Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-
In the ancient city of Varanasi, Arjun found his world transformed one monsoon afternoon. Born into a family of hardworking labourers, he was expected to follow in his father's footsteps. Yet, Arjun harboured an unspoken passion for art that no one knew about. As dark clouds gathered and the first raindrops fell, he wandered through the narrow lanes of the old city, seeking solace from the predictable rhythms of life.
That day, as he took refuge under a vibrant awning in a bustling market, Arjun encountered an old painter named Raghav. With paint-splattered hands and eyes that shimmered with decades of experience, Raghav noticed the spark in Arjun's eyes. He invited Arjun into his humble studio, where canvases whispered stories of love, loss, and hope. Inspired by Raghav's gentle mentorship, Arjun discovered his own unique style, blending tradition with innovation.
Over time, his artwork became a mirror reflecting the emotions of the city, and his reputation grew. Arjun's journey from a reluctant son to an emerging artist was not without hardship. Yet, every challenge became a brushstroke in the masterpiece of his life. Eventually, his creations graced galleries beyond Varanasi, uniting cultures and hearts. In every piece, Arjun celebrated the resilience of the human spirit, proving that passion and perseverance can transform even the most ordinary life into a vibrant work of art.
His journey, filled with unexpected lessons and creative breakthroughs, taught him that every struggle offered a chance to begin anew, inspiring his art with hope and transformation.
Determine the primary theme illustrated in the passage:-
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → The transformative influence of mentorship and following one's passion despite adversity.
Adversity means difficulty or misfortune. The story turns on two things: Raghav's gentle mentorship, which helped Arjun find his own style, and Arjun's passion for art, which he followed although his journey "was not without hardship". Both changed his life completely, so this is the primary theme.
Example: She kept studying in the face of adversity and topped her class.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The preventable hardships for those who choose artistic paths for fulfilling their dreams. — Incorrect. Wrong focus: the passage does mention hardship, but it does not say the hardships were preventable, and they are not the main point; the main point is how Arjun overcame them.
Option 2: The conflicts between urban modernity and ancient traditions in daily life that act as a hindrance in one's path. — Incorrect. Contradicted: Arjun blended tradition with innovation in his art; the passage shows no conflict between modernity and tradition holding him back.
Option 3: The fleeting beauty of monsoon afternoons in the ancient city encourages one to follow one's passion. — Incorrect. Wrong focus: the monsoon afternoon is only the setting in which Arjun meets Raghav; it is the meeting, not the weather, that changes his life.