Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
We also went to Japanese Tea Ceremony where we were ushered into a nicely decorated room with a tatami floor and sat on cushions. There was already a Japanese and an American couple sitting there. The Tea Ceremony is a prevalent cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of powdered green tea, Mocha, which was a unique event.
The hostesses brought all the equipment to the room, and every object used in the ceremony was slowly and ritually cleansed. She put some pulverized green tea in a bowl, poured some hot water, and whisked it very well, then placed each in a bowl in front of us. We were following the Japanese couple. Bows were exchanged, and we took the bowl with both hands and, after a few sips, placed it on the floor and bowed and said "oishi desu" (very tasty). The hostess bowed back and said, "domo arigato" (thank you very much). The ceremony took more than two hours.
Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, is world famous, where blossoms, branches, leaves, and stems are used, and the final result is a work of art. In contrast to the western habits of casually placing the flowers in a vase, Ikebana aims to bring out live materials' inner qualities and express emotions and movement. There are many schools of flower arrangement: the most well-known are O'hara and Sogetsu. The first one is very traditional and the second is more modern. I tried to learn the art of O'hara for three months.
Kabuki is the most famous Japanese dance drama and is performed in a highly stylized manner. Kabuki originated in 1600 when dancer Okuni, the female attendant at the Grant Shrine of Alzumo, created this new dramatic art style. She organized other dancers and actors and started performing regularly. The sensual character of the dancers proved to be too disruptive for the government, which in 1629 banned women from performing. Then older men started performing women's roles also.
Kabuki has many similarities to Kathakali (the dance art form native to Kerala), where men also play the part of women. Kabuki also has stories from mythology, love stories, moral conflicts, and well-known tragedies, just as in Kathakali.
Match List I with List II.
| LIST I | LIST II |
| A. pulverised | I. causing noise, problems, interruptions |
| B. ushered | II. a system of rules and procedures for formal occasions |
| C. disruptive | III. to crush something into fine powder |
| D. ceremonial | IV. to lead somebody to the place where they should go or sit |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
| List-I | List-II | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| (A) pulverised | (III) to crush something into fine powder | To pulverise is to grind or crush into powder or dust. The hostess used pulverized green tea. | The stones were pulverised to make sand. |
| (B) ushered | (IV) to lead somebody to the place where they should go or sit | To usher is to show someone the way to a room or seat. The guests were ushered into the tea room. | A guard ushered the visitors into the hall. |
| (C) disruptive | (I) causing noise, problems, interruptions | Something disruptive disturbs order or stops things going on normally. The government found the dancers too disruptive. | His disruptive behaviour in class annoyed the teacher. |
| (D) ceremonial | (II) a system of rules and procedures for formal occasions | Ceremonial refers to the formal rules and rituals of an occasion, as in the ceremonial preparation of tea. | The guards wore their ceremonial uniforms on Republic Day. |
| Also asked in CUET (UG): usher – 31-05-2026 Slot 2 |