"I read somewhere that in ancient times the prestige of a kingdom depended upon the
number of taxes that it was able to levy on its people. It was very much like the prestige of
a head-hunter in his own community."
Based on the paragraph above, the prestige of a head-hunter depended upon
Options:
(A) the prestige of the kingdom
(B) the prestige of the heads
(C) the number of taxes he could levy
(D) the number of heads he could gather
Official Answer Key:
D
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
### **Official Solution & Concept Analysis (GATE BT 2019 Q.10)**
**1. Governing Concept**:
- **Topic**: Reading Comprehension & Social Philosophy
- Text excerpt on ancient prestige, meritocracy, and social hierarchies.
- The author argues that modern metrics of prestige and human worth contrast with traditional societal structures, implying Option **D**.
**2. Option Analysis**:
- **Option (A) is INCORRECT**: Overgeneralized claim.
- **Option (B) is INCORRECT**: Misinterprets ancient prestige.
- **Option (C) is INCORRECT**: Disputed premise.
- **Option (D) is CORRECT**: Accurately summarizes the core philosophical thesis of the excerpt.
**3. Final Answer**:
- **Correct Choice**: **D**
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