iQuanta has launched a Mini Mock Series covering all the sections of the CLAT exam, these questions have been handpicked by our faculty based on the latest CLAT exam pattern.
Instructions:-
1. Attempt all the questions.
2. Once you have completed all the questions of a particular section click on the submit button for scores and explanations then move to the next sections.
3. For each correct answer, you receive 1 mark. For this mock, there is no negative marking.
English Language
Each set of questions in this section is based on a single passage. Please answer each question based on what is stated or implied in the corresponding passage. In some instances, more than one option may be the answer to the question; in such a case, please choose the option that most accurately and comprehensively answers the question.
Years ago, my professor would make his architectural history students prepare for seminars by pinning large sheets of paper to a noticeboard. Each had finely printed plans and elevations on them. Over the week, I’d stand in front of those sheets for at least an hour looking at the various drawings, as instructed. Back in class, students took turns to explain what exactly the drawings represented, determining the building’s appearance from the drawings alone and describing how a person might move through the space as if we were there. Those well-spent hours were among my favourites during my degree; the language of drawing was a catalyst to my imagination, creating worlds beyond what words could ever do.
In learning about this language, I realised that we know remarkably little about how it developed, as if it arose fully formed in the 13th century, since no single drawing can be linked to a specific building project until that century’s end. This baffled me. How could monuments like Durham Cathedral, the renovated basilica of Saint-Denis outside Paris (the genesis of the Gothic style), and all the High Gothic churches in northern Europe have been made without something so simple as a drawing? Visually communicating the appearance of a building seems a natural thing to do – an easier way of planning.
As it happens, drawings were used in the construction process before the 13th century. In the 1st century BCE, the architect Vitruvius wrote his De architectura in an attempt to elevate the practice of architecture to the level of the liberal arts; that is, work derived from the mind rather than the mindless graft of one’s hands. Near the beginning of the treatise, Vitruvius describes three types of architectural drawing: plans, elevations, and (very likely) drawings in perspective (his precise meaning is hotly contested). Despite this evidence for the use of drawings, none survive from antiquity. The only examples to weather the test of time are monumental plans inscribed on stone or mosaics, but these could have been decorative objects – simple maps or sculptural monuments: their purpose is not clear. Also, most were done after the buildings they depict were completed, so they cannot have been used in the construction process.
Later, in the 15th century, the artist and architect Leon Battista Alberti, in his brief mention of architectural drawings, assumes that they are done only by architects. This leaves us with a story of architecture that follows a well-worn narrative: the decline of Rome led to a dearth of advanced practices, which were picked up again only in early modern Italy. But this is not the real story.
Quantitative Techniques
Logical Reasoning
Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
The examination of zero-hour contracts in the UK’s employment sector reveals a complex interplay of legality and morality. These contracts, devoid of guaranteed work hours, are employed by businesses to manage fluctuating demands, such as peak periods or staff absences. Approximately 1.8 million UK workers are engaged under such contracts, predominantly prevalent among women and the youth, particularly in sectors like administration, support services, and hospitality, which demand flexible labor.
Despite their operational benefits, zero-hour contracts often result in disparities in employment rights and benefits compared to traditional employment. Workers on these contracts typically face lower wages and lack entitlements like sick or holiday pay. The design of these contracts frequently prioritizes economic efficiency, potentially compromising employee welfare.
The ethical dimensions of zero-hour contracts are intricate. Businesses have a dual responsibility: to fulfill economic objectives and uphold moral obligations towards employees. This involves ensuring fair and equitable employment practices. However, some businesses, driven by stringent cost controls, may prioritize economic considerations, leading to practices perceived as immoral due to their neglect of broader stakeholder impacts.
The ethical and philanthropic responsibilities of businesses extend beyond mere economic and legal obligations. Zero-hour contracts, while economically motivated, intersect with legal and ethical responsibilities concerning employment rights, including discrimination, fair wages, and treatment. A business’s economic focus might result in illegal and unethical practices, overlooking employment legislation and employee equality.
The context significantly influences the perception of zero-hour contracts. The 2008-2009 financial crisis, for instance, saw an uptick in their use. However, evolving contexts and abuses by some businesses have prompted increased regulation for fairer employer-employee relationships.
The scrutiny of zero-hour contracts, particularly following notable abuses, has led some businesses to reassess their use, considering potential reputational risks. In industries requiring extensive training, such as finance and professional services, a more substantial relationship between businesses and staff is essential, often established through psychological contracts encompassing both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards.
In summary, while zero-hour contracts are widely used in certain industries, their potential to be both immoral and illegal remains, especially if businesses neglect to address the resultant abuses and inequalities. The ongoing debate and regulatory responses underscore the complex economic, legal, and ethical considerations surrounding the use of zero-hour contracts in the UK employment landscape.
Legal Reasoning
Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.
In contract law, the presence of a mistake can have significant implications for the validity of a contract. While mistakes of fact can render a contract void, mistakes of law generally do not excuse a party from their contractual obligations. A mistake of fact occurs when one or both parties misunderstand or are unaware of a crucial aspect of the contract’s subject matter. This could include errors related to the identity of the parties, the nature of the goods or services involved, or other material facts essential to the agreement. In contrast, a mistake of law arises when one or both parties misunderstand or misinterpret the legal consequences of their actions. However, under the principle of “ignorantia juris non excusat,” ignorance of the law is typically not a valid defense for failing to perform contractual obligations.
Notably, a mistake of foreign law is treated as a mistake of fact rather than a mistake of law. This means that if a party enters into a contract based on a misunderstanding of foreign legal principles, it could potentially render the contract void. However, this principle applies only to genuine mistakes of foreign law and does not extend to situations where a party simply disagrees with the legal interpretation of another jurisdiction.
Furthermore, for a mistake to affect the validity of a contract, it must be bilateral, meaning both parties must be mistaken about the same fact. Additionally, the mistake must relate to the subject matter of the contract itself rather than peripheral or incidental details. This ensures that only fundamental errors that go to the heart of the agreement can invalidate the contract.
Overall, the treatment of mistakes in contract law reflects the importance of ensuring that parties enter into agreements with a clear understanding of the essential terms and implications. While mistakes of fact can undermine the validity of a contract, mistakes of law are generally not considered sufficient grounds for avoiding contractual obligations. By adhering to these principles, contract law seeks to uphold the integrity of agreements while providing a framework for addressing genuine errors that may arise during the contracting process.
Current Affairs & General Knowledge
The BJP’s candidate from the Surat Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat has been declared elected unopposed. This follows the rejection of the nomination paper of the candidate set up by the Congress party and the withdrawal of nominations by other candidates.
In the present case, the candidate of the Congress party for the Surat constituency, Nilesh Kumbhani had filed three sets of nomination papers. The proposers for these three nomination papers were his brother-in-law, nephew and business partner. A BJP worker objected to Mr. Kumbhani’s nomination alleging that the signatures of his proposers were not genuine. The RO also received affidavits from the proposers claiming that they had not signed the nomination papers of the candidate. He sought reply/clarification from the candidate within a day on the objections raised. As the proposers could not be produced before the RO within the stipulated time for scrutiny, all three sets of nomination papers were rejected.
