Passage 1

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below
(Question No. 1-6)

Current feminist theory, in validating women's own stories of their experience, has
encouraged scholars of women's history to view the use of women's oral narratives as the
methodology, next to the use of women's written autobiography, that brings historians closest
to the "reality" of women's lives such narratives, unlike most standard histories, represent
experience from the perspective of women, affirm the importance of women's contributions,
and furnish present - day women with historical continuity that is essential to their identity,
individually and collectively. Scholars of women's history should, however, be as cautious
about accepting oral narratives at face value as they are already about written memories oral
narratives are no more likely than are written narratives to provide a disinterested
commentary on events or people. Moreover, the stories people tell to explain themselves are
shaped by narrative devices and storytelling conventions, as well as by other cultural and
historical factors, in ways that the storytellers may be unaware of the political rhetoric of a
particular era, for example, may influence Women’s interpretations of the significance of
their experience. Thus, a woman who views the Second World War as pivotal in increasing
the social acceptance of women's paid work outside the home may reach that conclusion
partly and unwittingly because of wartime rhetoric encouraging a positive view of women's
participation in such work.

1. According to the passage, scholars of women's history should refrain from doing
which of the following?

a. Attempting to discover the cultural and historical factors that influence the stories
women tell
b. Relying on traditional historical sources when women's oral narratives are unavailable
c. accepting women's oral narratives less critically than they accept women's written
histories
d. Focusing on the influence of political rhetoric on women's perceptions to the
exclusion of other equally important factors

Answer. c
Explanation: Answering this question requires recognizing which option is directly
inferable from information in the passage. After describing in the first paragraph why oral
narratives are appealing to historians, the passage begins the second paragraph by imploring
scholars of women's history to be as cautious about accepting oral narratives ... as ... written
memories. The passage then goes on to describe potential bias in oral narratives, suggesting
that scholars should be critical of them as they are of written sources, (b) passage does not
claim that traditional historical sources should be avoided by scholars. (d) The passage
mentions the influence of political rhetoric merely as one example of potential bias. (a) The
passage suggests that scholars should attempt to be aware of cultural and historical factors.
(c) Correct. The passage implies that written histories and oral narratives should receive the
same level of critical scrutiny by scholars. Hence, the answer is (c).

2. The passage is primarily concerned with

a. showing that some historians adoption of a particular methodology has led to criticism
of recent historical scholarship
b. discussing the appeal of a particular methodology and some concerns about its use
c. describing the historical origins and inherent drawbacks of a particular methodology
d. contrasting the benefits of a methodology with the benefits of another

Answer. b

Explanation: This question asks for an abstract view of what the passage as a whole is
primarily doing. The passage introduces a particular methodology that scholars of women's
history have been encouraged to employ, explaining why the use of the methodology is
supported. The passage then goes on to raise some concerns about the use of the
methodology and cites example in which caution is needed. (d) passage is primarily
concerned with only a methodology (c) The passage mentions why the methodology had
been encouraged but does not give the history of its origins, while it cautions historians to
employ the methodology carefully, it is not concerned with drawbacks of its proper use. (b)
Correct. The passage discusses why the use of a methodology is being encouraged and then
offers some concerns about its use (a) The passage does not discuss any criticism of recent
scholarship in women's history Hence, the answer is (b).

3. the author of the passage would be most likely to make which of the Following
recommendations to scholars of women's history?
 a. They should treat sceptically observations reported in oral narratives unless the
observations can be confirmed in standard histories
b. They should take into account their own life experiences when interpreting the oral
accounts of women's historical experiences.
c. They should consider the cultural and historical context in which an oral narrative was
created before arriving at an interpretation of such a narrative.
d. They should assume that the observations were made in women's oral narratives are
believed by the intended audience of the story.

Answer. c

Explanation: Answering this question involves recognizing what the author believes about
oral narratives and then applying this belief to a hypothetical situation in which the author
makes recommendations to scholars of women's history. While acknowledging the appeal of
oral narratives to these scholars, in the second paragraph the author urges caution when using
these narratives as sources of disinterested commentary. The passage then states that people's
oral narratives are shaped by cultural and historical factors, which presumably relate to the
cultural and historical context within which the narratives are spoken (b) the passage does not
mention the personal life experiences of scholars. (d) The passage does not mention the
intended audiences of oral narratives. (a) The passage mentions standard histories only as a
reference to scholarly works that often have shortcomings (c) Correct. The passage cautions
that oral narratives may be biased due to cultural and historical factors, and it is therefore
reasonable to suppose that the author would recommend that scholars consider this when
using such information.

4. According to the passage, each of the following is a difference between women's oral
narratives and most standard histories EXCEPT:

a. Women's oral histories present todays women with a sense of their historical
relationship to women of the past
b. Women's oral histories acknowledging the influence of well-known women.
c. Women's oral histories validate the significance of women's achievements.
d. Women's oral histories depicting experience from the point of view of women

Answer. b
Explanation: This question asks for information that is stated in the passage, and it requires
a process of elimination. In the passage, oral narratives are presented as being mike most
standard histories, and the passage then goes on in the passage to list characteristics of oral
histories that most standard histories do not have. The answer to this question will therefore
contain a characteristic of Women's oral histories that is not described in the passage. (c) The
passage states that, unlike most standard histories, women's oral histories aftermath
importance of women's contributions. (d) The passage states that, unlike most standard
histories, women's oral histories represent experience from the perspective of women. (b)
Correct. The passage does not mention the influence of well - known women on women's
oral histories (a) The passage states that, unlike most standard histories, women oral histories
furnish present - day women with historical continuity. hence, the answer is (b)

5. according to the passage, which of the following shapes the oral narratives of women
storytellers!

a. A woman storyteller's familiarity with the stories that members of other groups in her
culture tell to explain themselves
b. the conventions for standard histories in the culture in which a woman storyteller lives
c. The cultural expectations and experiences of those who listen to oral narratives
d. the conventions of storytelling in the culture in which a woman storyteller lives

Answer. d

Explanation: This question asks for an identification of specific information provided by the
passage. In the second paragraph, the passage describes certain concerns about using oral
narratives. One of these concerns is that the stories people tell to explain themselves are
shaped by storytelling conventions and other influences tied to the teller's cultural and
historical context. (b) The passage uses standard histories to refer to the usual work of
scholars and not to something that influences oral narratives (d) Correct. The passage raises
as a concern that oral narratives may be influenced by storytelling conventions present in the
culture of the speaker (c) The passage does not mention the expectations of the listeners of
oral narratives. (a) The passage does not discuss women storyteller’s familiarity with the oral
narratives belonging to other groups of women. Hence, the answer is (d).

6. Which of the following best describes the function of the last sentence of the passage?
 a. It illustrates the point that some women are more aware than others of the social
forces that shape their oral narratives
b. It provides an example of an oral narrative that inaccurately describes women's
experience during a particular historical period
c. it describes an event that historians view as important in recent women's history
d. It provides an example of how political rhetoric may influence the interpretations of
experience reported in women's oral narratives.

Answer. d

Explanation: this question requires recognizing how a particular part of the passage is
related to the overall reasoning in the passage. The first paragraph introduces a methodology
and describes the methodology's appeal. The second paragraph then raises concerns about
the use of the methodology, drawing attention to the cultural and historical bias that may be
present in oral narratives. In the passage refers specifically to the influence political rhetoric
may have on a woman's understanding of her experience. In the final sentence, the passage
provides a specific hypothetical example of woman at the time of the Second World War to
illustrate this concern. (c) The last sentence employs a hypothetical example and does not
describe a particular event as being important to historians. (d) Correct. After contending
that political rhetoric may influence oral narratives, the passage uses the example of the
Second World War in the final sentence to support this claim (b) The last sentence does not
provide a particular example of an oral narrative. (a) the passage does not claim that some
women are more aware than others of the social forces that may bear on them. hence, the
answer is (d).

Passage 2

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below
(Question No. 7-10)

The concept of creative society 'refers to a phase of development of a society in which a large
number of potential contradictions become articulate and active. This is most evident when
oppressed social groups get politically mobilized and demand their rights. The upsurge of the
peasants and tribal, the movements for regional autonomy and self - determination, the
environmental movements, and the women's movements in the developing countries are signs
of emergence of creative society in contemporary times. The forms of social movements and
their intensity may vary from country to country and place to place within a country. But the
very presence of movements for social transformation in various spheres of a society
indicates the emergence of a creative society in a country.

7. What according to the passage are the manifestations of social movements?

I. Urge for granting privileges and self - respect to disparaged sections of the society.
II. Aggressiveness and being incendiary.
III. Quest for social equality and individual freedom.
IV. Instigation by external forces.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a. I and IV only
b. I and III only
c. I, II, III and IV
d. III and IV only

Answer. a

Explanation: According to passage Instigation by external forces (social group get

politically ....) and "urge for granting rights and self-respect to disparaged section of the
society" are manifestations of social movements.

8. What does the author imply by "creative society"?

I. A society where a large number of contradictions are recognized

II. A society where diverse art forms and literary writings seek incentive
III. A society where the exploited and the oppressed groups grow conscious of their
human rights and upliftment.
IV. A society where social inequalities are accepted as the norm.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below

a. IV only
b. I, II and III
c. II and IV
d. I and III

Answer. d
 Explanation: (d) II and IV is eliminated as "art form is not mentioned in the passage. Social
inequalities are not accepted. Only I and III are mentioned

9. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements

I. The need of the hour is to have a changing government

II. The need of the hour is to have an enabling government.

which of the statements given above is / are correct?

a. I only
b. II only
c. Both I and II
d. Neither I nor II

Answer. d

Explanation: (a) Only statements II is true as the need of the hour is to have an enabling
government and the statement I is go beyond the passage.

10. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements:

I. To be a creative society, it is essential to have a variety of social movements.

II. To be a creative society, it is imperative to have potential contradictions and conflicts.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

a. I only
b. II only
c. Neither I nor II
d. Both I and II

Answer. d

Explanation: (D) Statement l is correct as stated in the passage "The forms of .... in a country
Statement II is correct as phase of development active "

Passage 3

Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below
(Question No. 11-15)
Now India's children have a right to receive at least years of education, the gnawing question
is whether it will remain on paper or become a reality. One hardly need a reminder that this
right is different from the others enshrined in the Constitution, that the beneficiary - a six-
year-old child cannot demand it nor she or he fight a legal battle when the right is denied or
violated. In all cases, it is the adult society which must act on behalf of the child. In another
peculiarity, where a child's right to education is denied, no compensation offered later can be
adequate or relevant. This is so because childhood does not last. If a legal battle fought on
behalf of a child is eventually won, it may be of little use to the boy or girl because the
opportunity missed at school during childhood cannot serve the same purpose later in life.
This may be painfully true for girls because our society permits them only a short childhood,
if at all. The Right to Education (RTE) has become law at a point in India's history when the
ghastly practice of female infanticide has resurfaced in the form of foeticide. This is
"symptomatic of a deeper turmoil in society which is compounding the traditional obstacles
to the education of girls. Tenacious prejudice against the intellectual potential of girls runs
across our cultural diversity and the system of education has not been able to address it."

11. Which one of the following statements conveys the inference of the passage?

a. The legal fight to get education for children is often protracted and prohibitive.
b. The society has a tenacious prejudice against the intellectual potential of girls.
c. There is no sufficient substitute for education received in childhood.
d. Adults cannot be relied upon to fight on behalf of children for their right to education

Answer. b

Explanation: (b) Since girl's education is the key massage, so, prejudice against the
intellectual potential of girls.

12. Which one of the following statements conveys the key message of the passage?

a. The system of education should address the issue of Right to Education

b. India has declared that education is compulsory for its children.
c. The Right to Education, particularly of a girl child, needs to be safeguarded.
d. Adult society is not keen on implementing the Right to Education.

Answer. d
Explanation: 4. (d) Statement (d) is correct as the passage clearly states that" This may be
painfully if at all.

13. According to the passage, what could be the traditional obstacles to the education of
girls?

a. The prejudice against the intellectual potential of girls.

b. Inability of parents to fight a legal battle when the Right to Education is denied to
their children.
c. Improper system of education.
d. The traditional way of thinking about girls' role society

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

a. I and II only
b. I, II, III and IV
c. II, III and IV only
d. I, III, and IV only

Answer. d

Explanation: (d) Statement II is not correct as not stated by the passage. Statements I and IV
are correct as stated in passage "This is ... to the education of girls." Statement III is correct as
the faulty education system.

14. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements:

I. Right to Education as a law cannot be enforced in the country.

II. When children are denied education, adult society does not act on behalf of them.

which of the statements given above is / are correct?

(b) I only

(a) II only

(d) Neither I nor II

(c) Both I and II

Answer. b
Explanation: (b) Statement II is correct as passage clearly states "In all cases, it is the ...
behalf of the child."

15. On the basis of the passage, consider the following statements:

I. For realizing the goal of universal education, the education system in the country must
be made identical to that of developed countries.
II. Right to Education is a legal right and not a fundamental right

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

(a) I only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer. b

Explanation: Statement II is correct as stated in the passage one hardly needs denied or
violated. "Statement I is irrelevant as developed countries have not been mentioned in the
passage.