Inference Based Questions - 5 | English for CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
And in that time of dark Yavanna also was unwilling utterly to forsake the Outer Lands; for all things that grow are dear to her, and she mourned for the works that she had begun in Middle-earth but Melkor had marred. Therefore leaving the house of Aulë and the flowering meads of Valinor she would come at times and heal the hurts of Melkor; and returning she would ever urge the Valar to that war with his evil dominion that they must surely wage ere the coming of the Firstborn.
And Oromë tamer of beasts would ride too at whiles in the darkness of the unlit forests; as a mighty hunter he came with spear and bow, pursuing to the death the monsters and fell creatures of the kingdom of Melkor, and his white horse Nahar shone like silver in the shadows. Then the sleeping earth trembled at the beat of his golden hooves, and in the twilight of the world Oromë would sound the Valaróma his great horn upon the plains of Arda; whereat the mountains echoed, and the shadows of evil fled away, and Melkor himself quailed in Utumno, foreboding the wrath to come.
But even as Oromë passed the servants of Melkor would gather again; and the lands were filled with shadows and deceit. Now all is said concerning the manner of the Earth and its rulers in the beginning of days, and ere the world became such as the Children of Ilúvatar have known it. For Elves and Men are the Children of Ilúvatar; and since they understood not fully that theme by which the Children entered into the Music, none of the Ainur dared to add anything to their fashion.
For which reason the Valar are to these kindreds rather their elders and their chieftains than their masters; and if ever in their dealings with Elves and Men the Ainur have endeavoured to force them when they would not be guided, seldom has this turned to good, howsoever good the intent. The dealings of the Ainur have indeed been mostly with the Elves, for Ilúvatar made them more like in nature to the Ainur, though less in might and stature; whereas to Men he gave strange gifts.
For it is said that after the departure of the Valar there was silence, and for an age Ilúvatar sat alone in thought. Then he spoke and said: ‘Behold I love the Earth, which shall be a mansion for the Quendi and the Atani! But the Quendi shall be the fairest of all earthly creatures, and they shall have and shall conceive and bring forth more beauty than all my Children; and they shall have the greater bliss in this world.
Q1: What can be inferred about Yavanna's character from her actions described in the text?
(a) She was indifferent to the fate of Middle-earth.
(b) She held a grudge against Melkor for his actions.
(c) She was compassionate towards all forms of life.
(d) She only cared for her own creations in Middle-earth.
Ans: (c) She was compassionate towards all forms of life.
Sol: The text states that Yavanna mourned for the works she began in Middle-earth which Melkor had marred and she would come at times to heal the hurts of Melkor. This shows her compassion and care for all creations, not just her own, indicating a deep empathy towards all forms of life.

Q2: What can be inferred about the relationship between the Valar and the Children of Ilúvatar based on the text?
(a) The Valar sought to dominate the Children of Ilúvatar.
(b) The Valar were indifferent to the Children of Ilúvatar.
(c) The Valar acted as elders and chieftains to the Children of Ilúvatar.
(d) The Valar were fearful of the Children of Ilúvatar.
Ans: (c) The Valar acted as elders and chieftains to the Children of Ilúvatar.
Sol: The text mentions that the Valar are to the Children of Ilúvatar (Elves and Men) "rather their elders and their chieftains than their masters." This suggests a relationship based on guidance and leadership rather than control or fear.

Q3: What can be deduced about Ilúvatar's intentions for the Earth based on his statement at the end of the passage?
(a) He intended Earth to be a place of conflict and power struggle.
(b) He wished to make Earth a haven only for the Quendi.
(c) He envisioned Earth as a shared home for both Quendi and Atani.
(d) He planned for Earth to be dominated by the Ainur.
Ans: (c) He envisioned Earth as a shared home for both Quendi and Atani.
Sol: Ilúvatar's statement, "Behold I love the Earth, which shall be a mansion for the Quendi and the Atani," suggests that his vision for the Earth was as a shared habitat for both the Quendi and the Atani, emphasizing inclusivity and coexistence.

Q4: Based on Oromë's actions, what can be inferred about his role among the Valar?
(a) He was primarily a peacemaker among the Valar.
(b) He served as a hunter of evil forces.
(c) His main role was to aid Melkor.
(d) He was indifferent to the plight of Middle-earth.
Ans: (b) He served as a hunter of evil forces.
Sol: The text describes Oromë as a mighty hunter who pursued the monsters and fell creatures of Melkor's kingdom, indicating his role as a proactive force against evil in Middle-earth.

Q5: What can be inferred about the Ainur's understanding of the theme by which the Children entered into the Music?
(a) They fully comprehended the theme and its implications.
(b) They were oblivious to the theme's existence.
(c) Their understanding was limited, leading to cautious involvement with the Children.
(d) They interpreted the theme as a directive to control the Children.
Ans: (c) Their understanding was limited, leading to cautious involvement with the Children.
Sol: The text states that since the Ainur did not fully understand the theme by which the Children entered into the Music, they did not dare to add anything to their fashion. This implies a limited understanding and a resultant cautious approach in their dealings with the Children of Ilúvatar.