CLAT 2025 Sample Paper on English: Passage-based Questions and Answers
Check out this CLAT 2025 Sample Paper on English for the CLAT UG exam comprising 2-3 passages followed by questions based on the passage.
INSTRUCTIONS
Each set of questions in this section is based on a single passage. Please answer each question based on what is stated or implied in the corresponding passage. In some instances, more than one option may answer the question; in such a case, please choose the option that most accurately and comprehensively answers the question.
PASSAGE
This kindness put me to shame. I could not disregard my teacher’s affection. Today I cannot but think with gratitude of Krishnashankar Pandya. For if I had not acquired the little Samskrit that I learnt then, I should have found it difficult to take any interest in our sacred books. In fact I deeply regret that I was not able to acquire a more thorough knowledge of the language, because I have since realized that every Hindu boy and girl should possess sound Samskrit learning.
It is now my opinion that in all Indian curricula of higher education there should be a place for Hindi, Samskrit, Persian, Arabic and English, besides of course the vernacular. This big list need not frighten anyone. If our education were more systematic, and the boys free from the burden of having to learn their subjects through a foreign medium, I am sure, learning all these languages would not be an irksome task, but a perfect pleasure. A scientific knowledge of one language makes a knowledge of other languages comparatively easy.
In reality, Hindi, Gujarati and Samskrit may be regarded as one language, and Persian and Arabic also as one. Though Persian belongs to the Aryan, and Arabic to the Semitic family of languages, there is a close relationship between Persian and Arabic, because both claim their full growth through the rise of slam. Urdu I have not regarded as a distinct language, because it has adopted the Hindi grammar and its vocabulary is mainly Persian and Arabic, and he who would learn good Urdu must learn Persian and Arabic, as one who would learn good Gujarati, Hindi, Bengali or Marathi must learn Samskrit.
Source: [My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi]
1. What emotion does the narrator express towards Krishnashankar Pandya’s kindness?
A) Admiration tinged with regret
B) Envy intertwined with gratitude
C) Regret overshadowed by appreciation
D) Contempt tempered by admiration
B) Envy intertwined with gratitude
C) Regret overshadowed by appreciation
D) Contempt tempered by admiration
2. How does the narrator propose to make learning multiple languages a pleasure?
A) By simplifying the curriculum
B) By emphasizing vernacular languages
C) By providing a scientific knowledge of one language
D) By eliminating foreign languages
B) By emphasizing vernacular languages
C) By providing a scientific knowledge of one language
D) By eliminating foreign languages
3. How does the narrator view the relationship between Persian and Arabic?
A) As unrelated languages
B) As closely intertwined due to historical events
C) As distinct languages with no commonalities
D) As variations of the same language
B) As closely intertwined due to historical events
C) As distinct languages with no commonalities
D) As variations of the same language
4. What aspect of education does the narrator criticize?
A) Emphasis on foreign languages
B) Lack of emphasis on vernacular languages
C) Systematic approach to language learning
D) Integration of Arabic and Persian
B) Lack of emphasis on vernacular languages
C) Systematic approach to language learning
D) Integration of Arabic and Persian
5. What overarching principle does the narrator advocate regarding language education?
A) Adherence to colonial legacies
B) Preservation of cultural diversity
C) Embrace of linguistic homogeneity
D) Adaptation to global standards
B) Preservation of cultural diversity
C) Embrace of linguistic homogeneity
D) Adaptation to global standards
PASSAGE
As at Porbandar, so here, there is hardly anything to note about my studies. I could only have been a mediocre student. From this school I went to the suburban school and thence to the high school, having already reached my twelfth year. I do not remember having ever told a lie, during this short period, either to my teachers or to my schoolmates.
I used to be very shy and avoided all company. My books and my lessons were my sole companions. To be at school at the stroke of the hour and to run back home as soon as the school closed–that was my daily habit. I literally ran back, because I could not bear to talk to anybody. I was even afraid lest anyone should poke fun at me.
There is an incident which occurred at the examination during my first year at the high school and which is worth recording. Mr. Giles, the Educational Inspector, had come on a visit of inspection. He had set us five words to write as a spelling exercise. One of the words was ‘kettle’. I had mis-spelt it. The teacher tried to prompt me with the point of his boot, but I would not be prompted.
It was beyond me to see that he wanted me to copy the spelling from my neighbour’s slate, for I had thought that the teacher was there to supervise us against copying. The result was that all the boys, except myself, were found to have spelt every word correctly. Only I had been stupid. The teacher tried later to bring this stupidity home to me, but without effect. I never could learn the art of ‘copying’.
Yet the incident did not in the least diminish my respect for my teacher. I was, by nature, blind to the faults of elders. Later I came to know of many other failings of this teacher, but my regard for him remained the same. For I had learnt to carry out the orders of elders, not to scan their actions.
Source: [My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi]
6. What inference can be made about the narrator’s emotional state during his early school years?
A) He experienced profound loneliness and isolation.
B) He felt a deep sense of camaraderie and friendship.
C) He was indifferent to social interactions and emotions.
D) He struggled with overwhelming anxiety and fear.
B) He felt a deep sense of camaraderie and friendship.
C) He was indifferent to social interactions and emotions.
D) He struggled with overwhelming anxiety and fear.
7. What is the central theme conveyed through the narrator’s recollection of his school experiences?
A) The importance of academic achievement
B) The significance of honesty and integrity
C) The challenges of social conformity
D) The influence of authoritative figures
B) The significance of honesty and integrity
C) The challenges of social conformity
D) The influence of authoritative figures
8. What word best reflects the narrator’s attitude towards academic conformity?
A) Adherence
B) Deviation
C) Innovation
D) Rebellion
B) Deviation
C) Innovation
D) Rebellion
9. How does the narrator perceive his own actions in the context of the spelling exercise incident?
A) As courageous defiance against authority
B) As foolish and naive behavior
C) As a calculated strategy to gain attention
D) As an expression of solidarity with his classmates
B) As foolish and naive behavior
C) As a calculated strategy to gain attention
D) As an expression of solidarity with his classmates
10. What inference can be made about the narrator’s emotional resilience based on his actions during the spelling exercise incident?
A) He is easily swayed by external pressures.
B) He demonstrates a steadfast commitment to integrity.
C) He lacks the emotional fortitude to confront challenges.
D) He prioritizes conformity over personal principles.
B) He demonstrates a steadfast commitment to integrity.
C) He lacks the emotional fortitude to confront challenges.
D) He prioritizes conformity over personal principles.
ANSWERS
- A
- C
- B
- A
- B
- D
- B
For more CLAT 2025 Sample Papers, click here!
Subscribe for updates
Join 10,000+ subscribers.
RU
Ruchika Mohapatra
Contributing author
Have a doubt about this?Ask Doubts


