CAT 2024 Slot 2 · VARC · Question 8

CAT 2024 Slot 2 previous year question on Para Summary, with the answer and a step-by-step solution.

Para SummaryVerbal AbilityMultiple choiceMedium

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

Different from individuals, states conduct warfare operations using the DIME model "diplomacy, information, military, and economics." Most states do everything they can to inflict pain and confusion on their enemies before deploying the military. In fact, attacks on vectors of information are a well-worn tactic of war and usually are the first target when the charge begins. It's common for telecom data and communications networks to be routinely monitored by governments, which is why the open data policies of the web are so concerning to many advocates of privacy and human rights. With the worldwide adoption of social media, more governments are getting involved in low-grade information warfare through the use of cyber troops. According to a study by the Oxford Internet Institute in 2020, cyber troops are "government or political party actors tasked with manipulating public opinion online." The Oxford research group was able to identify 81 countries with active cyber troop operations utilizing many different strategies to spread false information, including spending millions on online advertising.

  1. A
    Governments primarily use the DIME model to deploy cyber troops who practise low-grade information warfare, seeking to manipulate public opinion with the objective of inflicting pain and confusion on their enemies.
  2. B
    Using the DIME model, together with military operations, many governments simultaneously conduct information warfare with the help of cyber troops and routinely monitor telecom data and communications networks.
  3. C
    As part of conducting information warfare as per the DIME model, many governments routinely monitor telecom data and communications networks, and use cyber troops on social media to manipulate public opinion.
  4. D
    Following the DIME model, many governments have taken advantage of open data policies of the web to deploy cyber troops who manipulate domestic public opinion, using advertising and other strategies to spread false information.
Pick an option, then check.
Answer & solution

Answer: Option C

The passage: states wage war using the DIME model; information is attacked first, before the military; governments routinely monitor telecom data and communications networks; and with social media, more governments use cyber troops to manipulate public opinion online.

Option 3 keeps all of this: information warfare under the DIME model, routine monitoring of telecom and communication networks, and cyber troops manipulating opinion on social media.

Option 1 says governments use the DIME model 'primarily' to deploy cyber troops. DIME covers diplomacy, information, military and economics; cyber troops are one part of the information element.

Option 2 says information warfare happens 'together with' military operations, 'simultaneously'. The passage says states act on information before deploying the military.

Option 4 says governments 'have taken advantage of open data policies' and target 'domestic' opinion. The passage mentions open data only as a concern for privacy advocates, and never limits cyber troops to domestic audiences.

Shortcut: watch for small additions of time or scope – 'primarily', 'simultaneously', 'domestic'. Each of the wrong options adds one word the passage does not support.

Hence, the answer is option 3.

More Para Summary questions

All Para Summary PYQs →

Take this paper as a timed test
Real exam timing, instant score, rank and topic-wise analysis.

Practice timed →