Figure of Speech Based Questions - 3 | English for CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The invention of photography revolutionized the world of art and challenged traditional notions of representation. Before its emergence, paintings and drawings were the primary means of capturing and preserving visual imagery.
However, with the advent of photography, artists faced a new dilemma. Should they continue to strive for realism and meticulous detail in their work or embrace the unique qualities and possibilities offered by this new medium? Some artists, like the French painter Gustave Courbet, chose to defy convention and explore the unfiltered reality captured by photography. Courbet believed that art should reflect the truth of human experience, and he saw photography as a tool that could aid in this pursuit. His paintings often depicted everyday scenes and ordinary people, presenting a raw and unidealized worldview.
On the other hand, some artists viewed photography as a threat to the traditional role of painting. They argued that photography could reproduce reality with such accuracy that it rendered the need for paintings obsolete. These artists, such as the American painter Thomas Eakins, sought to reaffirm the unique, expressive power of painting. They focused on capturing the essence of their subjects through brushwork, colour, and composition, emphasizing the personal interpretation and emotional depth that photography could not replicate.
The tension between photography and painting gave rise to new artistic movements and debates about the nature of art. Some artists embraced the possibilities of combining both mediums, experimenting with techniques such as photo-realism and collage. Others continued to champion the distinct qualities of painting, pushing the boundaries of abstraction and expressionism.
In the end, the emergence of photography challenged artists to redefine their purpose and explore new avenues of creative expression. It sparked a dialogue about the relationship between art and reality and ultimately expanded the boundaries of artistic practice.
Q1: Which figure of speech is employed in the phrase "raw and unidealized worldview" in reference to Gustave Courbet's paintings?
(a) Simile
(b) Metaphor
(c) Hyperbole
(d) Personification
Ans: (b)
Sol: The phrase "raw and unidealized worldview" is a metaphor used to describe Courbet's approach to art. It compares his depiction of everyday scenes and ordinary people to an unfiltered, realistic perspective, without using words like 'as' or 'like', which are characteristic of a simile.

Q2: The expression "pushing the boundaries of abstraction and expressionism" is an example of which literary device?
(a) Alliteration
(b) Metaphor
(c) Oxymoron
(d) Personification
Ans: (b)
Sol: This phrase metaphorically describes artists' efforts to explore and extend the limits of abstraction and expressionism. It uses the concept of 'pushing boundaries' to indicate their innovative and experimental approach in art.

Q3: What does the phrase "embrace the unique qualities and possibilities offered by this new medium" imply about some artists' reaction to photography?
(a) Indifference
(b) Hostility
(c) Acceptance
(d) Confusion
Ans: (c)
Sol: The phrase suggests that some artists were open to and accepting of the new opportunities presented by photography. They saw it as a chance to explore and integrate its distinctive features into their artistic practices.

Q4: In the context of the paragraph, how can the use of "dialogue about the relationship between art and reality" be classified?
(a) Metonymy
(b) Synecdoche
(c) Metaphor
(d) Irony
Ans: (c)
Sol: The term "dialogue" is used metaphorically to describe the ongoing discussion and exploration among artists regarding the impact of photography on art. It represents the intellectual and creative exchange rather than an actual spoken conversation.

Q5: The term 'tension' in "The tension between photography and painting" is an example of which figure of speech?
(a) Hyperbole
(b) Metaphor
(c) Personification
(d) Simile
Ans: (b)
Sol: The word 'tension' is used metaphorically to describe the conflict or competitive relationship between photography and painting. It signifies the challenges and debates generated by the introduction of photography in the art world, rather than physical tension.