Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-
Swaminathan stretched lazily under the banyan tree, watching a slow trickle of afternoon sunlight filter through its dense leaves. The marketplace across the street hummed with life — vendors shouting over one another, bullock carts trundling along the dusty roads, and the occasional cycle bell ringing in protest. The smell of roasting peanuts drifted through the air, mingling with the earthy scent of Malgudi after a light drizzle.
But Swami wasn't thinking about the town's lively bustle. He had arithmetic homework waiting at home, and his father's stern voice still echoed in his mind: "No excuses, Swami. I expect it done before dinner." He sighed, kicking a small stone into the road. He could hear his friends laughing somewhere behind him, playing cricket in the narrow lanes. The thought of numbers and sums weighed heavy on his mind, making the world outside seem even more tempting.
The street dog, Tiger, sauntered toward him, tail wagging. "You have no homework to do, do you?" Swami muttered, scratching its ears. Tiger responded with an enthusiastic bark, making a passing shopkeeper chuckle.
"Swaminathan! Come home at once," his father's voice boomed from the verandah. Swami winced. He stood up reluctantly, giving Tiger one last pat before trudging home, where ink-stained notebooks and difficult numbers awaited him.
According to the excerpt, what is Swami's primary internal conflict?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → choosing between playing outside or completing his homework
An internal conflict is a struggle inside a person's mind between two wishes. Swami hears his friends playing cricket and finds the world outside "even more tempting", while the homework "weighed heavy on his mind". He is torn between play and homework.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: deliberating on how to run away from home — Incorrect. Not mentioned: deliberating means thinking carefully before deciding. The passage says nothing about running away from home; Swami goes home when called.
Option 3: bargaining with the street vendors about prices — Incorrect. Wrong focus: the vendors are only part of the busy marketplace; Swami "wasn't thinking about the town's lively bustle".
Option 4: wondering how to keep Tiger as his pet — Incorrect. Not mentioned: Swami only pats the street dog; the passage says nothing about keeping it as a pet.