It could not have been ten seconds, and yet it seemed a long time that

Question

It could not have been ten seconds, and yet it seemed a long time that their hands were clasped together. He had time to learn every detail of her hand. He explored the long fingers, the shapely nails, the work-hardened palm with its row of callouses, the smooth flesh under the wrist. Merely from feeling it he would have known it by sight. In the same instant it occurred to him that he did not know what colour the girl's eyes were. They were probably brown, but people with dark hair sometimes had blue eyes. To turn his head and look at her would have been inconceivable folly. With hands locked together, invisible among the press of bodies, they stared steadily in front of them, and instead of the eyes of the girl, the eyes of the aged prisoner gazed mournfully at Winston out of nests of hair.   1 
 1.  What is the primary thematic focus of the passage?

A. The psychological conflict Winston faces in his struggle for intimacy amidst overwhelming surveillance and control
B. The fleeting nature of human connection and the limitations of physical touch as a form of communication
C. Winston’s emotional detachment from the girl, emphasized through his sensory exploration of her hand and avoidance of eye contact
D. The tension between Winston’s longing for connection and his fear of vulnerability, symbolized by his hesitation to look at the girl’s eyes
E. The contrast between physical closeness and emotional isolation, with Winston's internal focus on the girl’s hand instead of her eyes

2  
 2.  Which of the following can be  most reasonably inferred  from the passage?

A. Winston views physical touch as an opportunity to escape from his overwhelming emotional and environmental constraints.
B. Winston feels a deep emotional connection to the girl, though he struggles to acknowledge or express it.
C. The physical sensation of the girl’s hand evokes a sense of guilt and hesitation in Winston, as he associates it with forbidden intimacy.
D. Winston’s awareness of his surroundings and the people around him is momentarily suspended due to his focus on the girl’s hand.
E. Winston finds solace in the physical touch with the girl, yet this moment only highlights his emotional isolation.

3  
 3.  Which of the following would the author  most likely disagree  with, based on the passage?

A. Winston’s hesitation to look at the girl signifies his discomfort with intimacy, both physical and emotional.
B. The moment of clasping hands is a brief but profound gesture of emotional closeness that challenges Winston’s otherwise controlled demeanor.
C. The girl’s eyes represent a deeper level of connection that Winston is unable or unwilling to access.
D. Winston’s sensory exploration of the girl’s hand is a symbol of his subconscious desire to establish a deeper, more meaningful connection.
E. Winston’s reluctance to look at the girl reflects his acknowledgment of the dangers inherent in emotional vulnerability in a repressive society.

4  
 4.  What is the  most likely meaning  of the word  "folly"  in the sentence:  “To turn his head and look at her would have been inconceivable folly.” ?

A. A form of disobedience that could lead to significant consequences
B. A foolish or reckless action that goes against his internal restraint
C. An irrational impulse driven by his emotional need for intimacy
D. A sign of weakness that could compromise his sense of control
E. A deliberate attempt to defy societal norms and act impulsively

5  
 5.  The passage most likely comes from a work that is:

A. A dystopian novel that explores themes of emotional repression and the consequences of surveillance
B. A psychological novel examining the effects of prolonged isolation and the complexity of human desire
C. A political thriller exploring forbidden relationships in a totalitarian regime
D. A literary exploration of personal intimacy set against a backdrop of war and oppression
E. A science fiction narrative focusing on the psychological and emotional repercussions of a controlled society

Riagupta281 · Answer

How did we get these answers?

Ilanchezhiyan · Answer

Would like to know the answer/explanation for qn.5

Cryptic0coven · Answer

Q1. (Main Idea)
Correct Answer: D – Winston's hesitation to look at the girl reflects his internal conflict between his longing for connection and his fear of emotional vulnerability.

Why the other options are wrong:
A. While Winston's psychological conflict is mentioned, the primary focus is on the moment of connection (hand clasp) rather than his struggle for intimacy.

B. While Winston explores the girl's hand, the passage is more about his emotional hesitation and fear of vulnerability rather than just the tactile experience of her hand.

C. The focus on the connection is more about the reluctance to look at her, not just the moment itself.

E. While emotional isolation is explored, the passage emphasizes Winston’s conflict about vulnerability over just his isolation or being surrounded by people.

Q2. (Inference)
Correct Answer: B – The passage infers that Winston has an emotional connection to the girl, but his internal conflict prevents him from fully acknowledging it.

Why the other options are wrong:
A. Though Winston feels emotional conflict, the focus is more on his hesitation to act on the connection, rather than an escape from emotional or environmental constraints.

C. There's no indication of guilt; rather, Winston seems reluctant to fully engage emotionally due to his internal conflict.

D. Winston is aware of his surroundings, but the passage highlights how his focus is on the girl’s hand, not a complete suspension of his awareness.

E. While Winston’s hesitation points to emotional isolation, it is about avoiding emotional connection rather than finding solace.

Q3. ("The author would most likely disagree with...")
Correct Answer: C – The girl’s eyes do not serve as a symbol of deeper connection in the passage. Winston's focus is on the physical touch and his reluctance to acknowledge a deeper emotional engagement.

Why the other options are wrong:
A. Winston's hesitation to look at the girl reflects his discomfort with intimacy—this is consistent with the passage.

B. The hand clasp is a significant gesture of emotional connection, despite Winston’s emotional reluctance.

D. The focus on sensory details of the hand symbolizes Winston’s unconscious desire to connect, though he avoids acknowledging it fully.

E. Winston’s reluctance to engage emotionally reflects his internal conflict about vulnerability, which matches the tone of the passage.

Q4. (Word Meaning in Context)
Correct Answer: B – In this context, "folly" refers to a foolish or reckless action, representing Winston’s fear of making an emotional move by looking at the girl.

Why the other options are wrong:
A. "Folly" is not about disobedience but about emotional foolishness and reluctance in a sensitive situation.

C. While emotional desire is implied, "folly" isn't tied to an irrational impulse but rather reckless action driven by hesitation.

D. It isn't about weakness; rather, folly refers to the dangerous recklessness of looking at the girl.

E. There is no deliberate defiance involved in Winston’s hesitation; it’s more about his internal emotional conflict.

Q5. (Most Likely Source)
Correct Answer: A – The passage's focus on emotional repression and internal conflict in the context of a surveillance state aligns with a dystopian novel, likely Orwell’s 1984.

Why the other options are wrong:
B. While psychological conflict is a theme, the dystopian setting and the focus on surveillance and repression fit better in a dystopian novel.

C. The passage focuses more on internal emotional conflict than on political thriller themes of forbidden relationships.

D. While war and oppression might be implied, the dystopian nature of the society and the control over personal relationships is more central.

E. Although controlled society is central, the specific emotional isolation and psychological focus are more aligned with dystopian literature rather than science fiction.

It could not have been ten seconds, and yet it seemed a long time that

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

It could not have been ten seconds, and yet it seemed a long time that

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards