IPMAT Indore 2023 - VA Q71 Explanation

Explanation:

(d)

The paragraph discusses the origin of Indian poetry in English, highlighting its beginnings in Bengal, particularly in Calcutta. Option 2 provides additional information by stating that poetry writing, specifically for the first fifty years, was confined to a few families residing in Calcutta. This sentence adds historical context and specificity to the development of Indian poetry in English, complementing the information presented in the preceding sentences.

Now, let's analyze the other options and explain why they are not as suitable for completing the paragraph:

The British had decided that poetry about India could reach a larger audience if written in Calcutta: This option introduces a speculative statement about the British deciding where poetry about India could reach a larger audience. However, the paragraph focuses more on the social and cultural context of Indian poetry in English, and the completion should provide insights into its origin rather than British decisions.

The rulers encouraged the natives to write poetry about India only if their mother tongue was English: This option introduces a statement about rulers encouraging natives to write poetry but lacks specificity and does not directly connect with the information in the paragraph about the social and cultural context of Indian poetry in English.

English was seen as an elite language and so the British felt that only they could use it for poetry: This option introduces a general statement about English being seen as an elite language and the British feeling that only they could use it for poetry. While this is relevant to the socio-cultural context, it does not provide specific insights into the origin of Indian poetry in English during the discussed period.

In summary, option 2, "In fact, poetry writing for the first fifty years was confined to a few families who were residents of Calcutta," is the most suitable choice as it adds historical context and specificity to the development of Indian poetry in English in line with the information presented in the preceding sentences.