UPSC Prelims 2006 Q44: Art & Culture – Literature & Languages
Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer using the code given below the
lists:
List - I ( Author )
A. Amartya Sen
B. Bimal Jalan
C. Arundhati Roy
D. Mani Shankar
List - II ( Book )
1. An Ordinary Person’s Guide to Empire
2. The Argumentative Indian
3. The Future of India
4. Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist
Code:
- (a) A 3 B 2 C 1 D 4
- (b) A 3 B 2 C 4 D 1
- (c) A 2 B 3 C 1 D 4
- (d) A 2 B 3 C 4 D 1
Answer: (c) A 2 B 3 C 1 D 4
Explanation
Authors and their books
| Author | Book |
|---|---|
| A. Amartya Sen | The Argumentative Indian (2) |
| B. Bimal Jalan | The Future of India (3) |
| C. Arundhati Roy | An Ordinary Person's Guide to Empire (1) |
| D. Mani Shankar | Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist (4) |
The correct code is A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4.
Answer: (c) A 2 B 3 C 1 D 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. This gives Amartya Sen *The Future of India* and Bimal Jalan *The Argumentative Indian*, both swapped.
- (b) Incorrect. This swaps Arundhati Roy and Mani Shankar's books as well.
- (c) CORRECT. Sen-Argumentative Indian, Jalan-Future of India, Roy-Ordinary Person's Guide to Empire, Aiyar-Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist.
- (d) Incorrect. This swaps Roy's and Mani Shankar's books.
Key point
Sen wrote The Argumentative Indian, Jalan The Future of India, Roy An Ordinary Person's Guide to Empire, and Mani Shankar Aiyar Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist.
Remember
Sen-Argumentative Indian; Jalan-Future of India; Roy-Guide to Empire; Aiyar-Secular Fundamentalist.
Common mistakes
- Giving the Argumentative Indian to Bimal Jalan, an economist.
- Not linking Arundhati Roy with essays on empire.
- Missing that Aiyar's book is about secularism.
Exam tip
Argumentative Indian = Sen; Future of India = Bimal Jalan; Secular Fundamentalist = Aiyar.
Sources
- Amartya Sen — The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity (Allen Lane, 2005)
- Bimal Jalan — The Future of India: Politics, Economics and Governance (Penguin Viking, 2005)
- Arundhati Roy — An Ordinary Person's Guide to Empire (Penguin India, 2005)
- Mani Shankar Aiyar — Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist (Penguin Viking, 2004)