BANE Technique to handle RC.

Let me share my ‘ mantra ’ to handle RC

1. I don’t skim!

Skimming is for those who know the subject. When I do not know much about philosophy, and the passage gives the cosmological argument of the First Cause, I will be lost in the cosmos if I skim. I read!

The key is to understand the Focus & the Idea.

2. I don’t select!

I eliminate options – since it is easier to eliminate the wrong answer rather than select the best answer.
Eliminate – Too Broad | Eliminate – Too Narrow | Eliminate – Aliens | Eliminate – Extremes
Let us see how this works by taking an example.

Example:

I have often had an occasion to remark the fortitude with which women sustain the most overwhelming reverses of fortune. Those disasters which break down the spirit of a man, and prostrate him in the dust, seem to call forth all the energies of the softer sex, and give such intrepidity and elevation to their character, that at times it approaches to sublimity. Nothing can be more touching, than to behold a soft and tender female, who had been all weakness and dependence, and alive to every trivial roughness, while threading the prosperous paths of life, suddenly rising in mental force to be the comforter and support of her husband under misfortune, and abiding with unshrinking firmness the bitterest blasts of adversity.

Q. Which of the following statements presents the main idea of the paragraph?

a) Women are courageous in times of misfortune and weak in times of fortune.

b) The author believes that the weakest of the females can be the source of strength when the occasion calls for it.

c) The author is amazed that the character of a woman can be altered by her circumstances.

d) Women often provide support and strength to their men folk in times of misfortune.

STEP 1

Focus: Focus on the key elements in the passage

I have often had an occasion to remark the fortitude with which women sustain the most overwhelming reverses of fortune. Those disasters which break down the spirit of a man, and prostrate him in the dust, seem to call forth all the energies of the softer sex, and give such intrepidity and elevation to their character, that at times it approaches to sublimity. Nothing can be more touching, than to behold a soft and tender female, who had been all weakness and dependence, and alive to every trivial roughness, while threading the prosperous paths of life, suddenly rising in mental force to be the comforter and support of her husband under misfortune, and abiding with unshrinking firmness the bitterest blasts of adversity.

Idea – Women sustain reverses of fortune… Men break down… Women support and comfort her husband during such a time.

STEP 2

Eliminate Options: Once we understand the idea, let us look at the option

a)      Women are courageous in times of misfortune and weak in times of fortune.
ALIEN – The passage is not comparing women’s courageousness in the times of fortune as compared to the times of misfortune. ELIMINATE

b)      The author believes that the weakest of the females can be the source of strength when the occasion calls for it.
Two problems!
The author believes that the weakest (EXTREME) of the females can be the source of strength when the occasion calls for it (BROAD).

The passage talks about a specific situation of misfortune – not any occasion. ELIMINATE

c)       The author is amazed that the character of a woman can be altered by her circumstances.
BROAD – …………. can be altered by her circumstances. [Which circumstances?]

d)      Women often provide support and strength to their men folk in times of misfortune.
BEST ANSWER – rest were eliminated.

We find all critical elements in that option.
Women often provide support and strength to their men folk in times of misfortune.

HappyBANE’ing

Gejo