Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define - Multiple Choice & Short Question for HSC English First Paper - English for Today for Class 11 and 12 / Seen Passage for HSC

1. Read the following text and answer the questions A and B.

Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. As we look around, we discover beauty in pleasurable objects and sights in nature, in the laughter of children, in the kindness of strangers. But  asked  to define, we run into difficulties. Does beauty have an independent objective identity? Is it universal, or is it dependent on our sense perceptions? Does it lie in the eye of the beholder? we ask ourselves. A further difficulty arises when beauty manifests itself not only by its presence, but by its absence as well, as when we are repulsed by ugliness and desire beauty. But then ugliness has as much a place in our lives as beauty, or may be more as when there is widespread hunger and injustice in a society. Philosophers  have told us that beauty is an important part of life, but isn't ugliness apart of life too? And if art has beauty as an important ingredient, can it confine itself only to a projection of beauty? Can art ignore what is not beautiful?

Poets and artists have provided an answer by incorporating both into their work. In doing so, they have often tied beauty to truth and justice, so that what is not beautiful assumes a tolerable proportion as something that represents some truth about life. John Keats, the romantic poet, wrote in his celebrated 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' 'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' by which he means that truth, even if it's not pleasant, becomes beautiful at a higher level. Similarly, what is beautiful forever remains true. Another meaning, in the context of the Grecian Urn an art object-is that truth is a condition of art.

A.             Choose the correct answer from the alterative.       1×5 = 5

(a)  What could be the closest meaning for appreciate in the passage?

(i) contract (ii) diminish

(iii) humiliate (iv) praise

(b)  What does the expression 'Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define' mean?

(i)  approval of beauty is trouble-free whereas its definition is troublesome

(ii)  we can appreciate beauty easily but explain it in a difficult way

(iii)  appreciation of beauty is necessary but there is no need to define it

(iv)  we enjoy beauty but we don't define it

(c)  What could be the closest meaning for difficult in the passage?

(i) easy         (ii) simple

(iii) arduous  (iv) soft

(d)  A further difficulty arises when beauty manifests itself both by its presence, and by its... According to the passage, which one of the following is the best to fill the gap?

(i) company (ii) nonappearance

(iii) existence (iv) expression

(e)    What could be the closest meaning for beauty in the passage?

(i) grotesqueness (ii) attractiveness

(iii) hideousness (iv) ugliness

B.              Answer the following questions.           2×5 = 10

(a)  Do you think it difficult to define beauty? Give reason in favour of your answer.

(b)  Where do you find beauty?

(c)  What have philosophers told about beauty? Do you support it? What is your view about beauty?

(d)  How have the poets and artists tied beauty to truth and justice?

(e)  Who wrote the poem 'Ode on a Grecian Urn'? What do you know about the poet?

Answers

A. (a) (iv) praise (b) (i) approval of beauty is trouble-free whereas its definition is troublesome (c) (iii) arduous (d) (ii) nonappearance (e) (ii) attractiveness

B.       (a) Yes, I think it is really difficult to define beauty. I think it so because we do not clarify whether it has an independent objective identity or it is universal, or even it is dependent on our sense perceptions. In spite of this difficulty it moves us with pleasure.

(b)  There is beauty around us. We find it in pleasurable objects and sights in nature, in the laughter of children. in the kindness of strangers. Even in literature, there is beauty of its own kind.

(c)  Philosophers have told us that beauty is an important part of life. Yes, I support them with a slight difference. I think that beauty is important but it is life that cannot ignore ugliness. and if art has beauty as an important ingredient, it cannot be confined only to a projection of beauty. Art can not ignore what is not beautiful.

(d)  The poets and artists have tied beauty to truth and justice by incorporating both beauty and ugliness into their work. They have done it so that what is not beautiful assumes a tolerable proportion as something that represents some truth about life.

(e)  John Keats wrote the poem 'Ode on Grecian Urn'. He was a romantic poet. in his poem. 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' he wrote `Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' by which be means that truth, even if it's not pleasant, becomes beautiful at a higher level.

2. Read the following text and answer the questions A and B.

Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. As we look around, we discover beauty in pleasurable objects and sights in nature, in the laughter of children, in the kindness of  strangers. But asked to  define, we run into difficulties. Does beauty have an independent objective identity? Is it universal, or is it dependent on our sense perceptions? Does it lie in the eye of the beholder? we ask ourselves. A further difficulty arises when beauty manifests itself not only by its presence, but by its absence as well, as when we are repulsed by ugliness and desire beauty. But then ugliness has as much a place in our lives as beauty, or may be more as when there is widespread hunger and injustice in a society. Philosophers  have told us that beauty is an important part of life, but isn't ugliness apart of life too? And if art has beauty as an important ingredient, can it confine itself only to a projection of beauty? Can art ignore what is not beautiful?

Poets and artists have provided an answer by incorporating both into their work. In doing so, they have often tied beauty to truth and justice, so that what is not beautiful assumes a tolerable proportion as something that represents some truth about life. John Keats, the romantic poet, wrote in his celebrated 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' 'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' by which he means that truth, even if it's not pleasant, becomes beautiful at a higher level. Similarly, what is beautiful forever remains true. Another meaning, in the context of the Grecian Urn an art object-is that truth is a condition of art.

A.             Choose the correct answer from the alterative.       1×5 = 5

(a)  What could be the closest meaning for appreciate in the passage?

(i) contract (ii) diminish

(iii) humiliate (iv) praise

(b)  What does the expression 'Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define' mean?

(i)  approval of beauty is trouble-free whereas its definition is troublesome

(ii)  we can appreciate beauty easily but explain it in a difficult way

(iii)  appreciation of beauty is necessary but there is no need to define it

(iv)  we enjoy beauty but we don't define it

(c)  What could be the closest meaning for difficult in the passage?

(i) easy         (ii) simple

(iii) arduous  (iv) soft

(d)  A further difficulty arises when beauty manifests itself both by its presence, and by its... According to the passage, which one of the following is the best to fill the gap?

(i) company (ii) nonappearance

(iii) existence (iv) expression

(e)    What could be the closest meaning for beauty in the passage?

(i) grotesqueness (ii) attractiveness

(iii) hideousness (iv) ugliness

B.              Answer the following questions.           2×5 = 10

(a)  Do you think it difficult to define beauty? Give reason in favour of your answer.

(b)  Where do you find beauty?

(c)  What have philosophers told about beauty? Do you support it? What is your view about beauty?

(d)  How have the poets and artists tied beauty to truth and justice?

(e)  Who wrote the poem 'Ode on a Grecian Urn'? What do you know about the poet?

Answers

1. A. (a) (iv) praise (b) (i) approval of beauty is trouble-free whereas its definition is troublesome (c)

(iii) arduous (d) (ii) nonappearance (e) (ii) attractiveness

B.       (a) Yes, I think it is really difficult to define beauty. I think it so because we do not clarify whether it has an independent objective identity or it is universal, or even it is dependent on our sense perceptions. In spite of this difficulty it moves us with pleasure.

(b)  There is beauty around us. We find it in pleasurable objects and sights in nature, in the laughter of children. in the kindness of strangers. Even in literature, there is beauty of its own kind.

(c)  Philosophers have told us that beauty is an important part of life. Yes, I support them with a slight difference. I think that beauty is important but it is life that cannot ignore ugliness. and if art has beauty as an important ingredient, it cannot be confined only to a projection of beauty. Art can not ignore what is not beautiful.

(d)  The poets and artists have tied beauty to truth and justice by incorporating both beauty and ugliness into their work. They have done it so that what is not beautiful assumes a tolerable proportion as something that represents some truth about life.

(e)  John Keats wrote the poem 'Ode on Grecian Urn'. He was a romantic poet. in his poem. 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' he wrote `Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' by which be means that truth, even if it's not pleasant, becomes beautiful at a higher level.

Bangla Translation

সৌন্দর্য উপলব্ধি করা সহজ কিন্তু সংজ্ঞায়িত করা কঠিন। আমরা যখন চারপাশে তাকাই, তখন আমরা আনন্দদায়ক বস্তু এবং দৃশ্যের মধ্যে সৌন্দর্য আবিষ্কার করি - প্রকৃতিতে, শিশুদের হাসিতে, অপরিচিতদের দয়ায়। কিন্তু সংজ্ঞায়িত করার জন্য জিজ্ঞাসা করলে আমরা সমস্যার সম্মুখীন হই। সৌন্দর্যের কি একটি স্বাধীন বস্তুনিষ্ঠ পরিচয় আছে? এটি কি সর্বজনীন, নাকি এটি আমাদের ইন্দ্রিয় উপলব্ধির উপর নির্ভরশীল? এটি কি দর্শকের চোখে পড়ে? - আমরা নিজেদেরকে জিজ্ঞাসা করি। আরও একটি অসুবিধা দেখা দেয় যখন সৌন্দর্য কেবল তার উপস্থিতি দ্বারাই নয়, বরং তার অনুপস্থিতিতেও নিজেকে প্রকাশ করে, যেমন যখন আমরা কদর্যতা দ্বারা বিতাড়িত হই এবং সৌন্দর্য কামনা করি। কিন্তু তারপর কদর্যতা আমাদের জীবনে সৌন্দর্যের মতোই স্থান পায়, অথবা আরও বেশি হতে পারে - যেমন যখন একটি সমাজে ব্যাপক ক্ষুধা এবং অবিচার থাকে। দার্শনিকরা আমাদের বলেছেন যে সৌন্দর্য জীবনের একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অংশ, কিন্তু কদর্যতা কি জীবনের একটি অংশ নয়? এবং যদি শিল্পের সৌন্দর্য একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ উপাদান হিসাবে থাকে, তবে এটি কি কেবল সৌন্দর্যের অভিক্ষেপের মধ্যেই সীমাবদ্ধ থাকতে পারে? শিল্প কি যা সুন্দর নয় তা উপেক্ষা করতে পারে?

কবি এবং শিল্পীরা তাদের কাজে উভয়কেই অন্তর্ভুক্ত করে একটি উত্তর দিয়েছেন। এইভাবে, তারা প্রায়শই সৌন্দর্যকে সত্য এবং ন্যায়ের সাথে সংযুক্ত করেছেন, যাতে যা সুন্দর নয় তা সহনীয় অনুপাত ধরে নেয় যা জীবনের কিছু সত্যকে প্রতিনিধিত্ব করে। রোমান্টিক কবি জন কিটস তার বিখ্যাত 'ওড অন আ গ্রীসিয়ান আর্ন'-এ লিখেছেন 'সৌন্দর্য সত্য, সত্য সৌন্দর্য', যার অর্থ তিনি সত্যকে, এমনকি যদি তা মনোরম নাও হয়, তবে উচ্চতর স্তরে সুন্দর হয়ে ওঠে। একইভাবে, যা সুন্দর তা চিরকাল সত্য থাকে। গ্রীসিয়ান আর্ন - একটি শিল্প বস্তু - এর প্রেক্ষাপটে আরেকটি অর্থ হল সত্য শিল্পের একটি শর্ত।

প্রতিটি ভাষার কবিতা সৌন্দর্য এবং সত্যকে উদযাপন করে। শিল্পও তাই করে। এখানে দুটি ভিন্ন সময়ের দুটি কবিতা রয়েছে যা সৌন্দর্য এবং সত্য সম্পর্কে কিছু স্থায়ী ধারণা উপস্থাপন করে। কবিতাগুলি রোমান্টিক ঐতিহ্যের একজন ইংরেজ কবি লর্ড বায়রন (১৭৮৮-১৮২৪) এবং আমেরিকান কবি এমিলি ডিকিনসন (১৮৩০-১৮৮৬) এর লেখা, যিনি মানব দৃশ্য, প্রেম এবং মৃত্যু সম্পর্কে লিখেছিলেন।

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Passage-2

4. Read the following text and answer the questions A and B.

Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. As we look around, we discover beauty in pleasurable objects and sights in nature, in the laughter of children, in the kindness of  strangers. But asked to  define, we run into difficulties. Does beauty have an independent objective identity? Is it universal, or is it dependent on our sense perceptions? Does it lie in the eye of the beholder? we ask ourselves. A further difficulty arises when beauty manifests itself not only by its presence, but by its absence as well, as when we are repulsed by ugliness and desire beauty. But then ugliness has as much a place in our lives as beauty, or may be more as when there is widespread hunger and injustice in a society. Philosophers  have told us that beauty is an important part of life, but isn't ugliness apart of life too? And if art has beauty as an important ingredient, can it confine itself only to a projection of beauty? Can art ignore what is not beautiful?

Poets and artists have provided an answer by incorporating both into their work. In doing so, they have often tied beauty to truth and justice, so that what is not beautiful assumes a tolerable proportion as something that represents some truth about life. John Keats, the romantic poet, wrote in his celebrated 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' 'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' by which he means that truth, even if it's not pleasant, becomes beautiful at a higher level. Similarly, what is beautiful forever remains true. Another meaning, in the context of the Grecian Urn an art object-is that truth is a condition of art.

A.             Choose the correct answer from the alterative.       1×5 = 5

(a)  What could be the closest meaning for appreciate in the passage?

(i) contract (ii) diminish

(iii) humiliate (iv) praise

(b)  What does the expression 'Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define' mean?

(i)  approval of beauty is trouble-free whereas its definition is troublesome

(ii)  we can appreciate beauty easily but explain it in a difficult way

(iii)  appreciation of beauty is necessary but there is no need to define it

(iv)  we enjoy beauty but we don't define it

(c)  What could be the closest meaning for difficult in the passage?

(i) easy         (ii) simple

(iii) arduous  (iv) soft

(d)  A further difficulty arises when beauty manifests itself both by its presence, and by its... According to the passage, which one of the following is the best to fill the gap?

(i) company (ii) nonappearance

(iii) existence (iv) expression

(e)    What could be the closest meaning for beauty in the passage?

(i) grotesqueness (ii) attractiveness

(iii) hideousness (iv) ugliness

B.              Answer the following questions.           2×5 = 10

(a)  Do you think it difficult to define beauty? Give reason in favour of your answer.

(b)  Where do you find beauty?

(c)  What have philosophers told about beauty? Do you support it? What is your view about beauty?

(d)  How have the poets and artists tied beauty to truth and justice?

(e)  Who wrote the poem 'Ode on a Grecian Urn'? What do you know about the poet?

Answers

1. A. (a) (iv) praise (b) (i) approval of beauty is trouble-free whereas its definition is troublesome (c)

(iii) arduous (d) (ii) nonappearance (e) (ii) attractiveness

B.       (a) Yes, I think it is really difficult to define beauty. I think it so because we do not clarify whether it has an independent objective identity or it is universal, or even it is dependent on our sense perceptions. In spite of this difficulty it moves us with pleasure.

(b)  There is beauty around us. We find it in pleasurable objects and sights in nature, in the laughter of children. in the kindness of strangers. Even in literature, there is beauty of its own kind.

(c)  Philosophers have told us that beauty is an important part of life. Yes, I support them with a slight difference. I think that beauty is important but it is life that cannot ignore ugliness. and if art has beauty as an important ingredient, it cannot be confined only to a projection of beauty. Art can not ignore what is not beautiful.

(d)  The poets and artists have tied beauty to truth and justice by incorporating both beauty and ugliness into their work. They have done it so that what is not beautiful assumes a tolerable proportion as something that represents some truth about life.

(e)  John Keats wrote the poem 'Ode on Grecian Urn'. He was a romantic poet. in his poem. 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' he wrote `Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' by which be means that truth, even if it's not pleasant, becomes beautiful at a higher level.

Passage-3

3. Read the passage below and answer the questions following it.

Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. As we look around, we discover beauty in pleasurable objects and sights – in nature, in the laughter of children, in the kindness of strangers. But asked to define, we run into difficulties. Does beauty have an independent objective identity? Is it universal, or is it dependent on our sense perceptions? Does it lie in the eye of the beholder? -we ask ourselves. A further difficulty arises when beauty manifests itself not only by its presence, but by its absence as well, as when we are repulsed by ugliness and desire beauty. But then ugliness has as much a place in our lives as beauty, or may be more-as when there is widespread hunger and injustice in a society. Philosophers  have told us that beauty is an important part of life, but isn’t ugliness a part of life too? And if art has beauty as an important ingredient, can it confine itself only to a projection of beauty? Can art ignore what is not beautiful?

Poets and artists have provided an answer by incorporating both into their work. In doing so, they have often tied beauty to truth and justice, so that what is not beautiful assumes a tolerable proportion as something that represents some truth about life. John Keats, the romantic poet, wrote in his celebrated ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’ ‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty,’ by which he means that truth, even if it’s not pleasant, becomes beautiful at a higher level. Similarly, what is beautiful forever remains true. Another meaning, in the context of the Grecian Urn-an art object-is that truth is a condition of art.

Poetry in every language celebrates beauty and truth. So does art. Here are two poems from two different times that present some enduring ideas about beauty and truth. The poems are by Lord Byron (1788-1824), an English poet of the Romantic tradition, and Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), an American poet who wrote about the human scene, love and death.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1´5=5

(a)     Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word “pleasurable”?

(i) dissatisfaction   (ii) pain             (iii) offend         (iv) delightful

(b)     What is the closest meaning of the word “incorporate”?

(i) embody (ii) corporation (iii) incorporeal (iv) intangible

(c)     ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’ is written by ——-.

(i) Lord Byron         (ii) John Keats (iii) Wordsworth (iv) PB Shelly

(d)                  What does the word ‘tolerable’ mean?

(i) not so good                    (ii) bad              (iii) moderately good    (iv) tolerant

(e)     Lord Byron is a ——– poet?

(i)     Revolutionary (ii) Romantic (iii) Classical (iv) Modern

 Answer the following questions. 2´5=10

(a)     How can we discover beauty in our surroundings?

(b)     How much place does ugliness have in our life?

(c)     What is the name of the poet of “Ode and a Grecian Urn”?

(d)     Do you get any definition of beauty from the poem ‘She Walks in Beauty’?

(e)     What was Byron’s intention?

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a) Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word “pleasurable”?(iv) delightful

(b) What is the closest meaning of the word “incorporate”?(i) embody

(c) ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’ is written by ——-.(ii) John Keats

(d) What does the word ‘tolerable’ mean?(iii) moderately good

(e) Lord Byron is a ——– poet?(ii) Romantic

B. Answer the following questions.

(a) How can we discover beauty in our surroundings?

We can discover beauty in our surroundings by observing the world around us. Beauty exists in nature, such as in the vibrant colors of flowers, the peaceful sound of flowing water, or the vastness of the sky. It is also present in human experiences, like the laughter of children, the kindness of strangers, or the expressions of love and care. Beauty can be found in both simple and grand things, as long as we take the time to appreciate them.

(b) How much place does ugliness have in our life?

Ugliness has a significant place in our lives, just as beauty does. It exists in various forms, such as injustice, poverty, suffering, and destruction. Sometimes, ugliness makes us appreciate beauty even more. It also plays a role in art and literature, where it is used to highlight deeper truths about life. Without ugliness, we may not fully understand or value beauty, as the contrast between the two helps us perceive and appreciate both.

(c) What is the name of the poet of “Ode on a Grecian Urn”?

The poet of Ode on a Grecian Urn is John Keats. He was a famous Romantic poet who explored themes of beauty, truth, and art in his poetry.

(d) Do you get any definition of beauty from the poem ‘She Walks in Beauty’?

Yes, She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron defines beauty as a perfect harmony between physical appearance and inner goodness. The poem describes a woman whose beauty is not just in her looks but also in her grace, kindness, and purity. Byron suggests that true beauty comes from a balance between light and dark, both in nature and in human character.

(e) What was Byron’s intention?

Byron’s intention was to express admiration for beauty in all its forms, both physical and emotional. In his poetry, he often explored themes of love, nature, and human emotions. In She Walks in Beauty, his goal was to capture the essence of a woman's beauty by highlighting the harmony between her outer appearance and inner purity. Through his works, he also aimed to show how beauty and truth are interconnected.