Comprehension:
Read the passage and answer the 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 rhythm 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 a 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 the 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 narrative:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → The transformative influence of mentorship and following one's passion despite adversity.
The turning point of the story is the old painter Raghav: "Inspired by Raghav's gentle mentorship, Arjun discovered his own unique style". The passage ends by saying that "passion and perseverance can transform even the most ordinary life". Mentorship and passion that overcome hardship (adversity) run through the whole narrative.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The inevitability of hardship for those who choose artistic paths for fulfilling their dreams. — Incorrect. Wrong focus: "inevitability" means that something is certain to happen; the passage mentions hardship only in passing ("was not without hardship") and stresses how it was overcome.
Option 2: The conflict between urban modernity and ancient traditions in daily life that acts as hindrance in one's path. — Incorrect. Contradicted: there is no such conflict; Arjun's style "blending tradition with innovation" joins the two.
Option 3: The fleeting beauty of monsoon afternoons in ancient cities encourage people to follow their passion. — Incorrect. Wrong focus: "fleeting" means lasting a very short time; the monsoon afternoon is the background of the meeting, not what the story is about.