What have I learnt after eighty years on planet earth? Quite frankly, very little. I don't believe the elders and philosophers. Wisdom does not come with age. Maybe it is born in the cradle - but this too is conjecture, I only know that for the most part I have followed instinct rather than intelligence, and this has resulted in a modicum of happiness. You will find your own way to this reward which is in the end the only reward worth having.
To have got to this point in life without the solace of religion says something for all the things that have brought me joy and a degree of contentment. Books, of course; I couldn't have survived without books and stories. And companionship - which is sometimes friendship, sometimes love and sometimes, if we are lucky, both. And a little light laughter, a sense of humor. And, above all, my relationship with the natural world - up here in the hills; in the dusty plains; in a treeless Moha la choked with concrete flats, where I once found a marigold growing out of a crack in a balcony. I removed the plaster from the base of the plant and filled in a little earth which I watered every morning. The plant grew, and sometimes it produced a little orange flower which I plucked and gave away before it died. This much Ican tell you: for all its hardships and complications, life is simple. And a nature that doesn't sue for happiness often receives it in large measure.
Was it accidental, or was it ordained or was it in my nature to arrive unharmed at this final stage of life's journey? I live this life passionately, and I wish it could go on and on. But all good things must come to an end, and when the time comes to make my exit, I hope Ican do so with good grace and humor. But there is time yet, and many small moments to savor. A small ginger cat arrives on my terrace every afternoon, to curl up in the sun and slumber peacefully for a couple of hours. When he awakes, he gets on his feet with minimum effort, arches his back and walks away as he had come. The same spot every day, the same posture, the same pace. There may be better spots - sunnier, quieter, frequented by birds that can be hunted when the cat is rested and restored. But there is no guarantee, and the search will be never-ending, and there may rarely be time to sleep after all that searching and finding.
It occurs to me that perhaps the cat is a monk. By this I do not mean anything austere. I doubt anyone in single minded pursuit of enlightenment ever finds it. A good monk would be a mild sort of fellow, a bit of a sensualist, capable of compassion for the world, but also for himself. He would know that it is all right not toclimb every mountain.A good monk would know that contentment is easier to attain than happiness, and that is enough. And what of happiness, then? Happiness is a mysterious thing, to be found somewhere between too little and too much. But it is as elusive as a butterfly, and we must never pursue it. If we stay very still, it may come and settle on our hand. But only briefly. We must savor those moments, for they will not come our way very often.
The author's perspective on life is, it is
- complex
- beautiful
- simple
- worthy
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The author states that despite life’s hardships and complications, life is ultimately simple. He emphasizes that one does not need religion, wisdom, or age to understand life. He focuses on finding contentment rather than overcomplicating life.
Thus, the correct answer is simple (Option C)
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
- The author strongly believes that age brings wisdom.
- The author couldn't imagine his life without books and stories.
- The author mostly followed his instinct rather than intelligence.
- The author maintains a harmonious relationship with the natural world.
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Identifying the False Statement from the Passage
Step 1: Understanding the Passage
The passage states that the author does not believe wisdom comes with age. Instead, he suggests that wisdom is either inborn or non-existent.
Step 2: Evaluating the Statements
- The author values books, instincts, and nature, making these statements true.
- The statement that wisdom comes with age contradicts the passage.
Step 3: Identifying the False Statement
The false statement is:
Option A: "Wisdom comes with age."
Final Answer:
Thus, the false statement is Option A.
Choose from the following the Synonym of 'conjecture' as used in the passage.
- Conclusion
- Assumption
- Perception
- Creation
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Understanding the Meaning of "Conjecture"
Step 1: Definition of "Conjecture"
The word "conjecture" means a guess or assumption based on incomplete information.
In the passage, the author uses "conjecture" to indicate that he cannot be certain about the nature of wisdom.
Step 2: Analyzing Incorrect Options
- Conclusion: Incorrect because a conclusion is based on logic and facts.
- Other options do not fit the meaning of "conjecture."
Step 3: Correct Meaning
The correct synonym is:
Assumption (Option B).
Final Answer:
Thus, the correct answer is "Assumption" (Option B).
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
- A smal ginger cat would arrive on the author's terrace every afternoon.
- The author once grew a marigold plant in his backyard and used to water it every morning.
- The author used to admire the little orange flower and would not let anyone pluck it.
- The author asserts that he believes in elders and the philosophers
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Identifying the Correct Statement from the Passage
Step 1: Key Information from the Passage
The passage mentions that:
- A small ginger cat visits the author's terrace every afternoon.
- The marigold plant was growing in a balcony crack, not in a backyard (Option B is incorrect).
- The author plucked the flower and gave it away (Option C is incorrect).
- The author does not believe in the wisdom of elders (Option D is incorrect).
Step 2: Identifying the Correct Answer
The only correct statement is:
Option A: "A small ginger cat visits the author’s terrace every afternoon."
Final Answer:
Thus, the correct answer is Option A.
In the author's opinion, a good monk would be a
1.Mild sort of person
2. Bit of sensualist
3. Compassionate person
4. Gloomy person
1.Mild sort of person
2. Bit of sensualist
3. Compassionate person
4. Gloomy person
- 1,2,3 and 4
- 3 and 4
- 1 and 2
- 1,2 and 3
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Identifying the Characteristics of a Good Monk
Step 1: Key Characteristics from the Passage
The passage describes a good monk as:
- Mild in nature – gentle and calm.
- A bit of a sensualist – enjoys small pleasures.
- Compassionate towards others – shows kindness and empathy.
Step 2: Eliminating the Incorrect Option
Gloomy (sad) is not a characteristic of a good monk.
Thus, Option D (1, 2, and 3) is correct.
Final Answer:
Thus, the correct answer is Option D (1, 2, and 3).
According to the passage, we infer that Nature is bounteous and it gives us
- happiness and protection.
- food and water.
- afterlife and rewards
- friendship and love
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Identifying the Primary Gift of Nature
Step 1: Key Theme from the Passage
The passage emphasizes the abundance of nature.
Nature provides:
- Trees, plants, and flowers
- Sustenance – which includes food and water
Step 2: Eliminating Incorrect Options
- Happiness and protection (Option A): These are benefits, but not the primary gift of nature.
- Afterlife and rewards (Option C): These are religious concepts that the author does not discuss.
- Friendship and love (Option D): These come from relationships, not nature itself.
Step 3: Identifying the Correct Answer
The primary gift of nature is:
Food and water (Option B).
Final Answer:
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
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.
- NPAT - 2025
- Verbal Reasoning
- 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
Questions Asked in ATMA exam
- A retailer purchases shirts from a distributor at the rate of 300 per shirt and puts the label of 450 on each shirt. If the retailer allows some discount and still make a profit of 23%, then what is the discount percentage offered by the shopkeeper?
- ATMA - 2021
- Percentage
- Read the following information carefully and answer the question that follows.
What is the ratio of sales in second quarter by Volvo to sales in first quarter by Mercedes?
- ATMA - 2021
- Data Interpretation
- Read the following information carefully and answer the question that follows.
How many trucks did Tata Motors sell in the complete year approximately?
- ATMA - 2021
- Data Interpretation
- 12 men and 6 women can complete a work in 10 days. 3 men and 6 women can complete this work in 25 days. How many men are required to complete this work in 5 days?
- ATMA - 2021
- Time and Work
- In a basketball team with 12 players, the average height of the players is 170 cm. Out of these players, the average height of 7 players is 166 cm. What is the average height of the remaining 5 players?
- ATMA - 2021
- Average