Read carefully the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Friends often
ask me: “When do you read?” My life seems pretty full of various activities,
some useful perhaps, others of a doubtful utility. It is not easy to make
friends with books and live in their charmed world when the horrid business of
politics consumes our youth and eats up our days and nights, which under a better
dispensation would be given to happier pursuits. Yet even in this dreary round
I try to find a little time at night to read some book that is far removed from
politics. I do not succeed always. But most of my reading takes place in
railway trains as I journey to and fro across this vast land.
A third class or
an intermediate class compartment is not an ideal place to read in or do any
work. But the invariable friendliness of my fellow-travellers and the courtesy
of railway officials make a difference, and I am afraid I cannot pretend to
experience all the discomfort of such travelling. Others insist on my having
more than
my fair share of
space, and many acts of courtesy give a pleasant touch to the journey. Not that
I love discomfort or seek it. Nor do I indulge in travelling third class
because there is any virtue in it or principle involved. The main consideration
is one of rupees, annas and pies. The difference in third class and second
class fares is so great that only dire necessity induces me to indulge in the
luxury of second class travel.
Questions:
1. What would
the writer have done if he were free from the horrid business of politics?
2. Where does
the writer read books mostly?
3. Why is an
intermediate or a third class compartment not an ideal place to read in?
4. What makes
the railway journey comfortable for the writer?
5. Is there any
principle involved in travelling third class?
6. Why does the
writer travel third class?
