Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Ruskin Bond
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
"The World Outside My Window" is a charming collection of short pieces about nature, seasons and everyday wonders intended especially for children and young readers. It is written by Ruskin Bond, one of India's most beloved authors, known for his simple, lyrical stories set in the hills. The question checks recognition of Bond's work as distinct from classic English novelists such as Emily Bronte, Jane Austen and Henry Fielding, who belong to older British literary traditions rather than modern Indian children's literature.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The correct approach is to separate Indian children's authors from classical English novelists. Ruskin Bond has written numerous short stories, novellas and collections about hills, wildlife and childhood, and he frequently writes for children and teenagers. The other listed authors are canonical English writers whose famous works are very different in theme and era. This contrast makes it straightforward to match "The World Outside My Window" with Ruskin Bond, especially if one recalls that much of his writing is based on his own view from hill towns in India.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognize that the title reflects a personal, gentle observation of nature outside a window, a style that aligns closely with Ruskin Bond's known themes.
Step 2: Recall that Ruskin Bond lives in the Himalayan foothills and often writes about birds, trees, monsoon clouds and the changing seasons as seen from his home.
Step 3: Compare this to Emily Bronte, who is primarily associated with the classic novel "Wuthering Heights" and not with Indian hill town sketches for children.
Step 4: Note that Jane Austen (spelled Austen, not "Austen" with a first initial as shown in the option) is known for novels such as "Pride and Prejudice" that explore social manners, not descriptive nature writing for children in modern India.
Step 5: Remember that Henry Fielding wrote satirical eighteenth century novels like "Tom Jones" and has no connection with this book.
Step 6: Conclude that Ruskin Bond is the only correct choice to identify as the author of "The World Outside My Window".
Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by recalling school English textbooks and supplementary readers, where excerpts from Ruskin Bond's essays and stories frequently appear, including selections from "The World Outside My Window". Bookstore displays and library sections for children in India often group this title alongside his other works like "The Blue Umbrella" and "Rusty" stories. None of the other three authors are usually placed in that context, reinforcing that Ruskin Bond is the accurate answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Emily Bronte belongs to the Victorian era and is most famous for "Wuthering Heights", so attributing a modern Indian children's collection to her is incorrect, making option A wrong. The option labelled "I. Jan Austen" appears to be a misspelled reference to Jane Austen, who wrote social comedies of manners and not this nature based collection, so option C is incorrect. Henry Fielding is an eighteenth century English novelist and does not match either the time or the setting of "The World Outside My Window", so option D is also wrong. Only Ruskin Bond in option B matches the theme and readership of the book.
Common Pitfalls:
One pitfall is to see several famous foreign names and overlook that the book is widely read in Indian schools and was written by an India based author. Another mistake is to assume that any writer known for classic literature could fit any title in a general knowledge question. To avoid such confusion, candidates should anchor Ruskin Bond in memory as the gentle storyteller of Indian hills, birds and childhood, and distinguish him clearly from British classic novelists in both period and style. This helps not only for this question but also for other items about his books.
Final Answer:
Ruskin Bond
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