Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-
In July 1973, Amitav Ghosh joined St. Stephen's College in Delhi. Like every other freshman, he was nervous about the first few weeks, when one was 'ragged' - shorthand for being verbally harassed, harangued, interrogated, and intimidated - by seniors. Twenty-five years later, by now an established novelist, Amitav Ghosh wrote: The year I joined College, the word among us freshers was that the most terrifying ragger in College lived in Rudra Court, in L5. Terrifying because he wasn't the usual kind of bullying, bellowing senior. No, he was to them as the panther is to the elephant. He was bearded, and soft-spoken, so stealthy that you never sensed his presence until he had you square in his sights. Young Amitav was able to escape the clutches of this fearful senior for a fortnight. But then he 'was "nabbed while attempting to abscond" as the Indian Express used to say'. The 'legend of L5' caught hold of the fresher, and quizzed him about his interests. 'I like classical music,' answered Ghosh, nervously. 'You do?' said the legend and walked him into his room in Rudra North. The legend put a record on the turntable and began to play it. He asked Ghosh to identify the composer and composition. Beethoven's Emperor Concerto answered the fresher, correctly. Three or four more records were played and all except one accurately identified. At this, 'The legend stuck out his hand. "I'm Rukun Advani," he said. "Let's go down to Maurice Nagar and have a cup of tea."
Why does the passage mention Beethoven's Emperor Concerto?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → To emphasize that intellect and culture, rather than fear, shaped this form of ragging.
The most feared ragger in college did not shout or bully. He played records and asked Ghosh to name the composer and composition. Beethoven's Emperor Concerto is mentioned to show that this ragging was a test of taste and knowledge, and that passing it won the senior's respect.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: To illustrate that the senior used music to humiliate freshers. — Incorrect. Contradicted: Ghosh was not humiliated. He answered correctly and was invited to tea.
Option 2: To show that Amitav Ghosh was trained in classical music. — Incorrect. Overstated: Ghosh only says "I like classical music". The passage says nothing about any training.
Option 4: To demonstrate that the 'legend of L5', preferred classical music as a means of intimidation. — Incorrect. Wrong reason: the music was chosen because Ghosh said he liked it. It was a test of his claim, and it ended in friendship, not fear.
Note: In the original NTA paper, Option 2 read "To show that Amitav Ghosh had a background in Western classical music". NTA accepted this option as a correct answer as well. To leave only one correct answer and avoid confusion for students, it has been changed here to "To show that Amitav Ghosh was trained in classical music".
Advice for the exam: In the real exam, mark the answer that is grammatically or factually correct. If NTA’s provisional answer key marks a different option, challenge it during the answer-key challenge window and give the reason in one or two lines.