Comprehension
The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.
The Positivists, anxious to stake out their claim for history as a science, contributed the weight of their influence to the cult of facts. First ascertain the facts, said the positivists, then draw your conclusions from them. . . . This is what may [be] called the common-sense view of history. History consists of a corpus of ascertained facts. The facts are available to the historian in documents, inscriptions, and so on . . . [Sir George Clark] contrasted the "hard core of facts" in history with the surrounding pulp of disputable interpretation forgetting perhaps that the pulpy part of the fruit is more rewarding than the hard core. . . . It recalls the favourite dictum of the great liberal journalist C. P. Scott: "Facts are sacred, opinion is free.". . .
What is a historical fact? . . . According to the common-sense view, there are certain basic facts which are the same for all historians and which form, so to speak, the backbone of history—the fact, for example, that the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066. But this view calls for two observations. In the first place, it is not with facts like these that the historian is primarily concerned. It is no doubt important to know that the great battle was fought in 1066 and not in 1065 or 1067, and that it was fought at Hastings and not at Eastbourne or Brighton. The historian must not get these things wrong. But [to] praise a historian for his accuracy is like praising an architect for using well-seasoned timber or properly mixed concrete in his building. It is a necessary condition of his work, but not his essential function. It is precisely for matters of this kind that the historian is entitled to rely on what have been called the "auxiliary sciences" of history—archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, chronology, and so forth. . . .
The second observation is that the necessity to establish these basic facts rests not on any quality in the facts themselves, but on an apriori decision of the historian. In spite of C. P. Scott's motto, every journalist knows today that the most effective way to influence opinion is by the selection and arrangement of the appropriate facts. It used to be said that facts speak for themselves. This is, of course, untrue. The facts speak only when the historian calls on them: it is he who decides to which facts to give the floor, and in what order or context. . . . The only reason why we are interested to know that the battle was fought at Hastings in 1066 is that historians regard it as a major historical event. . . . Professor Talcott Parsons once called [science] "a selective system of cognitive orientations to reality." It might perhaps have been put more simply. But history is, among other things, that. The historian is necessarily selective. The belief in a hard core of historical facts existing objectively and independently of the interpretation of the historian is a preposterous fallacy, but one which it is very hard to eradicate.
Question: 1

All of the following, if true, can weaken the passage’s claim that facts do not speak for themselves, EXCEPT:

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • the truth value of a fact is independent of the historian who expresses it.
  • facts, like truth, can be relative: what is fact for person X may not be so for person Y.
  • a fact, by its very nature, is objective and universal, irrespective of the context in which it is placed.
  • the order in which a series of facts is presented does not have any bearing on the production of meaning.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Option (B) is correct: facts, akin to truth, can be relative; a fact for individual X might not be so for individual Y.

Option B aligns with the passage's perspective that fact representation is subjective and influenced by other viewpoints. It supports the passage's argument—that historians are crucial for fact selection and interpretation—by highlighting the judgmental nature of truth and facts.

The relativity of facts implies that one individual's interpretation of a fact may differ from another's. This concept reinforces the notion that a historian's interpretation and perspective significantly shape what is considered a fact.

Therefore, if Option B is valid, it corroborates the passage's claim that facts are not entirely objective and independent of the historian's viewpoint, rather than contradicting it.

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Question: 2

All of the following describe the “common-sense view” of history, EXCEPT:

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • history can be objective like the sciences if it is derived from historical facts.
  • only the positivist methods can lead to credible historical knowledge.
  • real history can be found in ancient engravings and archival documents.
  • history is like science: a selective system of cognitive orientations to reality.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The query requires identification of the statement that deviates from the passage's portrayal of the "common-sense view" of history. This common-sense perspective, as outlined in the passage, conceives of history as an assembly of verifiable facts (a "hard core of facts"). Historians are understood to extract conclusions from these facts, striving for scientific objectivity through methods akin to those employed by positivists.

An examination of each option follows:

  • Option 1: The capacity for history to achieve scientific objectivity hinges on its derivation from historical facts.
    This statement aligns with the common-sense view, as it supports the notion of objective history based on facts.
  • Option 2: Credible historical knowledge is attainable exclusively through positivist methodologies.
    This reinforces the influence of positivism and the methods highlighted in the common-sense view.
  • Option 3: Authentic history is discoverable within ancient engravings and archival documents.
    This option supports the premise that historical facts exist independently in physical records, a component of the common-sense perspective.
  • Option 4: History functions similarly to science as a selective framework of cognitive orientations toward reality.
    This statement diverges from the common-sense view by prioritizing subjectivity and interpretation over the accumulation of objective facts.

Correct Answer: Option 4 — this option is inconsistent with the common-sense view of history.

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Question: 3

If the author of the passage were to write a book on the Battle of Hastings along the lines of his/her own reasoning, the focus of the historical account would be on:

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • producing a detailed timeline of the various events that led to the Battle.
  • providing a nuanced interpretation by relying on the auxiliary sciences.
  • exploring the socio-political and economic factors that led to the Battle.
  • deriving historical facts from the relevant documents and inscriptions.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The text suggests that while gathering foundational data is crucial, historians' main responsibility involves more than that. It underscores the selective and interpretive nature of historical writing, urging historians to delve deeper into the context and underlying causes of historical occurrences.

Option A: The author posits that a historian's core function transcends the mere establishment of basic chronological facts, irrespective of the significance of timelines.

Option B: The author stresses the historian's selective and imaginative function in depicting historical events, while recognizing the utility of ancillary disciplines. It also suggests that the historian's attention should extend beyond a sole reliance on these disciplines for foundational information.

Option C: This option supports the objective of presenting a sophisticated account by exploring the socio-political and economic elements that preceded the Battle of Hastings. This selection mirrors a more exhaustive and complete methodology in historical composition, prioritizing an understanding of the fundamental reasons and influences that molded the historical event.

Option D: While valuing the importance of fundamental facts, the author contends that historians must engage in activities beyond simple information collection.

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Question: 4

According to this passage, which one of the following statements best describes the significance of archaeology for historians?

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • Archaeology helps historians to ascertain factual accuracy.
  • Archaeology helps historians to carry out their primary duty.
  • Archaeology helps historians to interpret historical facts.
  • Archaeology helps historians to locate the oldest civilisations in history.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Historians may rely on disciplines such as archaeology to establish foundational truths, as indicated by the text. Specifically, the passage states:
"But [to] praise a historian for his accuracy is like praising an architect for using well-seasoned timber or properly mixed concrete in his building. It is a necessary condition of his work, but not his essential function. It is precisely for matters of this kind that the historian is entitled to rely on what have been called the 'auxiliary sciences' of history—archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, chronology, and so forth." 

The "auxiliary sciences," including archaeology, assist historians in confirming the veracity of fundamental facts. Archaeology contributes by providing evidence through artifacts, material remains, and other discoveries, thereby supporting historians in verifying factual accuracy. 

Consequently, Option A correctly illustrates archaeology's role in assisting historians to achieve factual accuracy.

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Top Questions on Reading Comprehension

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The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
In the dynamic realm of creativity, artists often find themselves at the crossroads between drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and inadvertently crossing into the territory of cultural appropriation. Inspiration is the lifeblood of creativity, driving artists to create works that resonate across borders. In a globalized era of the modern world, artists draw from a vast array of cultural influences. When approached respectfully, inspiration becomes a bridge, fostering understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. However, the line between inspiration and cultural appropriation can be thin and easily blurred.
Cultural appropriation occurs when elements from a particular culture are borrowed without proper understanding, respect, or acknowledgment. This leads to the commodification of sacred symbols, the reinforcement of stereotypes, and the erasure of the cultural context from which these elements originated. It is essential to recognize that the impact of cultural appropriation extends beyond the realm of artistic expression, influencing societal perceptions and perpetuating power imbalances.
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