Comprehension
Should we really care for the greatest actors of the past could we have them before us?
Should we find them too different from our accent of thought, of feeling, of speech, in a
thousand minute particulars which are of the essence of all three? Dr. Doran's long and
interesting records of the triumphs of Garrick, and other less familiar, but in their day hardly
less astonishing, players, do not relieve one of the doubt. Garrick himself, as sometimes
happens with people who have been the subject of much anecdote and other conversation,
here as elsewhere, bears no very distinct figure. One hardly sees the wood for the trees. On
the other hand, the account of Betterton, "perhaps the greatest of English actors," is
delightfully fresh. That intimate friend of Dryden, Tillatson, Pope, who executed a copy of
the actor's portrait by Kneller which is still extant, was worthy of their friendship; his career
brings out the best elements in stage life. The stage in these volumes presents itself indeed
not merely as a mirror of life, but as an illustration of the utmost intensity of life, in the
fortunes and characters of the players. Ups and downs, generosity, dark fates, the most
delicate goodness, have nowhere been more prominent than in the private existence of
those devoted to the public mimicry of men and women. Contact with the stage, almost
throughout its history, presents itself as a kind of touchstone, to bring out the bizarrerie,
the theatrical tricks and contrasts, of the actual world.
Question: 1
In the expression ‘One hardly sees the wood for the trees’, the author apparently intends the word 'trees' to be analogous to:
In the expression ‘One hardly sees the wood for the trees’, the author apparently intends the word 'trees' to be analogous to:
Show Hint
When analyzing idiomatic expressions, focus on how the metaphor relates to the context in the passage. Here, the phrase highlights the focus on small details that may overshadow the broader picture.
Updated On: Oct 8, 2025
- Features of Doran’s language style
- Details learned from oral sources
- Personality of a famous actor
- Details of Garrick’s life
- Stage triumphs of an astonishing player
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the phrase.
The phrase "One hardly sees the wood for the trees" is an idiom. It suggests that when one is focused too much on the smaller details (trees), they fail to see the broader picture (wood). In the context of the passage, the phrase seems to point to the idea that the small, specific details of Garrick’s life may overshadow the more important or general qualities, such as his stage achievements and overall impact as an actor.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) Features of Doran’s language style: The trees are not directly connected to Doran’s writing style, as the passage is more concerned with Garrick’s life and career.
- (B) Details learned from oral sources: While the passage discusses details of Garrick’s life, it doesn’t specifically focus on how these details were learned.
- (C) Personality of a famous actor: While the phrase might be related to an actor, the focus is on Garrick’s life and stage career, not just his personality.
- (D) Details of Garrick’s life: This seems to be the most fitting answer since the passage deals with the lesser-known details of Garrick’s life, overshadowing his achievements.
- (E) Stage triumphs of an astonishing player: This might be related but not as precisely connected to the idea in the idiom as option (D).
Thus, the correct choice is (D) because the passage seems to emphasize how details of Garrick’s life obscure his broader achievements.
The phrase "One hardly sees the wood for the trees" is an idiom. It suggests that when one is focused too much on the smaller details (trees), they fail to see the broader picture (wood). In the context of the passage, the phrase seems to point to the idea that the small, specific details of Garrick’s life may overshadow the more important or general qualities, such as his stage achievements and overall impact as an actor.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) Features of Doran’s language style: The trees are not directly connected to Doran’s writing style, as the passage is more concerned with Garrick’s life and career.
- (B) Details learned from oral sources: While the passage discusses details of Garrick’s life, it doesn’t specifically focus on how these details were learned.
- (C) Personality of a famous actor: While the phrase might be related to an actor, the focus is on Garrick’s life and stage career, not just his personality.
- (D) Details of Garrick’s life: This seems to be the most fitting answer since the passage deals with the lesser-known details of Garrick’s life, overshadowing his achievements.
- (E) Stage triumphs of an astonishing player: This might be related but not as precisely connected to the idea in the idiom as option (D).
Thus, the correct choice is (D) because the passage seems to emphasize how details of Garrick’s life obscure his broader achievements.
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Question: 2
The doubt referred to concerns whether:
The doubt referred to concerns whether:
Show Hint
When reading for doubts or uncertainties, focus on phrases that express skepticism or question accuracy. Here, the author is unsure whether Garrick was as great as the records suggest.
Updated On: Oct 8, 2025
- the stage personalities of the past would appeal on a personal level to people like the author
- their contemporaries would have understood famous actors
- the acting of famous stage personalities would appeal to us today
- Garrick was as great as he is portrayed
- historical records can reveal personality
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the doubt in the passage.
The doubt in the passage revolves around whether the greatness of famous historical actors, like Garrick, is accurately captured in records or exaggerated. The author questions if Garrick was truly as great as historical accounts portray him to be.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) The stage personalities of the past would appeal on a personal level to people like the author: This is not the main doubt expressed in the passage. The passage is more concerned with Garrick's greatness rather than personal appeal.
- (B) Their contemporaries would have understood famous actors: This option is not discussed in the passage, which focuses on the doubt about historical portrayal.
- (C) The acting of famous stage personalities would appeal to us today: This is a relevant question but not the specific doubt addressed in the passage.
- (D) Garrick was as great as he is portrayed: This is the correct answer as the passage directly questions whether historical accounts exaggerate Garrick's greatness.
- (E) Historical records can reveal personality: This is relevant to the passage, but it is not the central doubt expressed.
Thus, the correct answer is (D), as the passage directly questions the accuracy of the portrayal of Garrick’s greatness.
The doubt in the passage revolves around whether the greatness of famous historical actors, like Garrick, is accurately captured in records or exaggerated. The author questions if Garrick was truly as great as historical accounts portray him to be.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) The stage personalities of the past would appeal on a personal level to people like the author: This is not the main doubt expressed in the passage. The passage is more concerned with Garrick's greatness rather than personal appeal.
- (B) Their contemporaries would have understood famous actors: This option is not discussed in the passage, which focuses on the doubt about historical portrayal.
- (C) The acting of famous stage personalities would appeal to us today: This is a relevant question but not the specific doubt addressed in the passage.
- (D) Garrick was as great as he is portrayed: This is the correct answer as the passage directly questions whether historical accounts exaggerate Garrick's greatness.
- (E) Historical records can reveal personality: This is relevant to the passage, but it is not the central doubt expressed.
Thus, the correct answer is (D), as the passage directly questions the accuracy of the portrayal of Garrick’s greatness.
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Question: 3
Information supplied in the passage is sufficient to answer which of the following questions? (Select ALL answer choices that apply):
Information supplied in the passage is sufficient to answer which of the following questions? (Select ALL answer choices that apply):
Show Hint
When determining which questions can be answered by a passage, look for statements that directly relate to the content of the passage. Focus on doubts and implications.
Updated On: Oct 8, 2025
- the stage personalities of the past would appeal on a personal level to people like the author
- their contemporaries would have understood famous actors
- the acting of famous stage personalities would appeal to us today
- Garrick was as great as he is portrayed
- historical records can reveal personality
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The Correct Option is A, C, D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the passage's context.
The passage discusses the portrayal of past actors like Garrick, their stage triumphs, and whether their greatness is accurately depicted in historical records. It also touches upon the appeal of these actors' personalities to modern audiences.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) The stage personalities of the past would appeal on a personal level to people like the author: The passage touches on how actors of the past, like Garrick, might appeal to the modern audience on a personal level.
- (B) Their contemporaries would have understood famous actors: The passage does not focus on the contemporary understanding of actors; it focuses on historical portrayals.
- (C) The acting of famous stage personalities would appeal to us today: This is relevant to the passage’s discussion of modern appreciation of historical actors.
- (D) Garrick was as great as he is portrayed: This is the central doubt raised in the passage, making it a valid answer.
- (E) Historical records can reveal personality: The passage implies that historical records are inadequate for revealing the true personality of actors.
Thus, the correct answers are (A), (C), and (D).
The passage discusses the portrayal of past actors like Garrick, their stage triumphs, and whether their greatness is accurately depicted in historical records. It also touches upon the appeal of these actors' personalities to modern audiences.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) The stage personalities of the past would appeal on a personal level to people like the author: The passage touches on how actors of the past, like Garrick, might appeal to the modern audience on a personal level.
- (B) Their contemporaries would have understood famous actors: The passage does not focus on the contemporary understanding of actors; it focuses on historical portrayals.
- (C) The acting of famous stage personalities would appeal to us today: This is relevant to the passage’s discussion of modern appreciation of historical actors.
- (D) Garrick was as great as he is portrayed: This is the central doubt raised in the passage, making it a valid answer.
- (E) Historical records can reveal personality: The passage implies that historical records are inadequate for revealing the true personality of actors.
Thus, the correct answers are (A), (C), and (D).
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