Question

“I put the brown paper in my pocket along with the chalks, and possibly other things. I suppose every one must have reflected how primeval and how poetical are the things that one carries in one’s pocket: the pocket-knife, for instance the type of all human tools, the infant of the sword. Once I planned to write a book of poems entirely about the things in my pocket. But I found it would be too long: and the age of the great epics is past.” (From G.K. Chesterton’s “A Piece of Chalk”) 
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the following statements is true?
 

• A. The author of the passage carries a mirror in his pocket to reflect upon things.
• B. The author of the passage had decided to write a poem on epics.
• C. The pocket-knife is described as the infant of the sword.
• D. Epics are described as too inconvenient to write.

Hint:

When answering questions based on passages, focus on direct references and avoid assumptions beyond the provided information.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The provided passage is from G.K. Chesterton’s essay “A Piece of Chalk.” In this excerpt, the author reflects on the humble yet profound items carried in one's pocket. Let's examine the options based on the passage given:

1. The author of the passage carries a mirror in his pocket to reflect upon things.
   This statement is incorrect because the passage does not mention the author carrying a mirror or using it for reflection.
2. The author of the passage had decided to write a poem on epics.
   This is not supported by the passage. Instead, the author mentions planning to write poems about the things in his pocket. He refers to epics in the context of their length and the notion that the age of writing such extensive works has passed.
3. The pocket-knife is described as the infant of the sword.
   This statement is true. The passage explicitly describes the pocket-knife as "the infant of the sword," indicating its fundamental and primitive nature as a tool.
4. Epics are described as too inconvenient to write.
   While the passage mentions the age of great epics being past, it does not specifically describe them as too inconvenient to write. The author's reflection hints at their length, not their inconvenience.

Based on the evaluation of the statements, the third option, “The pocket-knife is described as the infant of the sword,” is the correct answer. This statement accurately reflects the author's description in the passage.