Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-
If my younger self could see me now, she would be incredulous. That I work in the field of dance or decipher and translate dance for my own comprehension, call it choreography if you wish, would have been unbelievable. In this respect, I am particularly envious of dancers who claim that they are 'born to dance', implying that it was clearly laid out for them from the beginning. I must say, I find this assertion dubious; it is rarely that easy. To dance' means 'to struggle'.
In all truth, as a child, I never did want to dance; it was forced upon me by a doting mother and a silent father. My father probably kept his peace to avoid argument. From the beginning, my lessons took place under trying conditions, though I believe that the conditions were more trying for my mother than for me. She travelled in local, over-crowded trains to the dance class with an unwilling child, tired from a whole day at school.
Interestingly, when I was seven, we went to see a movie starring Mumtaz Ali, who did a dance number in the film. When we arrived home, I began prancing around the house imitating the film actor and my mother, who was quietly watching, was the one who said, 'Kumudini, you are born to dance.' Ironically, I have no recollection of this story; it was my mother who saw this innate ability in me.
What role did her father play in her becoming a dancer?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → He tried maintaining a harmonious atmosphere.
The passage calls him "a silent father" and says he "probably kept his peace to avoid argument". To keep one's peace is to stay quiet; he did so to avoid quarrels at home, that is, to keep the atmosphere harmonious.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: He gave his passive disapproval — Incorrect. Not mentioned: his silence is explained as a way to avoid argument. The passage never says he disapproved of the dance lessons.
Option 2: He was indifferent — Incorrect. Wrong reason: indifferent means not caring at all. He stayed quiet for a reason (to avoid argument), which is not the same as not caring.
Option 3: He was actively involved. — Incorrect. Contradicted: it was the mother who pushed the lessons and travelled with the child in crowded trains; the father stayed silent.