Q.6 “Why do they pull down and do away with crooked streets, I wonder, which are my delight, and hurt
no man living? Every day the wealthier nations are pulling down one or another in their capitals and their
great towns: they do not know why they do it; neither do I. It ought to be enough, surely, to drive the
great broad ways which commerce needs and which are the life-channels of a modern city, without
destroying all history and all the humanity in between: the islands of the past.” (From Hilaire Belloc’s “The
Crooked Streets”)
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the following statements is
true?
(A)The author of the passage takes delight in wondering.
(B)The wealthier nations are pulling down the crooked streets in their capitals.
(C)In the past, crooked streets were only built on islands.
(D)Great broad ways are needed to protect commerce and history.

Hilaire Belloc’s poignant passage from “The Crooked Streets” critiques modern urban development, mourning the loss of winding, historic streets in favor of straight boulevards. This reading comprehension question tests your ability to extract precise facts from the text without adding external assumptions. Let’s break it down step by step, identify the correct answer based solely on the passage, and explain every option.

The Passage at a Glance

The key excerpt states:
“Why do they pull down and do away with crooked streets, I wonder, which are my delight, and hurt no man living? Every day the wealthier nations are pulling down one or another in their capitals and their great towns… It ought to be enough, surely, to drive the great broad ways which commerce needs… without destroying all history and all the humanity in between: the islands of the past.”

The author’s voice is clear—he cherishes crooked streets, questions their demolition, and argues cities can build new roads without erasing history.

Correct Answer: (B) The wealthier nations are pulling down the crooked streets in their capitals.

This statement directly mirrors the passage’s wording: “Every day the wealthier nations are pulling down one or another [crooked streets] in their capitals and their great towns.” It’s a factual restatement—no interpretation needed. Belloc highlights this as an ongoing action in major cities, making (B) undeniably true based only on the provided text.

Why the Other Options Fail: Detailed Breakdown

Each incorrect option twists or infers beyond the passage. Here’s a clear analysis:

• (A) The author of the passage takes delight in wondering.
  False. The author says crooked streets “are my delight,” not wondering itself. “I wonder” expresses confusion about demolition, but delight attaches to the streets. This misreads the structure, shifting focus incorrectly.

• (C) In the past, crooked streets were only built on islands.
  False. “Islands of the past” is metaphorical, referring to historic areas amid modern development—not literal islands or a claim about where streets were built. The passage doesn’t mention construction history or limit crooked streets to islands.

• (D) Great broad ways are needed to protect commerce and history.
  False. The passage says broad ways serve “commerce needs” as “life-channels of a modern city,” but Belloc argues they shouldn’t destroy history. Protection of history is his plea against over-demolition, not a purpose of broad ways. This inverts his critique.

Broader Context in Belloc’s View

Belloc, a 20th-century essayist, romanticizes organic urban growth over sterile modernism. His “wonder” underscores a cultural loss—crooked streets embody “history and humanity.” This question hones skills vital for exams like UPSC, GRE, or literature analyses: stick to the text, avoid inferences.

Mastering such passages sharpens critical reading for Hilaire Belloc crooked streets passage analysis and beyond.