Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.
Mukund : The English novelist and academic David Lodge once remarked, ‘‘I can’t understand how one man can do all the things he [Eco] does.’’
Umberto Eco : Maybe I give the impression of doing many things. But in the end, I am convinced I am always doing the same thing.
Mukund : Which is ?
Umberto Eco : Aah, now that is more difficult to explain. I have some philosophical interests and I pursue them through my academic work and my novels. Even my books for children are about non-violence and peace … you see, the same bunch of ethical, philosophical interests.
And then I have a secret. Did you know what would happen if you eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, eliminate the empty spaces in all the atoms ? The universe will become as big as my fist. Similarly, we have a lot of empty spaces in our lives. I call them interstices. Say you are coming over to my place. You are in an elevator and while you are coming up, I am waiting for you. This is an interstice, an empty space. I work in empty spaces. While waiting for your elevator to come up from the first to the third floor, I have already written an article ! (Laughs)
(The Interview)
What does Umberto Eco mean when he says, ‘‘Maybe I give the impression of doing many things’’ ?
What does Umberto Eco mean when he says, ‘‘Maybe I give the impression of doing many things’’ ?
Show Hint
- work appears diverse but has the same core interests
- multitasks constantly to prove his worth
- hides his real work behind his many hobbies
- doesn’t enjoy working on too many things
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Eco says he seems to do many things but is 'always doing the same thing'. He then explains that all his work comes from the same philosophical and ethical interests.
Step 2: Interpret the sentence:
So the many activities only look different; the core interest is one.
Step 3: Reject others:
He does not say he wants to prove his worth (B), hide his work (C), or dislike many tasks (D).
Final Answer:
(A) work appears diverse but has the same core interests
Complete the following suitably :
When Eco says that he is always doing the same thing he means __________.
Complete the following suitably :
When Eco says that he is always doing the same thing he means __________.
Show Hint
Solution and Explanation
Asked 'Which is?', Eco says he has some philosophical interests that he pursues through his academic work and his novels.
Step 2: Complete the sentence:
He means that he works on the same core interests and themes in every kind of writing.
Final Answer:
he works on the same core interests, using similar ethical and philosophical ideas in all his work
Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
Eco’s secret to being productive, as implied in the passage is __________ (delegating tasks/managing time).
Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
Eco’s secret to being productive, as implied in the passage is __________ (delegating tasks/managing time).
Show Hint
Solution and Explanation
Eco says that we all have empty spaces, 'interstices', in our lives, and that he works in them. He wrote an article while waiting for an elevator.
Step 2: Choose the option:
Using small gaps of waiting time is managing time. He never speaks of giving his work to others.
Final Answer:
managing time
What does the following line in the extract showcase about Eco’s nature ?
‘Even my books for children are about non-violence and peace.’
What does the following line in the extract showcase about Eco’s nature ?
‘Even my books for children are about non-violence and peace.’
Show Hint
- bored
- insolent
- ethical
- playful
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Eco says even his children's books carry the message of non-violence and peace, which are moral values.
Step 2: Match with the nature:
A person who puts moral values into everything he writes is ethical. He next says that these are 'ethical, philosophical interests'.
Step 3: Reject others:
He is neither bored (A) nor rude (B), and the line is serious in content, not playful (D).
Final Answer:
(C) ethical
Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
Assertion : While waiting for the elevator, Eco has already written an article.
Reason : He pursues his philosophical interests through his work.
Choose the correct option :
Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
Assertion : While waiting for the elevator, Eco has already written an article.
Reason : He pursues his philosophical interests through his work.
Choose the correct option :
Show Hint
- Both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
- Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
- The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
- The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Eco says: 'While waiting for your elevator to come up from the first to the third floor, I have already written an article!' So the assertion is true.
Step 2: Check the reason:
He also says he has philosophical interests which he pursues through his academic work and novels. The reason is true.
Step 3: Test the link:
Eco is able to write in the elevator because he uses empty spaces ('interstices') in his time, not because he has philosophical interests. So the reason does not explain the assertion.
Final Answer:
(B) Both are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
Complete the following sentence suitably.
Eco’s tone in the statement : ‘I have already written an article !’ is ________.
Complete the following sentence suitably.
Eco’s tone in the statement : ‘I have already written an article !’ is ________.
Show Hint
- sympathetic
- cynical
- humorous
- pensive
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Eco says that he has written an article before the guest has even reached the third floor, and the text adds '(Laughs)'.
Step 2: Name the tone:
The exaggeration and the laugh show that he is joking, so the tone is humorous.
Step 3: Reject others:
He is not showing pity (A), doubting people (B) or thinking deeply and sadly (D).
Final Answer:
(C) humorous
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