Read the following passage and answer the question that follows: Political…
2023
Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:
Political freedom and economic justice are two sides of democracy; both are essential. We should lay stress on the improvements of the economic conditions of the people as well as on liberty and freedom. No society can claim to be democratic if it does not permit political liberty, freedom of conscience, freedom of choice between parties, and opportunities of peaceful and orderly changes of Government.
In the context of the international situation, there are many misunderstandings. We can build peace even on the basis of misunderstandings. When once peace is built, misunderstandings will diminish.
We, in our country, are now engaged in the enterprise of effecting a social and economic revolution. The word ‘revolution’ need not scare us. It does not mean barricades and bloodshed. It means only speedy and drastic changes. We are interested not only in our objectives but in our methods; not only in what we achieve but in how we achieve. Through peaceful, constitutional processes we won our independence and integrated our country; and now we are striving to raise the material standards of our people. Even if we meet defeat in our attempt to replace force by persuasion, the politics of power by the politics of brotherhood, we are convinced that the defeat will be only temporary, for goodness is rooted in the nature of things: kindness and love are as contagious as unkindness and hate.
The word ‘revolution’ in the passage implies
Answer: D. Social and economic transformation — ConceptA word must be interpreted from its immediate context, especially from the author’s explicit definition and contrast. The intended sense is the one…
- A.
Bloodshed
- B.
Violent protests
- C.
Political transformation
- D.
Social and economic transformation
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Correct answer: D
Concept
A word must be interpreted from its immediate context, especially from the author’s explicit definition and contrast.
The intended sense is the one that fits both the stated scope and the stated method.
Application
The passage says the country is undertaking a social and economic revolution. It immediately explains that revolution does not mean barricades or bloodshed; it means speedy and drastic changes pursued through peaceful, constitutional processes.
Contrast
Bloodshed denotes violent loss of life, which the passage separates from its intended use of revolution.
Violent protests describe a confrontational method, while the passage emphasizes peaceful and constitutional methods.
Political transformation covers only the political sphere, whereas the passage names a broader two-part scope.
Social and economic transformation covers both spheres explicitly joined in the passage.
Cross-check
Substituting this meaning into the sentence gives a coherent reading: the country is pursuing speedy and drastic social and economic changes without barricades or bloodshed. Therefore, revolution here means social and economic transformation.