Assertion (A): A journalist must always keep his eyes and ears open. Reason (R): Because without opening eyes and ears, he/she cannot see and hear. (A) (A) is incorrect but (R) is correct. (B) (A) is correct, (R) is also correct. (C) (A) is correct, but (R) is not the sufficient explanation. (D) Both (A) and (R) are incorrect. Correct Ans: (C) Explanation: The assertion (A), "A journalist must always keep his eyes and ears open," is correct. Journalists need to remain alert and observant to capture details, detect important events, and understand the context of a story. Awareness enables them to gather facts accurately, follow leads, and interpret subtle cues from people or situations. This active engagement is vital for producing quality reporting. The reason (R), "Because without opening eyes and ears, he/she cannot see and hear," is also correct, but it does not sufficiently explain the assertion. While the reason highlights a basic biological fact, it does not delve into the professional implications of why journalists must maintain constant vigilance. A journalist's role demands not just seeing and hearing but actively analyzing, questioning, and interpreting what they observe to uncover the truth and present it to the public. The correct answer is (C): (A) is correct, but (R) is not the sufficient explanation. The reason provides a literal interpretation but fails to address the deeper professional requirement for attentiveness in journalism. In conclusion, journalists must keep their eyes and ears open, not merely for basic sensory functions but to remain aware of developments and context. This heightened awareness is essential for uncovering critical stories, verifying facts, and providing balanced reporting to serve the public interest.