Comprehension

If my younger self could see me now, she would be incredulous. That I work in the field of dance or decipher and translate dance for my own comprehension, call it choreography if you wish, would have been unbelievable. In this respect, I am particularly envious of dancers who claim that they are ’born to dance’, implying that it was clearly laid out for them from the beginning. I must say, I find this assertion dubious; it is rarely that easy. ’To dance’ means ’to struggle’. 
In all truth, as a child, I never did want to dance; it was forced upon me by a doting mother and a silent father. My father probably kept his peace to avoid argument. From the beginning, my lessons took place under trying conditions, though I believe that the conditions were more trying for my mother than for me. She travelled in local, over-crowded trains to the dance class with an unwilling child, tired from a whole day at school. Interestingly, when I was seven, we went to see a movie starring Mumtaz Ali, who did a dance number in the film. When we arrived home, I began prancing around the house imitating the film actor and my mother, who was quietly watching, was the one who said, ’Kumudini, you are born to dance.’ Ironically, I have no recollection of this story; it was my mother who saw this innate ability in me.

Question: 1

The narrator's younger self would be incredulous if she saw the narrator now, as:

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When passages contrast childhood and adulthood, look for the shift in perspective. Often, the surprise or irony lies in how differently the person’s life turned out compared to what was expected earlier.
Updated On: Sep 19, 2025
  • she had become a choreographer.
  • she couldn't decipher the nuances of dance.
  • she was too curious to learn dance since her early childhoo(D)
  • her reality and her dreams were not bridge(D)
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Context from the passage.
The narrator clearly says: “If my younger self could see me now, she would be incredulous. That I work in the field of dance or decipher and translate dance for my own comprehension… would have been unbelievable.” This means that the young narrator, who never wanted to dance, would be shocked to see her older self as a choreographer.
Step 2: Elimination of incorrect options.
- Option 2: Incorrect, because she actually did learn to decipher dance as an adult.
- Option 3: Incorrect, as the passage states she never wanted to dance as a chil(D)
- Option 4: Incorrect, because her reality did become linked with dance, even if unwillingly.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The only option consistent with the narrator’s own words is that her younger self would be shocked to know she had become a choreographer.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{1. she had become a choreographer.}} \]
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Question: 2

The narrator says: 'to dance means to struggle' as she _____

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Always connect a figurative expression in the passage to the character’s life experiences. Here, “struggle” directly relates to her unwilling yet forced practice of dance.
Updated On: Sep 19, 2025
  • was envious of the other dancers' talent
  • had tough time convincing her parents about her passion
  • doesn’t have good memories of her childhood
  • had to work hard to perfect the art, though unwillingly
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall from the passage.
The narrator says that she never wanted to dance as a child, and it was forced upon her by her mother. She mentions that lessons took place under trying conditions, and she was an unwilling participant.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- Option 1: Incorrect — envy is mentioned, but it refers to other dancers who claimed they were "born to dance," not the reason she equated dancing with struggle.
- Option 2: Incorrect — she never had a passion for dance, so she didn’t need to convince her parents.
- Option 3: Incorrect — while she had struggles, this is too vague and not the reason for the phrase.
- Option 4: Correct — she had to work hard under difficult conditions to learn dance, even though she was unwilling. This matches “to dance means to struggle.”
Step 3: Conclusion.
The phrase reflects her difficult and unwilling journey in mastering dance.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{4. had to work hard to perfect the art, though unwillingly}} \]
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Question: 3

What role did her father play in her becoming a dancer?

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In RC passages, when analyzing a character’s role, focus on subtle cues like silence or avoidance. These often indicate indirect influence rather than active participation.
Updated On: Sep 19, 2025
  • He gave his passive disapproval
  • He was indifferent
  • He was actively involved
  • He tried maintaining a harmonious atmosphere
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall from the passage.
The narrator says: “My father probably kept his peace to avoid argument.” This shows that he did not interfere, oppose, or strongly support. His silence was an attempt to maintain peace in the househol(D)
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- Option 1: Incorrect — he did not show disapproval.
- Option 2: Incorrect — being indifferent means not caring at all, but his silence was purposeful, not neglectful.
- Option 3: Incorrect — he was not actively involved in her training.
- Option 4: Correct — his silence reflects a desire to avoid conflict and maintain harmony.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Her father’s role was passive silence to keep peace in the family.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{4. He tried maintaining a harmonious atmosphere}} \]
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Question: 4

The seeds of the narrator's future vocation were sown when she ______

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In comprehension questions about “the beginning” or “seeds of vocation,” always look for the first significant incident that triggered recognition or encouragement from others.
Updated On: Sep 19, 2025
  • went willingly to the dance class
  • pranced around the house imitating the dance steps from a movie
  • was born with an innate ability to dance
  • was encouraged by her father to take up dancing
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall from the passage.
The narrator recalls that at age seven, after watching a film starring Mumtaz Ali, she began prancing around the house imitating the actor’s dance steps. Her mother, who was observing, commented, “Kumudini, you are born to dance.”
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- Option 1: Incorrect — she never went willingly to dance class; it was forced upon her.
- Option 2: Correct — the turning point came when she imitated the dance steps from a movie, which made her mother realize her talent.
- Option 3: Incorrect — though her mother said she was “born to dance,” the narrator herself admits she had no memory of such innate talent.
- Option 4: Incorrect — her father’s role was silence, not encouragement.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the seed of her vocation was sown by this childhood incident of imitating dance at home.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{2. pranced around the house imitating the dance steps from a movie}} \]
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