Read the following passage carefully and give the answer of the questions:
Section Overview: Detailed explanations for questions from the June 2025 Exam regarding Read the following passage carefully and give the answer of the questions:.
📜 Read the following:
Painting, or art generally, as such, with all its technicalities, difficulties, and particular ends, is nothing but a noble and expressive language, invaluable as the vehicle of thought, but by itself nothing. He who has learned what is commonly considered the whole art of painting, that is, the art of representing any natural object faithfully, has as yet only learned the language by which his thoughts are to be expressed. He has done just as much towards being that which we ought to respect as a great painter, as a man who has learned how to express himself grammatically and melodiously has towards being a great poet. The language is, indeed, more difficult of acquirement in the one case than in the other, and possesses more power of delighting the sense, while it speaks to the intellect; but it is, nevertheless, nothing more than language, and all those excellences which are peculiar to the painter as such, are merely what rhythm, melody, precision, and force are in the words of the orator and the poet, necessary to their greatness, but not the tests of their greatness. It is not by the mode of representing and saying, but by what is represented and said, that the respective greatness either of the painter or the writer is to be finally determined.From MODERN PAINTERS, “A Definition of Greatness in Art” The Text from vol. 1, part 1, section 1, chapter 2
Question 96
The author's primary argument suggests that technical mastery in painting is
The author's primary argument suggests that technical mastery in painting is
Correct Answer: 3. A necessary foundation but not the essence of true art
The author argues that technical skill in painting is comparable to learning a language—it is essential for communication but not sufficient for greatness. This is clearly reflected in the line:
"He who has learned what is commonly considered the whole art of painting... has as yet only learned the language by which his thoughts are to be expressed."
Further, the author states:
"...all those excellences which are peculiar to the painter as such, are merely what rhythm, melody, precision, and force are in the words of the orator and the poet, necessary to their greatness, but not the tests of their greatness."
This indicates that while technical skill is important, what is communicated (the thought or idea) holds greater weight in determining artistic greatness.
Detailed Explanation:
The correct answer is: A necessary foundation but not the essence of true art.The author argues that technical skill in painting is comparable to learning a language—it is essential for communication but not sufficient for greatness. This is clearly reflected in the line:
"He who has learned what is commonly considered the whole art of painting... has as yet only learned the language by which his thoughts are to be expressed."
Further, the author states:
"...all those excellences which are peculiar to the painter as such, are merely what rhythm, melody, precision, and force are in the words of the orator and the poet, necessary to their greatness, but not the tests of their greatness."
This indicates that while technical skill is important, what is communicated (the thought or idea) holds greater weight in determining artistic greatness.
Question 97
What implicit assumption about language and expression underpins the passage's argument?
What implicit assumption about language and expression underpins the passage's argument?
Correct Answer: 3. The medium of expression is secondary to the message conveyed.
The passage compares painting to language, asserting that technical mastery (like accurate representation in painting or correct grammar in writing) is only the vehicle for conveying thought—not the essence of art. This is clearly reflected in the line:
"...painting...is nothing but a noble and expressive language, invaluable as the vehicle of thought, but by itself nothing."
It emphasizes that what is said (the message or content) matters more than how it is said (the medium or style). Thus, the implicit assumption is that true artistic value lies in the message, not merely in the mastery of the form used to deliver it.
Detailed Explanation:
The correct answer is: The medium of expression is secondary to the message conveyed.The passage compares painting to language, asserting that technical mastery (like accurate representation in painting or correct grammar in writing) is only the vehicle for conveying thought—not the essence of art. This is clearly reflected in the line:
"...painting...is nothing but a noble and expressive language, invaluable as the vehicle of thought, but by itself nothing."
It emphasizes that what is said (the message or content) matters more than how it is said (the medium or style). Thus, the implicit assumption is that true artistic value lies in the message, not merely in the mastery of the form used to deliver it.
Question 98
What does the phrase "possesses more power of delighting the sense, while it speaks to the intellect" imply about visual art?
What does the phrase "possesses more power of delighting the sense, while it speaks to the intellect" imply about visual art?
Correct Answer: 2. It uniquely blends sensual pleasure with intellectual engagement.
This is supported by the line:
"...and possesses more power of delighting the sense, while it speaks to the intellect;"
Here, the author emphasizes that visual art not only pleases the senses (such as sight) but also communicates deeper meanings to the intellect, suggesting a dual function. Therefore, the phrase implies that visual art has a unique capacity to combine aesthetic pleasure with thoughtful communication, distinguishing it from purely verbal or sensory expressions.
Detailed Explanation:
The correct answer is: It uniquely blends sensual pleasure with intellectual engagement.This is supported by the line:
"...and possesses more power of delighting the sense, while it speaks to the intellect;"
Here, the author emphasizes that visual art not only pleases the senses (such as sight) but also communicates deeper meanings to the intellect, suggesting a dual function. Therefore, the phrase implies that visual art has a unique capacity to combine aesthetic pleasure with thoughtful communication, distinguishing it from purely verbal or sensory expressions.
Question 99
What does the passage emphasize as the true measure of greatness in painting and writing?
What does the passage emphasize as the true measure of greatness in painting and writing?
Correct Answer: 4. The content expressed
This is clearly conveyed in the closing line of the passage:
“It is not by the mode of representing and saying, but by what is represented and said, that the respective greatness either of the painter or the writer is to be finally determined.”
Here, the author argues that true artistic greatness lies not in technique or stylistic execution but in the substance and message of the work—what the artist or writer expresses. This makes content the ultimate criterion for evaluating both painting and writing.
Detailed Explanation:
The correct answer is: The content expressed.This is clearly conveyed in the closing line of the passage:
“It is not by the mode of representing and saying, but by what is represented and said, that the respective greatness either of the painter or the writer is to be finally determined.”
Here, the author argues that true artistic greatness lies not in technique or stylistic execution but in the substance and message of the work—what the artist or writer expresses. This makes content the ultimate criterion for evaluating both painting and writing.
Question 100
What is the broader philosophical implication of the statement "It is not by the mode of representing and saying, but by what is represented and said..."?
What is the broader philosophical implication of the statement "It is not by the mode of representing and saying, but by what is represented and said..."?
Correct Answer: 2. Ethical and thematic depth are the ultimate measure of artistic value.
The statement —
“It is not by the mode of representing and saying, but by what is represented and said...” —
suggests that the meaning, message, and intellectual or moral substance of a work of art are more significant than its formal or stylistic techniques.
This implies a philosophical stance that values content over form and promotes the idea that art’s greatness lies in what it communicates—its themes, ideas, and ethical or emotional depth—not merely in how beautifully or skillfully it is executed.
Thus, the broader implication is that true artistic worth is measured by the significance of what the artist chooses to express, not just the technical brilliance with which it is conveyed.
Detailed Explanation:
The correct answer is: Ethical and thematic depth are the ultimate measure of artistic value.The statement —
“It is not by the mode of representing and saying, but by what is represented and said...” —
suggests that the meaning, message, and intellectual or moral substance of a work of art are more significant than its formal or stylistic techniques.
This implies a philosophical stance that values content over form and promotes the idea that art’s greatness lies in what it communicates—its themes, ideas, and ethical or emotional depth—not merely in how beautifully or skillfully it is executed.
Thus, the broader implication is that true artistic worth is measured by the significance of what the artist chooses to express, not just the technical brilliance with which it is conveyed.