PASSAGE 22

Nehru’s was a many sided personality. He enjoyed reading and writing books as much as he enjoyed fighting political and social evils or residing tyranny. In him, the scientist and the humanist were held in perfect balance. While he kept looking at special problems from a scientific standpoint, he never forgot that we should nourish the total man. As a scientist, he refused to believe in a benevolent power interested in men’s affairs. But, as a self proclaimed non-believer, he loved affirming his faith in life and the beauty of nature. He adored children. Unlike Wordsworth, he did not see them trailing clouds of glory from the recent sojourn in heaven. He saw them as blossoms of promise and renewal, the only hope for mankind.

1. Nehru thought that children
A) were tailing clouds of glory
B) held promise for a better future
C) were like flowers to be loved and admired
D) held no hope for mankind

2. Nehru enjoyed
A) reading and writing books
B) fighting political and social evils
C) resisting tyranny
D) doing all the above and much more

3. Which of the statements reflects Nehru point of view?
A) Humanism is more important than science.
B) Science is supreme and humanism is subordinate to it.
C) Science and Humanism are equally important.
D) There is no ground between science and humanism.

4. In this passage, ‘a benevolent power interested in men’s affairs’ means
A) a supernatural power of god
B) beauty of nature
C) the spirit of science
D) the total man

5. A ‘many-side personality’ means
A) a complex personality
B) a secretive person
C) a person having varied interests
D) a capable person

Answer Key

Solution with explanation

1. Option ‘B’. BLOSSOM = When a tree or plant blossoms, it produces flowers before producing fruit that can be eaten; e.g.

The cherry tree is beginning to blossom. Here BLOSSOMS is said for children; means children that can be able to shape their future better.

2. Option ‘D’. TYRANNY = a situation in which someone or something control show you are able to live, in an unfair way; e.g.

Women, the play seems to suggest, must resist the tyranny of domesticity.

3. Option ‘C’. The third sentence of the passage is telling us that in Nehru’s view Science and Humanism are equally important.

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