CAT 2021 Question Paper | VARC Slot 3

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Question 24 : The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
The human mind is wired to see patterns. Not only does the brain process information as it comes in, it also stores insights from all our past experiences. Every interaction, happy or sad, is catalogued in our memory. Intuition draws from that deep memory well to inform our decisions going forward. In other words, intuitive decisions are based on data, and not contrary to data as many would like to assume. When we subconsciously spot patterns, the body starts firing neurochemicals in both the brain and gut. These "somatic markers" are what give us that instant sense that something is right ... or that it's off. Not only are these automatic processes faster than rational thought, but our intuition draws from decades of diverse qualitative experience (sights, sounds, interactions, etc.) - a wholly human feature that big data alone could never accomplish.

Explanatory Answer

This paragraph explains how intuition works: the human mind draws upon a 'deep memory well' based on decades of diverse qualitative experience to subconsciously spot patterns and fire neurochemicals in the brain and gut. Of the given options, D sums up the paragraph best.
Option A states that decisions based on intuitions are 'better'. The paragraph does not say so.
Option B is incorrect as it says intuitions 'may not be related to data'. This is the opposite of what the paragraph states.
Option C implies big data is based on rational thought while intuition is not. This is incorrect.

The answer is 'Intuitions are neuro-chemical firings based on pattern recognition and draw upon a rich and vast database of experiences.'

Choice D is the correct answer.