Passage

Medium

It was a chilly evening in November when Arjun stood on the deserted platform of the old railway station. The clock read 10:15 PM, and the last train was expected soon. He had missed the earlier ones due to an unexpected delay at work. The platform was eerily quiet, the only sound being the distant hum of the city. A cold breeze swept through, making him pull his coat tighter.

Arjun felt physically and emotionally drained. His life had been consumed by work and responsibilities, leaving little time for reflection and joy. Recently, a personal setback had left him questioning his choices. He wondered; What was the point of all the struggles if they didn't lead to fulfillment? The train, in some way, symbolised an escape, a way to leave behind everything that weighted on him and start afresh.

As he stood there, the train's headlights appeared in the distance, cutting the mist like a beacon. The rumbling sound grew louder, and as it approached, Arjun's heart raced, unsure whether he was avoiding his reality. He stepped onto the train, the doors closing behind him with a soft hiss.

Lost in thought, he gazed out of the window at the passing landscape, a mix of darkness and scattered lights. The journey ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of possibility. Arjun realised that he wasn't running away; he was heading toward finding a chance to rediscover himself. Change wasn't the end-it was the beginning.

Complete the given statement:

For Arjun, the train approaching through the mist symbolised _______________.

an encumbrance and challenge

liberation and renewal

apprehension and anxiety

conflict and struggle

✅ Correct Option: 2

Option 1 -> The train represented freedom and new beginnings, not a burden or obstacle to overcome.

Option 2 -> The passage explicitly states the train "symbolised an escape" and a way to "start afresh," with Arjun feeling "a sense of possibility" and a chance to "rediscover himself."

Option 3 -> While Arjun experienced some uncertainty, the train itself symbolized hope and opportunity, not fear.

Option 4 -> The train was an escape from conflict and struggle, not a representation of them.

Hence, Option 2: liberation and renewal -> The train approaching through the mist symbolized Arjun's journey toward freedom from his burdens and the opportunity for a fresh start. The passage emphasizes this through phrases like "escape," "start afresh," "sense of possibility," and "change wasn't the end—it was the beginning," clearly indicating themes of liberation and renewal. -> correct

Question 9

In the last paragraph — 'The passing landscape, a mix of darkness and scattered lights' truly reflects Arjun's state of mind, which is a mix of _________ and _________.

Question 11

The passage primarily emphasises _____________.

Question 12

The literary device used in the expression — 'the doors closing behind him with a soft hiss' is _________.

Complete the given statement: For Arjun, the train approaching through the mist symbolised _______________.

Solution

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Keyboard Shortcuts

CUET English Past Year Questions (Topic-Wise)

Complete the given statement:

For Arjun, the train approaching through the mist symbolised _______________.