Section B: Decision Making

Read the following caselet and choose the best alternative (Question 40):

Island of Growth was witnessing a rapid increase in GDP. Its citizens had become wealthier in recent times, and there had been a considerable improvement in the standards of living. However, this rapid growth had increased corruption and nepotism in the Island. In the recent times, a fear had gripped the population that corruption would destroy the inclusive nature of the society and hinder economic progress. However, most citizens had kept quiet because.

a. they had benefited from the corruption indirectly, if not directly.

b. they did not have the time and energy to protest.

c. They did not have courage to rise against the established power centers.

There was a need to remove corruption but no one was willing to stick his neck out. Many politicians, bureaucrats and private organizations were corrupt. Media and intellectuals kept quiet, as they benefited indirectly from corruption. The common man was scared of state’s retribution and the youngsters feared insecure future.

Against this background, an old, unmarried and illiterate gentleman of high moral and ethical authority, shambhu, decided to take on the issue of corruption. He sat on a hunger strike in the heart of the capital city of the Island. Shambhu demanded that the government should constitute new laws to unish the corrupt across all walks of the life. Media and the citizens of the island gave massive support to Shambhu. Buckling under the pressure, the Government promised to accept Shambhu’s demands. He ended the hunger strike immediately following the Governments announcement. Shambhu became the darling of the media. He used this opportunity as a platform to spread the message that only citizens with an unblemished character should be allowed to hold a public office.

A few months later, it was found that the Government had not fulfilled any of its promises made to Shambhu. Infuriated, he was thinking of launching another island wide protest. However, this time, he sensed that not many people and media persons were willing to support him.

40. Which of the following could be the most likely reason for decline in public support for Shambhu?

A. The common man had become sick and tired of Government’s inaction against rising corruption.

B. Shambhu was old and he lacked the energy to garner the same support that he enjoyed from the media and the public in the initial stages

C. The general public may have realized that Shambhu was focusing too much on “indirect involvement” in past incidences of corruption. Common men found it difficult to live up to the high standards set by Shambu

D. Shambhu’s colleagues were misleading him

E. Shambhu came from a village, while most of his supporters were city dwellers

Solution:

Choice (A) strengthens support.

Choice (B) is not a likely reason because there is a difference of only a few months and also the passage does not talk about energy of Shambhu.

Choice (C) is a likely reason. Because Shambhu, after ending the hunger strike, spread the message that only citizens with an unblemished character should be allowed to hold a public office.

Since drawing benefit from corruption is given as one of the reasons for citizens keeping quiet. These people might have thought that they cannot live up to the high standards set by Shambhu. Choices (D) and (E) are out of context. Choice (C)