Read the following passage and answer the given questions. Certain words are…
2024
Read the following passage and answer the given questions.
Certain words are highlighted to answer some of the questions. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is increasingly recognized as a key component of success in both personal and professional realms. While men and women may possess similar overall levels of EQ, research consistently shows that they tend to excel in different emotional competencies. Women often score higher in areas such as empathy, interpersonal relationships, and social responsibility, whereas men tend to perform better in assertiveness, stress tolerance, and self-regard (or confidence). These differences lay the foundation for the distinct emotional approaches each gender brings to the workplace, shaped by both biological factors and the powerful process of socialization.
Socialization plays a significant role in determining these gender-specific strengths. From an early age, boys and girls receive different messages about how they should behave. Boys are often ___________ to be competitive, confident, assertive, and decisive, and are taught that winning is of primary importance. Girls, on the other hand, are socialized to be nurturing, empathetic, and emotionally expressive. They learn to value relationships and cooperation over competition. These early experiences influence the development of specific emotional intelligence skills, with boys becoming more assertive and confident and girls excelling in empathy and interpersonal communication.
As boys and girls grow into adults, these learned behaviors are reinforced by societal norms and expectations. In the workplace, these socialized behaviors manifest in ways that can impact professional roles and leadership opportunities. Men’s strengths in assertiveness and self-regard often give them an advantage in competitive environments, helping them excel in leadership positions. Meanwhile, women’s strengths in empathy and interpersonal relationships make them highly effective in teamwork and collaborative settings, though these skills are sometimes undervalued in leadership hierarchies. These gender-based differences in emotional intelligence may contribute to the leadership gender gap. Men's natural tendencies toward assertiveness and confidence can help them rise in hierarchical structures, while women’s empathy and relational strengths are often better suited for team-oriented roles. Recognizing and valuing these differences can help organizations leverage the diverse emotional strengths of both genders, fostering a more balanced and inclusive leadership landscape.
According to the passage, which of the following statement(s) is/ are true?
(I) Emotional intelligence (EQ) is primarily shaped by biological factors, with little influence from socialization.
(II) Women tend to excel in empathy, social responsibility, and interpersonal relationships according to research.
(III) Assertiveness and stress tolerance are often considered key emotional competencies where men perform better.
- A.
Only (I) is true
- B.
Only (II) is true
- C.
Both (II) and (III) are true
- D.
Only (III) is true
- E.
All statements are true
Attempted by 1 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
In a reading-comprehension 'which statement is true' question, each statement must be checked ONLY against what the passage actually asserts. A statement is true only if the passage directly supports it; a statement that contradicts the passage, overstates it, or adds an unsupported claim is false. Never rely on outside knowledge or on what sounds plausible.
Application
Test each of the three statements against the passage:
Statement (I): claims EQ is shaped 'primarily by biological factors, with little influence from socialization'. The passage says the opposite — the differences are 'shaped by both biological factors and the powerful process of socialization' and that 'Socialization plays a significant role'. So (I) is FALSE.
Statement (II): claims women excel in empathy, social responsibility, and interpersonal relationships. The passage states 'Women often score higher in areas such as empathy, interpersonal relationships, and social responsibility'. So (II) is TRUE.
Statement (III): claims men perform better in assertiveness and stress tolerance. The passage states 'men tend to perform better in assertiveness, stress tolerance, and self-regard'. So (III) is TRUE.
Result
Only statements (II) and (III) match the passage, so the correct choice is 'Both (II) and (III) are true'.
Cross-check
The one statement that fails — (I) — fails precisely because it denies the role of socialization, which the passage devotes an entire paragraph to emphasising. Since (I) is the only false statement, any option that includes (I) or excludes either (II) or (III) cannot be correct.