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Indian and Sri Lankan Languages

2,991 Questions

Indian and Sri Lankan languages cover various linguistic families, regional dialects, and official state languages. A significant focus is placed on Dravidian languages and their distinctive scripts. Strengthen your general awareness of regional language distribution for upcoming tests.

Dravidian language familyOfficial state languagesRegional Indian dialectsSri Lankan languagesLinguistic communities

Indian and Sri Lankan Languages Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of an Arabic loanword in Tamil?

  1. kitab

  2. kitabkhana

  3. kitab-ul-ilm

  4. kitab-e-ilm
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Kitab is an Arabic loanword in Tamil, while kitabkhana, kitab-ul-ilm, and kitab-e-ilm are all Persian loanwords.

Multiple choice

Which of the following languages is unscheduled in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

  1. Hindi

  2. Telugu

  3. Marathi

  4. Konkani
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Konkani is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Konkani people, primarily along the western coast of India.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a major language spoken in the region where the early kingdoms of the south were located?

  1. Tamil

  2. Telugu

  3. Kannada

  4. Hindi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Hindi is a major language spoken in northern India, but it is not a major language spoken in the region where the early kingdoms of the south were located.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT an East Indian language?

  1. Assamese

  2. Bengali

  3. Gujarati

  4. Kannada
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Kannada is a Dravidian language spoken in the southern state of Karnataka, while Assamese, Bengali, and Gujarati are East Indian languages.

Multiple choice

Which East Indian language has the largest number of native speakers?

  1. Hindi

  2. Bengali

  3. Telugu

  4. Marathi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India, with over 500 million native speakers.

Multiple choice

Which East Indian language is known for its rich classical literature?

  1. Sanskrit

  2. Tamil

  3. Telugu

  4. Malayalam
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sanskrit is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that is considered the classical language of India and has a rich literary tradition.

Multiple choice

Which East Indian language is known for its distinctive script?

  1. Bengali

  2. Odia

  3. Assamese

  4. Manipuri
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Manipuri is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the state of Manipur and is known for its unique script, called Meetei Mayek.

Multiple choice

Which East Indian language is known for its rich classical dance tradition?

  1. Odissi

  2. Bharatanatyam

  3. Kathakali

  4. Manipuri
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Odissi is a classical dance form that originated in the state of Odisha and is known for its graceful movements and expressive storytelling.

Multiple choice

Which language did Vaikom Muhammad Basheer write in?

  1. Malayalam

  2. Tamil

  3. Kannada

  4. Telugu
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer was a Malayalam writer who wrote in the Malayalam language.

Multiple choice

The Tamil language is considered to be:

  1. The oldest language in India.

  2. The language of the Dravidian people.

  3. The language of the Sangam literature.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Tamil is considered to be the oldest language in India and is spoken by the Dravidian people of South India. It is also the language of the Sangam literature, a collection of ancient Tamil poetry and prose.

Multiple choice

Which language is the official language of Tamil Nadu?

  1. Tamil

  2. English

  3. Hindi

  4. Telugu
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu and is spoken by the majority of the population.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the second largest linguistic community in Tamil Nadu?

  1. Telugu

  2. Kannada

  3. Malayalam

  4. Marathi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Telugu is spoken by a significant population in Tamil Nadu, particularly in the northern and western districts.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the third largest linguistic community in Tamil Nadu?

  1. Kannada

  2. Malayalam

  3. Marathi

  4. Urdu
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Kannada is spoken by a sizable population in Tamil Nadu, especially in the western and southern districts.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the fourth largest linguistic community in Tamil Nadu?

  1. Malayalam

  2. Marathi

  3. Urdu

  4. Hindi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Malayalam is spoken by a notable population in Tamil Nadu, primarily in the southern districts.

Multiple choice

Which language is spoken by the fifth largest linguistic community in Tamil Nadu?

  1. Marathi

  2. Urdu

  3. Hindi

  4. Gujarati
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Marathi is spoken by a considerable population in Tamil Nadu, mainly in the northern and western districts.