About 300 people have bought tickets and sit quietly in a hall in Chennai to watch a new film. What is this collection of people called, and what may it become if it goes into a frenzy?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → An audience, which may become a mob
Option (1) A crowd, which may become a mob — Incorrect. A crowd is people present at a place <strong>by chance</strong>, such as onlookers after an accident. These viewers came by plan, with tickets, so they are not a crowd.
Option (2) An audience, which may become a crowd — Incorrect. The first part is right, but a frenzied audience becomes a <strong>mob</strong>, with a definite sense of purpose. A crowd has no purpose and gathers by chance.
Option (3) An audience, which may become a mob — Correct. People who have <strong>assembled for a special purpose</strong>, such as watching a movie, form an <strong>audience</strong>. Audiences are generally passive, but <strong>in a frenzy they become mobs</strong>.
Option (4) A crowd, which may become an audience — Incorrect. These people did not collect by chance, so they are not a crowd. The change named is also wrong: a frenzied audience turns into a mob.
NCERT (2026-27): “Introduction … “An audience is also a collection of people who have assembled for a special purpose, may be to watch a cricket match or a movie. Audiences are generally passive but sometimes they go into a frenzy and become mobs. In mobs, there is a definite sense of purpose. There is polarisation in attention, and actions of persons are in a common direction. Mob behaviour is characterised by homogeneity of thought and behaviour as well as impulsivity.” |