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Paragraph Summary Questions
25. The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the author’s position.
To me, a “classic” means precisely the opposite of what my predecessors understood: a work is classical by reason of its resistance to contemporaneity and supposed universality, by reason of its capacity to indicate human particularity and difference in that past epoch. The classic is not what tells me about shared humanity—or, more truthfully put, what lets me recognize myself as already present in the past, what nourishes in me the illusion that everything has been like me and has existed only to prepare the way for me. Instead, the classic is what gives access to radically different forms of human consciousness for any given generation of readers, and thereby expands for them the range of possibilities of what it means to be a human being.
A. A classic is able to focus on the contemporary human condition and a unified experience of human consciousness.
B. A classical work seeks to resist particularity and temporal difference even as it focuses on a common humanity.
C. A classic is a work exploring the new, going beyond the universal, the contemporary, and the notion of a unified human consciousness.
D. A classic is a work that provides access to a universal experience of the human race as opposed to radically different forms of human consciousness.
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: C
In this question, the author discusses the idea of what defines a "classic" work. A classic is not meant to reflect universal or contemporary truths. Rather, it should expose readers to vastly different perspectives and consciousnesses from the past.
Option A is incorrect because the classic does not focus on the unified or contemporary human condition.
Option B is incorrect as it suggests the classic resists particularity, which contradicts the passage’s core message.
Option C correctly reflects the author's view that a classic reveals unfamiliar forms of consciousness and moves beyond the idea of shared universality.
Option D is incorrect because the author favors difference over universal human experience.
Word 1: Contemporaneity
Context:
"...a work is classical by reason of its resistance to contemporaneity and supposed universality..."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Contemporaneity" refers to the quality of being current or belonging to the present time. The author contrasts this with the timeless nature of classical works that offer insights from different epochs.
Meaning: The state or quality of being modern or existing at the same time (Noun)
Pronunciation: kun-tem-puh-RAY-nee-uh-tee
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin contemporaneus (of the same time) + suffix -ity
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word is key to literary criticism. Think about whether an idea matches current times or transcends them—it’s often what gives a work timeless quality.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: modernity, presentness, simultaneity
Antonyms: antiquity, anachronism
Usage Examples:
- The artwork blends ancient symbolism with a touch of contemporaneity.
- Her writing resists contemporaneity, echoing timeless themes.
- Philosophers often debate the importance of contemporaneity in moral reasoning.
Cultural Reference:
"Art’s primary struggle is with contemporaneity—whether to reflect it, reject it, or transcend it." – Modern Art Critique
Think About It:
Can something truly be timeless if it entirely rejects the context of its own contemporaneity?
Quick Activity:
Choose a piece of literature or art and describe how it reflects or resists contemporaneity.
Memory Tip:
“Con” (together) + “tempo” (time) = things that exist together in the same time frame.
Real-World Application:
Used in art criticism, philosophy, and media, it helps evaluate how “in step” something is with its era.
Word 2: Universality
Context:
"...resistance to contemporaneity and supposed universality..."
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Universality" refers to something that is applicable or relevant to all people or situations. In this passage, the author critiques the belief that classics speak to shared human experience, suggesting instead that they showcase cultural difference.
Meaning: The state of being true or applicable in all contexts (Noun)
Pronunciation: yoo-nih-vur-SAL-ih-tee
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Basic to Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin universalis (“whole, entire”)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
When using “universality,” make sure you're talking about a concept that transcends boundaries—like emotions or rights—but be aware that not all things are truly universal.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: generality, applicability, commonality
Antonyms: particularity, exception, specificity
Usage Examples:
- The universality of music allows it to transcend cultural boundaries.
- Classics challenge the assumption of universality by presenting diverse perspectives.
- Philosophers debate whether ethics can have true universality.
Cultural Reference:
"The universality of human rights is the bedrock of international law." – UN Declaration
Think About It:
Is any idea truly universal—or are all ideas rooted in their culture and time?
Quick Activity:
List 3 emotions or experiences you think are universal. Now, try to think of exceptions.
Memory Tip:
“Uni” = one, “versality” = version or scope. So one idea applies everywhere.
Real-World Application:
Universality is key in law, global ethics, design for accessibility, and diplomacy.
Word 3: Epoch
Context:
"...indicate human particularity and difference in that past epoch." – Historical Theory Article
Explanatory Paragraph:
An "epoch" is a distinctive period in history marked by major events, developments, or shifts in perspective. In the passage, it highlights how classics help us understand the mindset of people in a completely different historical context.
Meaning: A significant historical period marked by notable events or changes (Noun)
Pronunciation: EE-pok or EP-uhk
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: Greek epokhē (“pause, fixed point in time”), via Latin epocha
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Use “epoch” when you want to emphasize a time of transformation—be it cultural, political, or personal. It’s more dramatic than just “period.”
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: era, age, period, time frame
Antonyms: instant, flash, moment (for short time spans)
Usage Examples:
- The discovery of penicillin marked a new epoch in medical science.
- We are living in a digital epoch that changes how we relate to one another.
- The Renaissance was an epoch of creative and intellectual expansion.
Cultural Reference:
"The Anthropocene is the proposed current geological epoch in which humans significantly impact Earth." – Environmental Theory
Think About It:
Which events from the 21st century might define this epoch for future historians?
Quick Activity:
List three historical epochs and a single transformative idea or invention from each.
Memory Tip:
“Epoch” sounds like “epic”—both refer to grand, game-changing times.
Real-World Application:
Useful in writing, history, science, and marketing to describe turning points or transformative trends.
Word 4: Illusion
Context:
"...what nourishes in me the illusion that everything has been like me and has existed only to prepare the way for me." – Literary Critique Essay
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Illusion" is a false belief or deceptive appearance. In the literary context, it refers to the comforting but incorrect notion that history exists to validate one’s current identity or beliefs.
Meaning: A false idea or misleading perception (Noun)
Pronunciation: ih-LOO-zhun
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Basic to Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin illusio (“mockery, deceit”), from illudere (“to mock, to deceive”)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word is great for essays or articles about perception vs. reality. It connects well with psychology and identity topics.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: mirage, hallucination, delusion, fallacy
Antonyms: truth, reality, certainty
Usage Examples:
- Many people live under the illusion that fame equals happiness.
- Magicians create the illusion of levitation using wires and mirrors.
- The illusion of historical continuity can mislead our interpretation of the past.
Cultural Reference:
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." – Attributed to Albert Einstein
Think About It:
What illusions about life, success, or self do people commonly believe?
Quick Activity:
Write down an illusion you once believed in and what made you realize it wasn’t true.
Memory Tip:
“Illusion” sounds like “illusionist” — think magic, trickery, and deceptive appearances.
Real-World Application:
Understanding illusions is key in critical thinking, psychology, advertising, and navigating modern media.
Word 5: Consciousness
Context:
"...expands for them the range of possibilities of what it means to be a human being." – Literary Philosophy Essay
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Consciousness" is the awareness of self, surroundings, thoughts, and emotions. In this context, reading classics broadens our exposure to different ways of thinking and being—thereby expanding human consciousness itself.
Meaning: The state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings and internal states (Noun)
Pronunciation: KON-shus-ness
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: Latin conscientia (“knowledge within oneself”), from con (“with”) + scire (“to know”)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Use this word when discussing identity, awareness, psychology, or philosophy. It’s powerful in both academic and reflective writing.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: awareness, mindfulness, cognition
Antonyms: unconsciousness, oblivion, ignorance
Usage Examples:
- Consciousness arises from complex interactions in the brain.
- Reading philosophical works can elevate one’s level of consciousness.
- He slipped into unconsciousness after the accident.
Cultural Reference:
"The evolution of human consciousness may be the most important phenomenon in history." — Ken Wilber, Philosopher
Think About It:
How might literature affect your consciousness more than other forms of media?
Quick Activity:
Sit still for 2 minutes and observe your thoughts. Write down the stream—this is your consciousness in action.
Memory Tip:
“Consciousness” = “with knowing” — being mentally present and aware.
Real-World Application:
Understanding consciousness is key in neuroscience, psychology, AI, literature, and spiritual disciplines.
