Complete the following suitably. India stands as a testament to the coexistence of a multitude of identities harmoniously because _
Complete the following suitably. India stands as a testament to the coexistence of a multitude of identities harmoniously because _
...it is a unique blend of various cultures, languages, religions, and traditions that exist under one nation — this foundational premise from the passage's opening explains the harmonious coexistence of India's diverse identities.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark for a relevant completion that captures the idea of India being a blend of diverse cultures, languages, religions, and traditions under one nation.
Hint
The answer is in the very first paragraph. Look for the sentence that defines what makes India unique as a nation.
Quick Oral Answer
India stands as a testament to harmonious coexistence because it is a unique blend of various cultures, languages, religions, and traditions all existing peacefully under one nation.
Analysis & Explanation
This sentence-completion question tests the ability to extract the passage's causal reasoning behind harmonious coexistence.
Concept
- The word "because" demands a reason, not an example; the underlying reason is given in the introductory paragraph, which calls India "a unique blend of various cultures, languages, religions, and traditions that exist under one nation."
Common mistakes
- Giving an example instead of a reason, e.g. writing "India celebrates many festivals" rather than stating the foundational premise.
- Overwriting the completion — since this is a 1-mark item, one concise sentence is expected.
Exam strategy
- Locate where the passage states or paraphrases the premise, then build the completion around its exact key phrases — "unique blend" and "one nation" — to show the answer is textually grounded.
Common Mistakes
- 1Writing an example (like 'India celebrates Diwali and Eid together') instead of providing the actual reason for coexistence, which is that India is a unique blend of diverse elements under one nation.
- 2Omitting the crucial phrase 'one nation' or 'under one flag', which is the key idea that explains why coexistence is harmonious rather than fragmented.
- 3Providing an overly long answer with multiple sentences when only a single concise clause is needed to complete the sentence for 1 mark.
Interesting Facts
India's national motto 'Satyameva Jayate' (Truth Alone Triumphs) comes from the ancient Mundaka Upanishad, and was adopted in 1950 alongside the national emblem, symbolizing the country's commitment to unity through shared values.
India is one of the few countries in the world that has no single national language. Hindi and English serve as official languages of the Union, but each state can designate its own official language under the Constitution.
The phrase 'Unity in Diversity' was popularized in Indian political discourse by Jawaharlal Nehru in his book 'The Discovery of India' (1946), where he described India as a palimpsest of civilizations layered upon one another.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own words to complete the sentence or must I quote the passage exactly?
You may paraphrase, but it is safer to use key phrases from the passage such as 'unique blend' and 'one nation' to ensure you capture the intended meaning and secure full marks.
Why does the question say 'harmoniously' and what does it imply?
The word 'harmoniously' implies that the coexistence is peaceful and complementary, not merely tolerated. The passage emphasizes that India's diverse identities work together positively rather than being in conflict.
Is it enough to mention just cultures and religions, or do I need to list all four elements?
For 1 mark, mentioning at least two elements (cultures, languages, religions, traditions) along with the idea of 'one nation' should be sufficient, but including more shows stronger comprehension.