Correct Option (2)
: E
Based on the provided information:
- Last year's question featured 'A', who is a medieval poet.
- The rule states that modern poets figure in the question paper in alternate years. Consequently, this year's paper must contain a question on a modern poet (E, F, G, or H).
- The paper-setter explicitly "does not like to ask about F" due to having authored a book on F, indicating a potential conflict of interest. This eliminates F from consideration.
- Among the remaining modern poets (E, G, H), the condition "those who like F like E also" becomes relevant. Given that F is a poet the paper-setter has an affinity for (even if not selecting F due to the conflict of interest), E emerges as the most probable alternative choice, being directly associated with F through this stated preference.
Incorrect Options:
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(1) C: C is classified as a medieval poet. Since a medieval poet (A) was featured last year, this year's question must be on a modern poet, as per the alternate year rule for modern poets.
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(3) F: The paper-setter has a stated disinclination to ask about F because they have written a book on F. This conflict of interest makes F an unlikely choice for the question paper.
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(4) H: While H is a modern poet and thus a potential candidate, there is no specific information that makes H the "most likely" choice over E. The preference "those who like H like G also" does not provide a strong reason for H to be selected as the primary option in this context, especially when E has a direct associative link to F, whom the paper-setter likes.