Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow: -
It was a chilly evening in November when Arjun stood on the deserted platform of the old railway station. The clock read 10:15 PM, and the last train was expected soon. He had missed the earlier ones due to an unexpected delay at work. The platform was eerily quiet, the only sound being the distant hum of the city. A cold breeze swept through, making him pull his coat tighter.
Arjun felt physically and emotionally drained. His life had been consumed by work and responsibilities, leaving little time for reflection and joy. Recently, a personal setback had left him questioning his choices. He wondered; What was the point of all the struggles if they didn't lead to fulfillment? The train, in some way, symbolised an escape, a way to leave behind everything that weighted on him and start afresh.
As he stood there, the train's headlights appeared in the distance, cutting the mist like a beacon. The rumbling sound grew louder, and as it approached, Arjun's heart raced, unsure whether he was avoiding his reality. He stepped onto the train, the doors closing behind him with a soft hiss.
Lost in thought, he gazed out of the window at the passing landscape, a mix of darkness and scattered lights. The journey ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of possibility. Arjun realised that he wasn't running away; he was heading toward finding a chance to rediscover himself. Change wasn't the end-it was the beginning.
Complete the given statement:-
For Arjun, the train approaching through the mist symbolised _______.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → liberation and renewal
The passage says the train symbolised an escape, a way to leave behind everything that weighed on him and start afresh. Being set free from a burden is liberation; starting afresh is renewal.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: an encumbrance and challenge — Incorrect. Contradicted: an encumbrance is a burden that holds one back. The train is the way to leave burdens behind, so it stands for the opposite.
Example: The heavy suitcase was an encumbrance on the long walk.
Option 3: apprehension and anxiety — Incorrect. Wrong focus: apprehension is worry about what may happen. Arjun's heart races as the train comes, but the train itself stands for escape and a fresh start, not fear.
Example: She waited for her results with some apprehension.
Option 4: conflict and struggle — Incorrect. Wrong link: the struggles are what Arjun wants to leave behind; the train offers a way out of them.