Reading Comprehension

Medium

Read the paragraph and answer the questions that follow.

Literary criticism does not necessarily have to choose between textual or verbal and contextual study. The distinction between the two types of linguistic meaning is seen at two levels, formal and textual. Formal meaning in poetry is the level at which stylistic patterns occur but these are not restricted to mere form.

Panini discusses, in a few sutras scattered over his works, the influence of the concept of language in various spheres of suffixes, primary and secondary derivatives and compounds. Poetics is also indebted to grammar for the terms 'Jati' (genus), 'Kriya' (action), 'Guna' (quality) and 'Dravya' (individual/substance) which it uses in connection with certain poetic figures or while dealing with the expressive function of words.

Literary criticism, in the Sanskrit tradition, has been understood to be a sastra by which is meant any systematic, well-formulated body of knowledge. A 'sastraic' exposition is supposed to involve inquiry into the nature of substance, nature of language and the validity of critical statements. Thus, a basic understanding of the grammatical and philosophical issues is a prerequisite for the understanding of critical questions.

Which of the following statements are true about the given passage ?

(A) Literary criticism must use either textual or contextual study.

(B) Formal and textual are two levels and help in ascertaining linguistic meaning.

(C) Critical questions cannot be understood without a philosophical and grammatical understanding.

(D) Panini has written in a compact format of Sutras.

(E) Sanskrit has a tradition of literary criticism for a long time.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

(A) and (E) only

(C), (D) and (B) only

(B), (C), and (E) only

✅ Correct Option: 4

Based on the given passage, the true statements are (B), (C), and (E) only.

Analysis of each statement:

(A) Literary criticism must use either textual or contextual study: Incorrect. The passage states "Literary criticism does not necessarily have to choose between textual or verbal and contextual study," indicating both can be used together.
(B) Formal and textual are two levels and help in ascertaining linguistic meaning: Correct. The passage mentions "The distinction between the two types of linguistic meaning is seen at two levels, formal and textual."
(C) Critical questions cannot be understood without a philosophical and grammatical understanding: Correct. The passage states "a basic understanding of the grammatical and philosophical issues is a prerequisite for the understanding of critical questions."
(D) Panini has written in a compact format of Sutras: Incorrect. While the passage mentions Panini's work in "a few sutras scattered over his works," it doesn't state that he wrote in a compact format.
(E) Sanskrit has a tradition of literary criticism for a long time: Correct. The passage states "Literary criticism, in the Sanskrit tradition, has been understood to be a sastra," implying a long-standing tradition.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 4: (B), (C), and (E) only.

Question 21

Which inquiries are undertaken in 'Sastraic' expositions?

(A) Mainly primary and secondary derivatives of compounds

(B) Nature of substance.

(D) Nature of language

(E) Validity of critical statements

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

Question 22

As per the passage, which of the following was primarily discussed by Panini ?

Solution

More from this passage:

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