Question

'To give millions knowledge of English is to enslave them. The foundation that Macaulay laid of education has enslaved us. A universal language for India should be Hindi', Gandhi wrote in Hind Swaraj. 'His opposition was not to English but to what it symbolized: political slavery and cultural degradation', according to Arvind Krishna Mehrotra. At various times, Gandhi had especially warned of the dangers involved in taking to English. But ironically for both Gandhi and Nehru, English was an instrument to subjugate the empire rather than a language that enslaved them.

• A. Gandhi did not discourage serious writers from taking to English.
• B. Both of them resolved this paradox to their own benefit.
• C. They used the language fluently, like mother tongue.
• D. It was really enlightening and enriching.

Hint:

In paragraph completion, look for the option that logically continues the flow and resolves any paradox or contrast highlighted.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the paragraph.
The passage discusses a paradox: Gandhi and Nehru criticized English for being an instrument of cultural enslavement, yet they themselves used English effectively as a tool against the British. This contradiction needs a concluding statement that acknowledges the paradox and resolves it.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
(A) Merely states a fact and does not resolve the paradox.
(B) Correct — It acknowledges the contradiction and states that both Gandhi and Nehru resolved the paradox for their benefit.
(C) Irrelevant; fluency is not the point being discussed.
(D) Incorrect — does not connect with the paradox at all.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Option (B) suitably completes the paragraph by directly addressing the paradox presented.