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

Once I was an archaeologist's assistant. I wandered the country probing, exploring, and digging, in search of antiquities, a most interesting occupation, although cynics sometimes called us " grave-diggers." I enjoyed the work immensely.

My master-a famous archaeologist, was a superb, timeless being, who lived a thousand years behind the times, and wanted neither food, roof or riches if only he was allowed to gaze on undisturbed at an old coin or chip of a burial urn. He had torn up the earth in almost all parts of India and had brought to light very valuable information concerning the history and outlook of people of remote centuries. His monographs on each of his excavations filled several shelves in all the important libraries. And then, as our good fortune would have it, he received an inspiration that Malgudi district was eminently diggable. I am not competent to explain how he got this idea, but there it was. Word was brought to me that he needed an assistant. Within an hour of hearing it I stood before the great man. He had the craziest collection of articles in front of him -pots, beads, useless coins and palm leaves, all rusty and decaying. He had a lens by his side, through which he looked at these articles and made notes. He asked me: "What do you know of the archaeological factors of your district? "I blinked. Honestly, I didn't know there was any archaeology in our place. I realized that my living depended upon my answer.

The narrator _____ when asked a question about archeology is his district. His final realization about his "living depended upon my answer" reveals that he _____.

was indifferent: was uninterested in archaeology but needed the money.

The correct answer is Option (4) → was indifferent: was uninterested in archaeology but needed the money.

Note: The given answer is as per NTA answer sheet. However, the answer should be Option 2 due to the reasons given below:

• When the archaeologist asked him, “What do you know of the archaeological factors of your district?” the narrator says “I blinked”, which shows panic, confusion, and being caught off guard.

• He admits he knew nothing about archaeology in his district.

• But then he says, “I realized that my living depended upon my answer,” meaning he understood he must adjust quickly, be practical, and respond in a way that would secure the job.

He did not lie yet, nor show confidence or indifference. He simply panicked initially but understood that survival required smart adaptation.