Literature has a deep and direct link with life and lifes realities.

Question

Literature has a deep and direct link with life and life’s realities. It is a vague concept that literature has only an abstract significance and that literature is totally divorced from life. Equally vague is the concept that literature is a dweller of the dreamy realm of fancy and imagination. As a matter of fact, life and literature are not two separate or different things. Quality literature grows out of the realities of life, and life, without creative and constructive literature, has no inner significance. Literature, if it is to be lasting, must not live in an “Ivory Tower”; it should participate in the people’s movements, and play its creative, constructive, and reformative role.

Literature is one of the trails blazed by the human spirit voyaging alone through strange seas of thought. After the needs of daily life are satisfied, man follows the lead of curiosity and explores the mysteries of life and the universe. The passion for knowledge and the desire to understand life and to make himself at home in the universe has perennial spring in human nature.  By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus . Science is the record of some of the discoveries made in the course of external exploration; literature records the expression of the inner self of man and his message to the universe.   1 
 1. From the information in this passage, the author would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements?

A. A life rooted in science but divorced from literature lacks a passion for knowledge.
B. Creative and constructive literature is always regarded as reformative.
C. Literature distant from the reality of people's movements may not enjoy long-lasting significance.
D. A society with no literature has no solid foundation.
E. Literature signifies the highest level of man’s creativity.

2 
 2. The passage mentions which of the following as a factor that leads to the creation of literature?

A. Man's passion to make himself at home in the universe.
B. Man's desire to understand life and life's mysteries.
C. Man's eagerness to satisfy the needs of daily life.
D. Man's dreams of fancy and imagination.
E. Man's zeal to record discoveries observed in worldly exploration.

3 
 3. The highlighted text “By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus” is most probably used to

A. counter two vague concepts about literature
B. offer an example of the perennial spring in human nature
C. indicate that different directions of focus lead to different knowledge areas
D. show how science and literature are complementary in exhibiting a passion for knowledge
E. suggest that understanding life and understanding science require different approaches

4 
 4. Which of the following titles best describes the contents of the passage?

A. Literature: Portrayal of Reality via Pursuit of Curiosity
B. Literature and Reality: A Vague Connection
C. Literature: A Curious Mystery of Life
D. Importance of Creative, Constructive, and Reformative Literature
E. Literature beyond the Ivory Tower

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vasu1104 · Answer

passage 1: the link between literature and life and its realities. why they are interconnected with each other. 
 passage 2: how literature is born through human curiosity and mysteries of life and universe.
 
Que 1.
 A not at all. as passage says scientific exploration comes from quest of external exploration so there has to be some sort of passion for knowledge. 
 B author doesnt say that creative and constructive literature is always regarded as reformative. rather he says literature should participate in all these three. 
 C last line of passage 1 says that if literature has to long lasting then it shouldnt be in ivory tower and should participate with peoples movement and play its creative, constructive and reformative role. so this option can be inferred and author would agree with it. 
 D there is no such mention of it. 
 E not necessarily true or mentioned.

Que 2.
 C,D and E are easy elimination as it goes in opposite direction. the last passage begins with saying that literature is born out of human voyaging through strange seas of thoughts and once his daily life needs are satisfied, man follows the lead of curiosity and explores the mysteries of life and universe. 
 A is completely wrong and doestn fit into above mentioned thought. 
 B clearly defines the hidden motives. correct ans.
 
Que 3.
 A its not countering two vague concepts at all. 
 B its not offering any examples though. 
 C as it uses the word outward and inward focus, we can infer that different focus get us the different results and knowledge. correct ans. 
 D its not saying they are complementary but rather says that they both require passion of knowledge to unlock the discoveries in respective field. 
 E it doesnt say that either of field require different apporach.
 
Que 4.
 C,D, E are easy elimination. 
 B is close but thats not whole point of passage. 
 passage rather says how the link between two is formed and in second passage define that. 
 so A defines that properly.

Adit_ · Answer

I think you are right with the 3rd question but I also gave a serious thought to option D as the passage eventually talks about how two diff fields are used for one purpose: which is to let the world know of something and that is achieved by discoveries in scientific realm and the public gets to know of it through literature so they are going hand in hand and felt that it conveyed the purpose properly. What is your take on that?

vasu1104 · Answer

initially i was also hooked on to D as well. but then if we read that second passage, preceding to the colored sentece, it says that man has passion for knowledge and desire to understand life. and right after that bold statements it says that in the quest of external exploration, the sceintific discoveries happened. and in such a manner when man started to explore their sea of thought and to seek meaning of those, literature was born. so the passage never says that because of one thing lead to another. they are just saying that when man get curious about exteranl discoveries, scientific discoveries were born and when we become curios about internal thought, literature were born. so different focus us got us different knowledge areas.

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Mind-map  
  
 To establish that literature is based on life’s realities (Paragraph 1) 
 To suggest that literature is created when man's curiosity leads him to explore mysteries of life (Paragraph 2) 
  
 = = = = = = = = = = 
  
  1. From the information in this passage, the author would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements?   
  
 a. A life rooted in science but divorced from literature lacks a passion for knowledge. 
 b. Creative and constructive literature is always regarded as reformative. 
  c. Literature distant from the reality of people's movements may not enjoy long-lasting significance.  
 d. A society with no literature has no solid foundation. 
 e. Literature signifies the highest level of man’s creativity.

Question Type: Inference

Explanation:

Each answer choice needs to be carefully evaluated in light of the information presented in the passage.

A. Trap. The second paragraph mentions that “The passion for knowledge, and the desire to understand life and to make himself at home in the universe has perennial spring in human nature. By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus. Science is the record of some of the discoveries made in the course of external exploration; literature records the expression of the inner self of man and his message to the universe”; it can be inferred that a passion for knowledge is demonstrated via the pursuit of science as well as literature; so,   life focused on science, and not on literature, does demonstrate a passion for knowledge  ; hence, the author does not suggest that a life rooted in science but divorced from literature lacks a passion for knowledge. Incorrect.

B. Trap. The first paragraph mentions that “Literature, if it is to be lasting, must not live in an “Ivory Tower”; it should participate in the people’s movements, and play its creative, constructive, and reformative role”; although the author believes that only creative, constructive, and reformative literature can last long,   the author makes no suggestion that literature that is creative and constructive is always regarded as reformative  , as mentioned in the answer choice. Incorrect.

C.  Correct.  The first paragraph mentions that “  Literature, if it is to be lasting, must not live in an “Ivory Tower”; it should participate in the people’s movements  , and play its creative, constructive, and reformative role”; clearly, the author is likely to agree that literature distant from the reality of people's movements may not enjoy long-lasting significance, as mentioned in the answer choice.

D. The first paragraph mentions that “Literature, if it is to be lasting, must not live in an “Ivory Tower”; it should participate in the people’s movements, and play its creative, constructive, and reformative role”; apart from this mention of “people’s movements”,   the passage makes no other reference to any social element; there is no reference to the “solid foundation” of any society  ; so, the author’s views about literature and society’s foundation cannot be inferred from the passage. Incorrect.

E. The first paragraph mentions that “life, without creative and constructive literature, has no inner significance” and that “Literature, if it is to be lasting, must not live in an “Ivory Tower”; it should participate in the people’s movements, and play its creative, constructive, and reformative role”; although it can be inferred that the author believes that literature requires creativity,   the author makes no suggestion that     literature signifies the “highest level of man’s creativity”  . Incorrect.

C is the best choice.   
 
 = = = = = = = = = = 
 2. The passage mentions which of the following as a factor that leads to the creation of literature? 
  
 a. Man's passion to make himself at home in the universe. 
  b. Man's desire to understand life and life's mysteries.  
 c. Man's eagerness to satisfy the needs of daily life. 
 d. Man's dreams of fancy and imagination. 
 e. Man's zeal to record discoveries observed in worldly exploration.

Question Type: Fact

Explanation:

As the mind-map indicates, the second paragraph suggests that literature is created when man's curiosity leads him to explore mysteries of life. This discussion touches upon several aspects of the creation of literature. Each answer choice needs to be carefully evaluated in light of the information presented in the passage, especially the above-mentioned discussion.

A. The second paragraph mentions that “The passion for knowledge, and the desire to understand life and to make himself at home in the universe has perennial spring in human nature. By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus. Science is the record of some of the discoveries made in the course of external exploration; literature records the expression of the inner self of man and his message to the universe”; it can be inferred that a passion for knowledge is demonstrated via the pursuit of both science and literature – science relates to man’s desire to “make himself at home in the universe” and focuses on “external exploration”, whereas literature relates to man’s desire to “understand life” and focuses on “the inner self”; in other words,   m    an's passion to make himself at home in the universe relates to the creation of science but not to the creation of literature  . Incorrect.

B.  Correct.  The second paragraph mentions that “Literature is one of the trails blazed by the human spirit voyaging alone through strange seas of thought. After the needs of daily life are satisfied, man follows the lead of curiosity and explores the mysteries of life and universe”; the passage states that man's desire to understand life and life's mysteries leads to the creation of literature, as the answer choice mentions.

C. The second paragraph mentions that “Literature is one of the trails blazed by the human spirit voyaging alone through strange seas of thought. After the needs of daily life are satisfied, man follows the lead of curiosity and explores the mysteries of life and universe”; the passage refers to the “needs of daily life” to suggest that “literature takes place after the basic necessities are taken care of”;   it is incorrect to infer that “    man's eagerness to satisfy the needs of daily life” leads to the creation of literature  ; also, there is no reference to the “eagerness” of man to satisfy the needs of daily life. Incorrect.

D. The first paragraph mentions that “Literature has a deep and direct link with life and life’s realities” and that “Equally vague is the concept that literature is a dweller of the dreamy realm of fancy and imagination”; clearly, the passage does not mention man's dreams of fancy and imagination as a factor related to the creation of literature. Incorrect.

E. Trap. The second paragraph mentions that “The passion for knowledge, and the desire to understand life and to make himself at home in the universe has perennial spring in human nature. By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus. Science is the record of some of the discoveries made in the course of external exploration; literature records the expression of the inner self of man and his message to the universe”; it can be inferred that a passion for knowledge is demonstrated via the pursuit of both science and literature – science relates to man’s desire to “make himself at home in the universe” and focuses on “external exploration”, whereas literature relates to man’s desire to “understand life” and focuses on “the inner self”; in other words,   man's zeal to record discoveries observed in worldly exploration     relates to the creation of science but not to the creation of literature  . Incorrect. 
  
   B is the best choice.   
 
 = = = = = = = = = =  
  
  3. The highlighted text “By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus” is most probably used to  
  
 a. counter two vague concepts about literature 
 b. offer an example of the perennial spring in human nature 
 c. indicate that different directions of focus lead to different knowledge areas 
  d. show how science and literature are complementary in exhibiting a passion for knowledge  
 e. suggest that understanding life and understanding science require different approaches

Highlight Required:  By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus

Question Type: Inference

Explanation:

The second paragraph mentions that “The passion for knowledge, and the desire to understand life and to make himself at home in the universe has perennial spring in human nature. By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus. Science is the record of some of the discoveries made in the course of external exploration; literature records the expression of the inner self of man and his message to the universe”. It can be inferred that   the highlighted text “    By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus  ” is used to suggest that a passion for knowledge is demonstrated via the pursuit of science and literature, and both pursuits are complementary   – science relates to man’s desire to “make himself at home in the universe” and focuses on “external exploration”, whereas literature relates to man’s desire to “understand life” and focuses on “the inner self”. The answer choice that does justice to this thought is the correct answer choice.

A. The first paragraph mentions that “It is a vague concept that literature is something that has only an abstract significance and that literature is totally divorced from life. Equally vague is the concept that literature is a dweller of the dreamy realm of fancy and imagination”;   the mention of these two vague concepts about literature has no relevance to the highlighted text in the second paragraph  ; hence, it is incorrect to state that the passage uses the highlighted text to counter two vague concepts about literature. Incorrect.

B. Trap. The second paragraph mentions that “The passion for knowledge, and the desire to understand life and to make himself at home in the universe has perennial spring in human nature. By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus. Science is the record of some of the discoveries made in the course of external exploration; literature records the expression of the inner self of man and his message to the universe”;   the “    perennial spring in human nature  ” is figuratively used to suggest the “perpetual” or “constant” desire and passion for knowledge, and does not relate to the highlighted text  . The highlighted text is used to suggest that a passion for knowledge is demonstrated via the pursuit of science and literature, and both pursuits are complementary – science relates to man’s desire to “make himself at home in the universe” and focuses on “external exploration”, whereas literature relates to man’s desire to “understand life” and focuses on “the inner self”. Incorrect.

C. Trap. The second paragraph mentions that “The passion for knowledge, and the desire to understand life and to make himself at home in the universe has perennial spring in human nature. By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus. Science is the record of some of the discoveries made in the course of external exploration; literature records the expression of the inner self of man and his message to the universe”; although it is true that the distinction between, and use of, “the inward and the outward focus” is made apparent by the highlighted text,   the purpose of the highlighted text is not to     indicate that different directions of focus lead to different knowledge areas  . The highlighted text is used to suggest that a passion for knowledge is demonstrated via the pursuit of science and literature, and both pursuits are complementary – science relates to man’s desire to “make himself at home in the universe” and focuses on “external exploration”, whereas literature relates to man’s desire to “understand life” and focuses on “the inner self”. Incorrect.

D.  Correct.  The second paragraph mentions that “The passion for knowledge, and the desire to understand life and to make himself at home in the universe has perennial spring in human nature. By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus. Science is the record of some of the discoveries made in the course of external exploration; literature records the expression of the inner self of man and his message to the universe”; it can be inferred that   the highlighted text is used to suggest that a passion for knowledge is demonstrated via the pursuit of science and literature, and both pursuits are complementary   – science relates to man’s desire to “make himself at home in the universe” and focuses on “external exploration”, whereas literature relates to man’s desire to “understand life” and focuses on “the inner self”; in other words, the highlighted text is used to suggest how science and literature are complementary in exhibiting a passion for knowledge, as the answer choice mentions.

E. Trap. The second paragraph mentions that “The passion for knowledge, and the desire to understand life and to make himself at home in the universe has perennial spring in human nature. By the side of the outward focus, there exists the inward focus. Science is the record of some of the discoveries made in the course of external exploration; literature records the expression of the inner self of man and his message to the universe”; although the passage makes some distinction between science and literature by calling science “external exploration” and calling literature “expression of inner self”,   to suggest that     understanding life and understanding science requires different approaches is     not the purpose of the highlighted text.   The highlighted text is used to suggest that a passion for knowledge is demonstrated via the pursuit of science and literature, and both pursuits are complementary – science relates to man’s desire to “make himself at home in the universe” and focuses on “external exploration”, whereas literature relates to man’s desire to “understand life” and focuses on “the inner self”. Incorrect.

D is the best choice.   
 
 = = = = = = = = = = 
  
 4. Which of the following titles best describes the contents of the passage? 
  
  a. Literature: Portrayal of Reality via Pursuit of Curiosity  
 b. Literature and Reality: A Vague Connection 
 c. Literature: A Curious Mystery of Life 
 d. Importance of Creative, Constructive, and Reformative Literature 
 e. Literature beyond the Ivory Tower

Question Type: Structure

Explanation:

As the mind-map mentions, the purpose of the first paragraph is to establish that literature is based on life’s realities and the purpose of the second paragraph is to suggest that literature is created when man's curiosity leads him to explore mysteries of life. As a whole, the passage suggests that literature is about life’s reality and this reality is obtained when man is curious about life. The answer choice that does justice to this thought is the correct answer choice.

A.  Correct.  As the mind-map mentions, the purpose of the first paragraph is to establish that literature is based on life’s realities and the purpose of the second paragraph is to suggest that literature is created when man's curiosity leads him to explore mysteries of life;   as a whole, the passage suggests that literature is     about   life’s reality and this reality is obtained when man is curious about life  ; hence, “Literature: Portrayal of Reality via Pursuit of Curiosity” is a suitable title to describe the contents of the passage.

B. The opening line of the passage states that “Literature has a deep and direct link with life and life’s realities”;   the passage does not regard the connection between literature and reality as “vague”  ; so, “Literature and Reality: A Vague Connection” is not a suitable title to describe the contents of the passage. As the mind-map mentions, the purpose of the first paragraph is to establish that literature is based on life’s realities and the purpose of the second paragraph is to suggest that literature is created when man's curiosity leads him to explore mysteries of life; as a whole, the passage focuses on understanding what literature is and how it is created; a title that does justice to this thought is a suitable title for the passage. Incorrect.

C. Trap. The second paragraph states that “Literature is one of the trails blazed by the human spirit voyaging alone through strange seas of thought. After the needs of daily life are satisfied, man follows the lead of curiosity and explores the mysteries of life and universe”; the passage states that literature transpires when man is curious about the mysteries of life, but   the passage does not regard literature itself as a “curious mystery of life”  ; so, “Literature: A Curious Mystery of Life” is not a suitable title to describe the contents of the passage. As the mind-map mentions, the purpose of the first paragraph is to establish that literature is based on life’s realities and the purpose of the second paragraph is to suggest that literature is created when man's curiosity leads him to explore mysteries of life; as a whole, the passage focuses on understanding what literature is and how it is created; a title that does justice to this thought is the suitable title for the passage. Incorrect.

D. The first paragraph mentions that “Literature, if it is to be lasting, must not live in an “Ivory Tower”; it should participate in the people’s movements, and play its creative, constructive, and reformative role”; the passage states that literature needs to be “creative, constructive, and reformative”, but   this discussion is only a part of the passage and does not do justice to the entire scope of the passage  ; so, “Importance of Creative, Constructive, and Reformative Literature” is not a suitable title to describe the contents of the passage. As the mind-map mentions, the purpose of the first paragraph is to establish that literature is based on life’s realities and the purpose of the second paragraph is to suggest that literature is created when man's curiosity leads him to explore mysteries of life; as a whole, the passage focuses on understanding what literature is and how it is created; a title that does justice to this thought is the suitable title for the passage. Incorrect.

E. The first paragraph mentions that “Literature, if it is to be lasting, must not live in an “Ivory Tower”; it should participate in the people’s movements, and play its creative, constructive, and reformative role”; the passage states that literature needs to go beyond superficiality and be more connected to the reality of people’s movements, but   this discussion is only a part of the passage and does not do justice to the entire scope of the passage  ; so, “Literature beyond the Ivory Tower” is not a suitable title to describe the contents of the passage. As the mind-map mentions, the purpose of the first paragraph is to establish that literature is based on life’s realities and the purpose of the second paragraph is to suggest that literature is created when man's curiosity leads him to explore mysteries of life; as a whole, the passage focuses on understanding what literature is and how it is created; a title that does justice to this thought is a suitable title for the passage. Incorrect.

A is the best choice.

Literature has a deep and direct link with life and lifes realities.

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Literature has a deep and direct link with life and lifes realities.

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