This passage is from the English Language section (English Practice Set 2) of CLAT. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Passage – English Practice Set 2
The expansion of higher education across the world has often been celebrated as evidence of increasing social mobility and democratization of opportunity. However, some scholars argue that the growth of universities has not eliminated inequality but instead transformed its structure. Rather than restricting access outright, contemporary systems of higher education frequently reproduce advantage through differences in institutional prestige, access to resources, and networks of professional influence.
This shift reflects a broader transformation in how societies distribute opportunity. In earlier periods, exclusion from education was often explicit and legally sanctioned. Today, inequality operates more subtly through stratification within educational systems themselves. As a result, individuals may formally possess equal access to higher education while continuing to experience unequal prospects in employment and social advancement.
Nevertheless, it would be misleading to conclude that expanding higher education has no egalitarian effect. Access to university education has undoubtedly improved the life chances of many individuals who would previously have been excluded. The challenge, therefore, lies not in expanding access alone but in addressing the structural inequalities that persist within systems of higher learning.
Questions
Question 1
Which of the following best captures the main argument of the passage?
A. Expansion of higher education has completely eliminated inequality
B. Higher education systems now exclude fewer individuals than before
C. Expansion of higher education has transformed rather than eliminated inequality
D. Institutional prestige plays no role in employment opportunities
Question 2
According to the passage, inequality in earlier educational systems differed from present inequality because it was:
A. based entirely on institutional prestige
B. legally and explicitly enforced
C. dependent on professional networks
D. caused by employment opportunities
Question 3
The author suggests that differences in institutional prestige contribute to inequality primarily because they:
A. reduce the number of students entering universities
B. determine legal access to education
C. influence access to resources and professional opportunities
D. eliminate competition among students
Question 4
Which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with?
A. Expanding university access alone is sufficient to ensure equality
B. Higher education expansion has produced no meaningful social change
C. Structural inequalities persist despite broader access to universities
D. Employment opportunities are unrelated to educational background
Question 5
The phrase “stratification within educational systems” most nearly refers to:
A. equal distribution of academic resources
B. hierarchical differences among institutions and opportunities
C. elimination of educational competition
D. legal barriers preventing university admission
Question 6
Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the author’s argument?
A. Employers often prefer graduates from highly prestigious universities
B. Universities have increased the number of courses offered annually
C. Students increasingly prefer interdisciplinary education
D. Governments are investing more funds in digital education platforms
Question 7
The tone of the passage can best be described as:
A. dismissive of higher education expansion
B. cautiously balanced and analytical
C. strongly critical and pessimistic
D. purely descriptive without evaluation
Solutions with Explanations
Answer 1: C
The passage argues expansion transformed inequality rather than eliminating it.
Answer 2: B
Earlier exclusion was explicitly legal and formal, unlike today’s structural inequality.
Answer 3: C
Prestige influences access to networks, resources, and employment opportunities.
Answer 4: C
The author explicitly states structural inequality persists despite expanded access.
Answer 5: B
Stratification refers to hierarchy within institutions affecting opportunity distribution.
Answer 6: A
Employer preference for prestigious universities directly supports the argument about institutional advantage.
Answer 7: B
The author presents both benefits and limitations, showing balanced analysis.
