L-7 The Interview Text-Flamingo Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING

 7 The Interview Text-Flamingo

Q3 Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract

A. Maybe I give the impression of doing many things. But in the end, I am

convinced I am always doing the same thing… And then I have a secret. Did

you know what will happen if you eliminate the empty spaces from the

universe, eliminate the empty spaces in all the atoms? The universe will

become as big as my fist. Similarly, we have a lot of empty spaces in our

lives. I call them interstices. Say you are coming over to my place. You are

in an elevator and while you are coming up, I am waiting for you. This is an

interstice, an empty space. I work in empty spaces.

i Read the questions given below. Imagine they were interjections raised by

the interviewer based on the above extract. Choose the option that correctly

describes the given questions.

(i) If you are “always doing the same thing”, isn’t your work lacking in

originality?

(ii) Could you elaborate on these larger ethical, philosophical interests that

inform your work?

(iii) All writing happens in empty spaces. In fact, why don’t I tell you all about

my experiences?

a) (i) is not relevant; (ii) is appropriate; and (iii) is unnecessary

b) (i) is appropriate; (ii) is repetitive; and (iii) is useful information

c) (i) is inappropriate; (ii) is relevant; and (iii) is not relevant

d) (i) is unnecessary; (ii) is intrusive; and (iii) is extrapolatory

ii Based on your reading of Part I of ‘The Interview’, which one of the following

may NOT be an appropriate title to the above extract?

a) The Empty Spaces of Umberto Eco

b) Big Exposé: Eco’s Secret Revealed!

c) “I am always doing the same thing”: Eco’s Echoes

d) Umberto Eco, Mr. Prolific!

iii “I work in empty spaces”. Choose the option that most accurately captures

Eco’s idea of empty spaces.

(i) management of time (ii) organization of space

(iii) philosophical inclination (iv) command of thought

a) Options (i) and (ii)

b) Options (iii) and (iv)

c) Options (i) and (iii)

d) Options (ii) and (iv)

iv Umberto Eco states that ‘empty spaces’ actually fill spaces, and without

them the universe would be the size of the human fist. He also goes on to

say that it is in an interstice such as waiting, which the dictionary defines as

a time for pause, that he works. That is, passive waiting is essentially active

writing time. Choose the literary device that best describes what Eco does

with the concepts of ‘empty spaces’ and ‘waiting’.

a) juxtaposition

b) irony

c) oxymoron

d) symbolism

B. Saul Bellow, who has consented to be interviewed on several occasions,

nevertheless once described interviews as being like thumbprints on his

windpipe. Yet despite the drawbacks of the interview, it is a supremely

serviceable medium of communication. “These days, more than at any other

time, our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are through

interviews,” Denis Brian has written. “Almost everything of moment reaches

us through one man asking questions of another. Because of this, the

interviewer holds a position of unprecedented power and influence.”

i How would you describe Denis Brian’s opinion on interviews? Choose the

most appropriate option.

(i) appeasing (ii) utilitarian (iii) approving (iv) praising

a) Options (i) and (ii)

b) Options (iii) and (iv)

c) Options (ii) and (iii)

d) Options (i) and (iv)

ii According to Saul Bellow, interviews are like thumbprints on his windpipe.

What emotion might best describe such an image?

a) sadness

b) frustration

c) pain

d) fear

iii Denis Brian states that the interviewer occupies a position of power and

influence as ___________

a) everything reaches us through one man asking questions of another.

b) the interview is a supremely serviceable medium of communication.

c) our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are through interviews.

d) interviews are like thumbprints on the interviewee’s windpipe.

iv The use of the word “serviceable” implies that interviews are _________

a) significant.

b) powerful.

c) advanced.

d) useful.

Q 5. Stand-alone MCQs

i According to Christopher Silvester, the interview can be “in its highest form,

a source of truth”. Choose the option that does NOT enable this?

a) An interview allows for discovery of new knowledge about the interviewee

and/ or the subject being discussed.

b) An interview enables the interviewer to probe deeply, seek clarifications,

and confirm understandings.

c) An interview represents an opportunity to open doors to experiences that

may not otherwise find a voice.

d) An interview requires the interviewer to have in-depth prior knowledge of

the interviewee and the subject.

Mukund Padmanabhan mentions that much like his novels, Umberto Eco’s

“scholarly work has a certain playful and personal quality about it.” To what

is this attributed?

a) Eco thought regular academic style was depersonalised, dry and boring.

b) Eco presented his first Doctoral dissertation in Italy in this style.

c) Eco realized that scholarly books should tell the story of the research.

d) Eco identified himself with the academic and scholarly community.

iv Umberto Eco mentioned that he was not puzzled by the tremendous mass

popularity of his novel, The Name of the Rose. What does this tell you about

Umberto Eco?

a) He believes he understands readership trends well, and writes

accordingly to ensure mass appeal.

b) He elevates himself above publishers and journalists who were surprised

by the success of the book.

c) He respects and understands that there are variations in people’s reading

choices and experiences.

d) He feels that the success of a book is a mystery, and there was no point

pondering over it. 

Q3 A. i – c ; ii – b ; iii – c ; iv – b B. i – c ; ii – c ; iii – a ; iv – d Q5 i – d ; ii –– c ; iv – c