English Language Questions for CLAT | QB Set 36

“Human rights are not a privilege conferred by governments; they are the inheritance of humanity,” wrote the jurist René Cassin while reflecting upon the aftermath of war and suffering. In every civilisation, the measure of progress has often been judged not by monuments or markets, but by the dignity afforded to the weakest citizen. The poet Rabindranath Tagore once dreamt of a world “where the mind is without fear,” and that dream continues to echo in contemporary debates on equality, liberty, and justice.

Yet, history repeatedly demonstrates the fragility of these ideals. Nations that proudly proclaim freedom sometimes silence dissent in moments of insecurity. Philosophers such as Hannah Arendt warned that when society begins to treat certain groups as expendable, the very foundation of humanity trembles. Human rights, therefore, are not abstract legal doctrines preserved in constitutions alone; they are living principles sustained through empathy, vigilance, and collective moral courage. As Nelson Mandela observed, “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” The struggle for rights is thus not merely political—it is profoundly human.

Questions

1. Which of the following best captures the central idea of the passage?

A. Economic growth is the primary indicator of civilisation.
B. Human rights are relevant only during times of war.
C. Human rights are essential to preserving human dignity and civilisation.
D. Constitutions alone are sufficient to protect human rights.

2. Why does the author refer to Rabindranath Tagore’s vision?

A. To emphasise the ideal of a fearless and just society.
B. To criticise modern constitutional systems.
C. To argue that poetry influences politics more than law.
D. To show that literature is superior to philosophy.

3. The phrase “the very foundation of humanity trembles” suggests that:

A. governments are incapable of maintaining order.
B. societies often exaggerate threats to security.
C. philosophy has little role in protecting rights.
D. excluding certain groups threatens the moral basis of society.

4. According to the passage, human rights can best be protected through:

A. military strength and political control.
B. economic reforms and industrial growth.
C. strict constitutional amendments alone.
D. empathy, vigilance, and moral responsibility.

5. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Human rights discussions are purely legal in nature.
B. Human rights require active societal commitment to survive.
C. Democracies never violate human rights principles.
D. Philosophers and poets have little influence on social ideals.

Answers with Explanations

1. Correct Answer: C

The passage consistently emphasises that human rights preserve dignity, justice, and civilisation itself. The author discusses how societies are judged by the dignity they provide to people, especially vulnerable groups.

• A is incorrect because economic growth is not presented as the primary measure of progress.
• B is incorrect because rights are discussed as universal and continuous.
• D is incorrect because the passage explicitly states that constitutions alone are insufficient.

2. Correct Answer: A

Tagore’s phrase “where the mind is without fear” symbolises a society based on freedom, dignity, and justice. The author uses it to reinforce the ideal vision of human rights.

• B is unsupported.
• C exaggerates the role of poetry beyond what the passage claims.
• D is irrelevant to the context.

3. Correct Answer: D

The phrase refers to the danger posed when societies begin excluding or dehumanising certain groups. Such exclusion weakens the ethical and moral structure of humanity itself.

• A is not discussed.
• B misinterprets the context.
• C is opposite to the passage’s argument since philosophers are cited meaningfully.

4. Correct Answer: D

The passage clearly states that human rights are “living principles sustained through empathy, vigilance, and collective moral courage.”

• A and B are unrelated to the author’s argument.
• C is incorrect because the passage says rights are not preserved through constitutions alone.

5. Correct Answer: B

The passage implies that rights survive only when society actively protects them through awareness, empathy, and courage.

• A is incorrect because the author says the struggle is not merely political or legal.
• C is contradicted by the discussion of nations silencing dissent.
• D is incorrect because the author heavily relies on philosophers and poets to strengthen the argument.