Passage

Easy

Donkeys may be the proverbial beast of burden, and the animal itself has come to symbolise a dimwit, someone of little value. But not all donkeys are created equal. The Halari donkeys, a breed native to Gujarat's Halar region, is not just valued, it is a VVIP.

The Halari donkey is a source of 'liquid gold', with its milk, valued for its distinctive properties, known to have sold for an astounding Rs 5000 to Rs 7000 per litre at some online platforms.

But this acclaim comes with its own set of challenges. With fewer than 500 Halari donkeys remaining, the primary need is, of course, conservation. But the larger aim is not just increasing their numbers; it's about teaching farmers the best practices, so that they can command premium prices.

Recognising the pressing need for conservation, the National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) in Bikaner has started a dedicated programme to safeguard these animals. NRCE is also evaluating donkey milk for potential use in skincare products to sustain its value.

The Halari donkey is not just valued for its milk; its unique characteristics make it particularly valuable for sustainable dairy farming. Their docile nature, combined with their adaptability to various climates, makes them ideal for small-scale farmers. They also have a much lower environmental foot-print, compared to larger livestock, requiring less feed and water. Infact, their grazing habits even help maintain grassland ecosystems.

The donkey is not commonly accepted as :

a dimwit

a beast of burden

a parasite

useless

✅ Correct Option: 3

Option 1 -> The passage explicitly states "the animal itself has come to symbolise a dimwit, someone of little value" - so donkeys ARE commonly accepted as dimwits.

Option 2 -> The passage begins with "Donkeys may be the proverbial beast of burden" - clearly indicating they ARE commonly accepted in this role.

Option 3 -> The passage makes no reference to donkeys being considered parasites. In fact, it highlights their positive contributions like maintaining grassland ecosystems and having a low environmental footprint.

Option 4 -> The passage mentions donkeys symbolize "someone of little value," implying they ARE commonly perceived as useless.

Hence, Option 3 (a parasite) -> The passage discusses common negative perceptions of donkeys (dimwit, beast of burden, little value), but never mentions them being viewed as parasites. Rather, the text emphasizes their beneficial qualities and sustainable contributions to farming and ecosystems -> correct

Question 6

The Halari donkey is valuable due to the fact that it :

Question 7

The passage highlights the fact that the need of the hour is:

Question 8

Identify the literary device used in the following sentence.

Halari donkey's milk is 'liquid gold'.

The donkey is not commonly accepted as :

Solution

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CUET English Past Year Questions (Topic-Wise)