Passage: Toru Dutt is considered the earliest Indian female writer in English. She travelled extensively in Europe from a young age with her family. She and her sister Aru became fascinated with Paris and French literature. In London, they came in contact with such august personages such as Sir Bartle Frere, the Gover- nor of Bombay from 1862 to 1867, and Sir Edward Ryan, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Calcutta, from 1837 to 1843. Toru Dutt was greatly influenced in her writings by French Romantic poets like Victor Hugo and English writers like Elizabeth Browning, John Keats, Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen. She was also intrigued by the legends and myths of India, and even learned Sanskrit. Her writings were marked by romantic melancholia and an obsession and preoccupation with death. This was partly due to her suffering and pain following the early tragic deaths of her siblings, especially her older sister Aru, with whom she was quite close. Her chosen subjects often portrayed separation, loneliness, captivity, dejec- tion, declining seasons and untimely death. She led an ”Ivory Tower existence” and her own death came quite early, at the age of 21, in the full bloom of her talent and on the eve of the awakening of her genius. Toru Dutt’s most famous work is A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields, an anthology of poems translated from French to English. It also contained a few original poems that showcase her vast insight into French literature. She used to publish poems in the Bengal Magazine, under the pseudonym ”TD”. But most of her powerful work was published posthumously, in- cluding the French novel Le Journal de Mademoiselle D’Arvers and the unfinished English novel Bianca, or, the Young Spanish Maiden. Her work Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan depicts a shrewd knowledge of Hindu mythology and an instinctive empathy with the conditions of life they represent. An assimilation of the Occident and the Orient nourished Toru’s poetic skills; in her, we find a tripartite influence of a French education, lectures at Cambridge and the study of Sanskrit literature.
"Toru Dutt is an unsung genius in the world of Indian English literature."
Which of the following options most supports the above statement?
Show Hint
- Toru Dutt died tragically young, on the eve of the awakening of her talent.
- Toru Dutt belonged to the illustrious Dutt family, many of whom gained renown as writers.
- Toru Dutt often wrote about separation, loneliness, dejection and other melancholic subjects in her works.
- Toru Dutt wrote works in French and English, and also translated from Sanskrit, all in her short life of 21 years.
- Toru Dutt travelled extensively in Europe, including cities like Paris and London, and came into contact with many august personages.
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
According to the passage, which of the following is \(\textbf{not}\) true?
Show Hint
- Toru Dutt was a Romantic at heart and was influenced by Romantic writers like Hugo, Bronte, and Keats.
- Her works on Hindu mythology show Toru Dutt's instinctive sympathy with the people of her home country.
- The tragic death of her siblings is partly responsible for the strain of melancholy we find in Toru Dutt's writings.
- Toru Dutt was influenced by the literature of the Occident as well as the Orient, and this was reflected in her writings.
- Toru Dutt was fascinated by European traditions and literature, and considered them above the indigenous literatures of India.
The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
"Toru Dutt can be considered a cosmopolitan of the 19th century."
Which of the following options most supports the above statement?
Show Hint
- Toru Dutt travelled extensively in Europe and spent considerable time in the cities of Paris and London.
- Toru Dutt used to publish poems written in English, in the \textit{Bengal Magazine} under the pseudonym "TD".
- Toru Dutt translated the works of French Romantic poets into English for the enjoyment of the Indian public.
- Toru Dutt was accomplished in Sanskrit literature and wrote \textit{Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan} based on this.
- Toru Dutt was influenced by a French education, lectures at Cambridge, England, and the study of Sanskrit literature, and was well-versed in all three languages.
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Which of the following is implied in the passage?
Show Hint
- Toru Dutt wanted to return to Europe to further her knowledge of English and French literature.
- Toru Dutt contemplated suicide after the untimely death of her sister Aru, with whom she was quite close.
- Toru Dutt wanted to publish her French novel \textit{Le Journal de Mademoiselle D'Anvers} and gain popularity in European literary circles.
- Toru Dutt was conscious of the suffering of her compatriots under the British Raj and published her views under the pseudonym "TD".
- Toru Dutt felt isolated from contemporary Indian women, especially after the death of her sister, because of her keen interest in European culture.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
“Why do they pull down and do away with crooked streets, I wonder, which are my delight, and hurt no man living? Every day the wealthier nations are pulling down one or another in their capitals and their great towns: they do not know why they do it; neither do I. It ought to be enough, surely, to drive the great broad ways which commerce needs and which are the life-channels of a modern city, without destroying all history and all the humanity in between: the islands of the past.”
(From Hilaire Belloc’s “The Crooked Streets”)
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the following statements is true?- GATE PH - 2025
- General Aptitude
- Reading Comprehension
“Why do they pull down and do away with crooked streets, I wonder, which are my delight, and hurt no man living? Every day the wealthier nations are pulling down one or another in their capitals and their great towns: they do not know why they do it; neither do I. It ought to be enough, surely, to drive the great broad ways which commerce needs and which are the life-channels of a modern city, without destroying all history and all the humanity in between: the islands of the past.” (From Hilaire Belloc’s “The Crooked Streets”)
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the following statements is true?
- GATE CE - 2025
- General Aptitude
- Reading Comprehension
- “His life was divided between the books, his friends, and long walks. A solitary man, he worked at all hours without much method, and probably courted his fatal illness in this way. To his own name there is not much to show; but such was his liberality that he was continually helping others, and fruits of his erudition are widely scattered, and have gone to increase many a comparative stranger’s reputation.”
(From E.V. Lucas’s “A Funeral”)
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the following statements is true?- GATE CE - 2025
- General Aptitude
- Reading Comprehension
- Read the excerpt from a Handicrafts Manual: ‘Advanced Knitting Techniques’ and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate answer.
THE FAIR ISLE METHOD: Fair Isle knitting is a traditional technique that involves using two or more colours of yarn in a single row to create intricate patterns and designs. This method requires careful tension management to ensure even stitches and prevent puckering. To begin, select your colours and cast on the desired number of stitches. As you knit, alternate between colours every few stitches, carrying the unused yarn along the back of the work. Mastering the Fair Isle technique allows you to create stunning visual effects in garments, accessories, and home textiles.
THE CONTINENTAL STYLE: The Continental knitting style, often referred to as “picking,” involves holding the yarn in the left hand while the right hand manipulates the needles. This method allows for greater speed and efficiency, particularly when working with complex patterns or multiple colours. To practice this style, start by casting on your stitches and using your left hand to tension the yarn. With each stitch, simply “pick” the yarn with your right needle, forming a quick and fluid motion. As you become comfortable with this technique, you may find that your overall knitting speed and comfort improve significantly.
THE SHORT-ROW TECHNIQUE: Short-row knitting is an advanced technique that allows for the creation of shaped garments, such as sleeves and shoulders, without the need for complex shaping. To make a sleeve using this technique, begin by casting on the required number of stitches. Work a portion of the row, then turn your work and return without completing the full row to create the “short rows” that shape the curves of the sleeve. To prevent holes at the turn, wrap the stitch before you turn your work. Repeat this process as needed to achieve the desired shaping and dimension of the sleeve. Once you have shaped the sleeve, you can then sew the side seams to connect the pieces of your garment and finally, complete the edges to ensure a clean finish. This method not only helps shape curves but also adds dimension to your piece, allowing you to enhance fit and style.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Read the following passage and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate answer.
The Story of Coffee
Coffee, a beloved beverage enjoyed by millions around the globe, has a rich and captivating history that spans centuries. The story of coffee begins in the ancient highlands of Ethiopia, where, according to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi discovered the stimulating effects of coffee beans. One day, Kaldi noticed his goats frolicking with unusual energy after eating red berries from a certain tree. Curious, he tried the berries himself and experienced a newfound alertness. This discovery soon spread to monasteries, where monks used it to stay awake during long hours of prayer. From Ethiopia, coffee cultivation and consumption spread to the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Yemen, where the practice of roasting coffee beans and brewing the drink began to take shape. By the 15th century, coffee had become a popular beverage in the Islamic world, with coffee houses known as ‘qahveh khaneh’ emerging as social hubs for conversation, music, and intellectual exchange. These coffee houses became centers of culture and commerce, influencing the spread of coffee to Turkey and beyond, eventually reaching Europe. In Europe, coffee initially faced resistance from religious authorities who considered it a ‘Muslim drink’ and tried to ban it. However, its popularity persisted, and by the 17th century, coffee houses had sprung up in major European cities, becoming important gathering places for artists, writers, and thinkers. The stimulating effects of coffee were embraced during the Age of Enlightenment, where it was seen as a catalyst for intellectual discussion and innovation. The journey of coffee continued with the establishment of colonial plantations in tropical regions such as the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. These plantations fuelled the global demand for coffee, transforming it from a regional specialty to a major commodity. The industrial revolution further accelerated coffee production and consumption, leading to innovations in coffee brewing methods and the development of instant coffee. In the modern era, coffee has evolved into a deeply ingrained part of daily life for people worldwide. Its cultural significance spans from the bustling cafes of Paris to the quiet coffee farms of Colombia. Today, coffee remains not only a popular beverage but also a symbol of social interaction, productivity, and enjoyment. Whether sipped slowly over a conversation with friends or grabbed hastily on the way to work, the story of coffee continues to unfold, intertwining with the histories and cultures of countless societies across the globe.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Questions Asked in NPAT exam
- If \( p \) and \( q \) are numbers such that the pair of linear equations \( (p + 2)x + (q - 1)y = 10 \) and \( (q + 2)x + (p - 1)y = 10 \) have infinite solutions for \( x \) and \( y \), then \( p = q \).
- NPAT - 2025
- Linear Equations
- Manjeet, Rahim, Ram and Divya are four friends who live in a village. It is known that:
1. Each friend lives in a differently coloured house - orange, yellow, green and blue.
II. Each friend owns a different pet - Bee, Dee, Cee and Tee.
III. The pets each feed on different things - leaves, fish, vegetables and insects.
IV. Manjeet does not live in the blue house.
V. Tee eats leaves but does not live with Rahim or Divya.
VI. Dee does not eat insects.
VII. Ram lives in an orange house but does not own Cee or Tee.
VIII. The pet that feeds on insects does not live in the green or blue house.
IX. Rahim does not feed vegetables or insects to his pet, which is neither Dee nor Cee.- NPAT - 2025
- Logical Puzzle
- The following passage has blanks that have been numbered (1) to (4). From the given words, fill in the blanks with the most appropriate words.
In light of the recent happenings, the nation is again ....(1) .......in a debate on capi- tal punishment. Considerable opposition to capital punishment has come from the legal scholarship quarters. It views the use of capital punishment as ...... (2)........ as it uses hate to fight hate. People who support capital punishment, it argues, have failed to make a ......(3)........ between justice and revenge, thereby normal- ising crime. It says research studies have clearly shown that capital punishment does not act as a ....... (4) ........ to violent crimes.- NPAT - 2025
- Sentence Completion
- There are four questions based on the table that follows, one of which is asked alongside.
The table shows the data regarding the percentage change in the number of units manufactured by a plant during different months in Year 2.Note: Round up the decimal values obtained (if any) during calculations to the nearest integer value.Month Percentage change (over last month) Percent point change in percentage change (over last month) Jan 10% -20 Feb 18% 8 Mar -5% -20 Apr 6% 8 May 6% -8 Jun 6% -8 Jul 6% -8 - NPAT - 2025
- Percentages
- Select the option that best completes the sentence below.
____ Buddhist beliefs and traditions, Gautam Buddha had been born as animals and humans in many previous births.- NPAT - 2025
- Fill in the Blanks