Read the given passage and answer the six questions that follow.
When I was in my late teens and still undecided about which language I should write in, he told me that the language one is born into, one’s mother tongue, can be the only possible medium of creative expression. For most of his life, my father, Sripat Rai, had been a Hindi editor and critic. Off and on, he translated writings into English from Hindi. He was fond of saying that a failed writer becomes a critic. The weight of his literary expectation came, eventually, to rest on me. He seemed happy that I was showing an inclination for writing. ‘‘She will go far,’’ he told my mother after reading the first story that I sent him from Melbourne. My father’s pronouncement on the mother tongue stayed with me when I later started writing fiction in Hindi. Another thing that I barely acknowledged even to myself was that I felt something like shame whenever I thought of writing in English. It seemed wrong for a granddaughter of Premchand even to be thinking so. Our family had a certain linguistic pride. I knew that Premchand was famous, but I had not at that time realised the extent of his popularity. The fact that I was the granddaughter of Premchand, followed me everywhere. Everyone had a story to tell about their personal engagement with his fiction — the shopkeeper, the long time cook in my father’s Delhi house, a tea vendor, etc. The list was long, for there was practically no one who had not read something by him that had moved them. However, it was this very ubiquity, the reverence and love that he inspired in people, that made of him something too large for me to comprehend in the early years of my life. It led also to the strange feeling that, without having read him and just by being related to him, I had somehow inhaled his writing. The reading happened much later.
The author grew up with the expectation that she would take up __________.
- editorship of a magazine
- translation of literary pieces
- creative writing
- the job of a critic
The Correct Option is C
Approach Solution - 1
The author grew up with the expectation that she would take up creative writing. This conclusion can be drawn from the passage where the author discusses her inclination towards writing and her father's happiness regarding her writing endeavors. The passage emphasizes her family's literary background and expectations, especially with references to her father and grandfather, indicating a strong expectation for her to engage in creative writing.
Approach Solution -2
The passage indicates that creative writing was the expected path for the author.
Context: In the passage, the author mentions how creative writing was initially seen as the natural or expected direction for their career or personal growth. This suggests that writing, particularly in a creative form, was considered to be their chosen or assumed path.
Meaning of the Passage: The passage suggests that creative writing, with its focus on imagination, expression, and storytelling, was anticipated as the author’s primary outlet for their skills and aspirations, fitting within societal or personal expectations.
Final Thought: The passage emphasizes how creative writing, as the expected path, shapes the author’s journey and highlights the role of external or internal expectations in influencing career or creative choices.
When her father said, "She will go far," he meant that __________.
- she will travel widely
- she will achieve great heights in life
- she will go too far, one of these days
- she will settle in a far-off place
The Correct Option is B
Approach Solution - 1
In the given passage, when the father said, "She will go far," he was expressing his belief that the narrator would achieve great success or make significant accomplishments in life. This interpretation aligns with the context where the father shows approval and pride after reading his daughter's first story. The phrase "go far" in such contexts is typically used metaphorically to denote reaching great heights or achieving notable success.
Thus, the correct answer is: she will achieve great heights in life.
Approach Solution -2
"Go far" here refers to achieving success and great heights.
Context: The phrase "go far" is often used to describe someone who reaches significant levels of success, progress, or recognition. It implies that a person has the potential to achieve great things or rise to prominent positions in their field or life.
Meaning of "Go Far": "Go far" refers to reaching great heights in one’s career, personal life, or endeavors. It suggests a journey of success and advancement, where the individual attains recognition or accomplishment over time.
Final Thought: The phrase "go far" is a positive expression, often used to encourage someone, indicating that they have the ability to achieve substantial success and make significant progress in their chosen path.
Choose a statement which is not true with respect to the passage:
- The author felt pressurized to write in Hindi because of her father.
- She felt obligated to carry on the legacy of Premchand.
- Her family was chauvinistic about the English language.
- She was in awe of the extensive reach of her grandfather’s writings.
The Correct Option is C
Approach Solution - 1
To determine which statement is not true with respect to the passage, we must carefully analyze the text provided and compare it with each of the given options:
- The author felt pressurized to write in Hindi because of her father.
The passage reveals that the author's father believed that the mother tongue is the only possible medium of creative expression. Additionally, he was happy to see his daughter writing, hinting at a subtle pressure or expectation to write in Hindi. This statement appears valid based on the passage. - She felt obligated to carry on the legacy of Premchand.
The passage mentions the author's awareness of her relation to Premchand and her feelings of shame when thinking of writing in English. This indicates an obligation to carry on the legacy of using the Hindi language, which makes this statement true. - Her family was chauvinistic about the English language.
The passage suggests the opposite, where the author felt shame about writing in English and there was a linguistic pride associated with Hindi. Therefore, this statement is false. - She was in awe of the extensive reach of her grandfather’s writings.
The passage states that Premchand’s works were widely read and beloved, leaving the author feeling that her grandfather was too large for her to comprehend. This aligns with being in awe, indicating that this statement is true.
From the analysis, the statement that is not true with respect to the passage is: Her family was chauvinistic about the English language.
Approach Solution -2
The family was not chauvinistic about English, the pressure came from a pride in Hindi.
Context: The term "chauvinistic" refers to an excessive or prejudiced loyalty or support for one’s own group or cause. In this sentence, it is used to clarify that the family was not overly biased or excessively loyal to the English language. Instead, the pressure to prioritize Hindi came from their strong pride in their native language.
Meaning of the Sentence: The sentence suggests that the family's preference for Hindi was driven by pride and cultural identity, rather than a negative bias against the English language. The pressure was not from a dislike of English but from a desire to honor and uphold Hindi.
Final Thought: This statement emphasizes how cultural pride and identity can shape language preferences, highlighting the positive influence of pride in one's native language, rather than fostering an aggressive stance against another language.
Premchand became too large for her to understand mainly because of _____________ .
(A) his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
(B) the fact that she feared him.
(C) the kind of love and reverence that he inspired in people.
(D) her constant anxiety of failing him.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
(A) his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
(B) the fact that she feared him.
(C) the kind of love and reverence that he inspired in people.
(D) her constant anxiety of failing him.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
- (A) and (D) only
- (A) and (C) only.
- (B) and (C) only.
- (C) and (D) only.
The Correct Option is B
Approach Solution - 1
To determine why Premchand became too large for her to understand, we need to examine the given comprehension passage. The passage describes the author's experience and thoughts about Premchand, a renowned literary figure. The passage highlights that:
- Premchand's popularity is vast, with almost everyone having a personal connection to his work.
- This wide appeal and the reverence he inspired in people made him seem larger than life to the author.
Given these observations, it's clear that the primary reason for Premchand becoming too large for her to comprehend was due to:
- His ability to connect with people from all walks of life, evidenced by how everyone had a story about his fiction.
- The kind of love and reverence he inspired in people, making her unable to fully grasp the extent of his influence and impact.
Now, let's align this understanding with the options:
- (A) His ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
- (C) The kind of love and reverence that he inspired in people.
These reasons correlate with option (A) and (C), making the correct answer: (A) and (C) only.
Approach Solution -2
The correct reason was his ability to connect with people and the overwhelming admiration he received.
Context: The sentence highlights two key factors that contributed to the individual's success or popularity: his remarkable ability to build connections with others and the intense admiration he garnered from those around him.
Meaning of the Sentence: The phrase suggests that the individual's ability to relate to others on a personal level and the respect or admiration he earned from people were the primary reasons for his success, making him well-liked or influential.
Final Thought: This statement emphasizes the power of interpersonal relationships and admiration in achieving success, showing that personal connections and respect from others can play a significant role in one's accomplishments.
"Inhaled his writing" refers to:
Choose the correct option from the following.
Choose the correct option from the following.
- imbibing his style subconsciously
- being compelled to write like him
- being influenced by what people said about him
- her father’s expectation from her
The Correct Option is A
Approach Solution - 1
In the given comprehension, the phrase "inhaled his writing" indicates a process that occurs subconsciously and instinctively. The author describes how, without having read Premchand's works initially, they felt as though they had absorbed his style just by the virtue of their relation to him. This implies an unconscious assimilation of his literary style. Among the options provided, "imbibing his style subconsciously" closely matches this meaning.
Therefore, the correct option is "imbibing his style subconsciously".
Approach Solution -2
"Inhaled his writing" means absorbing his style unconsciously.
Context: The phrase "inhaled his writing" suggests that the individual absorbed the essence or style of the writer's work effortlessly and naturally, almost as if it became an intrinsic part of their own thoughts or writing habits.
Meaning of "Inhaled his writing": "Inhaled his writing" metaphorically refers to deeply understanding or internalizing the writer's style and ideas, doing so almost passively or without conscious effort. It implies a strong influence that shapes one's own approach to writing or thinking.
Final Thought: This expression highlights how a writer's style can leave a lasting impact on a reader, to the point where it becomes second nature and flows unconsciously in their own work or actions.
Choose the correct meaning of the word "Ubiquity" as it appears in the passage.
- Occasional
- Restricted
- Omnipresence
- Unwanted
The Correct Option is C
Approach Solution - 1
The word "Ubiquity" refers to the concept of being present everywhere. In the passage, the word is used to describe a widespread reverence and love that Premchand inspired in people, being "practically no one who had not read something by him that had moved them." This extensive reach and presence in people's lives align with the meaning of "Omnipresence," which is the correct choice.
Thus, the correct meaning of "Ubiquity" in the context of this passage is "Omnipresence."
Approach Solution -2
"Ubiquity" means omnipresence, or being present everywhere.
Context: The word "ubiquity" is used to describe the state of being everywhere or present in all places at the same time. It is often used to convey the idea that something is so widespread that it is almost impossible to escape or avoid.
Meaning of Ubiquity: Ubiquity is derived from the Latin word "ubique," meaning "everywhere." It refers to the quality of being present everywhere, often used to describe things or phenomena that are found in many places simultaneously, such as the internet or a global brand.
Omnipresence: The term "omnipresence" is synonymous with ubiquity, often used in religious or philosophical contexts to describe the idea that a deity or force is present everywhere. In everyday usage, it similarly refers to something that exists or appears universally.
Final Thought: The word "ubiquity" captures the idea of widespread presence, making it a useful term to describe anything that can be found in multiple places or seems to be everywhere at once.
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- The advent of social media has dramatically transformed the way individuals consume and share information. In earlier times, people largely depended on newspapers, radio, or television as their primary sources of knowledge about the world. These were institutions that followed established editorial practices and fact-checking processes. With the rise of digital platforms, however, the traditional ‘gatekeepers’ of information have been bypassed. Today, anyone with internet access can create content, express an opinion, or broadcast an idea to a global audience within seconds.
This shift has certainly democratized access and given voice to communities and individuals who were often ignored by mainstream media. Yet, this democratization comes with challenges. Alongside genuine voices, social media has also amplified misinformation, rumours, and half-truths. Unlike traditional journalism, where accountability and verification are built into the system, social media thrives on speed, virality, and emotion. A misleading headline, a misinterpreted statistic, or even a doctored image can travel across the world before fact-checkers have the chance to intervene.
The consequences of such unchecked information can be serious, ranging from the spread of fear and panic to the manipulation of public opinion. The impact of this transformation extends beyond individual users to institutions and democracies. Political campaigns, corporate branding, and even social movements are now shaped by algorithms that decide what people see and when they see it. These algorithms prioritize engagement, often promoting content that provokes stronger emotional reactions rather than balanced analysis.
As a result, echo chambers form, online spaces where people are repeatedly exposed to opinions that mirror their own, reinforcing biases and reducing openness to differing perspectives. This has contributed to increasing polarization in societies across the world. Moreover, the competition for attention has blurred the line between information and entertainment, leading to the rise of sensationalism even in serious public discourse. The credibility of expertise too has been undermined, as opinions from unverified sources are often placed on the same footing as evidence-based knowledge.
In response, several governments and technology companies are exploring ways to promote digital literacy, enhance transparency in algorithms, and strengthen fact-checking collaborations. Ultimately, the challenge lies in balancing the openness of digital spaces with mechanisms that ensure responsibility and trustworthiness in public communication.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- I have still to be brother to a Prince, though I once came near to kinship with what might have been a veritable King, and was promised the reversion of a Kingdom, army, law-courts, revenue, and policy, all complete. But, today, I greatly fear that my King is dead, and if I want a crown I must go and hunt it for myself. The beginning of everything was in a railway train upon the road to Mhow from Ajmir. There had been a deficit in the Budget, which necessitated travelling, not Second class, which is only half as dear as First class, but by Intermediate, which is very awful indeed. There are no cushions in the Intermediate class, and the population is either Intermediate, which is Eurasian, or native, which for a long night journey is nasty; or Loafer, which is amusing though intoxicated. Intermediates do not patronize refreshment rooms. They carry their food in bundles and pots, and buy sweets from the native sweet meat sellers, and drink the roadside water. That is why in the hot weather Intermediates are taken out of the carriages dead, and in all weathers are most properly looked down upon.
My particular Intermediate happened to be empty till I reached Nasirabad, when a huge gentleman in shirt sleeves entered, and following the custom of Intermediates, passed the time of day. He was a wanderer and a vagabond like myself, but with an educated taste for alcohol. He told daring tales of things he had seen and done, of out-of-the-way corners of the Empire into which he had penetrated, and of adventures in which he risked his life for a few days’ food. “If India was filled with men like you and me, not knowing more than the crows where they’d get their next day’s rations, it isn’t seventy millions of revenue the land would be paying, it’s seven hundred millions,” said he; and as I looked at his mouth and chin I was disposed to agree with him.
We talked politics, the politics of Loaferdom that sees things from the underside where the lath and plaster is not smoothed off, and we talked postal arrangements because my friend wanted to send a telegram back from the next station to Ajmir, which is the turning off place from the Bombay to the Mhow line as you travel westward. He had the air of one who had seen strange countries and stranger men, yet bore himself without vanity. There was a restless light in his eyes, the sort that belongs to men who have lived too long without a fixed purpose. When he spoke of the Empire, it was not with loyalty nor with bitterness, but with the detached amusement of one who has played his part and lost interest in the game. His laughter came easily, though it seemed to echo from some remembered hardship. It struck me then that his stories were less of adventure than of survival.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Democracy, often hailed as the most equitable form of governance, is a system where power ultimately rests in the hands of the people. The word derives from the Greek words ”demos” meaning people and ”kratos” meaning power or rule. Democracy aims to provide equal political participation and protect the individual freedoms of all citizens. However, while the idea of democracy is simple, its practice is frequently complex and fraught with challenges. At its core, democracy functions on the principle of majority rule, yet it simultaneously guarantees the protection of minority rights.
This balance ensures that while the majority has the power to make decisions through voting, the fundamental rights of minorities are not trampled upon. Such a system requires consistent vigilance and respect for the rule of law. Without these, democracies can devolve into majoritarian tyranny or authoritarianism. The practice of democracy is not merely limited to voting in elections. It encompasses freedom of speech, an independent judiciary, free press, and protection of individual rights. These elements together create a political environment where citizens can express dissent, hold leaders accountable, and participate actively in decision-making. When any component is weakened, the democratic process becomes vulnerable.
In recent times, democratic societies worldwide have grappled with new challenges. The rise of misinformation and fake news has eroded public trust in institutions and polarized societies. Social media platforms, meant to facilitate communication, have sometimes amplified divisive narratives and falsehoods. This has resulted in voter manipulation and a growing skepticism toward democratic processes. Literacy in media and critical thinking is increasingly vital to safeguard democracy from such threats. Economic inequality poses another significant challenge. While democracy promises equal rights politically, vast disparities in wealth and opportunity undermine this ideal.
This phenomenon raises questions about whether democracy is achievable without addressing socioeconomic inequalities. Furthermore, the involvement of citizens is crucial. Democracy requires that people are informed, engaged, and willing to participate beyond casting votes. Civic education and awareness campaigns play an essential role in nurturing responsible citizenship. Apathy or disengagement weakens the democratic fabric, opening avenues for corruption and other dangers to the system. In conclusion, democracy thrives on the collective responsibility of governments and citizens to protect its pillars and ensure inclusive, fair governance.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
The Rule of Law
by Tom BinghamJustice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?
by Michael J. SandelLetters to a Law Student
by Nicholas J. McBrideIn The Rule of Law, former Lord Chief Justice Tom Bingham explores how the principle of legality underpins modern democratic life. He defines the rule of law as more than just adherence to formal rules; it is the assurance that power is exercised within clear, fair, and publicly known boundaries.
Bingham distills the concept into eight principles, including equality before the law, access to justice, and respect for fundamental human rights. Drawing on cases and historical examples, he warns that national security and administrative efficiency must never override the rights of individuals.
The book bridges legal philosophy and practice, arguing that law must be both predictable and humane. For Bingham, the rule of law represents a moral ideal, one that sustains public trust in justice and curbs arbitrary governance.Michael Sandel’s Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? examines moral reasoning in law and politics. Through examples like price gouging, affirmative action, and taxation, Sandel invites readers to explore competing notions of fairness.
He engages with philosophical traditions such as utilitarianism, libertarianism, and Rawlsian egalitarianism, showing that questions of justice cannot be separated from questions of virtue and the common good.
Sandel rejects the idea of a morally “neutral” legal system, arguing that public deliberation about values is essential to democracy. Ultimately, he argues that a just society is one that cultivates civic responsibility, not merely individual rights.Nicholas McBride’s Letters to a Law Student is a practical and reflective guide for aspiring lawyers. Written as a series of letters to a student beginning law school, it explores what legal study truly involves.
This includes mastering case analysis, understanding precedents, and developing critical reasoning. McBride distinguishes between knowing the law and thinking like a lawyer, the latter requiring analytical discipline and ethical awareness.
He emphasizes that good lawyers combine intellectual rigor with moral judgment and clarity of expression. Beyond academic success, the book urges students to reflect on law’s purpose, balancing order, justice, and compassion in human affairs.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Urban gardening has become increasingly popular as a means to address food security, sustainability, and mental well-being in cities. By growing their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, individuals can reduce their reliance on commercial supply chains that contribute to extensive transportation, energy consumption, and synthetic chemical use. In addition to providing fresh, nutritious food, urban gardening also contributes to environmental sustainability by mitigating urban heat island effects, improving air quality, and managing water runoff. Furthermore, it offers psychological benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, and a sense of accomplishment. Despite its many benefits, urban gardening faces challenges like space limitations, poor soil quality, and inadequate sunlight, which gardeners overcome using innovative techniques such as vertical farming and hydroponics.
- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
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(A) Recruitment Consulting
(B) Career Counselling
(C) Dietary Counselling
(D) HR Consulting
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:- CUET (UG) - 2025
- Human Resource Management
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A) the city's new policy
B) has significantly improved
C) air quality
D) over the past year- CUET (UG) - 2025
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- Two point charges \( q_1 \) and \( q_2 \) are placed at a distance \( r \) in vacuum. The force between them is \( F \). If the distance is doubled and both charges are halved, what will be the new force?
- CUET (UG) - 2025
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