Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions:

The Easy ‘A’

As opposed to the ‘true sciences,’ the social sciences are often seen as an “extra,” like an appendage to the main body. Even the content in liberal arts and humanities courses is considered to be supplementary. Such biases stem from the colonial mindset of “empiricism” as the metric for “good” or valuable research. Shibashis Chatterjee, a senior professor at the Department of International Relations at Jadavpur University states that the study of humanities and social sciences has been in a state of worldwide crisis for a while now: “Subjects that do not use quantification are labelled as easy.” However, the professor feels that the idea of a competition amongst arts, science and technology is wrong. “These are complementary fields. To me, it is an identification problem. If natural sciences set the bar and humanities must measure up to it, there is no way they can meet the standards. Unless we agree to create our own standards, these accusations would never end. Hence, we must stop making these comparisons,” he states. The professor of political thought and critical theory also adds that how society looks at knowledge is a political question. “From resource allocation to salaries, the logic of instrumentality trumps everything else,” Chatterjee states. The narratives through which liberal arts courses are shunned are all too familiar. Social sciences never had democratic equality with the

natural/biological sciences and technological education. They are dismissed either as questionable or as useless. Modern education is predicated upon science and technology. It has increasingly reduced the space for criticality and reflective variations on the theme of instrumentality, and humanities and social sciences are automatically downgraded.

In capitalist societies, education is just another financial sector and the loftier philosophical goals of education – the pursuance of knowledge and happiness in knowing – lie discarded. It is significant that the students who pursue humanities do not study for the money. Humanities cannot be made more appealing by tying it to vocational needs. “That would be sounding the death knell to liberal education,” states Chatterjee. Humanities can flourish when democratic values thrive in society, the spirit of questioning is highly regarded, and liberalism enjoys legitimacy. In other words, if philosophy matters to our lives, humanities is indispensable. But most researchers and students of humanities do not think that any autocratic state would be fundamentally interested in reviving humanities and social sciences since these disciplines encourage critical thinking and questioning of authority structures. The more authoritarian states become, the less tolerant they will be of humanities and social sciences.

Excerpted from:

Bose, Rakhi. “The Easy ‘A’.” Outlook, 11 Jul. 2023, pp. 46-50.

Read the following letter and answer the given subquestions

The General Secretary

Narmada Hostel for Boys

Pondicherry Central University

XX/YY/ZZZZ

The Dean, Hostel Affairs

Pondicherry Central University

Unavailability of Necessary Facilities in Narmada Hostel

Respected Sir,

I am writing to you to draw your attention to some necessary student facilities which are found to be lacking in Narmada Hostel. The washing machines on all floors have stopped working, but the hostel authorities have not taken any measures to get them repaired despite repeated pleas by the student community.

One of the elevators in the hostel ceased to work a year ago and has not yet been repaired. Consequently, there is overcrowding in the one available elevator, which, in addition to being inconvenient, is a grave safety hazard. Several toilets in the hostel do not have operational flushes. This causes unsanitary living conditions in the hostel and does not aid the cause of the residents’ well-being.

Inedible and possibly hazardous materials such as strands of a steel scrubber, insects and glass shards have lately been found in the mess food. A sickly looking rat was seen scurrying through the mess hall during dinner time. The green moong dal served in the mess in the past two weeks tasted discernibly stale. As evident from these instances, the mess management is unscrupulously lax in the discharge of their duties.

The newly admitted students have been accommodated in rooms without almirahs, tables and chairs. Even after the newly ordered furniture reached the hostel, no provisions were made for its being shifted to the rooms in need.

I kindly request you to address these pressing concerns with the hostel management and enable their hasty redressal.

Yours sincerely,

[Sign]

XYZ General Secretary

Ph: 1234567890

Fill in the blank with appropriate options. Maintain the tense consistency.

Rhea _____ (1) to spend her afternoon in the park. She brought a book to read and sat _____ (2) a bench near the pond. As she was reading, a dog _____ (3) by her, chasing a ball thrown by its owner. After a while, Rhea walked over ______ (4) the ice cream stand to get a treat. She enjoyed her ice cream while sitting under a large oak tree, savouring _____ (5) peaceful moment. Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.

Match the words in List A with those in List B that are similar in meaning to them.

Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.

Complete the telephonic conversation given below with most polite and correct responses. Receptionist: Good morning, Dr. Agarwal's office. How can I help you today?

Patient: Hello, (i) ___________________________________________

Receptionist: Certainly. May I have your name, please?

Patient: Sure, it's ....................

Receptionist: (ii)_________________________________

Patient: Sure. My name is Neha Kumar.

Receptionist: Ms. Kumar. Are you a new patient or have you visited Dr. Agarwal before? Patient: (iii)__________________________

Receptionist: Great. When would you like to schedule your appointment?

Patient: (iv)__________________________________

Receptionist: Sure. Your appointment with Dr. Agarwal is scheduled for 10:30 AM tomorrow. Patient: (v)_______________

Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.