The Vedic literature of India has sometimes been claimed to be the most ancient literature in the world. This claim is not tenable. For Mesopotamian and Egyptian literatures are definitely prior to the Vedas. But the Vedas still remain the oldest literature of all the Indo – European races taken together. Etymologically, the word Veda means knowledge and in later times came mean more specifically, sacred knowledge. The basic texts are the four samhitas or compilations of metrical hymnals or Mantras. Mantra means that which is thought out by the mind and the sage or Muni is the person who is capable of that deep absorption of the mind which leads to the formulation of the Mantra.(a) (i) Is the Vedic literature the most ancient literature in the world?(ii) Write the name of literatures which are prior to the Vedas?(iii) Give the meaning of Veda.(iv) Which are the basic texts?(v)What do you understand by Mantra?(b) (i) Give the meaning of any one of the following:(a) Basic (b) definite(ii) Make sentence of any one of the following:(a) Tenable (b) races(iii) Write antonyms of any two of the following:(a) Knowledge (b) more (c) capable(iv) Write synonym of any one of the following:(a) sacred (b) ancient