Q.6 “His life was divided between the books, his friends, and long walks. A solitary
man, he worked at all hours without much method, and probably courted his fatal
illness in this way. To his own name there is not much to show; but such was his
liberality that he was continually helping others, and fruits of his erudition are
widely scattered, and have gone to increase many a comparative stranger’s
reputation.”
(From E.V. Lucas’s “A Funeral”)
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the
following statements is true?
(A) The solitary man described in the passage is dead.
(B) Strangers helped create a grand reputation for the solitary man described in the
passage.
(C) The solitary man described in the passage found joy in scattering fruits.
(D) The solitary man worked in a court where he fell ill.
The correct answer is option (A): The solitary man described in the passage is dead.
Passage Analysis
The passage from E.V. Lucas’s “A Funeral” uses past tense throughout (“was divided,” “worked,” “courted”) and references a “fatal illness,” signaling the man’s death. The title “A Funeral” provides direct context of mourning a deceased person.
Option Breakdown
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(A) True: “Fatal illness” and eulogistic tone confirm death. Past tense and funeral context make this explicit.
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(B) False: Passage states the man’s knowledge “increase[d] many a comparative stranger’s reputation,” not strangers building his. He had “not much to show” for himself.
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(C) False: “Fruits of his erudition” is metaphorical for scholarly contributions, not literal fruits or joy in scattering.
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(D) False: “Courted” means “invited” (his illness through irregular work), not literal court employment. No court mentioned.
This appears in GATE 2025 exams (Statistics/Life Sciences), testing inference from limited text.
The GATE 2025 General Aptitude section featured this reading comprehension from E.V. Lucas’s essay “A Funeral,” testing precise inference skills crucial for CSIR NET Life Sciences and similar exams. Key phrase: solitary man E.V. Lucas funeral passage reveals a scholarly figure whose irregular habits likely caused death, with his knowledge benefiting others.
Why Option (A) Prevails
Past tense verbs (“his life was divided,” “he worked“) and “courted his fatal illness” imply completion through death. The funeral title seals it—no living person fits this eulogy.
| Option | Key Passage Evidence | Why Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| (A) | “Fatal illness,” past tense, “A Funeral” title | True: Direct death inference |
| (B) | “Increase many a comparative stranger’s reputation” | False: His work boosted others, not vice versa |
| (C) | “Fruits of his erudition” | False: Metaphor for knowledge, not literal fruits/joy |
| (D) | “Courted his fatal illness” | False: “Courted” = invited (illness via overwork), no court |
Exam Strategy Tips
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Prioritize title/context (“A Funeral” = deceased subject).
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Past tense signals completed life events.
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Metaphors like “fruits of erudition” ≠ literal interpretation.
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Eliminate extremes: No “grand reputation” or “court” mentioned.
This question mirrors CSIR NET verbal ability patterns, emphasizing passage-only evidence.
