Comprehension

Everything she wanted was here, at Carignano, in Kasauli. Here, on the ridge of the mountain, in this quiet house. It was the place, and the time of life, that she had wanted and prepared for all her life-as she realized on the first day at Carignano, with a great, cool flowering of relief - and at last she had it. She wanted no one and nothing else. Whatever else came, or happened here, would be an unwelcome intrusion and distraction. This she tried to convey to the plodding postman with a cold and piercing stare from the height of the ridge onto his honest bull back. Unfortunately, he did not look up at her on the hilltop but stared stolidly down at the dust piling onto his shoes as he plodded on. A bullock-man, an oafish ox, she thought bitterly. She stepped backwards into the garden and the wind suddenly billowed up and threw the pine branches about as though to curtain her. She was grey, tall and thin and her silk sari made a sweeping, shivering sound and she fancied she could merge with the pine trees and be mistaken for one. To be a tree, no more and no less, was all she was prepared to undertake.
What pleased and satisfied her so, here at Carignano, was its barrenness. This was the chief virtue of all Kasauli of course-its starkness. It had rocks, it had pines, it had light and air. In every direction there was a sweeping view - to the north, of the mountains, to the south, of the plains. Occasionally an eagle swam through this clear unobstructed mass of light and air, that was all. And Carignano, her home on the ridge, had no more than that. Why should it? The sun shone on its white walls. Its windows were open the ones facing north opened on to the blue waves of the Himalayas flowing out and up to the line of ice and snow sketched upon the sky, while those that faced south looked down the plunging cliff to the plain stretching out, flat and sere to the blurred horizon. 
Yes, there were some apricot trees close to the house. There were clumps of iris that had finished blooming. There was the kitchen with a wing of smoke lifting out of its chimney and a stack of wood outside its door. But these were incidental, almost unimportant. 
[Extracted, with edits and revisions, from “Fire on the Mountain” by Anita Desai]

Question: 1

What does the protagonist’s preference for “barrenness” and “starkness” at Carignano suggest about her personality?

Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
  • She enjoys a bustling and vibrant environment
  • She values simplicity and minimalism in her surroundings.
  • She prefers lush and colorful landscapes.
  • She seeks constant stimulation and variety in her life.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The protagonist’s satisfaction with the barrenness of Carignano suggests that she prefers a simple, unadorned environment, focusing on the essential, unspoiled elements of nature.
The Correct Answer is option (B): She values simplicity and minimalism in her surroundings.

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Question: 2

What do you get to know about the protagonist’s state of mind from her reaction towards the postman?

Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
  • She feels grateful for his presence and the assistance he offers
  • She dislikes any disturbance or interruption in her solitude.
  • She feels suspicious and is interested in the lives of others.
  • She is disinterested and generally unaffected by the presence of others.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The protagonist’s cold and piercing stare at the postman, coupled with her desire to be left alone, indicates that she is irritated by any disruption to her solitude
The Correct Answer is option (B): She dislikes any disturbance or interruption in her solitude.

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Question: 3

What does the protagonist’s desire to be mistaken for a pine tree reveal about her mindset?

Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
  • She desires to be appreciated and noticed by others in society
  • She has a deep admiration for the beauty of the pine trees.
  • She feels a sense of superiority over other living beings.
  • She yearns to one with nature and escapes from her human identity
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The protagonist’s wish to merge with the pine trees symbolizes her desire to escape her human identity and become part of the natural world, reflecting a longing for peace and unity with nature.
The Correct Answer is option (D): She yearns to one with nature and escapes from her human identity

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Question: 4

The protagonist’s description of the nestlings’ screams as “shrill and maddening” shows that:

Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
  • She perceives the sounds to be out of tune yet soothing.
  • She considers the nestlings to be symbols of new life and vitality
  • She finds the nestlings to be vexatious and irritating
  • She feels a sense of protectiveness and care towards the nestlings
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The use of words like “shrill and maddening” reflects the protagonist’s annoyance and irritation with the nestlings, showing her inability to appreciate their vitality.
The Correct Answer is option (C): She finds the nestlings to be vexatious and irritating

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Question: 5

Which of the following statements are true about the protagonist’s overall state of mind in Carignano?
Statement I: She experienced a sense of constant restlessness and anguish.
Statement II: She felt isolated and disconnected from her environment.
Statement III: She was content, fulfilled, and at peace with her surroundings.

Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
  • Statement I and II
  • Statement II and III
  • Only Statement II
  • Only Statement III
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The protagonist, while experiencing isolation, found a sense of contentment and peace in Carignano, as she appreciated the solitude and tranquility of the environment. The restlessness and anguish were not central to her experience.
The Correct Answer is option (D): Only Statement III

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Question: 6

In the light of above passage, what role does nature play in the protagonist’s life at Carignano?

Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
  • It provides her with a source of creativity
  • It offers her solace, peace, and a sense of belonging.
  • It serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of life
  • It serves as a constant source of distraction and intrusion for her.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The protagonist is at peace with the natural barrenness of Carignano, finding solace in its simplicity and sense of belonging, as evidenced by her deep satisfaction with her surroundings.
The Correct Answer is option (B): It offers her solace, peace, and a sense of belonging.

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