Practice English Section Questions for CLAT 2026

Jo remembered the kind old gentleman, who used to let her build railroads and bridges with his big dictionaries, tell her stories about the queer pictures in his Latin books, and buy her cards of gingerbread whenever he met her in the street.

The dim, dusty room, with the busts staring down from the tall bookcases, the cosy chairs, the globes, and, best of all, the wilderness of books, in which she could wander where she liked, made the library a region of bliss to her.

The moment Aunt March took her nap, or was busy with company, Jo hurried to this quiet place, and, curling herself up in the easy-chair, devoured poetry, romance, history, travels, and pictures, like a regular bookworm. But, like all happiness, it did not last long; for as sure as she had just reached the heart of the story, the sweetest verse of the song, or the most perilous adventure of her traveller, a shrill voice called “ Josyphine! Josy-phine!” and she had to leave her paradise to wind yarn, wash the poodle, or read Belsham’s Essays by the hour together.

Jo’s ambition was to do something very splendid ; what it was she had no idea as yet, but left it for time to tell her; and meanwhile, found her greatest affliction in the fact that she couldn’t read, run, and ride as much as she liked. A quick temper, sharp tongue, and restless spirit were always getting her into scrapes, and her life was a series of ups and downs, which were both comic and pathetic.

But the training she received at Aunt March’s was just what she needed ; and the thought that she was doing something to support herself made her happy, in spite of the perpetual ‘‘ Josy-phine!”

Beth was too bashful to go to school; it had been tried, but she suffered so much that it was given up, and she did her lessons at home, with her father.. Even when he went away, and her mother was called to devote her skill and energy to Soldiers’ Aid Societies, Beth went faithfully on by herself, and did the best she could. She was a housewifely little creature, and helped Hannah keep home neat and comfortable for the workers, never thinking of any reward but to be loved.

A) She is intellectually curious but struggles with imposed responsibilities.
B) She enjoys household chores but dislikes reading academic texts.
C) She is indifferent towards her education and prefers leisure activities.
D) She has a deep attachment to Aunt March despite frequent interruptions.

Correct Answer: A) She is intellectually curious but struggles with imposed responsibilities.

Explanation: The passage describes Jo’s love for reading and exploration of different genres in the library, highlighting her intellectual curiosity. However, she is frequently interrupted by household tasks, which she seems to find frustrating, indicating her struggle with imposed duties.

A) Ridiculous and amusing
B) Deeply moving and poignant
C) Unfortunate and pitiable
D) Weak and unconvincing

Correct Answer: C) Unfortunate and pitiable

Explanation: The word pathetic here conveys the idea that Jo’s life had moments of misfortune and struggles, making it pitiable. It does not refer to being ridiculous or weak, and while her experiences might be moving, the context suggests a focus on hardship rather than emotional depth.

A) The constant struggle between youthful ambition and societal expectations
B) The inevitability of failure in pursuing one’s passion
C) The importance of discipline in character-building
D) The necessity of familial duty over personal desires

Correct Answer: A) The constant struggle between youthful ambition and societal expectations

Explanation: Jo’s longing for intellectual freedom is repeatedly curtailed by household duties assigned by Aunt March. This reflects a broader theme where personal aspirations are often constrained by societal or familial responsibilities, a recurring challenge faced by individuals with ambitious dreams.

A) Jo had no ambition in life and was waiting for circumstances to shape her future.
B) Jo aspired to achieve greatness, though she was uncertain about the exact path she would take.
C) Jo wanted to excel academically but lacked the opportunity to do so.
D) Jo was determined to become successful in literature, although she had not yet started.

Correct Answer: B) Jo aspired to achieve greatness, though she was uncertain about the exact path she would take.

Explanation: The original sentence suggests that Jo had a strong desire to accomplish something remarkable but had not yet defined what that would be. This is best captured by option B, as the other options either misinterpret or over-specify her aspirations.

A) Satirical with elements of irony
B) Reflective with a blend of nostalgia and frustration
C) Formal and academic
D) Pessimistic and hopeless

Correct Answer: B) Reflective with a blend of nostalgia and frustration

Explanation: The passage reflects on Jo’s experiences with a mix of warmth (her love for books) and frustration (her frequent interruptions). The nostalgic tone arises from her fond memories of the library, while the frustration is evident in her longing for uninterrupted reading.

A) Jo is independent and adventurous, while Beth is ambitious and rebellious.
B) Jo is restless and impulsive, while Beth is gentle and content with domestic life.
C) Jo is fond of routine and discipline, while Beth is carefree and spontaneous.
D) Jo is highly emotional and sensitive, while Beth is logical and pragmatic.

Correct Answer: B) Jo is restless and impulsive, while Beth is gentle and content with domestic life.

Explanation: Jo is described as having a “quick temper, sharp tongue, and restless spirit,” indicating her impulsive and independent nature. In contrast, Beth is too shy to attend school and finds happiness in maintaining a comfortable home for others, showcasing her gentle and dutiful nature.

A) The conflict between personal desires and external obligations
B) The pursuit of wealth as a means of achieving happiness
C) The necessity of rebellion in order to attain personal freedom
D) The superiority of intellectual pursuits over domestic responsibilities

Correct Answer: A) The conflict between personal desires and external obligations

Explanation: Jo’s love for reading and exploration is constantly interrupted by Aunt March’s demands, illustrating the struggle between pursuing one’s passions and fulfilling responsibilities imposed by others.

A) A collection of disorganized and scattered books
B) A vast and exciting variety of books to explore freely
C) A dark and neglected part of the library filled with old books
D) A confusing and overwhelming selection of books

Correct Answer: B) A vast and exciting variety of books to explore freely

Explanation: The word wilderness in this context conveys a sense of boundless exploration and excitement, rather than disorder or confusion. Jo enjoys freely wandering through the books, much like one would in an open, unexplored landscape.

A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Personification
D) Hyperbole

Correct Answer: A) Simile

Explanation: The phrase “like all happiness” is a direct comparison using like, which is characteristic of a simile. It suggests that happiness is fleeting, much like Jo’s reading time in the library.

A) By using long, descriptive sentences to reflect Jo’s thoughtful nature
B) By incorporating exclamations and sudden interruptions in the narrative
C) By focusing entirely on Jo’s emotions without any external conflicts
D) By presenting Jo’s life as a series of unchanging routines

Correct Answer: B) By incorporating exclamations and sudden interruptions in the narrative

Explanation: The repeated call of “Josy-phine! Josy-phine!” and the mention of Jo being pulled away from her reading mid-story create a sense of urgency and frustration.