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GATE 2021 XH2 – Question 22

Reasoning and Comprehension · Reading Comprehension and Expression: Understanding complex language in short paragraphs and answering questions on them; questions on the stylistic and rhetorical aspects of a short passage, including corrections or modifications of particular sentences · 2 marks · Multiple select

In Politics and the English Language, Orwell argues that language decline ultimately has political and economic causes rather than merely individual bad writers. Effects can reinforce their original causes: a man drinks because he feels a failure, and his drinking brings further failure. Similarly, foolish thoughts produce ugly, inaccurate language, which makes foolish thinking easier. What does the drinking illustration underscore?

  1. Political and economic causes control language deterioration.
  2. Inaccurate language enables foolish thoughts.
  3. An action’s effect can become a cause in a reinforcing cycle.
  4. Drinking directly causes foolish thoughts and slovenly language.

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (B) Inaccurate language enables foolish thoughts.; (C) An action’s effect can become a cause in a reinforcing cycle.

Explanation

The example models a feedback loop: failure causes drinking, which causes more failure. C states that pattern and B states its language–thought counterpart. A belongs to the introductory account of ultimate causes rather than the illustration’s distinctive point; D mistakes an analogy for a literal claim. Select B and C.

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