Comprehension
When I heard this, I didn't want to laugh any more, and I felt terribly sad. How could they believe that it was disgusting if one of us held that package in his hands, even though the Vadai had been wrapped first in a banana leaf, and then parcelled in paper? I felt so provoked and angry that I wanted to touch those wretched Vadais myself straight away. Why should we have to fetch and carry for these people, I wondered. Such an important elder of ours goes meekly to the shops to fetch snacks and hands over reverently, bowing and shrinking, to this fellow who just sits there and stuffs them into his mouth. The thought of it infuriated me. (Memories of Childhood)
Question: 1

'I felt terribly sad'. The reason for the speaker's sadness is because it was an act of _________.

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When identifying emotions in literature, observe the speaker’s reactions, tone, and the underlying social context.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
  • Sympathy and kindness.
  • Discrimination and prejudice.
  • Care and concern.
  • Humour and fun.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The speaker was distressed by the discrimination against their community. Food packaging in banana leaves and paper demonstrated a societal bias that marginalized specific groups.
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Question: 2

‘The thought of it infuriated me’ with reference to the above line, what do you think was the impact of the incident on the speaker?

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In narrative texts, strong emotions like anger or frustration often reveal deeper themes of social injustice or personal conflict.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
  • The speaker was sympathetic and helpless.
  • The speaker was angry and condemning.
  • The speaker was excited to see the incident.
  • The speaker was very impressed and motivated.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The speaker's anger reflects their frustration regarding social injustice targeting marginalized groups. This rage stemmed from the discriminatory behavior they witnessed.
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Question: 3

Complete the sentence suitably: "I wanted to touch those wretched vadais myself" Correct Answer: The above expression indicates the speaker’s inner rebellion against the social discrimination imposed on their community.

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Look for symbolic actions in literature to understand how characters challenge social conventions.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

The speaker's wish to touch the "wretched vadais" violates societal rules that consider such contact unclean, demonstrating the speaker's opposition to prejudice.
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Question: 4

Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank: The incident made the speaker realize that the discrimination was _________ (dehumanizing / elevating).

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In social commentary literature, the term "dehumanizing" is often used to describe systemic injustice and discrimination.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

The speaker faced dehumanizing discrimination, which lowered their social standing due to outdated traditions and unfair beliefs.
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