List of top Questions asked in CUET (UG)

The small village of Somnathpur contains an extraordinary temple, built around 1268 A.D. by the Hoyasalas of Karnataka-one of the most prolific templebuilders. Belur and Helebid are among their-better-known works. While these suffered during the invasions of the 14th century, the Somnathpur temple stands more or less intact in near-original condition. This small temple captivates with the beauty and vitality of its detailed sculpture,covering almost every inch of the walls, pillars, and even ceilings. It has three shikharas and stands on a star-shaped, raised platform with 24 edges. The outer walls have a profusion of detailed carvings: the entire surface run over by carved plaques of stone. There were vertical panels covered by exquiste figures of gods and goddesses. with many incarnations being depicted. There were nymphs too, some carrying an ear of maize a symbol of plenty and prosperity. The elaborate ornamentation, very characteristic of Hoyasala sculptures, is a remarkable feature. A closer look at the series of friezes on the outer walls reveal intricately carved caparisoned elephants, charging horsemen, stylized flowers,warriors, musicians crocodiles and swans.
The temple was actually commissioned by Soma Dandanayaka or Somnath (he named the village after himself), the minister of the Hoyasala king, Narasimha the Third. The temple was built to house three forms of Krishna. The inner center of the temple was the kalyanamandapa. Leading from here are three corridors, each ending in a shrine, one for each kind of Krishna-Venugopala, Janardana and Prasanna Keshava, though only two remain in their original form.
When I was a small child my grandparents would take me blackberry picking. It was usually late August when the blackberries had fully ripened. Grandad would drive us in his old van. Despite not being comfortable or particularly safe. Grandad's van had a character you would not find in a sleek new car, complete with the latest innovations and a silent engine. Being seven or eight at the time, I always enjoyed a trip as we bounced along to our destination.
My grandparents always chose the same spot. Wild blackberry bushes stretched along the roadside as far as the eye could see in both directions. The road overlooked a small pitch and putt course. On such sunny summer days it was always full. Golfers ambled sedately from hole and the crack of metal striking ball was a constant accompaniment.
Several hours of picking berries ensued. Nana warned me not to eat any until they had all been washed, but turned a knowing blind eye while I gorged anyway. I also helped myself to the occasional unripe red berry as I had particular taste for anything bitter. The fully immature green berries proved a step too far for even my palate and were merely unpleasant.
When at last we were finished the big scenery had turned to lengthy shadows and the afternoon had elapsed into evening. Grandad hauled a big bag half full of berries back to the van. Juice bed slowly onto the ground. Nana would later make apple and blackberry tarts and fill several jars with jam. When I reached the van my stomach hurt from too much fruit. My hands stung from constant thorn pricks and were stained dark purple. I always enjoyed those days.
Read the passage and answer the question :
The Buddha (and other teachers) taught orally through discussions and debates. Men and women (perhaps children as well) attended these discourses and discussed what they heard. None of the Buddha's speeches were written down during his lifetime. After his death (c, fifth-fourth century BCE) his teachings were compiled by his disciples at a council of "elders" or senior monks at Vesali (Pall for Vaishali in present-day Bihar). These compilations were known as Tipitaka - literally, three baskets to hold different types of texts. They were first transmitted orally and then written and classified according to length as well as subject matter.
The Vinaya Pitaka included rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic order; the Buddha's teachings were included in the Sutta Pitaka; and the Abhidhamma Pitaka dealt with philosophical matters. Each pitalar comprised a number of individual texts. Later, commentaries were written on these texts by Buddhist scholars.
As Buddhism travelled to new regions such as Sri Lanka, other texts such as the Diparamsa (literally, the chronicle of the island) and Mahawansa (the great chronicle) were written, containing regional histories of Buddhism. Many of these works contained biographies of the Buddha. Some of the oldest texts are in Pali, while later compositions are in Sanskrit.
When Buddhism spread to East Asia, pilgrims such as Fa Xian and Xuan Zang travelled all the way from China to India in search of texts. These they took back to their own country, where they were translated by scholars. Indian Buddhist teachers also travelled to faraway places, carrying texts to disseminate the teachings of the Buddha.
The Buddhist texts were preserved in manuscripts for several centuries in monasteries in different parts of Asia. Modern translations have been prepared from Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese and Tibetan texts.
Read the passage and answer 5 questions that follow:
Watershed management basically refers to efficient management and conservation of surface and groundwater resources. It involves prevention of runoff and shortage and recharge of groundwater through various methods like percolation tanks. Recharge wells. Etc. however. In broad sense watershed management includes conservation. Regeneration and judicious use of all resources- natural (like land water plants and animals) and human with in a watershed. Watershed management aims at bringing about balance between natural resources on the one hand and society on the other. The success of watershed development largely depends upon community participation.
The Central and State Government have initiated many watershed development and management programmes in the country. some of these are being implemented by non-government organisations also. Haryali is a watershed development project sponsored by the Central Government which aims at enabling the rural populations to conserve water for drinking, irrigation. fisheries and afforestation. The Project is being executed by Gram Panchayats with people's participation. Neeru-Meeru (water and you) programme (in Andhra Pradesh) and Arvary Pani Sansad (in Alwar Rajasthan) have taken up constructions of various water- harvesting structures such as percolation tanks, Dug out ponds (Johand), Check dams, etc... through people's participation. Tamil Nadu has made water harvesting structures in the houses compulsory. No building can be constructed without making structures for water harvesting.
watershed development projects in some areas have been successful in rejuvenating environment and economy. However. There are only a few success stories. In majority of cases. The programme is still in its nascent stage. There is a need to generate awareness regarding benefits of watershed development and management among people in the country, and through this integrated water resource management approach water availability can be ensured on sustainable basis.
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA)
The SNA was established on 31 May 1952. In his speech at the inauguration on 28 January 1953, Maulana Azad (1888-1958), then Union Minister for Education and later founder of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), said that the aim of the SNA was to 'preserve our traditions by offering them an institutional form'.
The SNA's mission, stated in its Memorandum of Association is:
To promote research in the fields of Indian music, dance and drama and for this purpose to establish a library and a museum; to encourage the exchange of ideas and enrichment of techniques between the different regions in regard to the arts of music, dance and drama; to publish research on Indian performing arts; to revive and preserve folk traditions in different regions; to sponsor and encourage festival, seminars and conferences; to give recognition to individual artists for outstanding achievement: to foster cultural contacts between different regions of the country and with other countries; and to cooperate with similar Akademis, institutions and associations for the furtherance of these objectives
With respect to theatre, the SNA holds workshops for playwrights; funds interstate cultural exchange programmes; funds research in the traditional performing arts; offers financial support to cultural institutions; organizes festivals of modern theatre, traditional performance, shadow theatre, marionette theatre and other forms of puppetry: gives awards and fellowship to distinguished artists: collects audiotapes, videos and photographs; and maintains an audiovisual archive as well as a library.