal ability section(VA) of the CAT Exam. Many will be very sceptical to attempt para summary as it carries negative marking but if done right, it will fetch you additional marks. The best way to approach para summary is to try and eliminate all the extreme/exaggerated options. This is an easy to medium level question. The paragraph talks about human decisions. Go through the question and see if you can solve it without looking at the text and video solution provided.
To practice more such para summary questions, check out our 2IIM's CAT Question Bank. If you want to have a daily reading recommendation, check out Bharath's Reading List.

Question 22 : The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.

All humans make decisions based on one or a combination of two factors. This is either intuition or information. Decisions made through intuition are usually fast, people don’t even think about the problem. It is quite philosophical, meaning that someone who made a decision based on intuition will have difficulty explaining the reasoning behind it. The decision-maker would often utilize her senses in drawing conclusions, which again is based on some experience in the field of study. On the other side of the spectrum, we have decisions made based on information. These decisions are rational — it is based on facts and figures, which unfortunately also means that it can be quite slow. The decision-maker would frequently use reports, analyses, and indicators to form her conclusion. This methodology results in accurate, quantifiable decisions, meaning that a person can clearly explain the rationale behind it.

  1. While decisions based on intuition can be made fast, the reasons that led to these cannot be spelt out.
  2. We make decisions based on intuition or information on the basis of the time available.
  3. It is better to make decisions based on information because it is more accurate, and the rationale behind it can be explained.
  4. Decisions based on intuition and information result in differential speed and ability to provide a rationale.

🎉Grab a Vijayadashami & Dussehra Discount of up to ₹ 12,000 on 2024 & 2025 CAT courses! Offer valid until 12th October.


Register Now

🎉 2IIM CAT Revision Course 2024: 100+ Hours of Intensive Prep and everything is covered—Join Now!!! 🎉


Register Now


Video Explanation


Best CAT Coaching in Chennai


CAT Coaching in Chennai - CAT 2022
Limited Seats Available - Register Now!


Explanatory Answer

The given paragraph compares intuitive decisions to decisions made based on information, in terms of the speed of decision-making and the ability of the decision maker to explain the rationale behind the decision. Option D captures the essence of the paragraph. Options A and C are limited to intuitive decisions and decisions based on information respectively. Option B does not cover the idea of the ability of the decision maker to explain the rationale behind the decision.


The answer is, "Decisions based on intuition and information result in differential speed and ability to provide a rationale."

CAT Questions | CAT Quantitative Aptitude

CAT Questions | Verbal Ability for CAT


Where is 2IIM located?

2IIM Online CAT Coaching
A Fermat Education Initiative,
58/16, Indira Gandhi Street,
Kaveri Rangan Nagar, Saligramam, Chennai 600 093

How to reach 2IIM?

Mobile: (91) 99626 48484 / 94459 38484
WhatsApp: WhatsApp Now
Email: info@2iim.com