UPSC Prelims 2008 Q16: Art & Culture – Cultural Institutions & Awards
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Checking two claims about literary prizes
These statements examine the actual eligibility criteria for two distinct, often-confused literary awards.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Orange Prize is for published fiction in English by a woman | Correct | The Orange Prize (now the Women's Prize for Fiction) is indeed awarded to fiction written in English by women |
| 2. Pulitzer Prize is awarded by the Commonwealth Foundation to a Commonwealth citizen | Incorrect | This description actually matches the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, NOT the Pulitzer Prize, which is a US-based award for American journalism and literature |
Correcting the second claim:
| Point | Correct detail |
|---|---|
| Pulitzer Prize | A US-based award, unrelated to the Commonwealth Foundation |
| Commonwealth Writers' Prize | The award that actually matches the description given in statement 2 |
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Orange Prize's description (fiction in English by women) is accurate; statement 2 actually describes the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, not the Pulitzer.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 misdescribes the Pulitzer Prize, so '2 only' is wrong.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is inaccurate, so 'both' cannot be correct.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is accurate, so 'neither' is wrong.
Key point
The Orange Prize is genuinely for fiction in English by women — but the description in statement 2 ('awarded by the Commonwealth Foundation to a Commonwealth citizen') actually describes the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, NOT the Pulitzer Prize, which is US-based.
Remember
Orange Prize: for published fiction in English by a woman — accurate. The Pulitzer Prize is NOT administered by the Commonwealth Foundation; that description fits the Commonwealth Writers' Prize instead.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the Pulitzer Prize (US-based) with the Commonwealth Writers' Prize's actual eligibility criteria.
- Not knowing the Orange Prize's specific gender-and-language criteria.
- Mixing up different international literary awards' distinct administering bodies.
Exam tip
Orange Prize = fiction in English by women. Commonwealth Writers' Prize (NOT Pulitzer) = for Commonwealth citizens, administered by the Commonwealth Foundation.
Sources
- Women's Prize for Fiction (formerly the Orange Prize) — about the prize and eligibility
- Commonwealth Foundation — Commonwealth Writers' Prize