Read the following passage and answer the given question. If we walk back to…
2017
Read the following passage and answer the given question.
If we walk back to the past, sensitivity to torture of any kind is a rather contemporary phenomenon, showing up first in the 19th century. Till then, worldwide, the torture of both humans and animals was accepted as normal.
During 1807-50, as if making up for past injustices, our collective consciousness suddenly woke up to ethically question the torture of all living beings. Around this time, in Britain for example, the slave trade was abolished, the 1832 Reform Act was passed, and bear-baiting, even dog fights, became illegal.
With the increase in democratic awareness, we also became mindful of animal life. 19th-century attitudes were inclined towards accepting humans and animals as somewhat continuous creations. Therefore, what applied to us was now being extended to include other living creatures too.
Again, it was in the mid-19th century that the hangman's rope was lengthened so that death would be quick; the earlier short drop left the condemned person dangling for long. Crucifixion and stoning were no longer considered civilized.
All of this is off the charts today, but in the past it was seen as normal, even fun. Though we still continue with capital punishment, yet we strive to make it as pain-free as modern medical knowledge will allow - enter the lethal injection. No more howling and cheering from a frenzied crowd; the sentence is now delivered within prison confines.
All these changes have happened in recent times as old-fashioned torture is no longer acceptable. Humans and beasts, individually and singly, are not to be put in pain, and if they have to die because we must punish, or we must eat, let us deliver the blow as softly as we can. Yet, when man and beast are performing together in acts that involve pain, sometimes death, there has been much stronger resistance against banning them. This is true of Jallikattu and the bullfight. Jallikattu is a popular sport that has become culture as it pits men against bulls. The Spanish bullfight also has always been a spectacular public sport. It is almost as if we are compelled to demonstrate our mastery over nature at regular intervals.
The passage:
- A.
makes a case for Jallikattu and bullfight as cultural events
- B.
describes various kinds of tortures used through the ages
- C.
stresses the changing attitude towards inflicting pain on humans and animals
- D.
explains why there is a resistance against banning sports involving man and beast
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
To find the central idea of a comprehension passage, ask what single thread runs through ALL paragraphs, not what a single sentence or example mentions. The main idea is the overarching claim the writer keeps returning to; specific facts, lists and examples are supporting detail, not the theme itself.
Applying it to this passage
Read what the passage keeps coming back to, paragraph by paragraph:
It opens by saying sensitivity to torture is a recent, 19th-century development.
During 1807-50 our 'collective consciousness woke up' to question torture of all living beings.
Growing democratic awareness made people mindful of animal life as well.
The hangman's rope was lengthened and the lethal injection introduced to make punishment quick and pain-free.
It concludes that 'old-fashioned torture is no longer acceptable' for humans and beasts alike.
Every paragraph tracks the same movement: how society's attitude towards inflicting pain on humans and animals has shifted from acceptance to rejection. That shared thread is the central idea, so the passage stresses the changing attitude towards inflicting pain on humans and animals.
Contrast with the near-misses
'makes a case for Jallikattu and bullfight as cultural events' - these are named only in the closing lines as examples of lingering resistance; the writer reports them, never argues in their favour.
'describes various kinds of tortures used through the ages' - particular practices (bear-baiting, crucifixion, stoning) are cited only as evidence of changing attitudes, not catalogued for their own sake.
'explains why there is resistance against banning sports involving man and beast' - this is one sub-point in the final paragraph, not the thread that runs through the whole piece.