Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:-

Words have their limitations and those who write, or those who read, also have their limitations or their own frameworks to understand words. Many words start their journey with some meaning, but over the centuries they gather different nuances or acquire a totally different meaning. When the writer uses a specific word with some specific meaning in mind, it is not necessary that the reader will have exactly the same meaning in mind while reading. Thus, the communication, and the intent of the writer gets hampered. The problem increases manifold when we talk about essentially Indian concepts in English.

Several Sanskrit words like Dharma, Yajna, Srishti, Jeevan Darshan, Ishvara, and Aatman are untranslatable in English, as of course, there are words in English like 'religion', 'secularism', 'exclusivism', 'theology', 'ideology', etc. which are untranslatable in Indian languages. These are not just words. They denote the characteristic thought process of that culture, which the people belonging to that culture can understand in that one word, but others outside that culture would need long explanation and yet may not grasp its meaning. Generally, people try to understand the word in the context of their cultural experience.

Thus, 'religion' is understood as Dharma by many Indians, whereas it is not Dharma. Dharma is understood as 'religion' by West-oriented thinkers, Indians and non-Indians. Similarly, Secularism is understood as equal treatment of all religions in India, whereas that is not its meaning in Europe. The usage of terms and their inherent meanings is a big topic in itself.

Which of the following statements is true according to the given passage?

(A) A word is absolutely free from its usage and cultural influences.
(B) The reader interprets what the writer means by admiring the qualifications of the writer.
(C) The act of reading is free from personal biases and opinions.
(D) A word gathers different meanings over time, context and place.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:-

(D)

The correct answer is Option (4) → (D)

• Statement (D) is TRUE: The first paragraph explicitly states that words "start their journey with some meaning, but over the centuries they gather different nuances or acquire a totally different meaning." This confirms that meaning changes over time. The subsequent discussion about Dharma/religion and Secularism/Europe/India confirms the influence of context and place (cultural experience) on meaning.

• Statement (A) is FALSE: The passage argues the opposite, stating words "gather different nuances" and that people's "frameworks to understand words" limit them, meaning they are not absolutely free from cultural influences.

• Statement (B) is FALSE: The passage focuses on the reader's own framework and the changing meaning of the word itself, not the admiration of the writer's qualifications.

• Statement (C) is FALSE: The first sentence of the passage notes that writers and readers "also have their limitations or their own frameworks to understand words," which shows that reading is not free from personal biases/frameworks.