Question

On the basis of the nature of the relationship between the items in each pair below, choose the odd pair out:

• A. Postcolonial novels : Anti-colonial nationalism
• B. Indian Ocean novels : Outward-looking
• C. Indian Ocean world : Slavery
• D. postcolonial novels : Border-crossing
• A. the depiction of Africa in most Indian Ocean novels is driven by a postcolonial nostalgia for an idyllic past.
• B. most mainstream English-language novels have historically privileged the Christian, white, male experience of travel and adventure.
• C. the depiction of Africa in most Indian Ocean novels is driven by an Orientalist imagination of its cultural crudeness.
• D. very few mainstream English-language novels have historically been set in American and European metropolitan centres.
• A. The Indian Ocean world's migration networks were shaped by religious and commercial histories of the region.
• B. Migration in the Indian Ocean world was an ambivalent experience
• C. Geographical location rather than geographical proximity determined the choice of destination for migrants.
• D. The Indian Ocean world's migration networks connected the global north with the global south.
• A. the global south, as opposed to the global north, was the first centre of globalisation.
• B. cosmopolitanism originated in the West and travelled to the East through globalisation
• C. Indian Ocean novels have gone beyond the specifics of national concerns to explore rich regional pasts
• D. the world of early international trade and commerce was not the sole domain of white Europeans

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

To determine the odd pair out, let's analyze the nature of each relationship based on the passage:

• Postcolonial novels : Anti-colonial nationalism
  The passage indicates that early postcolonial novels were closely linked to national questions, often promoting anti-colonial nationalism. Thus, this pair is consistent.
• Indian Ocean novels : Outward-looking
  The passage describes Indian Ocean novels as being outward-looking, focusing on cross-border and intercontinental connections. This pair also fits well.
• Indian Ocean world : Slavery
  The passage suggests that slavery is a significant theme in the depiction of the Indian Ocean world due to historical interconnectedness. Hence, this pair is also logical.
• Postcolonial novels : Border-crossing
  The passage contrasts postcolonial novels as nation-focused, implying they were more land-focused and possibly inward-looking. Border-crossing attributes are more associated with Indian Ocean novels. Therefore, this pair is inconsistent.

Based on these analyses, the odd pair out is:

Postcolonial novels : Border-crossing

Answer 2

The statement asserts that books from the Indian Ocean and mainstream English-language fiction are distinct and take place in different universes.

Option B supports the passage’s assertion—if true, it highlights the contrast by showing that mainstream English-language novels have historically privileged the Christian, white, male experience of travel and adventure.

If accurate, none of the other statements strengthen the passage’s argument. 

If the Orientalist perception of Africa’s cultural coarseness drives the majority of Indian Ocean novels’ depictions of the continent, then Option C undermines the passage’s assertion by aligning these works with mainstream fiction.

According to the text, American and European metropolitan centers have historically served as the backdrop for most mainstream English-language books. Option D, if accurate, undermines the contrast drawn by the passage.

The passage claims that the portrayal of Africa in Indian Ocean novels is not idealized. Option A, if true, does not support the passage’s distinction.

Therefore, the correct option is (B): most mainstream English-language novels have historically privileged the Christian, white, male experience of travel and adventure.

Answer 3

The chapter makes no mention of or suggests anything about the migration networks that linked the global north and south over the Indian Ocean region. It is not true that Option D is incorrect. 

Option C is accurate. Because it was easier to travel by sea than by land for a large portion of history, port cities located far apart were frequently more easily connected to one another than they were to much closer interior communities.

Option A is also true. As stated in the paragraph, the Indian Ocean world refers to a distinct set of histories and geographical areas compared to those commonly seen in English-language fiction, which “assume a background of Christianity and whiteness, and cite places like Paris and New York.” A predominantly Islamic space can be found in the networked cities of the global south.

Option D is accurate as well. “Migration is often a matter of force; travel is portrayed as abandonment rather than adventure, freedoms are kept from women, and slavery is rife,” the paragraph says in reference to migration in the Indian Ocean region.

Therefore, Option D is the correct response.

Answer 4

The passage refers to the "Indian Ocean world" as the interconnected oceanic region of the global south, which includes East Africa, the coasts of the Arab world, South and East Asia, and other regions. These linkages are long-lasting and are made possible by maritime traffic in the Indian Ocean. 

According to the passage, white Europeans were not the only ones involved in early international trade and commerce; the global south was also the first hub of globalization: "historical and archaeological evidence suggests that what we now call globalisation first appeared in the Indian Ocean".

The passage also critiques common global imaginaries: "Those [commonly found ones] are mostly centered in Europe or the US, assume a background of Christianity and whiteness, and mention places like Paris and New York."

Instead, the novels referenced in the book highlight a fundamentally Islamic space. Thus, Options A, C, and D are accurate.

Option B is incorrect as it contradicts the message conveyed in the passage.