What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style?

Read the following extract and answer the following questions:
So it is hardly surprising that opinions of the interview—of its
functions, methods and merits—vary considerably. Some might
make quite extravagant claims for it as being, in its highest form, a
source of truth, and, in its practice, an art. Others, usually celebrities
who see themselves as its victims, might despise the interview as an
unwarranted intrusion into their lives, or feel that it somehow
diminishes them.
(The Interview)
(i) What does the author mean by the phrase ‘extravagant claims’?
(ii) Select the correct option from those given in the brackets to fill in the blank.
The phrase ‘hardly surprising’ indicates that the writer is ___ (taken aback/unsurprised) at the varied opinions of the interview.
(iii) Complete the following sentence suitably.
The people have diverse opinions about an interview. Some consider it ___, while others ___.
(iv) What does the phrase ‘unwarranted intrusion’ illustrate about an interview?
(A) celebration
(B) confession
(C) invitation
(D) interference
(v) Select the textual option that is closest to indicating a feeling of deep dislike:
(A) celebrities see themselves as victims
(B) extravagant claims
(C) despise the interview
(D) vary considerably
(vi) Why do celebrities feel that interviews ‘diminish’ them?

Umberto Eco: Aah, now that is more difficult to explain. I have some philosophical interests and I pursue them through my academic work and my novels. Even my books for children are about non-violence and peace ... you see, the same bunch of ethical, philosophical interests. And then I have a secret. Did you know what will happen if you eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, eliminate the empty spaces in all the atoms? The universe will become as big as my fist. Similarly, we have a lot of empty spaces in our lives. I call them interstices. Say you are coming over to my place. You are in an elevator and while you are coming up, I am waiting for you. This is an interstice, an empty space. I work in empty spaces.
(The Interview)

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Umberto Eco says, he works in interstices. By this, he means that he works ............

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Umberto Eco : Aah, now that is more difficult to explain. I have some philosophical interests and I pursue them through my academic work and my novels. Even my books for children are about non-violence and peace...you see, the same bunch of ethical, philosophical interests.

And then I have a secret. Did you know what will happen if you eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, eliminate the empty spaces in all the atoms ? The universe will become as big as my fist.

(The Interview)

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What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style?

Solution and Explanation

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Questions Asked in CBSE CLASS XII exam