Instructions

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow.

Mr. Screwvala, a highly successful investment banker, had a career of nearly 25 years. In his circle, he was respected for his straight-shooter image and industrious behaviour. Screwvala loved travelling; he travelled extensively, both for his job and personal interests. He always wanted to share his life experiences with people at large.

He chanced upon such an opportunity when his old friend, Mr. Patel, a well-known publisher, offered Screwvala to publish a book based on his life experiences. Screwvala grabbed the opportunity; however, given his thorough nature, he took a three-year long sabbatical to finish the book.

During that period, Patel guided Screwvala at every step, reviewing every chapter personally. At the end, the book was probably as much Patel’s, as it was Screwvala’s!

On publication, the book turned out to be a bestseller, and Screwvala became famous.

Question 39

Patel had a new proposal for Screwvala: he wanted Screwvala to work on a detective novel. Patel proposed that Screwvala would only write the final chapter of the detective novel, after his co-authors. Screwvala accepted the offer.

Though the project started on time, a few of the authors could not manage to submit their chapters within the given timeline. Hence, it created a delay for the authors to follow.

Having to wait endlessly for the other authors to finish their chapters, with no end in sight, Screwvala started getting impatient. In the meantime, he was offered another proposal from a rival publisher to write a travelogue on a country of his choice, which would involve all-expense-paid trips. Because of his love for travel, Screwvala felt inclined to accept the offer. However, this would mean getting out of the contract of the detective novel, which could cause a serious friction with Patel.

Which of the following, IF TRUE, will be the MOST compelling reason for Screwvala to continue with the detective-novel project?

Solution

Screwvala is tempted to leave the detective-novel project because the delays are testing his patience, while the travelogue offers an attractive opportunity that aligns with his love for travel. The most compelling reason to continue would therefore be one that gives him a strong reason to honour his existing commitment despite the inconvenience. Option C is the best choice here because Screwvala feels indebted to Patel for the guidance and support he received while writing his first book. Continuing with the detective novel would be a way of reciprocating that support and honouring his relationship with Patel, even when the project becomes frustrating.

Option A focuses on the time Screwvala has already invested, but past investment alone is not a compelling reason to continue if a better opportunity arises. Option B suggests that Patel had warned him about the challenge, but this does not give Screwvala a strong reason to stay. Option D compares the publishers’ reputations, which does not directly address his obligation to complete the project. Option E raises a concern about publishing two similar books consecutively, but the passage does not establish that this is a significant risk. Thus, Option C provides the strongest personal and relational reason for Screwvala to honour his commitment to Patel.

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