Directions : Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow…
2021
Directions : Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by selecting the correct/most appropriate options :
The very nature of the mind is restlessness. It cannot stay at one place or hold one thought for long. For every thought that appears, there are comments, judgements and associations. Thinking is a continuous activity with the mind jumping from one thought to another from morning till night. Like clouds in the sky or waves in the ocean, thoughts appear and disappear as if in ceaseless activity.
However, all thoughts that pass through our mind do not affect us. But we get affected when our ego is hit. Then the mind whirls and creates a tornado of restlessness within. A variety of probable scenarios crop up 'how dare he insult me; what does she think of herself ? Where I am not respected, I will not go; if he speaks thus, I will reply so'. And so it goes on and on.
We have an inbuilt filter in our mind which chooses the types of thoughts or subjects that we like to brood upon. We are not born with this filter but we acquire it over the years with the kind of books we read, the company we keep and the subjects we are interested in.
That is why some people are obsessed with football, cricket or fashion while others could not care less for such things. This filter is built day by day by our actions, suggestions, teachings and influence of others. We can ultimately choose our own filter. So let us learn to build our filter wisely and strengthen it daily.
Thoughts affect us when our
- A.
job is affected.
- B.
sleep is disturbed.
- C.
learning is affected.
- D.
pride is hurt.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept: In a literal-comprehension question, the correct option must restate something the passage explicitly says, using an everyday paraphrase, rather than an idea that is never mentioned in the text. The task is to locate the exact sentence carrying the relevant information and match its meaning to the correct paraphrase among the choices.
Application: The passage states, "But we get affected when our ego is hit." Here, the "ego" being "hit" means one's self-respect is wounded, which in everyday language is described as one's pride being hurt. So the passage directly identifies the trigger for being affected by thoughts as the ego being challenged — that is, pride being hurt.
Cross-check: The next sentence confirms this reading: "Then the mind whirls and creates a tornado of restlessness within" describes an emotional reaction to an insult, not a practical or physical consequence. Nowhere does the passage refer to work, sleep, or study.
Contrast:
job is affected — the passage never discusses work or professional consequences at all.
sleep is disturbed — the passage describes restlessness of the mind's thoughts, not a physical inability to sleep; sleep is never mentioned.
learning is affected — the text is not about study or learning outcomes; it is about an emotional reaction to an ego insult.
pride is hurt — matches "when our ego is hit" directly, so this is the option the passage supports.
Result: The passage's own words confirm that thoughts affect us when our pride is hurt.