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.
'creates a tornado of restlessness'
The word 'tornado' here means
- A.
waterfall
- B.
confusion
- C.
storm
- D.
mixture
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept: In reading-comprehension vocabulary-in-context questions, a word is glossed by the connotation and intensity it carries in its immediate surroundings, not by looking it up as an isolated dictionary entry.
Application: The passage says the ego being hit makes “the mind whirl” and “creates a tornado of restlessness.” Both verbs describe a forceful, swirling upheaval rather than a calm or orderly state, so the word being asked about must carry that same sense of violent turbulence.
waterfall — names a steady, one-directional downward flow, which has no swirling or violent quality.
confusion — names a jumbled or unclear mental state, but carries no sense of force or violent motion.
storm — names a violent, swirling disturbance, matching the forceful whirling the passage describes.
mixture — names a blend or combination of elements, with no implication of motion or intensity at all.
Cross-check: Re-reading the sentence before it — “the mind whirls and creates a tornado of restlessness” — confirms the intended sense is a violent, turbulent upheaval, which only the storm reading supplies.