Curiously, the chiming of the hour seemed to have put new heart into him. He was a lonely ghost uttering a truth that nobody would ever hear. But so long as he uttered it, in some obscure way the continuity was not broken. It was not by making yourself heard but by staying sane that you carried on the human heritage. He went back to the table, dipped his pen, and wrote: To the future or to the past, to a time when thought is free, when men are different from one another and do not live alone—to a time when truth exists and what is done cannot be undone: From the age of uniformity, from the age of solitude, from the age of Big Brother, from the age of doublethink —greetings! He was already dead, he reflected. It seemed to him that it was only now, when he had begun to be able to formulate his thoughts, that he had taken the decisive step. The consequences of every act are included in the act itself. He wrote: Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime IS death. Now he had recognized himself as a dead man it became important to stay alive as long as possible. Two fingers of his right hand were inkstained. It was exactly the kind of detail that might betray you. Some nosing zealot in the Ministry (a woman, probably: someone like the little sandy-haired woman or the dark-haired girl from the Fiction Department) might start wondering why he had been writing during the lunch interval, why he had used an old-fashioned pen, WHAT he had been writing—and then drop a hint in the appropriate quarter. He went to the bathroom and carefully scrubbed the ink away with the gritty darkbrown soap which rasped your skin like sandpaper and was therefore well adapted for this purpose. He put the diary away in the drawer. It was quite useless to think of hiding it, but he could at least make sure whether or not its existence had been discovered. A hair laid across the page-ends was too obvious. With the tip of his finger he picked up an identifiable grain of whitish dust and deposited it on the corner of the cover, where it was bound to be shaken off if the book was moved.
According to the passage, what is the MAIN AND DECISIVE EVIDENCE to prove that the author has committed a thoughtcrime?
Show Hint
- Sandy-haired woman from the Fiction Department
- Gritty darkbrown soap
- Ink stains on the twofingers of his left hand
- Ink stains on the twofingers of his right hand
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The question asks for the primary and conclusive piece of evidence that could prove the author (the character in the story) has committed a "thoughtcrime," which in this context is the act of writing his thoughts in a diary.
Step 2: Locating the Evidence in the Passage
The passage explicitly identifies the key piece of evidence. It states: "Two fingers of his right hand were inkstained. It was exactly the kind of detail that might betray you." This sentence directly links the ink stains on his right hand to the act of writing and the risk of being discovered.
Step 3: Evaluating the Options
(A) Sandy-haired woman from the Fiction Department: She is a potential accuser or "nosing zealot," not the evidence itself.
(B) Gritty darkbrown soap: This is the tool used to remove the evidence (the ink stains), not the evidence of the crime.
(C) Ink stains on the twofingers of his left hand: The passage specifically mentions the right hand, making this option incorrect.
(D) Ink stains on the twofingers of his right hand: This matches the text precisely and is described as the detail that could "betray" him.
Step 4: Final Answer
The passage clearly points to the ink stains on the character's right hand as the main and decisive evidence of his writing. Therefore, option (D) is the correct answer.
According to the passage, the author is living in a political system of a................state
Show Hint
- Liberal democratic
- Limited democratic
- Autocratic surveillance
- Diverse bureaucratic
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The question requires us to infer the nature of the political system in which the author lives, based on the clues and descriptions provided in the passage.
Step 2: Analyzing Clues in the Passage
The passage contains several strong indicators of the political environment:
"The age of Big Brother": This is a direct reference to a totalitarian, all-seeing leader.
"Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime IS death": This shows that independent thinking is a capital offense, indicating extreme repression.
"Nosing zealot in the Ministry": This points to a system where citizens are encouraged to spy on each other for the state.
Fear of being discovered: The character's extreme paranoia and elaborate precautions (scrubbing ink, placing dust on the diary) show constant fear of state surveillance.
"Age of uniformity", "age of solitude": These phrases suggest a society where individuality is suppressed and people are isolated.
Step 3: Evaluating the Options based on the Analysis
(A) Liberal democratic \& (B) Limited democratic: These are incorrect. The system described actively suppresses freedom of thought and speech, which is the opposite of a democracy.
(C) Autocratic surveillance: This fits perfectly. "Autocratic" refers to a system with a single, absolute ruler (Big Brother), and "surveillance" describes the constant monitoring and fear of being watched.
(D) Diverse bureaucratic: While a bureaucracy ("the Ministry") exists, the defining characteristics are not its diversity but its oppressive control and surveillance. This option is not the best description.
Step 4: Final Answer
The combined evidence of a totalitarian figurehead (Big Brother), the criminalization of thought, and constant monitoring points to an autocratic surveillance state. Option (C) is the most accurate description.
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
(1) Pancakes, a beloved breakfast dish across the world, has a surprisingly long and diverse history. Archaeological evidence shows that people were cooking pancakes as food as far back as 30,000 years ago on hot stones and primitive griddles.
(2) In ancient Greece and Rome, pancakes were made from wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and curdled milk. They were often served as a sweet treat during festivals or special occasions. In medieval Europe, pancakes became a popular dish during Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent began. In France, thin crepes became a national delicacy, often filled with sweet or savoury ingredients. In Russia, blinis were made using buckwheat flour and served with sour cream or caviar. In Ethiopia, the spongy injera became a staple food, made from teff flour and used as both a plate and utensil. Similarly, in China, pancakes are often savoury while in Japan, fluffy “souffl´ e pancakes” have become a modern favourite.
(3) The American version of pancakes, thick and soft, gained popularity in the 18th century. The use of baking powder made them light and airy, and they were often served with butter and maple syrup– a symbol of hearty comfort food. Over time, pancakes became a universal dish, symbolizing community and celebration. Whether sweet or savoury, thick or thin, every culture has found a way to adapt this simple food to its own taste and traditions.
(4) India has its own rich tradition of similar dishes that have been enjoyed for centuries. Across the country, almost every region has a version of a pancake– whether sweet or savoury– made from grains, pulses, or rice. These Indian pancakes not only satisfy hunger but also reflect the diversity of India’s culinary culture. In South India, dosas and adai are the most famous forms of pancakes. Made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, dosas are crisp and light, while adai is thicker and more filling. The fermentation process adds a unique sour flavor and makes them nutritious and easy to digest. In Kerala, the appam, made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk, is soft in the center and crispy at the edges. Moving north, we find the western style cheela, a simple and wholesome Indian pancake made from gram flour, spiced with onions, chillies and coriander. In Maharashtra, the thalipeeth is a multigrain pancake that uses flours like jowar, bajra and rice mixed with spices and vegetables. It is both flavorful and filling, providing a good balance of carbohydrates and proteins.
(5) In the eastern parts of India, pitha is a traditional pancake made during festivals and special occasions. Varieties like patishapta in Bengal are sweet, filled with coconut and jaggery. In Assam and Odisha, pithas can be steamed, fried, or roasted, depending on the custom and region. In the western deserts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, people prepare chilla and handvo, which are savoury western pancake-like dishes baked in traditional ovens. These pancakes are a blank canvas for toppings, waiting for a splash of fruit or a scattering of condiments.
(6) Today, pancakes continue to evolve with new recipes, from vegan and gluten-free varieties to those infused with fruits, oats, or even protein powder. Despite their many forms, they remain a timeless reminder of how food connects mankind through shared history and creativity. Each pancake tells a story of regional identity, food traditions and a deep love for food that brings people together. Pancakes are warm, edible hugs that are a perfect comfort on a bleak day.- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
(1) Rate of Internet Reach in India : 2014–2024
The rate of internet reach in India rose over 52% in 2024 from about 14% in 2014. Although these figures seem relatively low, it meant that more than half of the population of 1.4 billion people had internet access that year. This also ranked the country second in the world in terms of active internet users.
(2) Internet availability and accessibility By 2021 the number of internet connections across the country tripled in urban areas because of a higher density of population leading to an increase in the number of connections. However, despite of incredibly low internet prices, internet usage in India has yet to reach its full potential. Lack of awareness about the internet in India persists, especially in rural areas and among women, driven by digital divide, infrastructure limitations, and a lack of perceived need for the internet. This hinders digital adoption, with many not knowing how to use the internet or even being aware of its existence. Targeted awareness campaigns and digital literacy programs are crucial to bridge this gap and ensure people understand and can benefit from the digital ecosystem.
(3) Digital living Home to one of the largest bases of netizens in the world, India is abuzz with internet activities being carried out every moment of every day. From information and research to shopping and entertainment to living in smart homes, Indians have welcomed digital living with open arms.
Rate of Internet Reach in India
- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Extract: “We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.”
(Nelson Mandela– Long Walk to Freedom)- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Extract: OOP : I haven’t a clue. I’ve been to seven galaxies, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Maybe they’re hats. (He opens a book and puts it on his head.) Say, maybe this is a haberdashery!
OMEGA:(bowinglow) Perhaps the Great and Mighty Think-Tank will give us the benefit of his thought on the matter.
THINK-TANK:Elementary, my dear Omega. Hold one of the items up so that I may view it closely. (Omega holds a book on the palm of her hand.) Yes, yes, I understand now. Since Earth creatures are always eating, the place in which you find yourselves is undoubtedly a crude refreshment stand.
OMEGA:(to Iota and Oop) He says we’re in a refreshment stand.
OOP:Well, the Earthlings certainly have a strange diet. (The Book that Saved the Earth)- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Some say the world will end in fire
some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
- Robert Frost- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Questions Asked in KLEE exam
- The smallest positive number which is divisible by the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 is
- KLEE - 2024
- Number System
- Two statements followed by two conclusions are given. Taking the given statements to be true even if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts, read all the conclusions and then decide which of the given conclusions logically follow from the statements. Statements: 1. Mathematics is essential for all subjects.
2. Statistics is applied in Economics.
Conclusions: I. Mathematics is not needed in Sociology.
II. Economics is applied in Statistics.- KLEE - 2024
- Statements and Conclusions
- A person bought an item for Rs. 1350 and spent Rs.150 towards transportation of the item. Then he sold it for Rs.1800. The profit percentage is
- KLEE - 2024
- Profit & Loss
- Who is considered as the "founding father" of space programmes in India?
- KLEE - 2024
- Science and Technology
- Earth's atmosphere contains
- KLEE - 2024
- Astronomy