Literature MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Literature - Download Free PDF
Last updated on Jul 2, 2025
Latest Literature MCQ Objective Questions
Literature Question 1:
Comprehension:
Early childhood development (ECD) interventions, aimed at improving the cognitive and social growth of young children, have become a significant focus in the Global South. These programs, often backed by substantial international funding, operate on the premise that specific parenting practices can profoundly influence a child's brain architecture, laying the groundwork for future success. The underlying belief is that "nurturing" childcare is crucial for optimal brain development, and that without external guidance, children in low-income settings may not reach their full potential. However, a critical examination reveals that many of these interventions carry problematic assumptions, echoing historical narratives that have long shaped the relationship between the Global North and South.
Historically, during the colonial era, there was a pervasive belief that people in colonized regions were inherently less capable or "cognitively deficient," requiring intervention from external powers. This paternalistic view justified various forms of control and 'civilizing missions.' The article suggests a striking parallel with today's ECD interventions. While the language has changed, replacing overt racial terms with concepts like "poverty" or "brain development," the underlying narrative of deficiency persists. This modern "obsession with the brains of children," particularly those living in poverty, is often fueled by advancements in neuroscience and brain-scanning technology, which provide seemingly objective data to support the need for intervention.
The author raises serious questions about the fundamental assumptions underpinning these multibillion-dollar ECD interventions. A key concern is the implicit message conveyed: that there is something inherently wrong with how parents in the Global South are raising their children. This perspective tends to individualize systemic issues, framing poverty and its associated challenges not as complex socio-economic problems, but as a direct result of individual parental deficits or inadequate caregiving practices. Such an approach risks overlooking the broader structural inequalities and resource limitations that genuinely impact families, placing the burden of responsibility solely on the shoulders of caregivers.
Furthermore, the scientific evidence often cited to justify these interventions is brought into question. Studies claiming that a high percentage of toddlers in low- to middle-income countries do not receive "adequate care" are highlighted as particularly problematic. The article argues that these claims bear a resemblance to colonial narratives, where perceived deficits were attributed to inherent characteristics of the population. Today, the attribution shifts to poverty, but the outcome remains the same: a justification for external, often intrusive, interventions. The author emphasizes the need for greater scrutiny of the scientific rigor behind these claims, especially given the deeply personal and culturally sensitive nature of parenting practices.
Ultimately, the article advocates for a fundamental shift in the approach to ECD interventions. Instead of imposing external models based on deficit narratives, it calls for placing the expertise and needs of local caretakers at the center of program design. This means recognizing that there is no single, universal path to a thriving brain or optimal child development. A more respectful and effective approach would involve empowering local communities, understanding their unique cultural contexts, and collaborating with parents and caregivers to build solutions that genuinely support their children's well-being, rather than attempting to "fix" perceived deficiencies.
The author's advocacy for "placing the expertise and needs of local caretakers at the center of program design" (Paragraph 5) implies which of the following?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 1 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is: Effective ECD interventions must move beyond a deficit-based approach, recognizing and building upon the existing strengths and cultural contexts of local parenting practices.
Key Points
- Explanation: The final paragraph of the passage advocates for "placing the expertise and needs of local caretakers at the center of program design." It explicitly states that this means "recognizing that there is no single, universal path to a thriving brain or optimal child development" and that a "more respectful and effective approach would involve empowering local communities, understanding their unique cultural contexts, and collaborating with parents and caregivers to build solutions... rather than attempting to 'fix' perceived deficiencies." This directly implies a fundamental shift away from a deficit-based approach, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and leveraging existing local strengths and cultural contexts in designing effective interventions.
- Why the other options are incorrect:
- External organizations should primarily act as funders, allowing local communities complete autonomy in designing and implementing all ECD programs: While the passage emphasizes local expertise and empowerment, it uses terms like "collaborating" with parents and caregivers, which suggests a partnership and shared responsibility rather than a complete hands-off approach where external organizations solely provide funding with no involvement in design or implementation. It advocates for putting local expertise at the center, not for complete autonomy and exclusion of external input.
- The concept of a "thriving brain" is entirely subjective and should be defined solely by the cultural values and aspirations of the local community: The passage states "there is no single, universal path to a thriving brain," which highlights cultural diversity in development. However, saying it's entirely subjective or should be defined solely by local values is a stronger and more extreme claim than what the passage implies. The emphasis is on respecting local contexts and avoiding a universal imposition, not on absolute subjectivity that excludes any broader developmental considerations.
- International aid for early childhood development should be redirected towards direct cash transfers to families, eliminating the need for structured interventions: The passage calls for a "fundamental shift in the approach to ECD interventions" and for "building solutions" with local communities. This suggests a reform and reimagining of how interventions are done, focusing on collaboration and local empowerment, rather than a complete elimination of structured interventions in favor of only cash transfers. The focus is on how interventions are designed and implemented, not on their abolition.
- In summary, option 1 most accurately reflects the passage's call for a paradigm shift in ECD interventions, moving away from a top-down, deficit-based model to one that respects and builds upon the inherent strengths and cultural practices of local communities.
Literature Question 2:
Comprehension:
Early childhood development (ECD) interventions, aimed at improving the cognitive and social growth of young children, have become a significant focus in the Global South. These programs, often backed by substantial international funding, operate on the premise that specific parenting practices can profoundly influence a child's brain architecture, laying the groundwork for future success. The underlying belief is that "nurturing" childcare is crucial for optimal brain development, and that without external guidance, children in low-income settings may not reach their full potential. However, a critical examination reveals that many of these interventions carry problematic assumptions, echoing historical narratives that have long shaped the relationship between the Global North and South.
Historically, during the colonial era, there was a pervasive belief that people in colonized regions were inherently less capable or "cognitively deficient," requiring intervention from external powers. This paternalistic view justified various forms of control and 'civilizing missions.' The article suggests a striking parallel with today's ECD interventions. While the language has changed, replacing overt racial terms with concepts like "poverty" or "brain development," the underlying narrative of deficiency persists. This modern "obsession with the brains of children," particularly those living in poverty, is often fueled by advancements in neuroscience and brain-scanning technology, which provide seemingly objective data to support the need for intervention.
The author raises serious questions about the fundamental assumptions underpinning these multibillion-dollar ECD interventions. A key concern is the implicit message conveyed: that there is something inherently wrong with how parents in the Global South are raising their children. This perspective tends to individualize systemic issues, framing poverty and its associated challenges not as complex socio-economic problems, but as a direct result of individual parental deficits or inadequate caregiving practices. Such an approach risks overlooking the broader structural inequalities and resource limitations that genuinely impact families, placing the burden of responsibility solely on the shoulders of caregivers.
Furthermore, the scientific evidence often cited to justify these interventions is brought into question. Studies claiming that a high percentage of toddlers in low- to middle-income countries do not receive "adequate care" are highlighted as particularly problematic. The article argues that these claims bear a resemblance to colonial narratives, where perceived deficits were attributed to inherent characteristics of the population. Today, the attribution shifts to poverty, but the outcome remains the same: a justification for external, often intrusive, interventions. The author emphasizes the need for greater scrutiny of the scientific rigor behind these claims, especially given the deeply personal and culturally sensitive nature of parenting practices.
Ultimately, the article advocates for a fundamental shift in the approach to ECD interventions. Instead of imposing external models based on deficit narratives, it calls for placing the expertise and needs of local caretakers at the center of program design. This means recognizing that there is no single, universal path to a thriving brain or optimal child development. A more respectful and effective approach would involve empowering local communities, understanding their unique cultural contexts, and collaborating with parents and caregivers to build solutions that genuinely support their children's well-being, rather than attempting to "fix" perceived deficiencies.
In questioning the scientific evidence cited to justify ECD interventions, the author draws a parallel between these claims and "colonial narratives" (Paragraph 4). This parallel primarily serves to:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 2 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is: Highlight how perceived 'deficits' in populations are historically used to legitimize external, often intrusive, interventions, irrespective of the specific attributed cause.
Key Points
- Explanation: The fourth paragraph explicitly draws this parallel: "The article argues that these claims bear a resemblance to colonial narratives, where perceived deficits were attributed to inherent characteristics of the population. Today, the attribution shifts to poverty, but the outcome remains the same: a justification for external, often intrusive, interventions." This clearly indicates that the parallel serves to show a consistent historical pattern: the identification of a 'deficit' (whether racial or poverty-related) has been used to justify outside intervention, regardless of the specific reason given for the deficit.
- Why the other options are incorrect:
- Argue that contemporary scientific research is often biased by the historical prejudices of researchers from the Global North: While the passage implies a problematic continuity in narratives, the primary purpose of this specific parallel is not to argue bias in research methodology itself, but rather how the narrative of deficiency (regardless of its scientific rigor) leads to a justification for intervention. The focus is on the outcome of the narrative, not the source of bias.
- Suggest that the methodologies used in current ECD research are as unscientific and flawed as those employed during the colonial era: The passage questions the "rigor of the scientific evidence" for current claims, but it does not explicitly state that the methodologies are as unscientific and flawed as those of the colonial era. The parallel is drawn on the narrative of justification for intervention based on perceived deficits, not a direct comparison of scientific methods.
- Emphasize that the concept of "adequate care" is a culturally relative construct that cannot be universally applied or measured scientifically: While the passage does mention the "deeply personal and culturally sensitive nature of parenting practices" and later advocates for acknowledging "no single, universal path to a thriving brain," the parallel to colonial narratives in Paragraph 4 is specifically about the justification for intervention based on perceived deficits, not primarily about the cultural relativity or scientific measurability of "adequate care." That is a related but distinct point within the broader critique.
- In summary, option 2 most accurately reflects the passage's central critique regarding the historical use of perceived 'deficits' to legitimize external interventions, which is the primary function of drawing the parallel to colonial narratives.
Literature Question 3:
Comprehension:
Early childhood development (ECD) interventions, aimed at improving the cognitive and social growth of young children, have become a significant focus in the Global South. These programs, often backed by substantial international funding, operate on the premise that specific parenting practices can profoundly influence a child's brain architecture, laying the groundwork for future success. The underlying belief is that "nurturing" childcare is crucial for optimal brain development, and that without external guidance, children in low-income settings may not reach their full potential. However, a critical examination reveals that many of these interventions carry problematic assumptions, echoing historical narratives that have long shaped the relationship between the Global North and South.
Historically, during the colonial era, there was a pervasive belief that people in colonized regions were inherently less capable or "cognitively deficient," requiring intervention from external powers. This paternalistic view justified various forms of control and 'civilizing missions.' The article suggests a striking parallel with today's ECD interventions. While the language has changed, replacing overt racial terms with concepts like "poverty" or "brain development," the underlying narrative of deficiency persists. This modern "obsession with the brains of children," particularly those living in poverty, is often fueled by advancements in neuroscience and brain-scanning technology, which provide seemingly objective data to support the need for intervention.
The author raises serious questions about the fundamental assumptions underpinning these multibillion-dollar ECD interventions. A key concern is the implicit message conveyed: that there is something inherently wrong with how parents in the Global South are raising their children. This perspective tends to individualize systemic issues, framing poverty and its associated challenges not as complex socio-economic problems, but as a direct result of individual parental deficits or inadequate caregiving practices. Such an approach risks overlooking the broader structural inequalities and resource limitations that genuinely impact families, placing the burden of responsibility solely on the shoulders of caregivers.
Furthermore, the scientific evidence often cited to justify these interventions is brought into question. Studies claiming that a high percentage of toddlers in low- to middle-income countries do not receive "adequate care" are highlighted as particularly problematic. The article argues that these claims bear a resemblance to colonial narratives, where perceived deficits were attributed to inherent characteristics of the population. Today, the attribution shifts to poverty, but the outcome remains the same: a justification for external, often intrusive, interventions. The author emphasizes the need for greater scrutiny of the scientific rigor behind these claims, especially given the deeply personal and culturally sensitive nature of parenting practices.
Ultimately, the article advocates for a fundamental shift in the approach to ECD interventions. Instead of imposing external models based on deficit narratives, it calls for placing the expertise and needs of local caretakers at the center of program design. This means recognizing that there is no single, universal path to a thriving brain or optimal child development. A more respectful and effective approach would involve empowering local communities, understanding their unique cultural contexts, and collaborating with parents and caregivers to build solutions that genuinely support their children's well-being, rather than attempting to "fix" perceived deficiencies.
The passage suggests that the "modern 'obsession with the brains of children,' particularly those living in poverty" (Paragraph 2) is problematic primarily because it:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 3 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is: Provides a seemingly objective, scientific justification for interventions that implicitly attribute systemic socio-economic challenges to individual parental shortcomings.
Key Points
- Explanation: The passage explicitly states in Paragraph 2 that the "modern 'obsession with the brains of children,' particularly those living in poverty, is often fueled by advancements in neuroscience and brain-scanning technology, which provide seemingly objective data to support the need for intervention." Paragraph 3 then elaborates on the core problem with these interventions, stating that they "imply there is something fundamentally wrong with how parents in the Global South are raising their children. This perspective tends to individualize systemic issues, framing poverty and its associated challenges not as complex socio-economic problems, but as a direct result of individual parental deficits or inadequate caregiving practices." Thus, the problematic nature of this obsession lies in its use to scientifically legitimize interventions that shift blame for systemic issues onto individual parents.
- Why the other options are incorrect:
- Diverts crucial financial resources away from more pressing public health and sanitation initiatives in the Global South: While the passage notes that ECD interventions are a "multibillion-dollar industry," it does not primarily critique the "obsession with brains" for diverting funds from other sectors. The central concern is about the narrative and assumptions perpetuated by these interventions, rather than their financial opportunity cost.
- Fails to acknowledge the significant biological variations in brain development across different human populations: The passage does not discuss biological variations in brain development across populations. Its critique focuses on the misinterpretation or problematic application of neuroscience to justify interventions based on perceived deficits in parenting practices, not on biological differences.
- Leads to an overemphasis on cognitive metrics, thereby neglecting other equally important aspects of a child's holistic development: While ECD interventions might indeed prioritize cognitive development, the passage's primary criticism of the "obsession with brains" is not about neglecting other developmental aspects (e.g., social or emotional). Instead, the core issue raised is the implicit blame placed on parents for systemic problems, framed through a scientific lens.
- In summary, option 4 most accurately reflects the passage's central critique regarding the "obsession with brains," highlighting how it provides a scientific veneer for interventions that misattribute systemic issues to individual parental shortcomings.
Literature Question 4:
Comprehension:
Early childhood development (ECD) interventions, aimed at improving the cognitive and social growth of young children, have become a significant focus in the Global South. These programs, often backed by substantial international funding, operate on the premise that specific parenting practices can profoundly influence a child's brain architecture, laying the groundwork for future success. The underlying belief is that "nurturing" childcare is crucial for optimal brain development, and that without external guidance, children in low-income settings may not reach their full potential. However, a critical examination reveals that many of these interventions carry problematic assumptions, echoing historical narratives that have long shaped the relationship between the Global North and South.
Historically, during the colonial era, there was a pervasive belief that people in colonized regions were inherently less capable or "cognitively deficient," requiring intervention from external powers. This paternalistic view justified various forms of control and 'civilizing missions.' The article suggests a striking parallel with today's ECD interventions. While the language has changed, replacing overt racial terms with concepts like "poverty" or "brain development," the underlying narrative of deficiency persists. This modern "obsession with the brains of children," particularly those living in poverty, is often fueled by advancements in neuroscience and brain-scanning technology, which provide seemingly objective data to support the need for intervention.
The author raises serious questions about the fundamental assumptions underpinning these multibillion-dollar ECD interventions. A key concern is the implicit message conveyed: that there is something inherently wrong with how parents in the Global South are raising their children. This perspective tends to individualize systemic issues, framing poverty and its associated challenges not as complex socio-economic problems, but as a direct result of individual parental deficits or inadequate caregiving practices. Such an approach risks overlooking the broader structural inequalities and resource limitations that genuinely impact families, placing the burden of responsibility solely on the shoulders of caregivers.
Furthermore, the scientific evidence often cited to justify these interventions is brought into question. Studies claiming that a high percentage of toddlers in low- to middle-income countries do not receive "adequate care" are highlighted as particularly problematic. The article argues that these claims bear a resemblance to colonial narratives, where perceived deficits were attributed to inherent characteristics of the population. Today, the attribution shifts to poverty, but the outcome remains the same: a justification for external, often intrusive, interventions. The author emphasizes the need for greater scrutiny of the scientific rigor behind these claims, especially given the deeply personal and culturally sensitive nature of parenting practices.
Ultimately, the article advocates for a fundamental shift in the approach to ECD interventions. Instead of imposing external models based on deficit narratives, it calls for placing the expertise and needs of local caretakers at the center of program design. This means recognizing that there is no single, universal path to a thriving brain or optimal child development. A more respectful and effective approach would involve empowering local communities, understanding their unique cultural contexts, and collaborating with parents and caregivers to build solutions that genuinely support their children's well-being, rather than attempting to "fix" perceived deficiencies.
Which of the following best captures the central argument of the passage?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 4 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is: Modern ECD interventions in the Global South, despite their stated goals, implicitly perpetuate a colonial-era narrative of deficiency by individualizing systemic problems and imposing external solutions.
Key Points
- Explanation: The passage's central argument is developed throughout. It begins by introducing ECD interventions and their premise, then immediately draws a parallel to "historical views, such as those from the colonial era," which considered people from the Global South as "cognitively deficient." The author explicitly states that this "obsession with the brains of children... continues today," fueled by neuroscience. The core critique is that these interventions "imply there is something fundamentally wrong with how parents in the Global South raise their children and that issues like poverty are due to individual deficits." The passage also highlights the "intrusive nature of these interventions" and advocates for a shift away from imposing external models. This comprehensive critique, linking current practices to colonial narratives and their problematic assumptions, forms the central argument.
- Why the other options are incorrect:
- Early childhood development interventions in the Global South are inherently flawed due to their reliance on outdated scientific methodologies and insufficient funding: While the passage questions the "rigor of the scientific evidence" and the "underlying assumptions," it doesn't primarily attribute flaws to "outdated scientific methodologies" or "insufficient funding." Its main critique is conceptual and historical, focusing on the narrative of deficiency and imposition.
- The primary issue with current ECD interventions is their failure to adequately utilize advancements in neuroscience and brain-scanning technology for effective program design: The passage mentions that the "obsession with the brains of children... is often fueled by neuroscience and brain-scanning technology," but it frames this as part of the problem (providing "seemingly objective data to support the need for intervention" based on problematic assumptions), not as a solution or a failure to utilize technology effectively. The author is critical of the misapplication or interpretation of such advancements, not their underutilization.
- International organizations should cease all ECD interventions in low-income countries until a universal, culturally neutral model for optimal child development can be established: The passage advocates for a "shift towards placing local caretakers' expertise and needs at the center" and acknowledges "that there is no single path to a thriving brain." This implies a reform of interventions, not a complete cessation until a "universal, culturally neutral model" (which the passage suggests might not exist or be desirable) is established. The call is for a more respectful and locally-driven approach, not a halt.
- In summary, option 3 best captures the multifaceted critique presented in the passage, which argues that despite good intentions, current ECD interventions inadvertently perpetuate harmful historical narratives by individualizing systemic issues and imposing external solutions, rather than empowering local expertise.
Literature Question 5:
Comprehension:
The history of studying evolution is full of lively arguments, and one of the longest-running and clearest examples of different ways of thinking is the debate about "beanbag genetics." This name, often used negatively, refers to a way of studying populations in genetics that uses simple math models to show how often different genes appear in a group of organisms. At its peak, this method faced strong criticism, especially from the famous evolutionary biologist Ernst Mayr. He called it a too-simple approach that failed to capture the deep complexities of how living things develop and function together. Mayr's argument was that these abstract math frameworks, by breaking down life into separate, independently changeable parts (like beans in a bag), always missed the complete, complicated way genes interact within a whole set of genes and how an organism looks and functions. This, he believed, led to a poor understanding of how evolution happens.
Mayr's criticism came from his worry that the 'beanbag' method, because of how it worked, separated the study of evolution from the real biological details of how organisms develop. It didn't account for pleiotropy (where one gene affects many traits) and epistasis (where one gene's effect is changed by another gene). He argued that real organisms are not just collections of genetic parts that change on their own. Instead, they are connected systems where genes work together in complex ways that aren't simply added up to create an organism's traits. This complicated genetic setup, he insisted, couldn't be properly shown by models that mainly focused on tracking how individual gene versions (alleles) changed in number by themselves. For Mayr, a full theory of evolution needed to look more closely at the organism as a whole, rather than just treating it as a statistical breakdown of inherited parts.
However, the article we are looking at carefully brings back and supports a more balanced view of 'beanbag genetics,' largely thanks to the sharp ideas of J.B.S. Haldane, one of its main creators. Haldane's answer to these criticisms was not to deny the biological complexity that Mayr pointed out. Instead, he wanted to make clear the exact goals of the 'beanbag' method. He suggested that the main reason for these math models was not to fully describe all the fine details of how living things develop or how genes are controlled. Rather, their purpose was to simplify and explain the basic processes that cause evolutionary change over generations. These fundamental mechanisms include, but are not limited to, natural selection (where individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce), genetic drift (random changes in how often genes appear, especially noticeable in smaller groups), mutation (the original source of new genetic differences), and gene flow (the movement of genes between different groups).
The usefulness and strong explanatory power of 'beanbag genetics' come from its ability to make these core evolutionary forces manageable for number-based analysis. By building models that include factors like how strongly selection acts, rates of mutation, population sizes, and rates of migration, geneticists could come up with ideas that could be tested and make predictions about how populations would evolve under specific conditions. The article gives Haldane's important work on the peppered moth (Biston betularia) as a perfect example of how effective this method is. His math models accurately predicted the quick increase in the number of dark-colored moths in industrial areas because pollution led to natural selection against the lighter moths. They also predicted the later decrease in dark moths after the environment was cleaned up. This example clearly showed how abstract mathematical thinking could accurately capture and predict real-world evolutionary events, thereby proving the value of the 'beanbag genetics' approach, even though it simplifies things, it still provides deep insights.
In current discussions about evolution, there's been a noticeable return to calls for a more "inclusive" view of evolution. This view suggests bringing in ideas like niche construction and epigenetics. Niche construction proposes that organisms actively change their environments, which then affects the pressures of natural selection on them. Epigenetics, on the other hand, involves changes in how genes are expressed that can be passed down, but without changing the actual DNA sequence. While acknowledging how important these phenomena are as key sources of variation and influences on evolutionary outcomes, the article carefully argues that they don't, in their essence, create new evolutionary processes that replace the main mechanisms explained by 'beanbag genetics.' Instead, these newer fields mainly add to our understanding of the factors and situations in which the fundamental forces of natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow operate.
In conclusion, the article strongly confirms how relevant and vital the contributions of 'beanbag genetics' are to our current understanding of evolution. Far from being an outdated concept, its strict mathematical framework continues to provide the foundation for analyzing the basic drivers of genetic change in populations. While recognizing the constantly expanding areas of molecular and cellular biology, the piece supports combining these new discoveries smoothly into the existing theories instead of completely abandoning its core principles. The 'beanbag' approach, with its focus on measurable genetic changes, remains an essential way to understand the complex variety of life as it evolves, reminding us that even simplified models can reveal profound truths about complicated natural systems.
Based on the passage's concluding remarks, what is the most accurate characterization of the contemporary view on the role and value of 'beanbag genetics'?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 5 Detailed Solution
The correct answer is: It provides a vital evolutionary foundation, enhanced by, not discarded for, new discoveries.
Key Points
- Explanation: The concluding paragraph strongly affirms the contemporary view of 'beanbag genetics'. It states, "the article strongly confirms how relevant and vital the contributions of 'beanbag genetics' are to our current understanding of evolution. Far from being an outdated concept, its strict mathematical framework continues to provide the foundation for analyzing the basic drivers of genetic change in populations. While recognizing the constantly expanding areas of molecular and cellular biology, the piece supports combining these new discoveries smoothly into the existing theories instead of completely abandoning its core principles." This directly supports option 4, highlighting its foundational role and the integration of new knowledge.
- Why the other options are incorrect:
- It is now seen as largely antiquated, serving historical interest more than practical use: This contradicts the passage's explicit statement, "Far from being an outdated concept," and its emphasis on current relevance and utility.
- Disagreements on its reductionism still divide the field, hindering a unified theory: While the passage acknowledges historical "lively arguments" and Mayr's critique of "reductionism," the conclusion emphasizes its "vital" contribution and the support for "combining these new discoveries smoothly," suggesting a move towards integration rather than persistent, hindering division. The concluding tone is one of continued strength and synthesis.
- Its usefulness is mainly confined to simple gene traits, lacking wider applicability: The passage describes its role in understanding "the complex variety of life as it evolves" and provides the peppered moth example as proof of its effectiveness in real-world scenarios, which implies broad applicability beyond simple traits.
- In summary, option 4 accurately encapsulates the passage's final assessment, portraying 'beanbag genetics' as a living, foundational theory that is strengthened and expanded upon by modern biological insights.
Top Literature MCQ Objective Questions
Directions: Select the antonym of the underlined word given in the sentence.
Lakshmibai is the most famous Indian woman to have defied the British
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 6 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is 'Accepted'
Key Points
- Let's see the meanings of the given words-
- Defied- to refuse to obey a person, decision, law, situation, etc
- Example- It is rare to see children openly defying their teachers.
- Opposed- completely different
- Example- His view of the situation is diametrically (= very strongly) opposed to mine.
- Accepted- to agree to take something
- Example- Do you accept credit cards?
- Considered- to spend time thinking about a possibility or making a decision
- Example- Don't make any decisions before you've considered the situation.
- Joined- to connect or fasten things together
- Example- A long suspension bridge joins the two islands.
- Defied- to refuse to obey a person, decision, law, situation, etc
Hence, according to the given meanings, the correct antonym is 'Accepted' i.e. Option 2.
Which of the following is a short story collection by Oscar Wilde?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 7 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is 'The Happy Prince'.
Key Points
- Oscar Wilde was an Irish writer known as the proponent of the Aesthetic movement.
- The short stories collection 'The Happy Prince' was published in May 1888.
- The collection consists of five stories in total - "The Happy Prince", "The Nightingale and the Rose", "The Selfish Giant", "The Devoted Friend", and "The Remarkable Rocket".
Therefore, Option 1 is the correct answer.
Match the column
|
1. Imagery |
(a) exaggeration of a sentence |
|
2. Euphemism |
(b) a word or a phrase creates an image of an object |
|
3. Hyperbole |
(c) praise of a person or his qualities |
|
4. Eulogy |
(d)word or a phrase with less intense or less offence in meaning |
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 8 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFFigure of speech: It is a word or a phrase that has some other meaning apart from its literal definitions. Below mentioned are some figure of speech:
- Imagery: When a word or a phrase creates an image of an object, it is called imagery. For example, rotten eggs refer to smell.
- Euphemism: It is the replacement of a word or a phrase with less intense or less offence in meaning. For example, ‘He died’ can also be written as ‘He passed away.
- Hyperbole: Also known as overstatement, it refers to exaggeration of a sentence. For example, ‘He wants pin-drop silence in his class’ (complete silence)
- Eulogy: It is high praise of a person or his qualities, a tribute for someone.
"The reddest flower would look as pale as snow for, all day, we drag our burden tiring".
Mention the figure of speech employed in the above lines.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 9 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is 'Simile'.
Key Points
- The figure of speech employed in the above lines is 'Simile'.
- Simile: (the use of) an expression comparing one thing with another, always including the words "as" or "like".
- In the given sentence the flower is being compared with snow.
- Therefore, as per the points mentioned above, we find that the correct answer is Option 2.
Correct Answer: Simile.
Additional Information
- Let's look at the meaning of other words given in the Options:
- Metaphor: an expression, often found in literature, that describes a person or object by referring to something that is considered to have similar characteristics to that person or object.
- Oxymoron: a phrase that combines two words that seem to be the opposite of each other, such as a deafening silence
- Personification: the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form
Which of the following works is not written by William Wordsworth?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 10 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is Beyond.
Key Points
- 'Beyond' is a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
- The poem shows how short life really is and how the reader should cherish every moment of it.
- The poetess writes about how she does not fear death any more, and finds heaven right around herself among her friends and loved ones.
Important Points
- Ella is an American author and poet, whose autobiography The Worlds and I was published a year before her death.
- She is famous as the creator of the saying, "Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone."
Additional Information
- The Thorn was written by Wordsworth in 1789, long before he was known as the progenitor of the Romantic movement through his poems in Lyrical Ballads. It is a melodramatic poem about a woman named Martha Ray, who has lost her baby and is thus quite sad.
- The Idiot Boy was one of the most prominent inclusions in Lyrical Ballads. It is 463 lines long, and was written in five line stanzas.
- The full name of the poem is Simon Lee: The Old Huntsman, where Wordsworth expounds upon the vagaries of age, by describing the past and the the present of Simon Lee, a hunter.
Hint
- The Idiot Boy and Simon Lee are quite well-known. You can eliminate those choices first.
Choose the correct figure of speech in the following sentence:
'The wind lies asleep in the arms of dawn.'
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 11 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is 'Personification'.
Key Points
- A figure of speech is a word or phrase that possesses a separate meaning from its literal definition.
- 'Personification' has been used in line 'The wind lies asleep in the arms of dawn'.
- 'Personification' gives human qualities to non living things or ideas. 'Personification' is used to endow human qualities into inanimate objects.
- For example:
- The thunder grumbled.
- According to the above explanation 'Personification' is a figure of speech that has been used in lines 'The wind lies asleep in the arms of dawn'.
- The quality 'asleep' has been used for wind.
- Thus, option 3 will be the correct answer.
Additional Information Let's look at the meanings and examples of other given options:
- Metaphor: it makes a comparison between two unlike things or ideas.
- For example:
- Heart of stone.
- Hyperbole: it uses exaggeration for emphasis or effect.
- For example:
- I could do this forever.
- Oxymoron: an oxymoron is two contradictory terms used together.
- For example:
- Peace force.
Choose the correct tense.
By the next month, we shall _____ the project.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 12 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is option 4, "have completed".
Key Points
- The tense used in this sentence is the future perfect tense. Future perfect tense depicts a situation where the task shall have been completed at a particular point in time in the future.
- The complete sentence is: by the next month we shall have completed the project.
- The Future Perfect Tense is used a) to indicate that an action will have been completed at some point in the future.
- The structure of the sentence is: will/shall + have/has + past participle of the verb.
So the correct option is "have completed".
Select the appropriate figure of speech.
The camel is the ship of the desert.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 13 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is option 4), i.e. Metaphor.
Key Points
- A metaphor is a figure of speech which is used to describe a person or an object by directly mentioning another thing or object.
- In the given sentence 'the camel' is described as 'the ship of desert' as it is believed that the camel and the ship have some similar characteristics. So, it is a metaphor.
Important Points
- Pun: A humorous use of words to suggest several meanings of the word or other words which sound alike but have different meanings.
- Personification: When an animal or an inanimate object is given human nature it is called personification.
- Apostrophe: An apostrophe is a figure of speech in which someone is addressed something which is not present.
Directions : Complete each of the sentences given below with the help of the options that follow :
He was _______ by his boss for frequent late coming.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 14 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is pulled in.
Key Points
- The correct answer is pulled in, which completes "He was pulled in by his boss for frequent late coming".
- Pulled in: it means to check, restrain etc.
Thus pulled in is the correct answer.
Additional Information
- The phrasal verb pull down means to make somebody less happy, but its real meaning goes as to destroy or take down.
- Pulled up means to check oneself or to stop etc. In different circumstances its used accordingly.
- Pulled on means to hold onto and move (something) toward oneself.
When was Paradise Lost published?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Literature Question 15 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is '1667'.
Key Points
- Paradise Lost is an epic poem in blank verse.
- It is one of the major works of English poet John Milton.
- It was originally issued in 10 books in 1667.
- Later books 7 and 10 were each split into two parts.
- The second edition comprising of 12 books was published in 1674.
Thus, Option 2 is the correct answer.