PART -A
READING
40 Mark
1. Read the passage given below.
20 Mart
(1) Today , Rabindranath Tagore, complete eighty years of my life. As I look back on the
vast stretch of years that lie behind me and see in clear perspective the history of my
early development, I am struck by the change that has taken place both in my own
attitude and in the psychology of my countrymen - a change that carries within ito
cause of profound tragedy.
(2) Our direct contact with the larger world of men was linked up with the contemporary
history of the English people whom we came to know in those earlier days. It was
mainly through their mighty literature that we formed our ideas with regard to these
newcomers to our Indian shores. In those days, the type of learning that was served out
to us was neither plentiful nor diverse, nor was the spirit of scientific enquiry very much
in evidence. Thus, their scope being strictly limited, the educated of those days had
recourse to English language and literature. Their days and nights were eloquent with
the stately declamations of Burke, with Macaulay's long-rolling sentences; discussions
centered upon Shakespeare's drama and Byron's poetry, and above all upon the large-
hearted liberalism of nineteenth-century English politics.
(3) At the time, though tentative attempts were being made to gain our national
independence, at heart we had not lost faith in the generosity of the English race. This
belief was so firmly rooted in the sentiments of our leaders as to lead them to hope
that the victor would of his own grace pave the path of freedom for the vanquished.
This belief was based upon the fact that England at the time provided a shelter to all
those who had to flee from persecution in their own country. Political martyrs who
had suffered for the honour of their people were accorded unreserved welcome at the
hands of the English.
(4) I was impressed by this evidence of liberal humanity in the character of the English and
thus, I was led to set them on the pedestal of my highest respect. This generosity in
their national character had not yet been vitiated by imperialist pride. About this time,
as a boy in England, I had the opportunity of listening to the speeches of John Bright,
both in and outside parliament. The large-hearted, radical liberalism of those speeches.
overflowing all narrow national bounds, had made so deep an impression on my mind
that something of it lingers even today, even in these days of graceless disillusionmer
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the
1 x 10
twelve that follow:
(A) What helped Indians to shape their ideas of the Englishmen?
(a) their advanced weaponry
(b) their literature
(c) their orders
(d) their administration
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